Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents
Chapter 65: Population Increase

Chapter 65: Population Increase

Operation Clairvoyance’s ultimate purpose was to prepare for the ’future’ or to say, the precise events—welcoming or problematic—that would come one after another based on the timeline of the [Hero’s Apocalypse], especially the consequences of the Ranaya Island incident.

Of course, I, as the sole transmigrator that was still one of the main mysteries I wanted to gradually unveil, was the only person aware of these events of prosperity and disaster.

But I would lead these people in a way that would align with these scenarios. No, with everything going on, it’s to prepare them against... good and evil.

The Warbody Program served its purpose—gaining the seemingly hopeless soldiers’ undying loyalty.

They did not become mere emotionless monsters or living weapons under one voice, but became soldiers who intensely desired to protect those giving them the reason to live.

The cheers of thousands, the smiles of the youth, and the genuine tears of the elderly. With their sanity as the costly risk, the once frail soldiers endured the grueling, inhuman training synonymous with abandoning the conventional military laws in the modern world.

After informing the soldiers about the Operation Clairvoyance, at least the general idea behind it, we proceeded to welcome the new batches of slaves, some mid-grade military equipment, and other necessary resources.

Sohkran, one of Ravelle’s worshippers, the mercenary who put a sword to my head during our last, unpleasant yet meaningful transaction, along with his crew, were welcomed outside the fortress.

In addition to the transaction, Ravelle delivered a message through this man, saying her gratitude clothed with greed after having truly esteemed customers for the two carts of Soulshards, which were quickly sold around five times the amount I previously received.

Then, add to this mercenary’s surprise, something that Ravelle anticipated in a way, I offered another three carts of Soulshards, earning me and the territory a staggering amount of three million gold. What’s more, I received the money through a cheque and didn’t buy any goods from the Golden Crown this time.

I have something to spend it on.

Everything was properly sorted from beginning to end as the evening intruded, pulling the sun into sleep, making the wind serene and cold.

After that, the slaves were skillfully organized—they were provided temporary tents just like during the first critical days of rebuilding this forsaken land; had their profiles documented and potential appraised with [Discerning Eye], straining Kaya to a significant extent.

All in all, the Eshu County—with the hired workers from the Golden Crown to extensively clean and build dozens of houses, together with working native citizens of the territory, and its military force, albeit laughable in number compared to other noble territories—could now be considered a functional society.

If there were two things presently missing in the mundane life of the county, it’s entertainment and outside visitors.

Due to its current state, or based on what was known throughout the Holy Empire, everything in Eshu County was abandoned into desolation after losing the territorial war against Count Othenwald.

In other words, this place was still perceived to be in complete ruination. Without proper exposure, there’s no way it would attract business potential and tourists.

"Brother, we’ve finished sorting the seven hundred slaves. And this time, no one deserves to be executed. But... there’s a slight problem."

"...?"

My head was slightly tilted, hearing my sister’s report. With my silence, she shrugged and said, "Well, I think you should see it personally."

Since the piece of land of the manor was not enough to accommodate other expansive training grounds, Areas A, B, and C were instead constructed nearby.

That being said, arriving at Area B, something far wider compared to the first training area, my eyes landed on the line of slaves, seven hundred in total, which, if the quality was moderate, could only cost around 50,000 gold.

However, since high-quality ones were among the mix, it’s ten times its predicted price. What’s more, it seemed the problem Kaya mentioned was the very same high-quality slaves that were delivered.

With muscular bodies, dark-brown skin and brown eyes, together with the ones with snow-white figures with elongated ears, and light emerald eyes, all of which were different from humans—Dwarves and Elves.

"What’s with this crap of a territory?!"

"Where’s your lord, huh?! How dare that son of a bitch treat me like this?!"

"Sleeping on a garbage tent with trashy food for a week?! Tsk!"

"..."

When my presence was noticed by the soldiers already in my command, they separated to give way. That’s when these proud elves had their eyes locked on me.

Elven slaves were incredibly valuable, and only nobles could possess them without feeling any strain on their pockets.

However, in some cases, the elven slaves were sold by their owner for various reasons—they lost their value, their owner needed additional funds for something, or they committed unforgivable sins that warranted their execution, but the price on their head was enough to avoid it.

That being said, as they lavished the nobles’ generosity by tasting high-quality food and drinks that commoners couldn’t dream of having despite being branded as slaves, the elven slaves knew their value.

"Oh? Is this young brat your lord? Hahaha—!"

"Is this a joke? Oh, no! It’s perhaps the son of the lord, right?"

Their mocking voices should have caused the soldiers, especially the most sensitive ones, to draw their swords and point them at their necks. But the silence they sensed from my demeanor seemed to indicate there’s no need for them to do so.

"Knowing your worth. That’s indeed commendable self-awareness." I said.

"Hahahaha! What’s with this brat’s manners?! At least you know we’re valuable, so how dare the lord treat us this way?!"

"Right! We’ve munched food the nobles have, and yet we’re given wheat and bread for a week?! Damn it! Why did Golden Crown even deliver us to this place?!"

"There’s just no way for a run-down territory to have the funds to buy us out! Was there a mistake with the transactions?"

Their mockery continued. As a response, I extended my hand to Yena, the double-agent, as if I were asking her to give me something.

Understanding my intention, Yena unsheathed the sword at her waist and handed it to me.

Hearing the shiiingecho, and seeing what just happened, the elven slaves tried to process what was about to happen next.

-Surely, this young man wouldn’t dare to cut them down, right...? Right...?

What a contrast we have here, I’d say. Elves who wanted to live in a lavish, neat territory, and the Dwarves whose eyes were evidently gleaming, knowing what their new owner intended to do in this place.

"The thing about value is... sometimes you are overestimating it."

"Pfft–! Young man, how dare you speak to us like that? Don’t you know–!" One of the elves had his hands on his abdomen, trying to restrain himself from cackling.

Whoosh—!

At that moment, as the distance was considerable, this elf sensed something warm dripping down his neck... a drop of blood!

"H-huh?"

"Wh-what?"

Swinging my sword, as the principle of Lunar Swordsmanship was long-range cleaving, I could use nearly unseen slashes through the wind in such a precise way. With that said, with skillful control this slash could also dissipate mid-way, that’s why the elf’s head remained intact.

"Y-You!" Realizing what happened, this elf screamed in wrath instead of feeling terror. "Where’s your damn lord, huh?! How dare you touch your lord’s possession?!"

"Shut your fucking mouth." My voice cut through the air as I lunged forward. With my quick speed, this elf hadn’t realized the incoming rocket landing on his face.

Bang!

"Won’t you work with me, huh? Then, die, you damn offspring of a tree?!

Bam! Bam!

My punches continued, slow yet powerful, as their echoes resounded throughout the training ground.

"Keuk! H-how dare—!"

Bam! Bam!"

"W-wait!"

Bam!

"Keu-ak! W-wai–!"

Bam!

"S-spare me..."

The bloodied face of the proud elf was bruised to the point he was almost unrecognizable.

Looking to the side, the elves who talked trash about this territory, its lord, and people waved their hands to surrender; it was their first time meeting a madman who had no regard for their value.

But it was not enough.

"Five Squad Leaders. Increase the intensity of the Warbody Program for these individuals. Do not give them absolutely anything unless they are about to die."

"Yes, my lord~!

"...?"

On the other hand, the dwarven slaves from a distance simply watched everything in amusement. Unlike the forest folks, they weren’t exactly problematic unless it was about the intricacies of architecture, engineering, and blacksmithing, and enjoyed this kind of spectacle once in a while.

To this day, thirty dwarves and twenty elves were added to the territory’s population, together with 650 human slaves, making the current population of Eshu County around 2,000+.

*

October 15, 2502 - around 7 P.M.

Ravelle received the report that the transaction with the Eshu County proceeded without any problems. However, her emerald eyes landed on one of the reports that caused her to chuckle.

"Hah. It seems this man is overstepping his boundaries. He has quite a number of rats in the capital..."

It’s from Count Othenwald, trying to verify if the intelligence of goods being delivered to Eshu County was true... with a mix of a threat as the letter Ravelle received contained a message...

- "I expect you to not do anything foolish, child."

"Selena..." Ravelle’s secretary standing beside her, one with long-black hair and scarlet eyes, slightly bowed with her hand on her chest.

"Yes, Master?"

"Should we play a game with this fool?"