Chapter 202: Chapter 201: The Marvelous Uses of Magic

Over the past few days, the residents of Swamp Town had all learned that the new Lord’s Knights were clearing out the dangerous areas within the territory.

Perhaps it was to ensure their own safety at work, or maybe it was for the thrill of having noble Knights serve them, but one by one, they began enthusiastically submitting reports on dangerous areas to Swamp Castle.

Ridder actively responded to the people’s enthusiasm.

On one hand, he had the newcomer, Grado, record all of these dangerous locations. On the other, he divided the Knights into three teams, led by himself, Joffrey, and Rogner, to investigate each site.

By leveraging the help of the people, their aimless sweeps turned into precision strikes.

If nothing else, Swamp Castle’s meat supply had increased considerably over the past few days. It was mostly crocodile and green python meat, allowing the Knights and Guards to eat their fill.

As for materials like the crocodile and snake skins, their value was limited, so Ronin didn’t inquire further. Ridder simply distributed them based on merit.

Perhaps because Reisen had also conducted similar sweeps during his time as Baron of Swamp Town, the Knights found no trace of Magical Beasts in the areas around town frequented by the people.

Although the gains were limited, this operation left the people with the impression that Swamp Castle cared for them, which greatly improved their opinion of the new Lord.

As the Lord, Ronin wasn’t idle either. He threw himself into his “evaporation project.”

Over the last two days, Wilson and Sailin had already planned and assigned the people’s tasks. Some were responsible for tilling the land, while others were tasked with digging for fertilizer.

Some areas could be harvested from directly, but others required proper drainage before the organic fertilizer could be extracted.

This was not only strenuous work, but also very time-consuming.

It was already late January, and with the spring planting season just around the corner, time was the one thing they were short on.

Thus, Ronin came up with a simple yet highly effective solution: use the intense heat from Fire Attribute Magic to evaporate the water.

Ever since breaking through to become a Great Mage, Ronin had been learning new Magic, and he had now mastered the Fourth-level Magic, Flame Pillar.

This was a spell that could be sustained for up to ten seconds. It not only generated immense heat but also covered a vast area.

Ronin looked at the wetland before him. Below was silty soil, covered by water. This was the area he needed to dry out.

At this moment, his Spiritual Power was carving the Magic Patterns for Flame Pillar at a spot over ten meters in front of him.

Only after advancing to Great Mage could one cast spells at a distance, and as Ronin began adding points to his Mage Level, it seemed his casting distance had also slightly increased.

He had cast the Flame Pillar Magic countless times and knew it by heart.

As the Magic Patterns finished forming, Magic Power was rapidly drawn from his Mana Space. The patterns lit up with a red glow, absorbing the Fire Element from the surrounding air. With a low hum, a massive Flame Pillar materialized out of thin air above the water’s surface.

TSSSSS~

As fire met water, the extreme temperature instantly turned the water to vapor, creating a thick cloud of steam that obscured his vision.

But Ronin didn’t need to observe anything; he just had to maintain the spell.

Ten seconds later, the Magic Patterns rippled once and then rapidly dissipated. Simultaneously, the Flame vanished into thin air.

Once the wind blew the steam away, the surface water had been completely evaporated. Even the top layer of earth seemed to have been baked dry.

However, if they were to start digging, they would find wet silt just beneath the dried crust.

’So efficient!’

Ronin was very satisfied with the results. ’I really wish I had another Fire Attribute Mage in the territory. Then I could make them the “Swamp Mining Captain.”’

Unfortunately, aside from himself, the other three Mages in his territory consisted of one with the Light Attribute and two with the Water Attribute.

’But, I’ve heard that Water Attribute Mages can control water currents when they reach the Fifth-level. They should be able to help drain the swamp then, right?’

Easier said than done. Becoming a Fifth-level Chief Mage was no simple matter.

Take Jenny, for example. Although he’d heard from Ridder that she was showing signs of a breakthrough recently, even if she successfully became a Senior Mage, she would already be thirty-four years old.

Frankly, her Cultivation talent wasn’t low, but it would still take her at least another thirty-plus years to become a Chief Mage.

In comparison, her daughter, Erin, definitely showed more promise. If she cultivated diligently, she might become a Fifth-level Mage before she turned thirty.

But that would still take over a decade.

’Over a decade… This vast swampland probably won’t be fully developed by then. Maybe there will still be a use for Erin’s skills.’

“My Lord~”

A cavalryman galloped over. “Chahar sent me to inform you that Mr. Anthony from Pasture City has arrived with the slaves.”

Ronin’s eyes lit up. He vaulted onto his Cloud Stepper and returned to the castle.

“You’ve already come all this way; you didn’t need to bring gifts.”

“Hahaha! Congratulations on becoming the Viscount of Wubei, My Lord. I hope you’ll accept these small trifles.”

Inside Swamp Castle, Ronin enthusiastically shook Anthony’s hand.

Not only had he brought the slaves this time, but he had also brought some Crystal Carvings, books, stationery, as well as over ten Bows and several thousand Arrows.

Although their value was only a little over a hundred Gold Coins, less than a tenth of what Ronin had spent with him, it wasn’t a small amount either. At least it showed that Anthony knew how to do business.

He must have seen that the Wubei Territory needed to develop, and development required manpower, which was precisely what this place lacked.

Judging from their past two transactions, Anthony didn’t think Ronin was short on money, and this was even more true now that he had become the Viscount of Wubei.

Therefore, in the eyes of the Poisonous Snake Slave Exchange, Ronin was a high-value client.

Spending a hundred or so Gold Coins to maintain the relationship with such a major client was absolutely essential.

Sure enough, during the ensuing conversation, Ronin again expressed his intent to purchase more slaves, leaving Anthony overjoyed.

There was no help for it. There weren’t many ways to increase the population, and while buying slaves cost money, it was the fastest method.

Although Ronin knew it was immoral, a violation of basic human rights and dignity, he could only follow the local customs for now and use this method.

The only thing he could do was treat these slaves a little better, ensure they were well-fed as they worked for him, and then offer them a path to escape their fate.

“Let’s start with an order of two thousand slaves this time.”

Ronin thought for a moment and stated a number. “However, I have another deal I’d like to make with you.”

Anthony was already ecstatic. Ever since closing that big order last year, his status within the Poisonous Snake Slave Exchange had risen with his success.

Not only had he landed another huge order today, but there was more business to be done, which was a delightful, unexpected bonus.

“Please, My Lord, go on. As long as it’s within my power, I will do my utmost to see it done for you!”

Ronin nodded. “Actually, this is a matter I’d rather discuss with you personally, not with the Slave Exchange you represent.”

“Me?”

Anthony blinked, not understanding Ronin’s meaning.

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