Chapter 181: The Nightfall Domain Adventurers’ Guild is established

After rallying his troops, Phield wasted no time and left the Mountain Ape territory.

He then notified the nearby lords.

They would handle the gray fog. A phenomenon of this scale wouldn’t lead to catastrophic consequences. Of course, Phield made it clear that he had merely passed through the Mountain Ape territory.

As for claiming the land—without a formal declaration, he had no right to occupy it.

Neither the local governor, the great nobles, nor the Empress would allow such unchecked annexation. Otherwise, the Empire would have long since become centralized.

Besides, the Shadow World Sect would certainly investigate Hannah’s death. The Mountain Ape territory itself wasn’t particularly valuable.

Passing through Maple Leaf City, Phield restocked supplies. After securing the giant wolf, he gritted his teeth and purchased two hundred slaves—one hundred and fifty of them women.

“Didn’t you say food is scarce in the territory? Why buy more slaves?”

Rosalia asked in her childish voice, still in her petite form.

Glancing around, Phield lowered his voice. “To be honest… I have a bad feeling the Shadow World Sect is about to rebel again.”

“Huh?” Rosalia blinked, confused.

“…Just a guess,” Phield coughed. “We can barely manage two hundred more mouths. The crops will be ready soon. Once the harvest comes in, the food problem will solve itself.”

He let out a quiet sigh.

Nightfall Domain couldn’t sustain itself yet. But after witnessing the brutality of war in the Mountain Ape territory, Phield foresaw a sharp decline in population.

Without lingering, they hurried back to Nightfall Domain. Only then did Phield feel a long-lost sense of safety.

Dripping his blood onto the newly acquired artifacts, Phield claimed both at once.

The Mountain Ape Baron’s inherited first-tier artifact was essentially a more powerful sleeve crossbow—capable of firing highly toxic bolts, perfect for ambushes.

But the true prize was Hannah’s artifact.

Divine Artifact: The Ring of Sin (Third-Tier Artifact)

Origin: Goddess of Slaughter

Effect: Grants a 30% increase to strength, defense, speed, and mana recovery to up to three hundred allied units nearby, as well as the user (ineffective on Divine Chosen of other pantheons; does not stack with other aura effects)

Special Effect: Only effective on Slaughter-aligned Divine Chosen.

“What an absurd buff… no wonder it’s a third-tier artifact.”

Phield was ecstatic. With a single thought, a glowing ring spread beneath his feet.

Red patterns emerged across his body, and he felt every inch of muscle stretch and surge with boundless strength.

“Too bad… an artifact of this quality is wasted on me. It would be far more effective in the hands of a compatible Divine Chosen.”

He withdrew the artifact.

“As for the rest… this spellbook and the ring.”

He had examined them countless times on the way back—but still had no idea how to use them.

“Guess I’ll set them aside for now. These past few days have been exhausting.”

With a sigh, Phield collapsed onto his bed.

“When in doubt—sleep it out.”

⸻

The next morning, fully rested, Phield pushed open the window of Starnight Castle.

The grand estate had transformed. No longer a sea of dull gray, patches of green—signs of life—could be seen everywhere.

Two stonemasons, followed by a pair of apprentices, were repairing the castle’s damaged walls. Three young maids chatted cheerfully below, exchanging gossip in hushed voices.

Their topic of discussion was likely the pair of freedfolk strolling at the distant crossroads.

Most of Nightfall Domain’s residents had gone to the other half of the estate, continuing to cultivate crops.

“My lord, the territory is finally on track.”

Ashina stepped closer, her tail swaying affectionately.

Windrise Town now resembled a typical village of this era. Mud houses and thatched huts clustered around a large winery. To everyone here, it already felt like a proper settlement.

Especially for the demi-humans—many of them found it luxurious compared to where they had lived before.

“Yes. That’s thanks to all of you.”

Phield patted Ashina’s head. She smiled so widely her eyes nearly closed.

“But this is only the beginning. A village is nothing—we can build a city. Our territory has far greater potential.”

“M-My lords… good morning.”

A timid voice came from behind.

Turning around, Phield saw Gogris standing five or six meters away, dressed in a maid outfit, hesitating.

“Sniff…”

Ashina twitched her nose and smiled. “I smell fear.”

What does fear even smell like?

Phield narrowed his eyes, glancing downward.

“Relax, I don’t eat people. Look how scared you are.” Ashina teased mischievously, walking over to pat Gogris on the shoulder. “Just call me Ashina. I don’t bully fox demi-humans.”

“Mm…”

Gogris nodded timidly.

“Still timid. But that’s fine—you’ll grow out of it here in Nightfall Domain.” Phield leaned against the window. “We have plenty of time to get used to each other.”

Ashina turned back. “Oh, right—these past few days, we’ve been gathering the stones and clay you needed. You might want to take a look.”

“Alright. After breakfast.”

⸻

In Windrise Town—

Tate’s daughter, Alexia, had already become the self-proclaimed leader of the children.

Standing on top of a thatched hut with her hands on her hips, she declared loudly:

“The Nightfall Domain Adventure Guild is officially established!”

“Yay…”

A dozen children below cheered half-heartedly, their expressions clearly forced.

“Excellent.”

Alexia climbed down shakily, even brushing away a helping hand.

“So… what do we do?” Lumi the catgirl scratched her head.

“An adventure guild, of course, hunts monsters. Then we get pregnant and become idiots obsessed with breeding. Ah—no, wait, that’s it. We die after losing to monsters.”

Alexia said it matter-of-factly.

“But we can’t beat anything, right? Even Mr. Kaor could knock us all down easily.” Wormwood bluntly pointed out. “I don’t want to die—or have monster babies. I’ve been learning cooking from Mr. Ned.”

“That may be true,” Alexia insisted, “but in knight novels, even against windmills, a true hero dares to challenge!”

She turned to the group. “We’re going to hunt monsters. Any objections?”

Silence.

The atmosphere turned awkward.

Tom stepped forward immediately. “I left the fire burning at home. I need to go check it.”

“Same here. My house is probably on fire too.”

The children scrambled for absurd excuses and scattered in all directions.

Leaving the three of them standing there, staring at each other.

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