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**"My lord, here are the requested documents."** The head steward approached, greeting the three lords in the room, and placed a series of scrolls and maps on the table that showed the current state of the fiefdom.
**"Very well. Also summon some scribes and inform the master blacksmith that I will visit our forge later."** Joseph spoke in a calm voice, and soon the steward left to fulfill his duties.
Thus, the three lords began sorting the important documents and classifying the information. First, they opened the maps, and Joseph started asking questions about his territory, kingdom, and continent.
The name of the continent was **Erlans**, and according to Vanir and the records, it was enormous—taking years of migration and constant movement to travel from one end to the other.
His current fiefdom was located in the **Kingdom of Miraz**, a small human kingdom bordering two other kingdoms and an empire. Though called a "small kingdom," it was massive, with a territory of about **3 million square kilometers**, situated at the edge of the continent, with half of its borders connected to the sea and numerous rivers.
His fiefdom was in a mountainous region of the kingdom, with soil composed mainly of clay, intersected by forests and rivers flowing toward the sea.
There were a total of **six cities**, with populations ranging from **9,000 to 18,000 inhabitants**—one being a port city connected to the sea, four mining cities, and one agricultural city near a large river, which was the closest to the castle and the source of most tax revenue.
As for villages and small settlements, there were **dozens to a few hundred**, with variable populations surviving on hunting and gathering natural resources.
His castle stood on a mountain right in the center of the territory, a few kilometers from the city, built on a mountainside. The **total vampire population** in the territory was just over **11,000**, with about **10,000 living in and around the castle**, while the rest were **infiltrated in cities and villages as governors, tax collectors, and spies**.
It was clear that his clan had **extensive experience in control and espionage**, as even the most isolated villages had been properly registered. Cassandra proudly stated that all major cities were under their direct control.
Of course, if the information that they were vampires leaked, and an outsider gave even a small incentive, revolts would break out everywhere.
The good news was that his territory was **very poorly located**—bordering one of the enemy kingdoms, with dangerous and complex roads and rivers. Even the nearby sea was treacherous, with few merchants daring to trade in the port city.
This isolation would give him **vital space to develop** and use his modern knowledge.
**"Vanir, what are the main threats our territory currently faces?"** Joseph asked, and Vanir stepped forward, pointing at certain spots on the map.
**"The mountains and forests harbor many monsters. While most are weak, some areas contain powerful ones. Additionally, from time to time, bandits and raiders from the west cross the border to attack our cities. Refugees from neighboring lords suffering from war, or escaped slaves, also flee into the mountains, forming settlements and bandit groups."** Vanir explained carefully, and Joseph began to grasp his current situation.
**"I see. In less dangerous areas, can we lead extermination forces? Or would that be too risky?"** Joseph asked.
Vanir shook his head. **"As long as we don't provoke the powerful ones, our army can defeat any local force. But the locals might recognize our species or leak information during the hunt."**
Joseph nodded.
**"Lady Cassandra, do you know the state of our material reserves?"**
She nodded in agreement. **"We have mountains of iron, bronze, and gold. We also have rare ores like Adamantium and Mithril in good quantities for forging."**
Joseph let out a satisfied sigh.
**"No wonder we're hunted wherever we go! We're rich!"** he thought, understanding why vampires were on the brink of extinction.
They were like **walking, poorly guarded treasure sacks**. Seizing a vampire clan's wealth would make someone rich enough to **found a small nation** and mobilize armies.
Having absorbed the key information and taking advantage of the scribes' arrival, Joseph began issuing orders.
**"I want the area around the castle cleared of monsters and trees within a radius of several kilometers. Also, compile a list of unexplored nearby mines. Use the felled trees to build additional storage warehouses."**
The scribes immediately began scribbling on parchment.
**"Also, take a portion of the treasury and purchase large quantities of iron, limestone, gypsum, sulfur, coal, phosphorus..."** Joseph listed a vast array of materials, specifying their forms and compositions to aid procurement.
After a pause, he continued.
**"I also want a large number of slaves—especially those capable of earth magic. Don't worry about our species being exposed; we'll keep them near the castle. Hire mercenaries in small groups and send them on extermination missions in the forest secretly. They'll serve as an alibi if our forces are spotted."**
The two lords nodded in satisfaction.
**"What do you plan to do, Your Majesty?"** Cassandra finally asked.
Joseph smiled. **"I plan to change the world."**
Without further explanation, he dismissed her from his office.
With several scrolls in hand, Joseph began accessing the knowledge in his mind. Complex information on metallurgy, forging, and chemistry flowed into his thoughts, giving him a slight headache. But he endured and began drafting his plans.
Joseph's current plans were simple: **he would kickstart an industrial revolution directly**. In this world where everyone relied on magic, the most underdeveloped field was **industry**.
For example, the iron and cloth armor his soldiers needed required a blacksmith capable of conjuring flames near **1,538 degrees Celsius for hours**.
Thus, an entire group of blacksmiths—each at least a **Tier 4 mage**—was needed for **days** just to forge a single set of armor, taking shifts in the process.
Without necessary experience or coordination, it was extremely difficult for blacksmiths to produce quality equipment—demanding **time and training**.
That was why blacksmiths in this world were **highly valued and protected**. A skilled craftsman couldn't be bought even for **thousands of gold coins**, let alone an entire group.
Training new artisans was also **prohibitively expensive**, making them highly sought after—especially those from dwarf families or renowned guilds.
Joseph was about to change that.
Using the experienced vampire blacksmiths, he would attempt to **manufacture blast furnaces for steel production, kilns for cement, and much more**.
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### **Three Days Later – The Castle Forge**
The smell of fire and embers filled the air. The constant clanging of hammers, roaring flames, and blacksmiths working made the place resemble **a forge straight out of hell**.
**Revenir**, the master blacksmith of the vampire clan, looked at the blueprints and specifications presented by the young king, who enthusiastically explained how his so-called **"furnaces"** would work.
**"Your Majesty, I understand your excitement, but this is not how forging works."**
Revenir had been the clan's master blacksmith for nearly **four decades** and took pride in his craft. As someone capable of manipulating iron and Mithril, he was revered as one of the greatest smiths in the clan's history.
To him, what the king was proposing was **nonsense**. The idea of simply shoving metal into a furnace and having it come out melted and ready for forging was **outrageous**—almost an insult to his lifelong dedication.
**"As I said, Your Majesty—with all due respect—you know nothing about forging. I've never even seen you step into our forge before. How do you expect this furnace of yours to work?"**
Revenir outright dismissed Joseph's idea, but the latter wasn't too irritated.
**"Though this disrespect is bad, I understand his point. I'd also be shocked if someone with 2,000 years of advanced knowledge tried to explain gravity manipulation and spaceship engineering to me."**
Joseph decided not to waste time arguing.
**"I just need you to help me assemble the furnace. Once you see it working, you can give your personal assessment."**
The two vampires stared at each other before Revenir rolled his eyes and walked off, muttering about mocking Joseph when he failed.
The young king could feel the **resentful glares** directed at him but chose to remain silent and leave. Arguing with these **arrogant, stubborn blacksmiths** was pointless.
Besides, he also had to **join the monster extermination campaign** with his army.
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