Chapter 476, Development Direction
Entering the stone castle.
The first sight was a spacious and tall hall, with exquisite carpets, elaborately carved wall reliefs, and a massive crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, adorned with numerous light stones.
Priceless paintings and gold and silver artifacts were displayed around.
The overall atmosphere was both luxurious and solemn.
"Wow~! Is this a palace?" Minnie exclaimed involuntarily.
Even Andviel, usually sparring verbally with her, shared in the amazement. "How much would this cost?"
Wu Heng was also somewhat surprised.
This pirate leader really treated himself like a king.
He had turned his residence into such a spectacle.
On the other hand, on Gold-Silver Island, he was indeed like a local emperor.
"Let's go upstairs and take a look. Pick a room you like and remember it—it's quite large here," Wu Heng said softly.
"Yay!" Minnie cheered, pulling Andviel along as they ran upstairs.
The residence had many rooms. From the outside,
the six windows corresponded to six floors.
With their current number of people, it felt rather empty.
Wu Heng explored the first floor. To one side of the hall was a private dining room connected to the kitchen.
On the other side was a massive training room.
It housed plenty of weapons and equipment for training purposes.
It seemed well-equipped.
Tap-tap-tap~!
Minnie came running back down the stairs. "Master, there are so many floors! Which one are you choosing? Should we take the one right below yours?"
Wu Heng thought for a moment. "The fourth floor. Too high up, and going up and down would be inconvenient."
"Great, then we'll take the third floor," Minnie said excitedly, holding his arm. "The bedrooms are so big, and there's a study and a bathroom—no more running back and forth from the outside to bathe."
"It's just the three of us. If you want, you can switch rooms whenever you like."
"Okay!" Minnie nodded enthusiastically.
Andviel also came downstairs. "Master, are we moving in today?"
Wu Heng considered. "Let's make it tomorrow. We'll have the skeletons bring the equipment early, and set up the solar panels and devices beforehand."
"That makes sense."
After taking a general look around, the three of them headed outside.
"Veil, get the renovation team to come tomorrow for some repairs."
"Alright. Should we use the same team as last time?" Andviel asked.
"Sure. Some restoration work is needed, and the fountain's formations should be redrawn. Have them find someone for that as well."
"Understood."
The building was well-preserved, with minimal displacement of items.
However, the courtyard still bore many signs of battle, especially around the central fountain, where sword marks had torn through the stone tiles.
These were likely caused by Imiro's sword energy.
There were also broken sculptures and uprooted trees lying on the ground.
It was evident that the battle here had been fierce.
As they left the estate, Wu Heng checked the time.
It was still early to return, so he suggested, "Minnie, you head back first. I'll take Veil to the city hall."
"Alright."
The three of them parted ways at the gate.
Each headed in a different direction.
...
City Hall.
Located in the second row of buildings in the central district.
Due to the recent unrest on the island, the city hall's operations had stalled.
The Guild had investigated those involved, and many uninvolved staff had stayed on.
"Deputy Steward, Assistant Andviel," the guards at the gate saluted respectfully.
These guards were part of the Guild's local contingent.
They had defended the Guild's headquarters alongside Wu Heng before.
Their attitudes were highly respectful.
"Notify everyone inside to gather in the main hall. I have something to announce," Wu Heng instructed.
"Yes, Deputy Steward!"
The guard quickly left, and before long, a scattered group of people came down from the upper floors.
Men and women alike stood in a disorganized line.
News of the Deputy Steward killing the island lord had already spread across the island.
Being suddenly summoned made them nervous, fearing they might be implicated.
Wu Heng addressed them directly, "From today onward, I will oversee all administrative affairs on Gold-Silver Island."
The group looked surprised but didn't comment.
Wu Heng continued, "Who is the manager here?"
"Deputy Steward, that would be me," a well-dressed gnome stepped forward.
"What's your name?"
"Sir, my name is Wilkins," the gnome replied in a sharp voice.
"From now on, Andviel will manage this place fully. She will assign tasks, and you can consult her if needed," Wu Heng said.
Andviel stepped forward with a smile. "Hello, Mr. Wilkins."
"Hello, Miss Andviel. It's an honor to serve you."
"Good. Mr. Wilkins, I'll need you to compile the scope of City Hall's responsibilities and a list of its members and submit it to me by tomorrow," Andviel instructed efficiently.
Many things in this world weren't difficult to grasp.
Much like being an assistant, once in the position, familiarity would come with time.
"Understood, Miss."
"Alright. You may return to your posts. Gold-Silver Island is now under the Guild's jurisdiction. Your lives will only improve from here."
The group exchanged glances and dispersed back upstairs.
Once out of sight, murmurs of discussion began.
After delegating tasks.
Wu Heng and Andviel left to return home.
...
Back at home.
Wu Heng shut himself in his study.
Pouring himself a cup of tea, he sat behind the desk and began to think.
Becoming Gold-Silver Island's lord was a good thing for him.
It meant no more being shuffled around and finally having a base in another world.
By stabilizing the territory and leveraging advantages from both worlds, he could accelerate his development.
Gold-Silver Island's development direction could be summarized into three points.
First, securing trade routes and establishing a fleet to prevent the resurgence of pirates and ensure a stable commercial environment.
Second, expanding and developing the island. There was too much wasteland, and construction was progressing too slowly.
Third, maintaining the presence of powerful individuals. Imiro's departure was a significant loss for the island.
He took a sip of tea.
"Building a fleet wouldn't be hard. If I could get a modern warship, clearing out pirates would be a breeze. But finding someone who can operate one might be tricky."
As for developing the island.
"I can bring over excavators and bulldozers. With skeletons working day and night, construction speed should improve significantly."
"As for maintaining strength... That Divine Punishment Sect's Level 18 Fighter's corpse is a must-have."
He pondered further. "Maybe I could set up a new Golden Cat branch. I promised three years of tax exemption for my trade guild, so I can't go back on that. I'll need to recover funds elsewhere."
He also thought about farming and building a military factory.
Now that he had his own territory, facilities that previously had no place could be considered.
Knock knock knock~!
A knock came at the door.
Minnie's voice called out, "Master, the bath is ready."
Wu Heng drained his tea and opened the door. "Let's go!"
Minnie smiled. "Master, everything's packed up except for your bedding. The three of us will have to share tonight."
Wu Heng put an arm around her shoulders. "When we choose furniture for the estate, get a larger bed."
"Got it."
They walked to the bathroom, where the white-haired, fox-eared little fox was already waiting.
...
The next morning.
Minnie directed the skeletons to finalize preparations, gathering the solar panels from the rooftop, armored vehicles from the yard, and the fruit trees and flowers planted by Minnie and Shanaila—all ready to be moved.
The entire residence was bustling with activity.
Andviel had gone to City Hall early in the morning, while Wu Heng brought the skeletons to the Guild.
Upon entering the Guild hall.
The bulletin board was surrounded by mercenaries and team members in several layers.
The air was buzzing with discussion.
"Gold-Silver Island's changes are huge! Wu Heng is appointed Island Lord and becomes the local Standard Bearer, while Sheila Grey is promoted to local Steward. Wow, two Deputy Stewards climbing ranks so quickly!"
"What are you talking about? They killed a Level 18 Professional and wiped out most of the pirates in the Emerald Sea. Achievements like that deserve rapid promotion anywhere."
"If Sheila Grey is a Steward now, what about Imiro?"
"It's not announced yet. As the local Steward, he has the highest merit. I think he'll get promoted too."
"I mean, if Imiro leaves, can the two of them hold Gold-Silver Island?"
"Didn't you see the weapons they used against the pirates? One burst of light, and the enemy turned to mist."
"I heard those are family artifacts of Wu Heng's—devices combining strange mechanisms and runes."
"But isn't he a Necromancer? Can you really trust him with such authority?"
"The Guild will monitor him. The more power he gets, the more closely they'll watch. Someone planning shady business wouldn't be so public about it."
Standing in the corridor, Wu Heng used Xiaoxiao's vision to glimpse the bulletin and hear the conversation.
The island's changes were announced via the bulletin board.
Soon, word would spread across the island.
Wu Heng was becoming quite famous.
Tap tap tap~!
Footsteps approached as the old mage and his attendant passed by.
Smiling, he said, "Congratulations. Becoming an Island Lord at such a young age is impressive."
Wu Heng smiled back. "I'll need your continued guidance for Gold-Silver Island, Dean."
The old mage stroked his beard. "You're quite unlike most Necromancers. You chose the wrong profession."
"Where are you headed, Dean?"
"I was planning to visit Imiro, but now that I've run into you, how about a chat instead?"
"Sure. I don't have an office anymore—I already returned the keys."
"Let's use the meeting room. I'll head to Imiro afterward."
"Sounds good."
Wu Heng nodded and followed him to the meeting room.
...
Nautilus Tavern.
Bang~!
Philipa kicked the door open, startling Milisen, who was busy bookkeeping inside.
Milisen was about to yell.
But Philipa, with one hand on her hip, proudly declared, "Wu Heng is now the Island Lord. Let's see who dares call me a pirate now! I'm part of Gold-Silver Island's official forces, damn it!"