My Players Are So Fierce
Chapter 345:

Murphy leisurely flew back, arriving at Crimson Citadel in the afternoon. He was about to follow his daily routine of making an “undercover inspection” of his territory, but before he could finish changing clothes, there was a knock on his office door.

“Come in.”

The vampire lord, having removed his cloak and wearing only protective leather armor, said. Then the door opened, and a weary-looking Miriam walked in carrying a stack of documents.

She dropped them on Murphy’s desk with a thud and said to him in a businesslike manner:

“As of now, your warriors have found and registered 5,784 displaced people.”

“How many? Did you add an extra 5?”

Murphy was startled by this number and exclaimed:

“Hasn’t it been less than 5 days since this activity started? About 1,000 people per day? Where did they find so many displaced people? I know the years of war in Transia have left many people homeless, but this number seems too extreme!”

“The actual situation may be somewhat different from what you imagine, Governor.”

She pulled out a chair and sat across from Murphy, opening up the information she had collected about the displaced people and handing it to him. He glanced at it and immediately spotted the anomaly.

Among the nearly 6,000 people who had been searched and registered so far, only one-third were local Transians, while the remaining two-thirds were “outsiders.”

This unusual statistic made Murphy frown and say:

“I know that the Silver Moon Pride team in Bataxin City is recruiting refugees to return home through the merchant guild’s influence, and I must praise them for knowing how to properly utilize their advantageous resources. But where did these refugees from the Cato region and East Prussia come from?

I don’t recall issuing any orders for warriors to cross borders to capture people.”

“That’s exactly the problem, neither you nor anyone else issued such orders, but that hasn’t stopped your warriors’ flexible moral standards in this regard,”

Miriam said:

“From what I know so far, a group of warriors currently participating in the Shadow Intelligence Bureau’s recruitment examination has lured several hundred people from the Cato region to Transia by spreading news about the Avalon Church, and according to them, this is just the beginning, the number of refugees collected through this channel may eventually exceed several thousand.

This is already considered quite a moderate approach.

The Administrative Department’s reception point in Anderma Hills received 600 people at once this morning, and according to our civil servants’ secret inspections and inquiries, those people couldn’t even be called refugees!

They were vagrants that our warriors had captured while disguised as bandits, crossing the East Prussian border and raiding all around.

They not only brought back those people but also completely looted an enemy outpost at the border, brought the captured Goldflower soldiers along, and were even thoughtful enough to hand over one-third of their gains to the Administrative Department.

Similar situations have been occurring constantly over the past five days, and as of today, several small teams have brought people into Transia through such methods of external plunder.

I heard that even the Blood Rat Gang is privately discussing whether to form slave-catching teams to raid residents in the Kafhoka region. As you know, our City Defense Commander Mr. Portman has always had a particular fondness for this kind of thing.

He’s been very enthusiastically proposing at management meetings lately to issue ‘privateering licenses’ to warriors.

If I hadn’t stopped him, he probably would have personally organized an official slave-catching team by now.”

The Crimson Regent felt her head was about to explode. She rubbed her temples vigorously and said to Murphy, who wore a strange expression:

“I can understand the warriors’ enthusiasm for Transia, and I can understand that their actions, while seemingly crazy, are actually quite efficient. But the problem is that our current situation doesn’t allow us to have conflicts with neighboring countries over such matters.

Murphy, you need to find a way to control your increasingly active warriors – this isn’t a request, it’s a must!

According to Professor Malcolm’s predictions, there are already tens of thousands of hidden refugees just within the Countess of Seicob’s territory. Those people, once searched and registered, will be enough to meet our population needs for the next period.

There’s absolutely no need to cause bigger troubles just for a few more people.

Most troubling is that your warriors seem to be enjoying themselves, treating these despicable actions as adventures and achievements worth boasting about.

I’m worried that if this continues unchecked, they’ll soon clash with the Pioneer Army stationed in East Prussia, or worse, ignite the flames of war that no one wants to see.

You know that the troublesome Marshal Loren isn’t someone who tolerates sand in his eyes.”

Murphy nodded.

But then he looked at the statistics in his hand and couldn’t help but laugh, saying:

“But you have to admit, they’re doing quite well in this aspect. Honestly, I thought it would take them a couple of weeks to bring back this many people. Indeed, when morals are willing to slide, there are always more solutions than problems.”

“You’re still laughing!”

Miriam was nearly going crazy.

She felt Murphy completely failed to understand the seriousness of the matter. Just as she stood up abruptly to explain, she saw Murphy wave his hand. The Governor put the statistics on the desk and said to Miriam:

“I will immediately issue a ‘patch’ to restrict my warriors, prohibiting them from going to East Prussia and the Kafhoka region to engage in this kind of human trafficking. You’re right, whether from a moral or political perspective, such behavior is inappropriate at present.

We’re not yet strong enough to act recklessly while ignoring our neighbors’ opinions.”

“But what about the Cato region?”

Miriam breathed a sigh of relief but then frowned and said:

“You don’t plan to manage what’s happening there?”

“It’s not that we won’t manage it, but rather there’s no need to.”

Murphy tapped the desk and explained to Miriam:

“Although the Cato region nominally belongs to the Goldflower Kingdom’s territory, as you know, after the Wolfsbane Clan pledged their loyalty, King Louis gave that place to the Wolfsbane vampires as a fief. It was called a reward, but it was actually an overt way of sending unstable elements within the country to the frontline facing the Black Plague.

Old Edward had to be grateful for this, ah, the goodwill of those in power is always so heavy and bloody.

Anyway, currently the grey areas in the Cato region are being managed by my fellow vampires, so my warriors recruiting refugees there can be viewed as conflict and friction between Blood Vulture and Wolfsbane.

It won’t escalate to a political level at all, you can rest assured about that.

Moreover, from how my warriors accidentally tricked a group of Avalon Church followers to come to Transia, we can see that the nature followers in the Cato region are a very good source of population.

That place used to be the location of the Avalon Church’s Southern Cathedral, separated from the Antani region at the Elven Kingdom’s border by just one mountain. It’s a traditional ‘nature faith power zone.’ Now that the Avalon Church has been rebuilt in Transia, those believers who maintained their faith through the Ten-Year War will naturally come here for pilgrimage.

Miriam, you need to understand that this kind of natural population flow doesn’t even need our intervention. We just need to have Guildmaster Natalie send missionaries there for a round, and there will be a continuous stream of believers migrating to our side.

In conclusion, I want to preserve my warriors’ right to operate in the Cato region. You also need to understand that my warriors are eager to serve Transia’s development cause, this itself is an admirable virtue!

We may not reward it.

But we absolutely cannot suppress them. This enthusiasm they possess can produce quite positive results through proper guidance.”

“Sigh”

Seeing Murphy so insistent, the Crimson Regent had nothing more to say.

Actually, before coming, Professor Malcolm had told her that actions in the Cato region were acceptable. Now the facts proved that her history mentor was indeed formidable in this aspect.

He could even guess Murphy’s attitude on this matter; she was still a bit too naive.

After several seconds of contemplation, Miriam rubbed her temples and said:

“If you insist on letting your warriors operate in the Cato region, then I have a suggestion. Perhaps we can take this opportunity to send some talented children to the Genoa Peninsula – the Cato region and the peninsula are adjacent.

From Lake Shulps, going south for several dozen kilometers, you can reach the steam train station established by the Halflings at the border between the two regions.

Then, continuing south will lead to Shaldor Port, which was also my route when I was studying before.”

The Regent said very seriously:

“Professor Malcolm and I have actually been preparing for this – sending these children to Shaldor Engineering Academy to participate in short-term administrative crash courses. Just half a year of study time can enable them to participate in basic civil service work, while letting them escape the upcoming disaster. Moreover, this journey can also invite merchants from the Bataxin Chamber of Commerce to join.

If we can complete contact with the Halfling merchants and factories before the Black Plague breaks out, and invite them to send back the equipment we need, our preparations will definitely go much more smoothly.”

“Good idea!”

Murphy’s eyes lit up.

He indeed hadn’t considered the unique geographical position of the Cato region. If they could establish connections with the Halflings at this time, at the very least they would have channels to acquire many mechanical products needed in the territory.

The Governor pondered for a moment and said:

“But whether it’s sending children over for training or conducting business exchanges, we need someone of sufficient weight to lead. I can’t let you leave, Miriam – you’re too important to all of Transia now.

So, why not let Professor Malcolm lead the team over?

Hasn’t his wife been saying she wants to send their two children back to the Halflings? This is a perfect opportunity.”

“I thought so too.”

Miriam brushed her hair and said:

“To have Shaldor Engineering Academy’s School of Administration set up crash courses specifically for our children, we must have someone with connections like the Professor to make it possible. However, their living expenses in Shaldor Port will probably have to come out of our own pockets, which, to be honest, is a bit tight for the current finances.”

“The Blood Vulture Clan can cover this expense.”

Murphy made a decisive decision and said:

“Arrange this matter immediately. Don’t worry about the money, the key is to choose suitable people. Currently, our grain trade with the northerners has stabilized. Lady Palen can accompany Professor Malcolm as a merchant representative. I trust her business acumen and decision-making.

We need to make a list including various machine tools and necessary items for industrial production. If possible, I hope she can sign long-term supply contracts with Halfling factories.”

“But what about transportation?”

Miriam worried and said:

“The Genoa Peninsula has steam trains running throughout its territory, but that place doesn’t border Transia. To transfer through the Cato region, we must discuss and negotiate with the Goldflower Kingdom in advance. Even though that place is now under Wolfsbane Clan’s control, given the confrontational form between Blood Vulture and Wolfsbane, I don’t think old Edward will agree so easily.”

“Heh, what does his agreement or disagreement have to do with us? Since when does Blood Vulture need Wolfsbane’s permission?”

Murphy sneered and said:

“If my warriors could defeat the Greyclaw faction, they can just as well crush his vampires arranged in the Cato region. You don’t need to worry about these things, just focus on making arrangements and plans.

I’ll find a way to solve the problems in the Cato region.

If worse comes to worst, we’ll go through Lake Shulps, following the Kadman River upstream which leads right to the industrial zone of Anderma Hills.

If I remember correctly, in the previous border demarcation between the Portia Federation and the Goldflower Kingdom, wasn’t one-third of that lake’s area owned by Transia?”

“That was before the Ten-Year War.”

Miriam shook her head and said:

“The current border isn’t like that anymore, but I know you won’t back down on such matters, so I’ll make plans as quickly as possible. But Murphy, with the Black Plague approaching, don’t take risks!”

“No, Miriam, you still have some misunderstanding about the Black Plague. It’s precisely because the Black Plague is approaching that we need to handle this matter quickly.”

Murphy narrowed his eyes and said:

“Once we delay until after the Black Plague ends, once Transia loses its ‘united front value’ in the kings’ eyes, it won’t be so easy for us to handle these border issues anymore.

This is the best window of opportunity.

You go ahead and get busy.

I need to think more about this.

Don’t worry about the warriors’ movements, I’ll restrict them soon.”

“Mm.”

Miriam nodded and left the office tiredly. A few minutes later, responding to Murphy’s spirit energy call, Grand Duchess Tris pushed open his door.

She immediately saw that Murphy had hung a map of the Cato region on the wall, and the clever Tris instantly realized Murphy’s thoughts.

She said:

“You want to snatch a piece of meat from old Edward’s mouth? That’s too difficult.”

Murphy didn’t answer immediately. He took a charcoal pen and drew a large circle in the convergence area of Cato region, Transia, and the Genoa Peninsula. He turned to Tris and said:

“I only need this connecting area. I have no interest in other parts of the Cato region, at least not for now. Tris, I need your wisdom, is there a reasonable way to help us accomplish this?”

“I’m not a god, how could I give you a solution immediately?”

Tris rolled her cute eyes. She stepped forward to look at the map, and after several seconds of silence, she shook her head and said:

“If you can see the value of this place, old Edward certainly can too. In fact, I think he probably used loyalty as a price to obtain underground management rights of the Cato region from King Louis precisely because he wanted to extend his reach into the Genoa Peninsula and extract enough benefits from it.

From this perspective, asking that old bastard to give up this place is equivalent to directly declaring war on him.

But perhaps we can think about it from a different angle.”

Tris crossed her arms and stepped back, saying:

“If this area becomes part of the Black Plague defense line, I mean, if it could be controlled by another force that has goodwill towards us and is strong enough to oppose the Wolfsbane Clan, then we could gain some initiative.

Do you understand who I’m referring to?”

“Mm.”

Murphy reached out and drew a line on the map under Tris’s gaze. He nodded and said:

“The Carpe family. More specifically, Lieutenant Frayzer, who is the commander of the Goldflower Kingdom’s military observation team stationed in Transia.

He should have a command post that can both ensure safety and form an effective pincer movement against the Black Plague battle situation.

A line from Fort Crimea through the Foul Swamp directly connecting to Lake Shulps would perfectly form a solid defense line, keeping the Gnolls out of Transia and the continental center.

Tris!

You’re simply a genius.”

“Hmph, I always have been.”

Tris snorted, allowing Murphy to hold her slender waist, then she whispered to Murphy:

“Your warriors are discussing forming a large slave-catching team on the forum. I don’t think you’ll let them complete this, right?

Their moral bottom line shouldn’t slide so quickly, and the current situation really hasn’t gotten that bad yet.”

“I’ll stop them, but I can’t forcefully restrict and specify what they must do, that would make them lose the fun and anticipation of the game.”

Murphy turned his gaze away from the map before him. He bent down to kiss Tris’s forehead and said softly:

“I need to find a way to draw their attention away from slave-catching, make a benevolent guide, or hold an activity attractive enough to catch most people’s attention. It must be interesting enough and provide satisfying rewards, at least not less interesting than raiding for slaves.

I think it’s time for our development team of two to give our hardworking warriors some benefits, and most wonderfully, we happen to have something on hand that can satisfy all these requirements.

Mm!

It’s time to start the first ‘Transia’s King of Fighters Championship’!”