A cold wind howled through the East Market of Frost Halberd City.The air was filled with the pungent smell of animal hides, the aroma of roasted meat, and the crisp clang of iron tools.The stalls lining the streets were simple, most just a few wooden poles supporting a canopy, with goods haphazardly displayed.Originally, this was just a small trading post, occasionally visited by farmers and hunters to exchange for food and daily necessities.But ever since the Northern Territory Reclamation Order was issued, many merchant guilds, scenting gold, swarmed in like hungry wolves.They forcibly transformed this small market into a bustling trade center.At the easternmost edge of the market, a rough wooden fence enclosed an open space, where a group of ragged slaves stood.Most of them huddled, heads bowed, as if accustomed to being treated as commodities.Occasionally, one could spot defiant glares filled with anger.But as soon as the slave merchant's whip cracked down ten times, all flames of resistance would instantly extinguish.Although the slave market was a grey area within the Empire, in the chaotic Northern Territory, it was practically an open secret.Both pioneering lords and smugglers knew what was most lacking here—manpower."Come and see! Strong young laborers! Skilled in mining, logging, bricklaying, and cotton picking, they're more capable than an ox!""These are Snow Country prisoners of war. Although not completely tamed yet, the price is cheap! Buy them, train them for a few months, and they'll be obedient!""Want smarter slaves? These ones are literate and can even help you manage accounts."Various shouts rose and fell, as slave merchants skillfully peddled their wares.To them, these slaves were no different in essence from horses or other goods.A slave merchant noticed Louis and his entourage, immediately put on an obsequious smile, and stepped forward to greet them:"Sirs! Come and see! These are the finest laborers in the Northern Territory, guaranteed to work hard, endure cold and hunger, and absolutely at a great price!"The official accompanying Louis frowned and reminded the slave merchant, "This is Baron Calvin. You weigh your words carefully; don't harbor any ill intentions.""Not at all, not at all!" The slave merchant waved his hands repeatedly, his smile growing even more enthusiastic, "This humble one does business honestly and fairly, with very reasonable prices.My slaves here are all hardworking and capable hands. Farming, chopping wood, building houses, picking cotton – there's nothing they can't do!"He waved a hand, signaling the slaves behind him to stand straight. Some slaves reflexively straightened their backs, but more just stood numbly, lifelessly."Look at these few, they're all strong and sturdy young men, with great strength, worth two oxen!"The slave merchant walked over to several dark-skinned slaves and patted their shoulders:"Don't let their thinness fool you; they eat little and work a lot! Just give them food, and they'll work for you until dark without a single complaint!"At this point, he lowered his voice and showed a suggestive smile: "Of course, if you have other interests... we can also provide higher-end goods here.From the South, fair-skinned, all carefully trained, guaranteed to satisfy you."Louis's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly: "No need."Seeing this, the slave merchant immediately reverted to a professional smile, nodding repeatedly: "You are indeed a man of foresight.Now is the time for manpower in the Northern Territory reclamation, and these coarse serfs are the most practical deal.Rest assured, the slaves here are not only hardworking but also obedient, they won't cause you any trouble!"Louis scanned the slaves before him.These people wore tattered clothes, their skin was pale, and many of their faces were etched with numbness.Although the slave merchant boasted that they were strong and capable,in reality, most were malnourished, and some even had weak legs, barely able to stand steadily.However, among slaves of this caliber, their appearance was indeed quite good.His gaze slowly swept over the group of slaves, finally resting on a thin young boy.The boy huddled tightly in the woman's arms, his frail body trembling, like a shivering small animal.But in Louis's eyes, his identity was far from that of an ordinary slave.This was the target indicated by the system, Weil, who possessed the potential of a Peak Knight.With this timid appearance, if not for the intelligence system's reminder, no ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) one would imagine that this young boy could grow into a Peak Knight in the future, becoming a being capable of influencing a war.On the other side, in a corner of the slave group, a man even thinner than the others kept his head down, his body slightly hunched, as if trying to completely disappear into the crowd.His face was hidden behind messy grey hair, and his gaze shifted restlessly, always deliberately avoiding the eyes of those around him.He looked utterly unremarkable, even more humble than the other slaves.If it were an ordinary person, they would only think this was a pathetic wretch, tormented to the point of collapse.But Louis knew that this was precisely Silco, the alchemy apprentice who had fled to the Northern Territory after being hunted down for theft.The slave merchant, seeing Louis's slight interest, quickly patted his chest and guaranteed: "Sir, if you buy them, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!"Louis did not rush to decide, but instead asked, "How much for one slave?""Eight silver coins for a man, four silver coins for a woman and child," the slave merchant said with a smile.Louis nodded.Although the prices of these slaves were not low, they were not overly exorbitant either. It seemed the slave merchant was wary of the official beside him and dared not be too excessive."How many people do you have here in total?""There are over three hundred and eighty here, and if you need more, I can arrange for more from outside.""Just these will do," Louis ordered decisively.Subsequently, he went to several other slave merchants and successively purchased 120 more people.He ultimately gathered 500 slaves, spending a total of 380 gold coins.This single transaction alone nearly halved his assets.(Currency setting: 10 iron coins = 1 copper coin, 10 copper coins = 1 silver coin, 10 silver coins = 1 gold coin)Next, Louis purchased large quantities of grain, seeds, farm tools, weapons, and other necessities for developing his territory.Prices in the Northern Territory were at least twice as high as in the South, which further strained his financial situation.After all purchases were completed, he tallied his remaining assets, finding only 68 gold coins left.He was poor.During these two days in Frost Halberd City, Louis was not only busy procuring supplies but also met several other noble lords who had also been sent to pioneer.After brief interactions, he lost interest in these so-called nobles.Some spent their days drunkenly in taverns, escaping reality.Others had ashen faces, constantly frowning, filled with despair about the future.They would openly curse the Emperor as incompetent in front of Louis, denounce their parents as heartless, and wish they could immediately flee back to the South.Louis merely offered an noncommittal smile in response and ceased to engage with these individuals.Two days later, outside the city gates of Frost Halberd City, a contingent of nearly a thousand people was ready to depart.Louis swung onto his horse and looked into the distance.That was Red Tide Territory, his own domain."Depart!"With a command, the vast procession set off on its journey, heading towards Red Tide Territory in the Southeast of the Northern Territory.

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