"Clip-clop-clop..."
The crisp sound of hooves clattered as the warhorses shifted restlessly. The 50-meter-long ship docking at the port gave off a slight sense of pressure, to say nothing of the dense crowd of figures on its deck.
"Master, Dahlia is here," Mina said, turning her head toward the carriage. "Also, the Lord of Sakura City has arrived."
"Creaak~"
Lucas pushed open the carriage door and stepped out. Gazing at the figures on the thirty-plus ships, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but lift. With such a large population, the territory's construction speed would multiply severalfold, wouldn't it? The city wall construction, in particular, could be finished in just a few months.
"Wow, there really are so many people," Annie said excitedly, following behind Lucas and looking at the dense crowd of refugees. "Now the plan can be accelerated."
Mina glanced at Annie's sparkling brown eyes and couldn't help but roll her own. She knew why the fox-eared girl was so excited: with this many people, they could build the towering buildings from the blueprints, as well as that bun-shaped theater. Though, she was also looking forward to it.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Dahlia trotted up to Lucas, followed by eight knights who were escorting two large wooden chests.
"Lord Lucas, I am late." Dahlia performed a noble's curtsy, her face filled with apology.
She lowered her head guiltily. She was more than ten days later than the scheduled time. This was a major taboo in business; it would make people think she had run off with the payment. It was also a breach of trust, so she didn't offer many excuses.
"Rise. Your help in transporting the refugees this time can be considered as making amends," Lucas said calmly.
If Dahlia hadn't helped transport the refugees this time, he probably would have deducted a portion of her commission, as was stipulated in the original contract. Friendship was friendship, but rules still had to be followed.
"Thank you, Lord Lucas." Dahlia raised her head, her eyes curving into crescents. Her anxious heart relaxed considerably.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Aiden trotted over with Freya, Gaba, and Camilla. The four of them bowed to Lucas and said respectfully in unison, "Master (Lord), the refugees have been brought back."
"You've worked hard." Lucas smiled warmly and asked, "How many refugees are there in total?"
"City Lord, there are nine thousand, three hundred and twelve people in total," Camilla reported in a clear voice, flipping open her notepad. "During the journey, seventy-two people fell ill, but they have all now fully recovered."
"Very good. Annie, have Max immediately arrange food and lodging for the refugees," Lucas said, turning his head to the fox-eared girl. "Prioritize the elderly and children. Make a note of anyone with special skills."
"Okay." Annie immediately turned and walked toward Max to give instructions according to the pre-arranged plan.
"Lord Lucas, the Lord of Sakura City brought nearly three thousand refugees over. What should we do about this?" Freya said in a deep voice, her eyes flashing with a cold light. That Sakura City Lord was extremely shameless; it made her want to take her greatsword and chop him.
"Oh? Is there such a good thing?" Lucas paused, then the corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he watched the Lord of Sakura City approaching him—or rather, the man being carried over.
"Lord Lucas, long time no see," The Sakura City Lord greeted him, beaming.
"Sakura City Lord, are you here to attend the auction tomorrow?" Lucas asked calmly.
"Auction?" The Sakura City Lord paused, then quickly nodded. "Yes, I am here to attend the auction. I also incidentally brought Lord Lucas a little wheat—one thousand pounds."
"Oh? Then I must truly thank Lord Sakura City for his generosity." Lucas's mouth twitched slightly; he knew the Sakura City Lord was here to annoy him.
After all, his plan was already mostly successful; he had usurped most of Sakura City's market economy. As long as the Sakura City Lord wasn't an idiot, he would certainly think of resisting. Lucas just hadn't expected him to be so childish and petty.
"Alas... Lord Lucas, please don't mind that one thousand pounds is too little. It's mainly because our Sakura City doesn't have much wheat left."
The Sakura City Lord put on a woeful expression, but his mouth was twisted in a smirk. "You see, I heard Lord Lucas was showing great benevolence by saving refugees. To prevent the refugees from starving, I gathered all the refugees near Sakura City and sent them over to you."
"Lord Lucas, you don't mind, do you?" The Sakura City Lord's eyes were filled with mockery. He waited to see how Lucas would respond. Would he accept them to save face, or would he tear all pretenses of cordiality?
"No, of course I don't mind. In fact, I must thank you for your good deed." Lucas smiled, his dark eyes staring meaningfully at the Sakura City Lord's face. The smile at his lips looked more like a sneer.
"Th-that's good, then." The smile on the Sakura City Lord's face gradually faded. Lucas's reaction was completely different from what he had expected.
"Aiden, accept those refugees," Lucas ordered, turning his head to Aiden.
"Yes." Aiden bowed and immediately went to arrange for people to receive the refugees.
"Lord Lucas, this one shall enter the city first." The Sakura City Lord cupped his hands, flicked his sleeve, and had his men carry him into Sedona City.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Lucas watched the retreating figure of the Sakura City Lord, his dark eyes flickering with ridicule. There are so many self-righteous people. It seems the plan to "erode" Sakura City needs to be accelerated.
"Master, that Sakura City Lord is extremely disrespectful," Mina said, her eyes flashing with a cold chill.
"Just a clown." Lucas waved his hand dismissively. The only thing about that man he cared about was the piles of wheat in his granary. For him to personally come to Sedona City this time... it was truly a sheep walking into the tiger's mouth.
"Lord Lucas, many nobles and merchants have come this time, including lobbyists for the three princes," Dahlia quickly reminded him, her cyan eyes filled with worry.
"It's good to have more fat sheep," Lucas chuckled. He was only afraid that no one would come, not that too many people would.
"Fat sheep?" Dahlia was stunned. What did that mean? Those nobles and merchants hadn't brought any fat sheep.
"Mina, tell the soldiers to be diligent. Absolutely no contraband is to be allowed into Sedona City," Lucas instructed, turning his head to the cat-eared girl.
He would not allow those nobles and merchants to bring large groups of fully armed knights into Sedona City. They could either leave their weapons behind or obediently stay on their ships.
"Yes." Mina turned and walked toward the inspecting soldiers. Those nobles were the most difficult to deal with.
"Make us put down our knightly swords? Are you joking? A knight without a weapon? How can he still be called a knight?"
"Knights aren't allowed to carry weapons? Even the Royal Capital doesn't have such a rule! What? Do you people put on more airs than the Royal Capital's knights?"
"Hurry up and get out of the way! We're going into the city to rest."
"Get your City Lord out here! A mere knight dares to obstruct me!"
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