The treasures that can transform Haggs into a hero unit and the 2-star treasure—Giant Dragon Dung were all purchased.
Total cost... 30 silver coins.
In comparison to the gains, the price paid is enough to drive people mad; even the gods would clip their teeth in envy.
Satisfying indeed.
The feeling of silently amassing wealth through the advantage of information is simply too wonderful.
Once the current batch of intelligence is fully processed, the next step... is to set out on the journey.
Lear's gaze was deep.
He too longed to enter the wilderness, heading towards the Mire Swamp.
To find his own authority!
Once acquiring the Authority of the Swamp, everything will change.
The intelligence system will serve as a guiding beacon in the wilderness, with an even greater role to play.
Returning to the Rose House, he again saw Firina's personal maid, her golden hair fluttering in the wind, eyes sharp as knives.
The 12-level high-tier knight, even in the super metropolis of Lorand City with its millions of inhabitants, was a force to be reckoned with.
If she could advance further to become a 13-level upper-position knight, she would qualify to lead a thousand-strong legion.
Yet such a person was merely driving a carriage as a maid.
"Good day, Lord Lear, the 100 slave artisans gifted to you by His Highness have already arrived..."
The crisp voice dropped as she gestured towards the side courtyard.
Lear turned his head to look.
On the side, over a hundred figures stood there like statues, not daring to move, looking ahead in fear at the ferocious Wetland Lizard-man.
"These artisans are Mud Swamp People living in the swamp."
"By nature, they like wet places and possess greater intelligence than ordinary people."
"Their only drawback is being timid and fearful by nature."
"Mud Swamp People are born artisans, be it building houses or forging tools, they're the best at what they do."
"These were purchased for you by Lady Firina from other cities..."
Hearing this introduction, Lear curiously looked over.
Mud Swamp People
[Level]: Level 4
[Potential]: 1 Star (Level cap 6)
[Profession]: Artisan (Initial Tier)
[Racial Talent]: Artisan's Heart, Mud Swamp People are innately clever, with extra understanding and creativity in all artisan affairs.
[Skills]: Skillful Hands (1 Star) Increases efficiency by 30% when constructing houses or forging tools.
[Equipment]: None
[Evaluation]: Born artisans.
Just like combat professions, life professions have level distinctions, and the higher the level, the deeper their professional expertise.
However, in life professions, even if the level increases, their combat ability doesn't really change.
After reviewing the attribute panel in his mind, Lear took a deep breath.
Someone really put thought into this.
"Miss Jasmine, please convey my gratitude to Lady Firina."
"These artisans are of great significance to me."
"I will remember this favor."
Looking at his earnest gaze, Jasmine's eyes softened.
She handed over a scroll with both hands.
"My lord, this is the Magic Map which will guide you to your territory in the wilderness."
"Every Pioneer Lord receives their own Magic Map."
"Normally, when a Pioneer Lord uses the Magic Map, the magic will dissipate in three months."
After Lear took it, Jasmine added with deep meaning.
"But this Magic Map is a personal gift from His Highness to you."
"Lord Lear, I wish you a glorious return..."
After taking a long look at the young man whom His Highness holds in high regard, she slightly bowed and left without the slightest hesitation.
Everything that should be gifted has been given by His Highness.
Until now, she still doesn't understand why His Highness would stake so much on him.
She doesn't know what the future holds, she can only hope that he won't disappoint His Highness's expectations...
Lear silently watched her departing figure, feeling a subtle emotional shift within.
Exhaling deeply, he calmed the fluctuations in his heart and opened the map in his hands.
The images on it seemed alive, with mountains and rivers, streams, and vegetation in motion.
A striking hexagram target at the map's end drew his attention, instantly bringing a word to mind—
Mire Swamp.
Another constantly flashing point marked in Lorand City is where he currently stands.
"Is this... a fantasy version of GPS?"
Lear found it quite intriguing.
With this item, the most difficult problem of navigation in the wilderness was instantly resolved.
While pondering, detailed attributes of the Magic Map emerged in his mind.
Magic Map
[Level]: Special
[Traits]: Imbued with special magic runes, it constantly displays the Magic Map's location, allowing the injection of spiritual power to add, delete, or modify marks on it.
[Evaluation]: A map drawn by a mage with incredibly high magical expertise, extremely valuable.
The cost of this map is undoubtedly exorbitant!
It seems this favor is becoming increasingly hefty to repay...
Lear took a deep breath.
Today's gift will be repaid in the future!
He put away the map, stabilized his mood, and returned to the side courtyard where the Wetland Lizard-man's gaze immediately became fervent upon seeing him.
This is the Sovereign their souls submit to and worship!
Lear looked towards the Mud Swamp People.
These artisans wore tattered burlap clothing and looked no different from ordinary people, except for their pupils which were the color of green algae, appearing rather peculiar.
A slightly hunched, curly-haired Mud Swamp Elder stepped forward slowly, a bit over sixty.
With his right hand on his chest, he bowed deeply and greeted in the most humble manner.
"Bain, meets you, my lord. May the goddess protect you."
His tone carried a hint of trembling and unease.
Lear gave him a glance, showing a bit of surprise in his eyes.
This turned out to be a hero?!
Bain
Hero Unit
[Level]: Level 5
[Potential]: 2 Stars (Maximum Level 9)
[Profession]: Initial Tier Artisan
[Racial Talent]: ...
[Hero Talent]: Construction, with a unique and keen sense for buildings, capable of overall planning for large-scale construction, and able to save construction costs while enhancing the solidity of buildings.
[Skills]: Skillful Hands (1 Star) When building houses or forging tools, efficiency is increased by 30%.
Planning (1 Star) For overall planning of buildings, able to make the best use of terrain to build suitable structures.
[Equipment]: None
[Evaluation]: A hero with planning abilities, suitable for building territories.
A Level 5, 2 Star potential hero?!
Not bad, very good.
Lear's mood was quite good.
Moreover, the other's abilities were precisely what he urgently needed.
As a Pioneer Lord, territory construction is always the core.
"Bain, set out with me to the territory early tomorrow morning."
"In the future, I still need your assistance and dedication."
"I will follow your orders, my lord."
The timid Mud Swamp People had combat power even worse than ordinary humans, lacking any confidence or intention to resist.
None even wore Rings of Enslavement around their necks... These guys were truly useless.
Compared to the savage Wetland Lizard-man, they were polar opposites.
Lear glanced at the crowd, over a hundred Mud Swamp artisans, along with two squadrons of heavily armored Wetland Lizard-man.
His current pioneering power was already quite exceptional compared to other Pioneer Lords.
Even the offspring of nobles may not have so many initial resources.
Merely a Level 6 Initial Tier Knight slave would normally sell for over 200 Gold Coins each, that two hundred is 40,000 Gold Coins.
Plus the whole set of armor, over a hundred slave artisans, 30 carts of various supplies...
If a more regular noble emptied their household, it might just be like this.
"Bain, go and check our supplies, see what's still missing... buy everything today, tomorrow, set out for the wilderness!"
Bain was somewhat flattered, as his algae-green eyes turned excited.
"Yes, my lord!"
But his spirits just lifted a bit before he turned and saw the intimidating Wetland Lizard-man, and his energy dropped again.
Looking at him with some awkwardness.
"My Lord..."
Lear, feeling a mix of amusement and helplessness.
"In the future, all the Wetland Lizard-men will be your companions, their blades will only face the enemy!"
"They are trustworthy companions who will guard you with their war sabers!"
"Go ahead."
With such a promise, Bain then mustered the courage to head to the cart for inspection.
Passing the brutal warriors, ensuring they wouldn't harm him, he let out a big sigh of relief.
Began to carefully check the supplies.
Firina's gift was indeed extraordinary, 30 large freight carts packed to the brim like small trucks.
Included nearly all daily essentials and gear, eat, drink, wear.
Nothing lacking.
Or rather, the missing items are those difficult to transport.
Lear, seeing this, did not say much and handed the task of inventory and management of supplies to his first hero subordinate.
300 people, their daily food expenses were a staggeringly large amount.
Yet one cart was filled with 1 Star Magic Food— Noah's Rice.
This Magic Food is said to be cultivated by the first Saintess of the Earth Mother Goddess, containing strong Magic Power, just half a pound could sustain a person for five days.
Its production is very low and requires a Mage to cultivate, always reserved by major forces or nobles as strategic resources.
Firina directly gifted him a full cart.
Roughly estimated, over 3,000 kilograms.
Enough to sustain several hundred people for half a year.
After confirmation, Lear felt quite good as he looked at the most robust figure among the Wetland Lizard-man—
Haggs.
"Follow me!"
The treasure capable of turning this brutal beast into a hero was in hand... now let this Wetland Lizard-man step into another world!!
Training the first combat hero among his subordinates.