Chapter 539: Big Appetite, Easy to Digest
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Warm, clear water flowed over skin covered in grime.
Feeling this unprecedented warmth, Udala looked up at the showerhead above, her eyes filled with curiosity.
This novel sprinkling device was so intriguing, just like everything else in Bay Territory. It made her inspect it carefully, like many newcomers.
Pipes delivering water automatically.
A wonderful water heater.
Fragrant soap with strong antibacterial properties.
Soft, clean underclothes.
The fine weave of the fabric surpassed most clothing she had seen before.
Udala's favorite thing was the furniture in the room, all perfectly sized for a halfling.
It was more comfortable than many inns she had stayed in, earning her silent admiration.
Although she wasn't very old, her four or five years of wandering experience allowed her to notice the subtle signs of use on the furniture.
While not brand new, everything was exceptionally clean.
As a halfling not particularly favored by humans, Udala immediately took a liking to Bay Territory.
"If they treat refugees so well, they must be even better to their own citizens."
Remembering the elder's instructions, Udala took out a small piece of parchment, preparing to record her observations.
But she suddenly noticed a stack of paper on the table, along with a Bay Territory pamphlet.
She picked it up and saw several smiling halflings pictured, along with text in both Common and Halfling languages:
"Welcome to Bay Territory: what you should do in the first seven days."
"How to eat meat at every meal and never go hungry after a week."
"How to own your own house and farmland in six months."
These straightforward messages made Udala raise her eyebrows.
Just these three lines made her eager to see what else was written.
For most refugees, having enough to eat, warm clothes, and a place to live was a dream come true.
If Bay Territory could deliver on these promises, it would have an unparalleled allure for refugees, easily winning their loyalty.
Of course, Udala wasn't fully convinced yet.
She had seen lords make grand promises only to lure people in, using them as stepping stones for initial territorial development.
She was just about to open the first page, running her fingers over the smooth paper, immediately noticing its unique quality.
Compared to rough parchment, Bay Territory's paper was far superior.
After studying it closely, Udala realized how exceptional this paper was.
Smooth, flat, durable.
Fine-grained, tightly pressed, and crystal clear.
Even the material used for some spell scrolls couldn't match the feel of this paper.
Yet in Bay Territory, this was just used for refugee pamphlets, further piquing Udala's curiosity.
"Maybe this time is truly different…"
Udala originally thought the pamphlet would be full of praises for Bay Territory's leaders, aiming to dupe refugees.
To her surprise, it contained concise illustrations and graphics:
"Day 1: Eat well, rest well, receive inquiries, treat illnesses, get proper rest."
"Day 2: Sleep in, eat breakfast, continue recuperating, ask questions to the information golem."
"Day 3: Continue resting, undergo skills assessment (partially determines initial job placement in Bay Territory)."
"Day 4: Restore your health, learn Common, gain literacy, attend meetings."
"Day 5: Learn Common, gain literacy, undergo skill evaluations (determine initial salary and position)."
"Day 6: Learn about job positions, study Common, gain literacy."
"Day 7: Select a position, attend training, rest well."
"Day 8: Job assignment."
Udala glanced at the small golem near the door and blinked. Although it was still Day 1, there were no restrictions against asking questions.
If this were before, she would have hidden her identity as much as possible.
But since arriving in Bay Territory, she hadn't lied, and now she saw no need to cover up.
After all, she had already heard about Bay Territory's refugee settlement process before coming.
With this confirmation, she decided not to waste any more time—she didn't want to end up assigned to farming.
However, as Udala prepared to head to the door, a crisp, slightly husky yet enticing voice drifted over from the other side:
"I'm skilled in close combat. What kind of job would suit me?"
The sweet, clear voice came from a small, adorably shaped dragon-like golem:
"Ah, you could consider taking the reserve soldier exam. With your current class level, passing the exam will be quite easy."
"After passing, you can become a reserve soldier in Bay Territory."
"You'll receive training suited to your level and be eligible for combat positions."
Hearing this, Udala perked up her ears.
Reserve soldier?
Class level?
Combat positions?
Could the small golem really be revealing such important information so freely?
Was it truly appropriate?
With these thoughts, Udala didn't hesitate. She walked directly to the door and saw a cloaked figure across the way, continuing to ask questions:
"As a reserve soldier, what's the monthly salary? What are the benefits?"
The little dragon golem gently swayed its tail and tilted its small head. Under the curious gazes of the two individuals, it replied crisply:
"Oh, the current reserve soldier benefits have improved quite a bit."
"Room and board are fully covered. There's a six-day training schedule with one day off, and you'll get magical food."
"The monthly salary is 1.5 gold coins, with an additional 1 gold coin per class level as a monthly stipend."
"If you participate in combat missions, you'll also receive battle rewards and mission bonuses."
"Bay Territory provides high-quality enchanted weapons and equipment. You can also apply for the weapons and equipment you're most proficient with."
"…"
The two listeners were captivated, their eyes shining.
Just the benefits for Bay Territory reserve soldiers were enough to stir their hearts.
When the dragon golem stopped speaking, both listeners were left wanting more.
They noticed each other's presence and noted each other's unique features, but neither displayed any particular reaction.
Seeing that the other didn't continue asking questions, Udala decided not to hide her curiosity and directly asked:
"What's the deal with the house and land?"
The dragon golem's bright eyes blinked, and it turned nimbly, replying clearly and precisely:
"Once you officially join Bay Territory, you'll receive a permanent farming plot from Bay Territory based on your contribution level: 10 acres per level."
"All citizens who join Bay Territory, regardless of gender, are granted a 128-square-meter two-story house free of charge, with permanent residency rights."
"As your contribution level rises, you can apply for larger and more advanced homes."
"Houses and farmland cannot be traded. Upon the owner's death, their contribution is converted and evenly distributed among parents, spouses, and children."
"The inherited contribution can be passed down for five generations."
Free houses?
Free farmland?
Excited, Udala restrained her inner joy and asked more details about the farmland and houses.
Soon, they learned information they had never seen or heard of before:
"You can farm the land yourself, and Bay Territory only takes a 10% tax, which goes towards developing agricultural techniques."
"Alternatively, you can have Bay Territory cultivate the land, in which case the territory takes a 30% tax, giving 20% to the cultivators."
"If you work on Bay Territory's public farmland, you receive 60% of the income, and the territory purchases the crops at market rates."
"Note: Those who farm public farmland must share the responsibility of managing distributed farmland for others."
"Note: Farmland cannot be traded. It can only be obtained through land reclamation or by increasing contribution levels."
These simple rules contained no extraneous regulations.
Udala found it hard to believe that Bay Territory didn't seem to "value" its farmland.
Despite its importance, the territory owned nearly all the farmland outright.
On the surface, it was given to people to cultivate, but nominally, it all belonged to the territory.
Yet Bay Territory didn't place much emphasis on farmland revenue.
Most of it was distributed to the cultivators.
Moreover, Bay Territory didn't seem to engage in practices that would harm farmers' livelihoods. Clothing, food, housing, and utilities remained affordable and stable.
For Udala, this was a nearly irresistible temptation.
However, before she could fully process it, the cloaked figure across from her began asking more questions:
"What happens if there isn't enough land or housing?"
That's right!
With the growing population, would farmland and houses begin to dwindle?
If earlier arrivals received land, what would happen to later arrivals? Would they be left with nothing?
This was a long-term issue that even Udala hadn't considered.
After all, for now, as long as her own needs were met, she didn't worry too much about the future.
They hadn't expected to receive an answer.
Even they didn't know how to resolve it.
Unexpectedly, the dragon-shaped golem quickly provided an answer:
"Ah, there's an answer to this question too!"
"First, the territory will continue to expand outward."
"By incorporating the wilderness into the territory and transforming it, new farmland and houses can be created."
"Even the transformation of semi-planes falls under this category. In the future, those who expand and develop will receive more farmland and houses that they help establish."
"Meanwhile, the territory will develop magical agricultural high-rises."
"On the same plot of land, multiple layers can be built downward, yielding several times or even dozens of times the farmland."
"Agricultural facilities in the underground world are already under development."
"At the current rate of population growth, the territory won't reach population saturation for another 375 years."
"The better the technology, the more land the territory gains, the longer it will take to reach saturation."
"The same goes for housing—growth and development will continue alongside population increases."
"As the Lord once said, the material plane still has countless lands and mysteries to explore, let alone the numerous semi-planes."
Although the dragon-shaped golem's tone was somewhat robotic, its uplifting spirit left both listeners momentarily speechless.
Instead of extracting wealth from within, it focused on upward growth.
By expanding outward, everyone shared in the benefits.
They weren't sure how well Bay Territory was implementing these ideas, but they found the development guidelines and slogans very appealing.
The more they heard, the more they wanted to learn about Bay Territory.
The dragon-shaped golem quickly answered most of their questions.
Only a few were met with, "Insufficient permissions, please increase your merit level."
Interestingly, their voices didn't carry.
Others could only see their actions and rarely engaged the golem like they did.
Over the next few days…
Udala became acquainted with the figure across from her.
It turned out the other wasn't human either!
Of course, many in Bay Territory weren't human.
She was a tiefling—a humanoid with devilish blood.
Although tieflings weren't as common in the Netheril Empire, they weren't unheard of.
After all, tieflings had a high likelihood of producing spellcasters, and many of the Empire's arcanists were tieflings.
However, ordinary people were not fond of tieflings or fiends.
The visible effects of their bloodlines often led to tieflings losing control and causing casualties, worsening public perception.
As a result, many regions and territories were not welcoming to them.
Some even targeted them for their bloodlines, using them in dark experiments.
This tiefling, named Rika, came to Bay Territory upon hearing that it had sheltered nearly ten thousand fiends. She hoped for a chance here.
Udala believed only a fraction of what she said, and assumed Rika felt the same about her.
Nevertheless, they both seemed to understand each other's motives.
With the idea that more information meant more options…
Over the next few days, they shared their knowledge and thoughts about Bay Territory.
In the end, they both chose the same job.
They decided to become reserve soldiers!
In their conversations and observations, they realized that ordinary jobs and positions weren't difficult, and that life and development in Bay Territory were very stable.
For most people, Bay Territory was like a dreamland.
But both of them knew their own circumstances and wanted to uncover more secrets about Bay Territory.
If they took other jobs, they'd first have to earn higher merits to gain more information, which would be a more challenging process.
Becoming soldiers was the quickest route!
Of course, they had also considered becoming Bay Territory adventurers.
However, they naturally assumed that Bay Territory wouldn't consider adventurers part of its inner circle.
They needed to get in deeper!