Chapter 414: Chapter 409: A Change in Mindset

Duane waited in Scorching Wind Castle for over half a month, but he neither saw Hardy return nor received a reply from the Royal Family.

Plenty of intelligence, on the other hand, arrived from the Silent Shore, but it was almost all bad news.

During this time, the Starfall Islands completed their troop redeployment.

The Silent Shore’s army was largely transferred to the Scorching Wind Territory, while Duane’s forces moved to Star Sea City, and Baron Uriel’s troops were stationed in Baron Valentine’s territory.

Regardless of whether King Eric acknowledged it, the three of them had already divided the territories they had acquired and begun to take control of these lands as Lords.

The vast Star Sea Castle alone would require at least two or three hundred servants. Duane had Logan select a group from the logistics staff, then recruited another batch of trustworthy individuals from Star Sea City.

At the same time, he also wrote a letter to Natalia, asking Julian and Ralph to bring some assistants over, as there were many matters here that required their help.

Conquering such a large territory was simple, but managing it well and establishing a firm foothold was no easy task.

Capable people were always in short supply.

"Rest assured. After I return, I will have the officials from Sharp Stone Ridge transferred to Lange Valley to help you handle matters there first."

Selena, the acting lord of Sharp Stone Ridge, visited Duane with her son and Brison.

With Duane as the lord here, they no longer had to hide. Even if their connection was exposed, they didn’t need to worry about being held accountable.

"Although Sharp Stone Ridge is part of the Scorching Wind Territory, Count Kais ceded this land to me. I will honor my original promise. This territory will remain under your management."

Duane, seated in the host’s chair, said, "However, there is one point I need to clarify: my baronies are not the same as baronies in the usual sense."

He then explained his system of lordship.

"When we made our agreement, this system wasn’t fully finalized, but I intend to implement it now. That being said, you have the choice of whether to adopt this system of mine, which combines titles with feudal manors and official positions."

He smiled faintly and said magnanimously, "Special circumstances call for special arrangements. So, you don’t need to feel any pressure. I have no objection no matter what you choose."

Duane needed to centralize power, but he couldn’t go back on his original agreement with Selena, so he gave the choice to her.

Selena and Brison exchanged a look. Although the Lord said so, and they believed he would keep his word, since they had chosen to follow him, it was best to do things according to his preferences.

Otherwise, even if Duane had no objections in the future, others would come to see Sharp Stone Ridge as an outlier.

Selena said, "Thank you for your generosity, my Lord. Since we have chosen to follow you, we will naturally hold ourselves to your standards. Sharp Stone Ridge will abide by your system, without exception!"

Duane nodded inwardly.

These two were of common birth. They had a hard time getting together and sought a stable life; they didn’t have much ambition.

"In that case, I will hold an investiture ceremony before the end of the year, and Willard will be made a Baron."

Selena quickly rose to her feet and thanked him. "My Lord, I have a small request, and I hope you will grant it!"

Duane glanced at Brison. "You want me to sanction your marriage?"

Brison chuckled. They did indeed need to make things more legitimate, and a marriage bestowed by Duane would be very fitting.

But Selena said, "I would like you to grant Willard a new surname. I don’t want the cruel history of the name ’Courtney’ to continue on with Willard."

"No problem!"

Duane tapped on the desktop, thought for a moment, and said, "Then let’s call him Willard Lucian. It symbolizes a bright and splendid future. How about it?"

The two were stunned for a moment, then both broke into smiles. Selena couldn’t help but pick up Willard. "Quick, thank the Lord for granting you a surname!"

Three-year-old Willard said in a high, childish voice, "Thank you, Lord!"

Duane couldn’t help but stand up and pat the little one’s head.

After seeing the family of three off, Duane summoned Manny and Lune.

"According to the latest intelligence, Lune, the Holmes Clan’s territory has fallen!"

Lune’s body trembled. In disbelief, he said, "My Lord, this... Marquis Sean counter-attacked?"

Duane nodded. "Sean received help from Marquis Hoffman of the Kasa Kingdom and launched a surprise attack on your family’s territory. But I suspect he only intends to plunder and slaughter, with no intention of long-term occupation."

"Then what about my grandfather and father?" Lune’s mind fell into disarray.

"They were both injured and are recuperating in the Royal Capital. I can grant you leave to go see them."

Lune struggled internally. Logically, he should indeed go visit them. After all, such a disaster had befallen his family, which was equivalent to their entire foundation being wiped out.

But given the current situation in the Starfall Islands, it was not a good time for him to leave at such a critical juncture.

If a battle were to break out, he would lose his standing with Duane. Moreover, Duane was in dire need of capable people right now; if he left, certain positions might no longer be available to him.

"My Lord, I don’t want to leave the Starfall Islands at this time. There are things I must do here!"

Lune made his decision. "However, I would like to borrow one of the Starfall Islands’ messenger birds to write a letter to my family."

This came as a surprise to Duane. He genuinely wanted to let the man take a vacation, but he hadn’t expected him to refuse.

"In that case, just give the letter to Logan after you’ve written it. Have him arrange for someone to send it."

With that, he looked at Manny.

"My Lord, was my family’s territory also attacked?" Manny asked.

Duane shook his head. "Your family’s territory is located deeper inland, so Sean had no plans to attack so far in. However, your father was injured on the battlefield and has returned home to recuperate. You can also..."

"I choose the same as Lune!"

Manny said quickly, "There is much for me to do here, and this is a great place to realize my life’s worth!"

He was no longer the man he was a few years ago, back when he was dejected over his family’s decline.

Now, not only had he regained his spirit, but he had also luckily broken through to become an Earth Tier Warrior during the war, which further solidified his resolve to firmly follow Duane.

With his mind now clear and focused, he understood Lune’s thinking in an instant and naturally made the most logical choice as well.

"Alright!"

Duane smiled and waved his hand. "Go on and get busy. Just give your letters to Logan when you’re done writing."

"Thank you, my Lord!" The two of them bowed and left.

Duane watched their departing backs. Ever since the news about the upcoming investiture had spread, the mindset of many people had changed. A sense of competition, both overt and covert, had begun to emerge.

For Duane, as a Lord, this was a good thing.

"John, go have Kaelon, Raymond, and Simone each compile a list of Warriors who are on the verge of breaking through. Bring them to me in batches of twenty. I will bestow a Blessing upon them to help advance their strength. This will also be their reward for participating in the war!"

He paused for a moment. "Also, select another one hundred people from the regular soldiers and logistics personnel. I will recognize their merits and contributions as well!"

Duane’s Blessing Magic skill level had now reached Perfection. Although the number of people he could affect at once was far less than the Holy Radiance Court’s Great Blessing Technique, he could still affect twenty people simultaneously.

Now that the war was over, it was time to properly motivate everyone.

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