Chapter 549 - 515: Return
In the old world, becoming a truly independent Lord seems only possible in the Eastern World. However, so-called independence is only relative to the Kingdom forces, as Da Fei still has to face threats from the Naga. Should he fail to cope, he might still keep his title as a Lord, but then he’d be no different from those local forces who submit tributes and get exploited without any power to develop.
Thus, Da Fei quickly snaps out of his euphoria of becoming a City Lord and starts to inspect the city’s attributes.
— Lighthouse Islands City: Level 13 city. (Each building construction or upgrade increases the city level by 1. Higher city levels are beneficial for attracting population and talent growth.)
— City Lord: Da Fei.
— City Officials: None.
— Radiated Territory: Entire Lighthouse Sea Domain.
— City Population: 0.
— City Funds: 0 (Warning: The city has no funds to pay workers’ wages; you must acquire city funds through trade or by initiating territorial wars.)
— City Supplies: 0 (Warning: The city has no food and cannot sustain any population; you must solve the food problem by constructing a supply warehouse.)
— City Military: 1000 Elite Earth Element Guardians, 1000 Elite Water Element Guardians, 10000 Water Elements, 600 Elite Wind Element Guardians. (Note: This army is a neutral army under the Elemental Contract, the City Lord cannot command it; Contract duration: 3 years. Once the contract expires, the Elemental army will automatically disband.)
— City Diplomacy: Sea Spear Naga Empire (Hostile), Wailing Sea Demon Tribe (Hostile), Angry Scale Fishman Tribe (Hostile), Raging Scale Fishman Tribe (Hostile), Blood Scale Fishman Tribe (Hostile).
— City Facilities: Level 1 City Hall, Level 1 Earth Element Altar, Level 1 Wind Element Altar, Level 10 Water Element Altar.
— City Health Rating: 64 points (Your city environment is beautiful, but the piles of leftover skeletons have impacted the city’s health rating.)
— City Safety Rating: 70 points (Your troops are very strong, capable of dealing with threats outside your territory.)
— City Cultural Rating: 0 points.
— City Prosperity Rating: 0 points.
......
Holy moly! Dirt poor! So this basement with only a stone bed is the City Hall? And this Elemental army is just a temporary mercenary force? And these hostile diplomatic relations have completely dazzled me!
The Elemental Contract lasts another 3 years, which is about over a hundred days or three months in real time. That’s neither too much nor too little time, still enough to make some difference. Fortunately, he’s not entirely empty-handed; there are three altars left, especially a Level 10 Water Element Altar, which is really high-end!
For every level up in the barracks, the output of troops increases by 1, and higher level barracks have a chance to recruit slightly stronger enhanced types of normal troops, which are most likely to be promoted to elites. But upgrading barracks consumes a tremendous amount of resources, especially after Level 4; the cost of upgrading could probably build two or three more barracks.
So, unless it’s a particularly rare type of barracks or the player is an extremely wealthy tycoon, there’s usually no need to upgrade ordinary barracks. And this Prophet must have been crazy to upgrade the Level 4 Water Element Altar to Level 10! No wonder there are so many Water Elements here. Did he have money to burn? If so, why not leave some city funds for me!
Alright! I was just worried about "Tycoon Lord" clapping alone without anyone to share the Magic damage; let’s recruit a few Earth Elements and add some city funds. Yes, Lord Players can open their barracks to other players to recruit troops, generating city funds. This is also an important way to convert personal funds into city funds.
— System Prompt: You have spent 2150 Gold Coins to recruit 4 Earth Elements from the Earth Element Altar.
Man, that output! Well, might as well recruit all the rest too; this way, there’s at least twenty thousand in city funds. Although everyone has been prisoners for many years and doesn’t really need money, handing out a wage of 1 Gold Coin per person makes it feel a bit more acceptable, right?
Next up, appointing a Deputy City Lord. The great thing about being an independent City Lord is appointing whoever you want without having to listen to the Kingdom’s nagging.
— System Prompt: You have appointed Hangeval as Deputy City Lord of Lighthouse Islands City. The Deputy City has all the rights of a City Lord except for the transfer of territory rights.
Da Fei then said to Hangeval, "Bro, now that things are finally sorted out here, I have to go back to the Kingdom for some urgent matters. I’ll leave this place in your hands, and get everyone integrated into the city. I’ll figure out a way to transport resources here after a while."
Hangeval also let out a long sigh of relief, "It hasn’t been easy. We’ve finally escaped and earned a new life, but it also brings new challenges!" He then pulled out a note and laughed, "Bro, oh no, Lord City Lord, we can finally spend our money where it should be spent. This is for you, my lord!"
—System Prompt: You have successfully completed the mission "Smuggler Crime Group’s Request for Help," and you will receive the reward "Lionheart Empire Bank Safe Deposit Box S-Class Renter’s Deposit Receipt," and you gain 1 million Experience.
At the same time, a golden light flashed above Alina’s head!
—System Prompt: Congratulations! Your Vice Hero Alina has leveled up to level 20!...
Damn, a safe deposit receipt! Finally, a reward! Are you like that Prophet who won’t let go until the very last moment?
Da Fei smiled and asked, "Bro, could you reveal what’s exactly in that treasury box?"
Hangeval shook his head and laughed, "What else can people like us have? Just some bits and bobs and some Gold Coins. Although not many, if you add a zero when bragging about it, even the Prince would be tempted. Anyway, bro, you’ll know when you go there. That money and stuff are all yours to use however you like!"
Da Fei laughed heartily, "Truly like a bro, so generous. Don’t worry everyone, I’ll definitely spend the money where it benefits everyone!"
Just then, Vali stepped forward and volunteered, "Lord, Lord City Lord, I also want to contribute to the city-building efforts!"
Da Fei nodded, "Excellent! That’s what I was waiting to hear. You’ll be the Security Captain of our city!"
Vali was overjoyed, "It’s always best to stick to what I know! I will not let Lord City Lord down!"
Da Fei nodded, thinking of what else needed to be mentioned. The security can hold up for 3 years, but food might be a problem as the current convoy’s food and water is not enough for these fifteen hundred people for long. After all, the appetite of NPCs can’t be measured with the usual troop’s consumption.
Da Fei then handed over the shipyard blueprint given by the owner of Elorin Shipyard to Hangeval, "Bro, we don’t have any buildings in our territory right now, and I can only build a shipyard. Luckily, there are forests on the island, so let’s build some simple small fishing boats and move around nearby to sort out the food issue."
Hangeval nodded, "Good stuff! Now that we have a shipyard, our food supplies can last even longer!"
There’s nothing much left to say, unload the food and water from the transport vehicles, then I can use the Legion Transmission Scroll to return home with 500 units of Forest Spring and my troops. Since it’s a Legion Transmission Scroll, the fully loaded troops and convoy are of course within the transmission range. It’s undeniable, that’s the powerful one-time magic of a Legion Transmission Scroll.
While Da Fei was busy unloading, several senior mages came over, "Lord, are you returning now?"
Da Fei grinned, "Yes, but don’t worry, it won’t be long before I return."
The old men then pulled out small notes and handed them to the old man dubbed "Bishop Guardian," who stepped forward and said, "Although it’s a bit embarrassing to bother you, Lord, we still feel somewhat uneasy, and would like to request that you notify our families and friends that we’re safe. Here are their addresses. Of course, it doesn’t matter if they have passed away."
Da Fei’s eyebrows jumped, Fuck! This isn’t just some simple errand, right? Who knows how their families and friends, excited and delighted, might react, and what kind of tasty or fun things they might send my way?
Da Fei immediately grabbed the notes and patted his chest, "Don’t worry everyone, I can understand your feelings. No matter how busy I am, I will find them!"
The old men were thrilled, "Thank you, Lord City Lord, we wish both you and our beautiful Miss Alina a safe journey!"
Alina laughed heartily, "When the lord is not around, you guys better work hard to defend the territory!"
The old men replied in unison, "We definitely will not disappoint Lord City Lord and Miss Alina!"
Now, everything is ready. Da Fei gathered all his troop convoys together, then pulled out the Legion Return Scroll, and with a flash of light, the fluctuating Demon Light enveloped the troops. At this moment, Da Fei’s emotions were a mix of many feelings!
The scene changed, and he was back in town.
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