[Recruitment Vouchers may be obtained through quests, events, exploration, and system rewards.]
"Of course. Nothing’s free."
Ashveil sighed as he examined the notification. Apparently, even after being transported to another world, he couldn’t escape the need to grind for rewards.
Nevertheless, he had finally discovered a possible solution to his military problem.
A single recruitment voucher would provide ten soldiers, allowing his villagers to gather resources without being completely defenseless.
The question was how to obtain one.
After searching through the Lord System for a while, Ashveil noticed another function that immediately caught his attention.
[Global Communication Channel]
"Oh? There’s a chat?"
He opened it out of curiosity, and thousands of messages immediately flooded his vision.
[Lord_82914]: Just finished constructing my first Barracks. Another five soldiers recruited!
[Lord_19302]: Anyone know where to find iron? I’ve been searching for hours.
[Lord_44218]: Help! There are wolves outside my territory!
[Lord_71003]: Does anyone know how to upgrade a territory’s grade?
[Lord_00581]: Trading 50 Stone for Food! Anyone interested?
Ashveil scrolled through the messages with growing interest.
It seemed that everyone had already begun figuring out how to develop their territories. Some were gathering resources, others were constructing buildings, and a few had even started exploring the surrounding wilderness.
Naturally, those who had awakened higher-grade territories were progressing much faster.
After watching Marcus Reed receive fifty soldiers and Elena Frost receive a hundred during the Awakening Ceremony, Ashveil already knew how unfair the starting conditions were. What he hadn’t expected was how quickly the fortunate Lords would begin pulling ahead.
[Lord_82914]: Honestly, I think I’ve got enough soldiers to clear a monster nest tomorrow.
[Lord_39281]: Bro, it’s literally our first day.
[Lord_82914]: Skill issue.
Ashveil shook his head.
"Must be nice having an army."
Meanwhile, he was still trying to gather enough wood to upgrade a building that barely qualified as a house.
He continued scrolling until another conversation caught his attention.
[Lord_55321]: Anyone else get an F-rank territory?
[Lord_82914]: F-rank? Bro, just give up.
[Lord_55321]: Fuck you.
Ashveil chuckled.
At least he wasn’t the only unfortunate fellow in Eryndor. He even considered sending the other F-rank Lord a message of encouragement, but what exactly was he supposed to say?
[Don’t worry, brother. I also have nothing.]
Somehow, he doubted that would help.
Then another message appeared.
[Lord_44218]: Good news! The wolves finally left!
[Lord_44218]: Bad news. They ate my chickens.
Ashveil stared at the messages for a moment.
"At least they didn’t eat you."
He closed the channel, deciding that he had seen enough of the other Lords’ adventures for one morning.
Although the messages were entertaining, they also reminded him that everyone was already working to develop their territories. If Ashveil wanted to catch up, he couldn’t afford to waste time.
"My Lord!"
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
Rowan had returned from the edge of the clearing, carrying a bundle of wood over his shoulder. The other two villagers followed behind him, dragging several smaller logs.
"We’ve begun gathering materials, my Lord. Is there anything else you require?"
"Good work. Keep collecting wood for now. We’ll need another eighty units to upgrade the Lord’s Hall."
"Understood!"
"And remember what I said earlier. Stay close to the settlement. Nobody goes deeper into the forest until we have soldiers."
Rowan nodded seriously.
"Of course, my Lord. But if monsters can attack us even during the protection period, shouldn’t we recruit soldiers as soon as possible?"
"That’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out."
Ashveil explained that constructing a Barracks required resources they didn’t possess, while recruitment vouchers could only be obtained through quests, exploration, and other system rewards.
Rowan listened with growing concern.
"Then we’re in quite a difficult situation, aren’t we?"
"You have no idea."
Nevertheless, Ashveil had no intention of sitting around waiting for disaster. For now, the villagers could gather materials within sight of the settlement while he searched for other opportunities.
"My Lord, do you really think we can survive the Monster Tide?" Rowan eventually asked.
"Of course."
"Then you already have a plan?"
"Naturally. First, we’ll upgrade the Lord’s Hall and establish a proper economy. After that, we’ll recruit soldiers, build defenses, and prepare for the Monster Tide."
Rowan nodded enthusiastically.
"And once we survive, my Lord?"
"After that?"
Ashveil rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Well, I suppose we’ll continue expanding the territory. Build a proper city, recruit stronger soldiers, and perhaps establish a few alliances."
That sounded reasonable enough. If everything went according to plan, Ashen Hollow might eventually become a prosperous territory.
But then again, why stop there?
If he could build a city, perhaps he could establish a kingdom someday. And if he somehow became powerful enough, who knew? Maybe he could even rule the entire world.
Ashveil chuckled at the thought.
’Rule the world? Yeah, right. I should probably worry about surviving the first week before thinking about something that ridiculous.’
"Rule the world?!"
"Huh?"
Ashveil turned toward Rowan, only to discover that the middle-aged man was staring at him with an expression of absolute astonishment.
Wait.
Had he said that last part aloud?
"My Lord! I never imagined your ambitions were so grand!"
"No, hold on. I was just thinking about..."
"To think that I, Rowan, would have the honor of serving a future ruler of the world!"
Rowan suddenly bowed deeply, his voice trembling with excitement.
"I swear to devote my life to helping you achieve your ambition!"
Ashveil stared at him.
This was troublesome.
He had merely entertained a ridiculous possibility, but his first subordinate had somehow interpreted it as a declaration of world conquest.
More importantly, Rowan looked genuinely inspired.
’How am I supposed to explain this now?’
Ashveil opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Well, there was no point crushing the man’s enthusiasm. Besides, conquering the world wasn’t technically impossible. Probably.
He cleared his throat.
"Very well, Rowan. Then I have an important mission for you."
Rowan immediately straightened.
"Please command me, my Lord!"
"Gather enough wood to fix that damn house."
"...Yes, my Lord!"
Rowan hurried back toward the other workers with renewed determination, leaving Ashveil standing alone in the clearing.
Watching him depart, Ashveil couldn’t help wondering whether he had just made a terrible mistake.
At this rate, Rowan might start preparing a coronation before they had enough lumber to build a proper roof.
Still, he couldn’t help smiling.
Although his villagers possessed no remarkable abilities, they were hardworking and willing to follow his instructions. With proper development, perhaps Ashen Hollow could eventually become a respectable territory.
Unfortunately, his optimism lasted only until Martha returned.
"My Lord, I’ve examined the surrounding land. There’s enough space for cultivation, and the soil appears suitable for growing crops."
Ashveil’s eyes brightened. "That’s good news!"
"It is, my Lord. However, the first harvest will take several weeks."
His smile gradually disappeared.
"Several weeks?"
"I’m afraid so. Until then, we’ll have to rely on our existing provisions and whatever edible plants we can gather nearby."
Ashveil glanced toward his inventory.
[Food: 12]
Four villagers consumed four units of food every day. With only twelve units remaining, their provisions would last three days at most.
He had initially believed that obtaining soldiers would be his greatest challenge. Apparently, keeping everyone fed was going to be just as troublesome.
"Alright, Martha. Continue gathering whatever you can find around the clearing, but don’t venture into the forest. I’ll figure out another way to secure food."
"Understood, my Lord."
After Martha departed, Ashveil stood outside the Lord’s Hall and examined his territory once more.
Four villagers, no soldiers, almost no resources, and forty-five days before an army of monsters arrived to destroy everything he owned.
What a wonderful start.
If this had been an ordinary strategy game, he would have restarted immediately and rolled for a better territory.
Unfortunately, there was no restart button, and he doubted the Lord System would entertain any requests for refunds.
Still, complaining wouldn’t accomplish anything. He had already been transported to Eryndor, and whether he liked it or not, Ashen Hollow was now his responsibility.
Besides, Rowan was apparently convinced that his Lord intended to conquer the world.
It would be rather embarrassing if the future ruler of Eryndor starved to death before constructing his first farm.
Ashveil looked toward the surrounding wilderness. Somewhere beyond those trees were monsters, resources, and perhaps opportunities that could change his circumstances.
"Alright, fine. If the system wants me to start from nothing, I’ll start from nothing."
He glanced toward the dilapidated Lord’s Hall behind him, then smiled.
"Just you wait. I’ll turn this shitty territory into something incredible."
With that declaration, Ashveil decided to personally inspect the surrounding land while his villagers continued gathering resources.