Field had considered buying more slaves, but he was short on cash.
To survive the Deadly Fog—ignoring the threat of monsters—one needed Fog-Dispelling Lamps just to breathe. These magic tools, exclusively sold by the Church, came at a steep price. Add to that the cost of feeding and housing over two hundred people, and the expenses were no small sum.
"Well? Did you secure the loan?" Field hurried over as his steward emerged from the Merchant's Guild. But seeing Cao's expression—looking like he'd been sucking on a lemon for three days—he immediately knew the answer.
"Apologies, my lord. Even the greediest merchants won't lend to us once they hear your name." Cao spread his hands. "After all, the Northern Frontier Province is synonymous with hell. Even the royal expeditionary force was wiped out. No merchant wants to throw money away."
"Strange. I only received my appointment today. How did the merchants learn of it so quickly?" Field had planned to take a loan—if he died up north, he wouldn't have to repay it; if he lived, repayment would be trivial.
Cao rolled his eyes. He had no patience for a noble marching to his doom.
*If I hadn't caught the Count's sister with that stablehand*, he thought bitterly, *I might've become Golden Eagle City's steward, the Count's right hand, or even tutor to his grandson. Instead, I'm off to die in a cursed wasteland!*
"Your second sister learned of your fiefdom in advance. She warned every merchant in the city: anything you buy costs ten times the price," the steward replied wearily. "And they understood her meaning—no favors, no exceptions."
Field wiped cold sweat from his brow. *Thank the gods I didn't give my name when buying those slaves. Fifty gold coins would've become five hundred.*
"Damn it. My dear sister—how *thoughtful* of her." Veins bulged on Field's forehead. *Is everyone determined to screw me over?*
Worst of all, the original owner of this body had lived like a saint—not half a copper coin to his name. One-third of his wealth went to the family coffers; two-thirds were donated to border fortresses to fight Corrupted Creatures.
*The quintessential penniless noble.*
"Fine. If they won't lend, it's their loss—short-sighted fools." Field shrugged. "Now, let's procure supplies."
He spent 180 gold coins on draft horses, farm tools, food, and books for the expedition. The seventeen horses were all old and feeble—precious assets in this medieval world, tightly controlled by lords. He bought as much food as possible, though by modern standards, it would barely last half a month.
But slaves required no such luxury. One coarse black bread a day kept them alive. Give them *two* loaves mixed with bark and sawdust, and they'd kneel and call you "Father."
So, thirty-five days' worth of food? More than enough.
"As for magic tools... we'll buy them at border cities. Those crooked officers sell them at discount."
Just like feudal armies of old—selling soldiers' gear for profit while pocketing pay for non-existent troops.
Field had hoped to recruit talent or mercenaries at taverns, but all refused upon hearing "Nightfall Territory."
"That hellhole? You might as well slit our throats here."
"Flee to another kingdom, I beg you. Even cockroaches cover their asses to survive there."
The mercenaries' warnings echoed in Field's mind. He rubbed his temples, then glanced at the beast-eared girl curled up in a hay-filled wagon. *What's so special about her?*
At an inn, Field let the group rest overnight.
At dawn, he summoned the beast-eared girl.
"Your name? Did you sleep well?" Field studied the slave worth fifty silver coins. Her dazed expression amused him.
"A...A-Shina."
Her lips moved haltingly, struggling to form words. She hadn't spoken in a month.
After weeks of dread, awaiting her fate, she never imagined she'd speak like a human again.
After thorough cleaning by the maidservants, the beast-eared girl looked entirely transformed. Her matted, dried fur now flowed smooth and lustrous—a cascade of snow-white purity. Paired with delicate features and long silvery hair, she exuded quiet elegance, embodying the youthful maturity Field favored. Yet her ceaselessly twitching wolf ears and tail betrayed profound unease.
The moment she spoke her name, the green dot above A-Shina's head vanished, replaced by a simple interface:
**Name**: A-Shina
**Level**: Unawakened
**Path**: Divine Wolf Cavalry
**Status**: Malnourished, Near Collapse
*(Nutritional Supplementation Required!)*
"Holy hell!" Field blurted out, unable to contain himself.
*An unawakened Divine Chosen!* He stood speechless, mind reeling.
If the map marked her with a green dot, others must exist elsewhere!
Every September 1st marked the Kingdom's Awakening Day, when eligible women underwent screening. Though awakening odds were minuscule, their immense value justified the colossal resources expended.
Field paced excitedly before punching the air. *This changes everything.* With this ability, his survival odds just skyrocketed. Nightfall Territory might actually become a foothold!
A-Shina misinterpreted Field's strange behavior as devising new torments. Trembling, she clutched and released her skirt hem—terrified of what awaited.
Truthfully, she'd considered attacking after being purchased. Even if the slave contract killed her, she'd tear out her oppressor's throat before dying with dignity.
But then maidservants undressed her, bathed her, scrubbed every crevice—unimaginable luxury. Stranger still, they dressed her in soft, seamless fabric free of fleas or chafing.
*Perhaps I'm being prepared as sacrificial offering to demons,* she thought wildly. *I'll strike at the critical moment—make these vile humans pay!*
"Don't fear," Field softened his voice, leaning back in a chair with deliberately languid posture. "I'm no sadist. I bought you to develop my territory." His nonthreatening demeanor eased the tension. "That reminds me—does the garment fit?"
It was a modified maid's dress, conservative by this world's standards: only hands and lower calves exposed, resembling a nun's habit. (Though certainly not the scandalously slit variety favored in certain establishments.)