When they reached the main city, they were greeted by a lot of people, especially the pillars of the Ardagan family.
"My Lord."
"Master."
They were standing outside the city, waiting for his arrival.
"You're pretty well-liked in this place." Duke Lorelei couldn't help but comment when he saw all those people coming just to see him.
"Hahaha." Noel chuckled in response and came out of the train.
A cheer erupted to welcome him. Noel waved his hand to greet his people as his pillars came up to him.
"Thank you for welcoming me here. I have got enough rest, so you don't have to worry about me." Noel smiled.
"In that case, please follow us." Howard extended his hand, pointing at the automatic carriage.
"Mhmm…" Noel nodded before pointing at Duke Lorelei. "Tell Balott and Tristan to take care of him. The lady will talk to the saintess. Howard will handle the arrangements for the people here until Dimitri returns. The rest will follow me. I'd like to know everything that has happened in the past month."
"Understood."
They all began to move accordingly. It seemed that they had prepared several carriages for each of them.
Noel entered the carriage with Charlotte, Douglas, Roel, Livia, and Jasmine.
"How is the situation?" Noel asked.
"The farming land has been set up. We can begin our cultivation right away. Thanks to Old Jade, we are aware of the location of the mine as well as its size. The mine itself will have a significant impact on the environment, so we are setting up the farmland a bit further away.
"However, we still take advantage of the terrain. According to my calculation, we are able to harvest 3 times what this city needs. We can send it or store it depending on your arrangement."
"3 times?" Noel raised his eyebrows.
"Yes. The soil is very rich in minerals. And with the help of my seeds as well as the cultivation technique I've developed, it should be able to reach that number."
Noel thought for a moment. "The royal family has raised my rank to a Marquis and given me the land north of here. In other words, we will be expanding into demon territory. While I'm waiting for a person of noble caliber to appear, we're going to create new cities and form a strategic defense system. What do you think, Jasmine, Douglas?"
Jasmine looked down. "If I speak for all the potential farmlands in this territory, then that's definitely a good idea. First of all, this land didn't look that enticing in the past. However, it had a lot of mountains, especially volcanoes. However, most of the volcanoes are still outside the border. If my Lord is planning to expand to the north, I will create enough farmlands that famine will become a forgotten concept."
Noel smiled after hearing those confident words. He then turned to Douglas.
"As Jasmine said, we have a lot of mountains, which cause mobility issues. However, it can be solved through rune technology. The airship can easily reach the mountains, the train can easily go around them, and the normal ship can take advantage of the river that flows from the north.
"With a proper arrangement, I believe that a defense line where the main city can't be attacked is possible. As for the city building… Are you sure you want to give me this opportunity, my Lord?"
"What's wrong?" Noel furrowed his eyebrows. "You're not confident?"
"No. I'm just worried that leaving this project to only me will produce an information leak. What if they target me to know the layout of your territory?"
"It's not a problem for me. It seems you're misunderstanding something, Douglas. The superiority of our defense doesn't lie in the durability of our wall or the layout of our city. It's on our mobility." Noel smirked.
"Ah!" Douglas realized that even if they knew the cities' locations, they wouldn't be able to defeat them. After all, they could use the train to send troops from all over the place. "I understand. I'll follow your arrangement."
"The funds won't be a problem. Once we launch the Runegard company, we don't have to worry about money anymore. I just want one thing. Fast progress."
"Yes, sir." Douglas nodded.
Since Douglas's part was done, Roel decided to speak up. "The progress of all inventions is looking good. We've reached an agreement regarding the airship. However, the problem will be the location."
"We will do it on the demon territory like our original plan. Even though I'm expanding to the north, I don't plan to encroach upon the Greenwood Kingdom's future territory. However, once we have some success, I want you to set up a similar workshop in our territory."
"Understood." Roel agreed without hesitation. "As for the battleship, they are expected to complete it within six months. The ship is big enough to carry a thousand people at once and will be strong enough to become a fortress on water."
"The Zaecuria Kingdom is going all out to test the limit of the runes after all. I'm sure that once they have built it here, they are going to make a more majestic ship in their kingdom." Noel thought for a moment. "I'll give you a concept for the container truck, the small truck, and a car. You'll try to make it, especially cars. It might allow even common families to travel a long distance. Just imagine that your children can visit you any time, Roel."
"!!!" Roel looked surprised but was soon delighted. "Thank you, my Lord. I'll definitely work hard on all of them."
"Is it my turn then?" Livia asked. Since no one said anything, she continued, "I have finalized the concept for the Rune Academy. And I will probably need you to look at the final curriculum."
"I'll do it later. I think I should begin teaching you how to draw the runes on one's body."
Livia raised her eyebrows. She had been waiting for this. While she had the ability to inscribe the rune like that of a blacksmith or use the rune like a magician, Noel hadn't taught her the Rune Body, the key component of the Rune Magician. In addition, she heard that there was a way to form an array with runes, creating a combination that could take down an opponent at a higher level.
"Is that true, Teacher?"
"Mhmm. Well, even if I say I'm going to teach you about it, Anna will be the one directing you most of the time. I don't want to get involved in any scandals after all." Noel chuckled, indirectly implying that he didn't want to let her use the fact that he saw her body to force him into marriage.
"I understand." Livia nodded solemnly. She already knew Noel's personality enough to expect something like this.
"Also, will there be a problem if you see a man without a shirt?"
"Not really. I was once a part of a knight order and most of them were men. So, I'd grown accustomed to the naked, sweaty men." Livia assured him, not wanting this problem to stop him from teaching her the rune body.
"Alright. Then, there should be no problem in letting you and Tristan take care of the Rune Body for the people in the joint Rune Magician training, right?"
The joint training he was talking about was the training under Felicia.
"Understood. It will also provide me with a good experience."
Noel then turned to Charlotte. "Last but not least…"
Charlotte smiled. "I think this is the most important matter right now. Regarding the ceremony, we have decided to set it up in two different sections. The first one will be the ceremony itself, which will be held in the Moon Temple's hall.
"I've contacted the best people in this area. We've agreed on two costumes for both the wedding dress and your suit. We have chosen an auspicious date and designed the wedding invitations. We'll need to know the guest lists from you.
"As for the second section, it will be a banquet. You and the lady can change into a more elegant and easy-to-move outfit. As the name implies, you are able to greet the guests and dance with the lady. This will be held at the venue. Douglas has finished the blueprints and we can start building them.
"Also, it's inappropriate for the lord and the lady to stay in the mayor's mansion whenever you visit the city, so we are also planning to build a mansion there."
Noel nodded, satisfied with the arrangement. "There are a few things I want you to arrange for the wedding, so see whether they are possible or not."
"Understood."
"As for the invitation, I'll give you the list of the nobles later. It's time to make it clear to them about our stance. Since they're still trying to oppose us, there's no need to invite them. Also, invite the royal families from the Zaecuria Kingdom and the Greenwood Kingdom as our distinguished guests. Of course, the Ezenholm family and the Allevion family.
"Howard and Harley will take care of the security. Old Jade will take care of the main city while all the Spirit Grandmasters will go to Laivaen City to ensure nothing goes wrong."
"Are we not going to invite the royal family?" Charlotte asked. "You have become a Marquis, so it's only appropriate to invite them."
"Well, we will still invite them. Then again, whoever comes will most likely be mocked, so they will probably send their sacrificial piece. I do want to make it big, but I don't plan to reveal all our power. Do you think you can arrange it that way?"
"I will do my best." Charlotte smiled.
