NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 25: Returning to Loren City
Chapter 25: Returning to Loren City
To secure the iron mine, Thor had considered many options. The simplest method was to return to the Dresrosa family and ask his father for help. A large iron mine is incredibly valuable, capable of enticing even a count. He was confident his father would gladly seize the opportunity to gain the mining rights.
However, this thought only lasted for a moment before he dismissed it. It wasn't that he was unwilling to ask for help; there were many reasons for his reluctance. As a pioneering knight, he wasn't allowed to return to his family until he became a baron. Additionally, the family wouldn't provide ongoing support until then. Even though Count Engel Dresrosa might support him for such a valuable mine, this would undoubtedly lower his father's opinion of him.
Furthermore, a large iron mine wasn't unattainable for him. The only issue was dealing with thousands of goblins. If he had to rely on his father for such a problem, how could he handle future issues in the territory? Constantly leaning on the family wouldn't make him a competent leader. Count Engel Dresrosa had already provided substantial support, and this time Thor wanted to solve the problem on his own.
The main challenge was figuring out how to eliminate or contain the goblins. Cowardly goblins typically flee in large numbers when threatened. Even with his 400-strong knight group, it would be impossible to completely eliminate the thousands of goblins or even contain most of them. If too many escaped, news of the mine would spread. Proximity to Loren City meant that even low-level orcs or other goblin tribes would cause significant trouble if they discovered the mine.
Thor needed a plan to minimize the number of escaping goblins and suppress any leaks about the mine's existence. He pondered over this for a long time but couldn't come up with a good solution until he noticed the enthusiastic serfs. An idea struck him: use the serfs.
Cowardly goblins are the weakest of all orcs, often serving as food for other goblins. An average adult male could handle two or three with a weapon. Given the goblins' numbers, why not mobilize enough serfs? With thousands of serfs and 400 knights, they could potentially eradicate the goblins completely.
He estimated that 3,000 serfs would suffice, costing only 300 gold coins—a manageable expense given his remaining thousands of gold coins, despite recent expenditures on supplies and territory construction. With this plan in mind, Thor summoned Steve and also called for Ryan.
"Lord!" they both greeted respectfully.
"Ryan, prepare a few official knights and bring all the apprentice knights. We’re heading to Loren City to procure supplies. You will accompany me," Thor instructed.
"Steve, you’ll oversee the territory’s construction in my absence."
Both nodded and accepted their tasks.
"Also, Steve, go to Anna and get the items in the second cabinet of my room. I expect you to become a Grand Knight by the time I return," Thor added.
"Yes, Lord! Thank you, Lord! I won't let you down!" Steve replied, clearly excited.
Steve wasn't sure what the item was but knew it would help him progress significantly. It was a divine wood fruit Thor had obtained ten days earlier, which had a high probability of helping Steve break through to a Grand Knight. If Steve could achieve this, their chances of success would increase.
Anna, a recently trusted maid, had also proven herself. Thor intended to keep her close, confident she would soon be wholly loyal to him. With these thoughts, Thor dismissed the two men to prepare for their tasks.
Half an hour later, the group gathered. Thor, Ryan, and over a hundred knights set off grandly for Loren City. This time, the journey took only five days, faster than the previous ten days since they weren't slowed down by 500 serfs and large amounts of supplies. If they had hurried, they could have made it in three days, but there was no need for such haste.
On the sixth day, they entered Loren City, which seemed busier than a month ago, possibly due to an increase in pioneering knights or other reasons. Thor's entrance drew more attention than before.
Under the setting sun, many eyes turned their way.
"Oh my, isn't that the Dresrosa family crest?"
"Yes, I recognize the eagle emblem."
"No wonder, a count's pioneering knight group with so many knights."
Amidst the murmurs of admiration were also expressions of indifference and even hostility.