After the peasant slaves were purchased, spending five hundred and forty Gold Coins, Thor proceeded to buy a large amount of living supplies, especially grain.
After all, with the population now increasing by three thousand, his total population would rise from nearly one thousand to almost four thousand, and the consumption naturally couldn't be compared to before.
In fact, the consumption of grain was the major expense.
One person consumes 0.4 to 0.5 pounds of food daily, and with three thousand people, that's twelve hundred pounds per day, amounting to thirty-six thousand pounds a month.
The price of grain in the entire Northern Province nearly tripled.
Originally, in the Frost Moon Province, the price of a pound of buckwheat was about three Copper Coins, but in the Frost Moon Province, the price per pound rose to above ten Copper Coins, and sometimes it could even soar to twelve Copper Coins.
This is just for buckwheat.
The price of wheat was even higher.
In the Frost Moon Province, the wheat price was likely around ten Copper Coins per pound, while in the Northern Province, it was fifty Copper Coins.
The daily consumption of three thousand people, even if it's only buckwheat, amounts to at least three hundred and six thousand Copper Coins per month, equating to over thirty-six Silver Coins, and if it's wheat, it goes over one hundred and eighty Gold Coins, and this is just for a month's consumption.
In a year, the cost would exceed a thousand Gold Coins.
Frankly, even an average Viscount Clan might not be able to sustain this.
Even for pioneer noble offspring of a Count's Clan, it's very hard to achieve in a short time.
After all, not every clan is like Count Engel Dresrosa, who casually bestowed tens of thousands of Gold Coins in support.
For a Count's Clan, it was an enormous financial expenditure.
In such a situation.
Most Pioneer Lords cannot sustain themselves to reach the Kingdom's assessment standards, hence the problem.
However, for Thor, it's temporarily sufficient to sustain.
His father, Count Engel Dresrosa, directly provided enough Gold Coins, reaching over ten thousand.
Not to mention sustaining for a year, even for two years, the expenses are evidently sufficient.
And with the Iron Ore present.
The forthcoming economic issues were not a significant problem either.
There was no need to worry about it.
In the evening.
Reine returned with dozens of Knights.
Molten Fire Oil was brought back.
Simultaneously, three thousand robust slaves from the Habbs Commerce Association were also transported over.
The next day.
The group set off grandly once again.
Returning towards Eagle Ridge.
This time, compared to the first journey to Eagle Ridge, the scale was undoubtedly larger.
Along the way, not even encountering any Demon Beasts.
And since they had already harvested once, there was no new gain in the daily intelligence on this return trip.
Ten days later, the group smoothly returned to Eagle Ridge.
The arrival of over three thousand people instantly enlivened the entire Eagle Territory.
Especially for the original five hundred people, they suddenly felt nervous; originally there were only five hundred competitors, now it turned into thirty-five hundred, with the number directly increasing sevenfold, how could it not make them nervous.
Thor didn't mind their competition.
After returning to camp, he quickly summoned Steve.
When Steve appeared, a slight joy couldn't help showing on his face.
At this moment, Steve's Life Source Power fluctuation was visibly stronger.
This undoubtedly indicated that the other party had already taken that crucial step.
"Steve, have you broken through?"
Thor spoke with a smile.
"Yes, my Lord!"
Steve was grateful and also somewhat excited.
A Great Knight, he thought it would take at least a few years, and if unlucky, even a decade was possible, yet he never expected that after following Thor, he would break through to become a Great Knight in less than a few months.
It almost felt like a dream to him.
"Not bad, not bad!"
"Looks like you didn't disappoint me, stabilize for a few days, and in three days, we will start acting."
"By the way, remember to send someone to further get detailed information on that Goblin Tribe, I need more accurate information."
Thor nodded, his words subsequently taking on a solemn tone.
"Yes!"
Steve quickly nodded.
The figure quickly retreated.
And confirming Steve's breakthrough, the last bit of worry in Thor's heart disappeared.
What remained was preparation to take action.
Time swiftly passed.
Three days flew by.
In these three days, Steve thoroughly stabilized his Great Knight realm, and also gained a reasonably clear understanding of that large timid Goblin Tribe.
This large Goblin group probably numbered between five thousand to six thousand.
The number wasn't few, but a bit less than expected, not reaching a terrifying figure like seven or eight thousand.
At the same time, the surrounding terrain was almost fully understood.
In the room.
Steve and Reine were assembled in the room.
"Let's start the action!"
"All weapons are ready, right?"
Thor spoke, his gaze turned towards Steve.
"My Lord, it's all ready!"
Steve nodded respectfully.
"Alright!"
"Then let's set off!"
Thor nodded, feeling a bit excited at the moment.
This would be his first battle in the Pioneer Territory, and if he manages to successfully seize that Iron Ore area, the development of the entire territory would enter a high-speed phase, the significance would be immense.
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
Steve and Reine were equally excited, their figures quickly responding.
As the two approached.
The entire Eagle Ridge, with more than three thousand peasant slaves, was also gathered.
In three days, the information about Eagle Ridge had spread, and even the new arrival of three thousand peasant slaves couldn't help but feel excited and thrilled.
They actually had the opportunity to leave the status of peasant slaves, even if this chance was extremely small, they indeed had it, how could it not make them yearn.
In these three days, these peasant slaves worked more diligently than ever before.
When the Lord summoned them, no one dared to slack off.
One by one, figures gathered.
Everyone was filled with hope, curiosity, and a bit of nervousness.
Because more than a month ago, during a gathering by the Lord, some among them were freed to become Free People, this time perhaps too, how could they not expect.
Even though there was still a month's time from the prior promise, everyone at this moment couldn't help but fantasize a little.
And amidst anticipation and fantasy, their Lord, the master of Eagle Ridge, approached from afar.
"My Lord!"
"My Lord!"
"Master!"
"Master!"
......
Voices responded, Knights and peasant slaves were respectfully saluting.
Everyone's gaze towards Thor was filled with hope and anticipation.
And amidst the gathered gazes, Thor's figure reached the high platform.