( Luke's POV )
Luke and Cervantez had been journeying alongside their guild towards the SilverPine Barony for four days now and the group was only now finally nearing their destination.
The four days of journey could only be described as uneventful and boring, as apart from a few small internal squabbles between the newly recruited guild members, there was not much entertainment through the journey.
Mountain Bandits did not dare attack a moving entourage of over 10,000 individuals, while wild beasts also instinctively steered clear of such a large group.
If there was anything useful that came out of these four boring days for Luke, then it had to be how he had time to study the landscape of the Silverpine Barony and understand its strategic weaknesses and strengths.
The Silverpine Barony was a territory rich in natural resources and it was located in a strategically advantageous location overall.
The Silverpine Barony consisted of 5 main components overall, with all five components critical to the smooth functioning of the territory.
Firstly, at the heart of the Barony was the Silverpine Town. It was where over 60% of the Barony's population lived and it was the main trading hub of the region since it contained the silver refinery that processed raw silver ore into silver ingots.
Next, there were two small villages in the Barony named 'Rivervale' and 'StoneBridge', where the remaining 40% of the population lived.
Finally, there were the hills containing the silver mines and the subfields area where a lot of the food crops were grown.
Together, the Silverpine Town, The Rivervale village, the Stonebridge village, The silver mines and the Subfields made up the Silverpine Barony, and it was this region that DarkSky Guild was tasked to administer.
As Luke studied the topographical map of the region, he realized why Cervantez chose to administer this area in particular.
With the foreknowledge of the upcoming demon invasion, Luke saw Silverpine Barony from a different perspective than others.
Looking at the town from a strategic outlook, Luke recognized that the heart of the barony, Silverpine Town, was built in a naturally defensible position.
Surrounded by hills on all sides and featuring a town keep that resembled a small fortress at its center, the town was strategically advantageous to defend during a raid.
The hills provided natural barriers, making it difficult for enemies to approach unnoticed. Additionally, the elevated terrain offered perfect vantage points for defenders to spot and counter any approaching threats.
If nothing else worked, the keep, solidly constructed and centrally located, could serve as a final stronghold, ensuring that even in the direst circumstances, the town could hold out against attackers for an extended period of time.
However, it wasn't just the Silverpine Town that made the Barony strategically advantageous, as apart from the main town, the Barony also had the two villages Rivervale and Stonebridge that contributed to the food security of the region.
With Rivervale being situated on the tributary stream of a major river, it was a village full of rich farmlands that never faced drought years.
While Stonebridge, was named Stonebridge because it was a village constructed on a hilltop that was connected to the rest of the Barony only through a massive Stonebridge.
While facing enemy attacks, the bridge could be blown apart to completely immobilize enemy movement, in which case that village could also be converted into a strategic fortress.
Finally, administering a territory with silver mines was always good for economics, as the guild could then always come up with funds even during war times by selling silver.
Having everything from food, water, natural defense and more. The Silverpine Barony was a well-balanced territory, rich in resources and strategically positioned and Luke appreciated Cervantez's foresight in picking it out.
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( The Silverpine Barony, Cervantez's POV)
After four arduous days of journey, when the carriages of the DarkSky guild finally rolled over the last hill before Silverpine Town, Cervantez took a moment to take in the sight that unfolded before him.
From the hilltop, Silverpine Barony stretched out like a well-painted canvas. The town lay nestled in the valley below, surrounded by rolling hills that provided a natural embrace.
In the distance the silver mines glinted under the sunlight, and if one looked far enough, they could notice the fertile fields of Rivervale that looked lush and green, while their irrigation channels sparkled like veins of liquid silver.
It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight, one that immediately washed away all the fatigue from the journey, as there was not a single guild member from the DarkSky guild who did not feel excited about their new headquarters when their headquarters looked as beautiful as it did.
As the guild's convoy descended into the valley and rolled into the streets of Silverpine Town, Cervantez observed the town's charm up close.
The streets were lined with stone buildings, each bearing the marks of both age and care. Market stalls filled with vibrant goods lined the main thoroughfare, and townsfolk bustled about, their faces a mix of curiosity and hope as they caught sight of the arriving guild members.
Children peeked out from behind their parents, wide-eyed at the sight of the large procession, while the more respectful members of the town bowed at their new administrator's as a sign of respect.
The streets themselves were well-maintained, cobblestones smoothed by years of foot traffic and the occasional cart.
There was no breakage or potholes and the sewer lines seemed to be working well since the streets were clean and did not stink.
Instead, the aroma that Cervantez was greeted with when he moved through the town was one of fresh bread from the local bakery mixed with the earthy scent of recently tilled soil, which created a welcoming atmosphere.
As the convoy moved towards the center of the town, Cervantez noted the strategic positioning of key buildings along the way, such as the blacksmith's forge, and the silver refinery, which stood as the economic heart of the town.
As the convoy reached the central square, Cervantez saw the welcome party that had gathered to greet them.
The square was spacious, dominated by the imposing structure of the town keep, which served as both a symbol of protection and a functional stronghold.
A large banner stretched across the entrance of the keep, bearing the insignia of the DarkSky Guild, flanked by the barony's own emblem.
Alden, the head of Silverpine Town, stood at the forefront of the welcome party. He was a stout man with a bushy beard and a broad smile, wearing his best ceremonial robes. Beside him were Elara, the elderly head of Rivervale, and Thorne, the rugged overseer of the silver mines.
Other notable figures included merchants, artisans, and village representatives, all gathered to show their respect and anticipation for the new administration.
"Welcome, Guildmaster Cervantez!" Alden's voice boomed across the square, carrying a tone of both respect and hope. "We are honored to have you and your guild here. Our people look forward to the prosperity and protection your leadership will bring."
Dismounting from his horse, Cervantez went ahead and shook the hands of Alden, before scanning the faces of the crowd as he said "Glad to be here… I'll try my best to keep the town safe and increase the prosperity of the region".