CHAPTER 276: CHAPTER 118 TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT_2

Lin Rui led the three people toward the territory and said, "For the next period, I won’t be going out to battle. I’ll focus on handling the domestic affairs within the territory, aiming to upgrade the territory to a town level as soon as possible. With so many Territorial Essences, the High Population Trait will inevitably be triggered, so the population hindering territory upgrades shouldn’t be a problem."

Upon hearing this, Soro was very excited and said, "That’s great, my Lord. There are indeed several very important internal affairs in the territory that require your attention."

Lin Rui nodded and then asked, "By the way, how’s the Territorial Strategic Treasure, Lucky Coin: Sand Washing, doing? No issues these days, right?"

"No, no issues. We’ve still been lucky; no Flame Demons have appeared, but four Griffins have successfully become pregnant again. This pregnancy rate is rather abnormal. As far as I know, Griffin breeding should be like lions, only occurring in the spring."

Lin Rui couldn’t help but laugh. Due to the influence of Sadomasochism, the Griffins in the territory, like humans, are in heat every day, so the probability of pregnancy is naturally much higher, and all the females have successfully conceived.

Terion and Hanna led the army and didn’t spend much time in the territory, so Lin Rui delayed the handling of governmental affairs and planned to focus on them later. For now, he inquired about the military situation from the two of them.

"How’s the development of the army?"

Terion said, "The Black Banner Guard is rapidly expanding, and the Territorial Manor Guard has smoothly advanced. In addition, we’ve recruited some soldiers through battles in recent days, bringing the Black Banner Guard’s numbers to eighty-six. Before this cycle ends, they might form a complete squad."

A squad is a standard combat formation and can trigger the powerful traits of the Black Banner Guard.

[Shield Wall: Elite-level Trait: When there are enough Black Guard Army around, their defensive capability increases. When the number of Black Guard Army reaches 120, Physical Defense increases by 30%, blocks 48 points of damage, and gains +20% Ranged Resistance]

"And the Knights? How are they doing?"

Terion immediately replied, "There are more than twenty Knight’s Heart Recruitment Scrolls, and we also successfully bought three Long Halberd and Fierce Armor Recruitment Scrolls from the market, all waiting for your return to offer them, my Lord."

"Very good, the territory has indeed entered a fast-growth phase." Lin Rui took out another Extreme Battle Banner and handed it to Hanna, saying, "All Knights above Rare Level and all Crimson Chalice Battle Priestesses above Rare Level are to be under your command. I’m giving you this banner as well. Leave all other troops under my control."

Hanna was so excited that she joyfully held Lin Rui’s hand to her cheek, saying, "I’ve misunderstood you, brother. You’ve always been thinking of me, giving me all the elite forces of the territory."

"But this time, I’ve missed you so much, with no outlet for my desires, so I’ve given you such a big surprise upon returning to the territory. If you want, I can relieve your worries tonight."

Lin Rui glared at her and said, "Speak properly!"

Hanna stared with an innocent look, saying, "Did I misunderstand your intentions, my Lord?"

Lin Rui couldn’t be bothered with her and instead turned to Terion, saying, "Transfer all the Fanatics to me as well. Only keep the Black Banner Guard and half of the Crimson Chalice Battle Priestesses."

Since Terion himself was a Combat Priest, he didn’t need too many Priests, and the Black Banner Guard, once formed into an array, had significantly enhanced defense. Even if a Two-legged Flying Dragon charged directly into the spear-covered formation, it would fall, spilling dragon blood with no benefit.

Terion straightforwardly completed the transfer of the troops and then curiously asked, "Isn’t our Lord planning not to lead troops into battle recently?"

Lin Rui said, "That’s right. I plan to entrust all these Low-Tier troops to Wutong. Her Commander Trait is astonishingly strong, and with these troops under her command, their strength will rise steeply."

Can you even imagine, Audrey’s Death Finger, such a Divine Gifted Skill, can be possessed by everyone under Wutong’s command?

Audrey’s skill has strict usage conditions and a long cooldown, while Wutong’s subordinates don’t need to worry about such complications.

Stable and unrestricted power, with a 20% probability of triggering Instant Death Damage in attacks.

What does this mean?

Take two Black Banner Guard formations as an example. They’d be evenly matched, fighting for tens of minutes before deciding a winner. But if one side is under Wutong’s leadership, some soldiers might suddenly deliver a fatal blow during the spear thrusts, helping their entire formation to achieve a decisive strategic advantage swiftly.

If a soldier is lucky and charges with his spear, he might kill an opponent with every thrust.

After all, luck and metaphysical matters are a massive advantage in Golden Pansy Domain, which is under the protection of the Goddess of Fortune.

This single trait alone gives the army of Golden Pansy Domain an unsurpassable advantage in defeating larger forces with fewer numbers and overcoming stronger opponents with weaker forces.

Sacrifice is the cornerstone of the empire.

While in Golden Pansy Domain, sacrifice is the sacred sword of victory.

As long as the soldiers are fearless and courageous in battle, thrusting their spears and wielding their sharp blades against formidable enemies, they can vanquish any demon or monster. Unless the opponent has a trait that grants immunity to Instant Death Damage.

But remember, Wutong’s Commander Trait consists of more than just this single aspect.

[Heroic Commander Trait: Holy Court Forbidden Army: All soldiers under command have Life Value +100%, Spiritual Energy Value +100%, Damage Reduction +25%, Physical Attack +50%, Spiritual Strength +50%, attacks inflict +50% True Damage, +50% Divine Damage, and +50% Soul Damage, with a 20% chance of triggering Instant Death Damage. If the Forbidden Army has morale above 60, immunizes to execute when the Life Value is reduced below 1 point upon next attack, forcibly locking health for 10 seconds. During this period, successfully executing an opponent replaces one’s own entry into the Netherworld by enslaving the opponent’s soul, while continuing to battle in soul form for 30 seconds after death. Cooldown 30 minutes]

Her Commander Trait comprehensively enhances all the damage and defenses of soldiers, so much so that even a farmer wielding a stick under her command could unleash a dazzling Divine Light on a single strike, causing 50% Divine Damage, 50% True Damage, and 50% Soul Damage. Theoretically, even a Tier Seven Demon Statue here would be rendered helpless. Ten farmers, leveraging that Divine and True Damage, could completely wear it down.

Simultaneously, the majority of the territory’s troops fall under Wutong’s command, so even if she were merely enjoying the view in the manor, her experience would soar rapidly.

This is a mutually beneficial win-win scenario.

Terion asked, "But I don’t think the Empress seems interested in commanding troops in battle."

Lin Rui said, "It doesn’t matter. She doesn’t need to lead the troops. I’ll have Su Ye, Violet, and Audrey all under her command as well. Then, Violet can handle the command in battles sufficiently."

Violet was once a Knight King, and Audrey directs the Undead Army into battle every day. Either of them could effectively replace the Empress in command.

After completing the deployment, Lin Rui clenched his fist firmly, saying, "Let’s proceed according to the plan. Split into three routes and continue clearing the monsters around the territory. I hope to transform the vicinity into a safe zone when the territory develops into a town, with no dangerous areas within the town’s influence zone and no hidden beasts."

Terion immediately saluted solemnly and, with the guards, turned and left.

Hanna, on the other hand, excitedly ordered Lundestadte to gather all the elite troops in the territory, preparing for a significant operation with the Extreme Battle Banner.

Wutong’s forces were the most extensive, with numerous knights, a mage corps already taking shape, and squadrons of aerial cavalry flying overhead.

Once the troops set out from the territory, Lin Rui officially began to handle governmental affairs.

As for where to begin, Civil Servant Soro gave a strong suggestion, saying, "My Lord, I suggest you start handling the Territorial Treasure in the treasury. Recently, I’ve completed organizing the treasures, filling one entire warehouse with a dazzling display. Several explorers attempted to infiltrate and steal, but were decapitated by Su Ye and hung outside the village as a warning to others."