You can purchase all the powerful artifacts that allow Hags to transform into a hero unit, as well as the 2-star treasure – Dragon Dung.
Total cost: 30 silver coins.
Compared to the gains, the price paid is enough to drive anyone crazy; even the gods would grit their teeth if they heard it.
Ah, that feels so good.
The feeling of quietly accumulating wealth by leveraging information advantages is wonderful.
Once all the updated intelligence is complete, it's time to set off.
Lear's gaze was deep.
He also longed to enter the wilderness and venture into the muddy swamps.
Find the authority that belongs to him!
Once you gain control of the swamp, everything will be different.
Intelligence systems act like guiding lights, playing an even greater role in the wilderness.
Back at the Rose House, I saw Philena's personal maid again, her blonde hair flowing in the wind, her gaze sharp as a knife.
A level 12 high-ranking knight is considered a high-level force in the super-city of Loran, which has a population of millions.
If she could advance further and become a level 13 high-ranking knight, she would be qualified to command a thousand-strong legion.
But even such a person is merely a maidservant who drives carriages and horses.
"Good day, Your Excellency Lear. The 100 slave artisans that His Highness gifted to you have been delivered."
The crisp sound faded, and he gestured towards the side courtyard.
Lear turned his head to look.
On the side, hundreds of figures stood there like statues, not daring to move, looking at the ferocious wetland lizardmen in front of them with fear.
"These artisans are swamp people who live in the swamp."
"They are naturally drawn to damp places and possess greater intelligence than ordinary people."
"His only flaw is that he is timid and afraid of trouble by nature."
"The swamp people are natural craftsmen; they are first-rate experts in both building houses and forging tools."
"This was purchased for you by Lady Philena from another city."
Upon hearing this introduction, Lear looked over curiously.
Mudman
[Level]: 4
[Potential]: 1 star (Level cap 6)
[Occupation]: Craftsman (Beginner)
[Racial Talent]: Heart of a Craftsman. Swamp people are naturally intelligent and have extra understanding and creative abilities in various crafts.
[Skill]: Skillful Hands (1 star) Increases efficiency by 30% when building houses or forging tools.
[Equipment]: None
[Evaluation]: A born craftsman.
Life professions, like combat professions, have different levels; the higher the level, the deeper one's professional skills.
However, even if your profession level increases, your combat power will not change.
Lear took a deep breath after looking at the attribute panel in his mind.
That's so thoughtful.
"Miss Jasmine, please convey my gratitude to Princess Philena."
"These artisans mean a lot to me."
"I will remember this kindness."
Seeing the other person's serious gaze, Jasmine's eyes softened.
He handed over a scroll with both hands.
"Your Excellency, this is a magic map that can guide you to your territory in the wilderness."
"Each pioneering lord will receive his own magic map."
"When a normal pioneer lord uses a magic map, the magic will dissipate after three months."
After Lear took it, Jasmine said meaningfully.
"But this magic map is a personal item that His Highness gave to you."
"Lord Lear, may you return in glory!"
He took a deep look at the young man whom His Highness valued so highly, then gently touched his chest, bowed, and turned to leave without the slightest hesitation.
His Highness has already given away everything that was to be given as a gift.
To this day, she still doesn't understand why His Highness would place such a heavy bet.
She didn't know what the future held, but she hoped that the other party wouldn't disappoint His Highness's expectations.
Lear silently watched the other person's departing figure, his emotions somewhat complicated.
He let out a long breath, calmed the turmoil in his heart, and opened the map in his hand.
The portrait above seems to come alive; the mountains, trees, rivers, and streams are all flowing.
A striking six-pointed star appears at the far end of the map. Looking closely, a word immediately comes to mind—
Muddy swamp.
Another constantly flashing dot, marked in the city of Loran, indicates his current location.
"Is this... a fantasy version of GPS?"
Lear found it quite amazing.
With this, the most difficult problem in the wilderness—finding your way—is solved.
As he pondered, the detailed attributes of the magic map appeared in his mind.
Magic Map
[Level]: Special
[Features]: It is engraved with special magical runes that can always display the location of the magic map. By injecting mental energy into it, the markings on it can be added, removed, or modified.
[Evaluation]: This map, drawn by a mage with exceptional magical skills, is extremely valuable.
This map must have cost a fortune!
This favor seems to be growing ever larger.
Lear took a deep breath.
The kindness shown today will surely be repaid in the future!
He put away the map, calmed himself down, and returned to the side courtyard. The wetland lizardman's gaze immediately turned ardent upon seeing him.
This is the master to whom their souls submit and worship!
Lear looked at the swamp man.
These craftsmen wore tattered linen clothes and looked no different from ordinary people, except that their pupils were the color of green algae, which made them look quite peculiar.
An elderly man in his early sixties, with curly hair and a slight hunchback, stepped forward.
With his right hand on his chest, he bowed deeply, showing the utmost humility.
"Bain, greetings, Your Excellency. May the goddess protect you."
His voice trembled slightly with unease.
Lear glanced at the other person, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
This guy is a hero?!
Bain
Hero Units
[Level]: 5
[Potential]: 2 stars (Level cap 9)
[Occupation]: Junior Craftsman
[Racial Talents]:
[Hero Talent]: Construction. Possesses a unique and keen sense of architecture, enabling overall planning of large-scale buildings while saving construction costs and increasing building sturdiness.
[Skill]: Skillful Hands (1 star) Increases efficiency by 30% when building houses or forging tools.
Planning (1 star): Has an overall plan for buildings and can make the most of the terrain to build suitable buildings.
[Equipment]: None
[Evaluation]: A hero with planning abilities, suitable for building territories.
A level 5 hero with the potential to reach 2 stars?!
Excellent, very good.
Lear was in a great mood.
Moreover, the other party's abilities are exactly what he urgently needs.
For expansionist lords, territorial development is always the core objective.
"Bane, come with me to the territory first thing tomorrow morning."
"We will need your assistance in the future."
"As you command, sir."
The timid swamp people are even less capable in combat than ordinary people, and they have no confidence or intention to resist.
They didn't even wear enslavement rings around their necks. These guys were practically useless.
They are the two extremes of the ferocious wetland lizardmen.
Lear glanced at the crowd: hundreds of swamp worker craftsmen, plus two squadrons of swamp lizardmen in heavy armor.
Currently, the pioneering forces he commands are already quite impressive compared to other pioneering lords.
Even those descendants of nobles may not have possessed so many initial resources.
A level 6 novice knight slave alone normally costs more than 200 gold coins, which is 40,000 gold coins.
In addition to full sets of armor, hundreds of slave craftsmen, and various supplies in 30 wagons,
Even if ordinary nobles emptied their coffers, that might be the end of it.
"Bane, go and take stock of our supplies and see what we're missing. Buy everything today, and we'll head into the wilderness tomorrow!"
Bain was somewhat flattered, and his algae-green eyes became excited.
"Yes, sir!"
But just as he had mustered some enthusiasm, he turned around and saw the menacing swamp lizardmen, and immediately deflated.
She looked at him somewhat awkwardly.
"grown ups."
Lear was both amused and exasperated.
"From now on, all the wetland lizardmen will be your companions, and the blades in their hands will only be pointed at the enemy!"
"They are comrades you can trust, and they will protect you with their swords!"
"Go."
Having received such a promise, Bain finally mustered the courage to go and investigate the carriage.
After passing by these ferocious warriors and confirming that they would not harm him, he breathed a sigh of relief.
They began to investigate carefully.
It must be said that Felena's gift was indeed extraordinary: 30 large horse-drawn carriages used for hauling goods, like small trucks, were loaded to the brim with grain.
It includes almost everything in daily life, from food and drink to clothing.
We don't need anything.
Or rather, the missing items are all difficult to transport.
Seeing this, Lear didn't say much and handed over the task of counting and managing the supplies to his first hero.
With 300 people, the daily food expenses are an outrageous figure.
However, a carriage was filled with one-star magical food—Noah's Rice.
This magical food, said to have been cultivated by the first holy maiden of the Earth Mother Goddess, contains powerful magic; just half a pound of rice is enough to keep a person full for five days.
Its production is extremely low, and it requires mages to cultivate, so it has always been a strategic resource reserved by major powers or nobles.
Philena, however, simply gifted him a carriage.
A rough estimate puts it at over 3,000 kilograms.
It is enough to sustain the consumption of several hundred people for half a year.
After confirming everything was correct, Lear, in a rather good mood, looked at the most robust figure among the wetland lizardmen—
Haggs.
"Come with me!"
The treasure that could transform this ferocious beast into a hero is now in our hands. Let this swamp lizardman step into another world!
He trained his first combat hero.