A foundation for development?
Roy was somewhat surprised. He had originally thought he would need to carve out his own path.
"To the south, there is a place called the Tata Mountains, where a quarry can be established.
I will grant it to you as your territory.
However, the Nether Kingdom has long since lost control of it, so as usual, you'll have to reclaim it yourself."
Flosf explained unhurriedly.
Roy chuckled and sighed.
Your old tricks never change, do they!
Flosf continued, "Go and seize that place yourself, and after that, provide me with ten pieces of stone material suitable for crafting Golems each year as your lord's tribute.
Don't worry about not understanding management—I'll send you a capable steward to assist you.
Scarto City will also handle the labor and logistics. You and your vassals only need to ensure the safety of the surrounding area.
You won't even have to live a hard life there; you can reside in a mansion in the city and enjoy life.
Additionally, the Blood Mane Tribe to the south is both a threat and an opportunity.
I'll think of a way for you to subdue them.
This matter is not only related to the strategic layout of the southern part of the kingdom but will also serve as a teaching tool for me to instruct you in Golem Wizardry and military command. You must do your best."
Hearing Flosf's arrangements, Roy grew serious.
His teacher's specialty was Golem Wizardry.
And Golems could often form legions.
This was a path that combined Alchemy and command abilities.
...
Time flew by, and several days passed.
City Lord Madam Mnites frequently came to Roy to discuss art, showing him great enthusiasm.
Not only did she come herself, but she gradually brought other noble ladies and young women from the city, all circling around Roy.
But Roy already knew they were after his Wizard Bloodline, so he remained wary and unwilling to engage with them.
He devoted more time and energy to his previously planned research on the "Transmutation Circle."
More specifically, it was "Soul Transmutation" and the related "Mental Power Seed."
As for "Bloodline Transmutation" and the "Life Seed," he would seek them out when the time came!
Suddenly, Captain Atedia came to report.
"Lady Tinas has arrived!"
Tinas?
Wasn't she the other fellow disciple Erlant had mentioned? The first-level Wizard that Berly followed?
Then, Atedia added, "It seems she has captured the leader of the Blood Mane Tribe!"
Roy was astonished.
Why does it feel like this tribe has been set up?
Wait!
Roy connected the dots between the attack on Scarto City, the first mission his teacher had given him, and the promise of territory.
Suddenly, it all clicked, and he vaguely understood something.
"My teacher is a master strategist, planning to use my arrival here to reclaim the kingdom's lost lands!
The arrival of a Wizard is indeed enough to change the tide of battle in a region!
It seems that my team and I will truly have to guard the southern border for my teacher!"
...
At the city gate, Roy went out to greet Tinas, whom he had never met before.
This person was his senior sister and a seasoned first-level Wizard.
He still had to show some respect.
Soon, he saw a figure riding a massive Strange Bird flying toward them.
As the giant, pterodactyl-like Strange Bird landed, a petite girl, only about 1.4 meters tall, appeared before everyone's eyes.
Senior apprentice Berly hurried forward to greet her, "Tinas!"
Andov and the others beside Roy also quickly placed their hands on their chests, bowing in respect.
Roy sized her up, silently gauging her mental strength and magical aura before greeting, "Lady Tinas, I've long heard of your reputation."
"So you're Roy?" The petite Tinas jumped down from the back of the strange bird, looking up at Roy with a surprised expression. "I heard someone would be replacing Igor, but I didn't expect it to be such a handsome man! Very good, very good!"
She smiled with satisfaction, scrutinizing Roy for a long while, though it was unclear what she was thinking.
Roy felt somewhat uneasy under her gaze, sensing that this short senior might be pondering something troublesome.
He shifted his focus to the person tied up on the back of the strange bird.
To be precise, it was a centaur.
He quickly changed the subject, "So this is Yanila! You really managed to capture her!"
Compared to Tinas, Yanila could be described as tall and robust, with a strikingly athletic build.
She stood nearly two meters tall at the shoulder, and that was just the height of her equine body. Including her human upper half, she was a towering figure of about 3.2 meters.
Previously, Roy had only glimpsed her from afar on the city walls and in the military formations. Now, up close, he truly felt her strength and vigor.
Noticing Roy's gaze, Yanila glared at him angrily, but her body was tightly bound in a humiliating manner, leaving her completely immobilized.
Even her mouth was fitted with a copper muzzle, seemingly designed to silence her, rendering her speechless.
"By the way, I was specifically hunting the barbarian centaurs in the south and managed to capture her alive. Our teacher gave me a task to bring her to you, so you can tame her and, in the process, subdue the Blood Mane Tribe. This is a necessary measure to secure our southern strategy. If you can't do it, you'll have to lead your vassals into battle yourself."
"Our teacher has already informed me about this."
"Then I'll hand her over to you and report back to our teacher."
With a wave of her hand, she untied the ropes binding Yanila.
This was also a technique of the Animation Art. As a full-fledged Wizard, she had ample time and resources to master multiple forms of Wizardry.
Just as Roy thought the handover was complete and Tinas was about to leave, she scrutinized him again and said, "Junior Roy, I have a request. I hope you don't find it too forward."
This was already quite forward!
Roy felt somewhat speechless but replied politely, "Senior, feel free to speak."
Tinas's eyes lit up, "Really? Then I'll just say it..."
Roy nodded, "Go ahead."
Tinas quickly blurted out, "Would you be interested in being my breeding partner? We could collaborate to cultivate a superior bloodline!"
What bold and outrageous words!
Everyone looked at her with strange expressions, amazed by her audacity.
Roy couldn't help but cough dryly, "I've only just been promoted to a full-fledged Wizard."
Tinas waved it off, "That's no problem. Being a breeding partner is very simple. I have many Centaur Valkyries under my care, each with a robust physique and excellent bloodline."
"You just need to think of yourself as a stud and freely mate with the female centaurs!"
"Ah!"
Roy looked bewildered and couldn't help but point at himself.
"Me, go and mate with the female centaurs?"
"That's right."
Tinas nodded, her small face filled with seriousness.
"You, go and mate with the female centaurs!"
(End of Chapter)