The next morning, Allen was awakened by a commotion.
"My lord! My lord!"
Rubbing his eyes, he walked to the window and saw a cart loaded with goods stopped at the manor entrance.
The general store owner was directing his workers to unload—seeds and farming tools piled everywhere.
"They're here early." Allen muttered as he dressed.
Honestly, after spending so much money yesterday, his heart still ached a bit. 1200 silver coins—that was 120 gold, equivalent to a fifth of his entire fortune.
"Hope these investments pay off..."
He sighed and pushed the door open.
In the territory's clearing, residents had already gathered, curiously eyeing the pile of tools and seeds.
"So much stuff!"
"Is the lord really going to have us farm?"
"Could it be another trick..."
Amid the whispers, Allen stepped before the crowd.
"Everyone." He cleared his throat. "Starting today, we'll cultivate the land and grow crops."
A stir ran through the crowd.
"But my lord," a young man said timidly, "we... we don't know how to farm."
Allen froze.
Right—most of these people were refugees from elsewhere with no agricultural experience.
"Ahem... no problem, I'll teach you."
He said with forced confidence, internally screaming: I'm a modern person, how would I know farming?! At most I've watched a few videos online...
Just then, an old man stepped forward from the crowd.
He was about sixty, dark-skinned and wrinkled, but his eyes were sharp.
"My lord, this old man is called Thomas. I've farmed all my life." The elder bowed respectfully. "If you don't mind, I'd be happy to help."
Allen's eyes lit up.
[Thomas]
Age: 62
Occupation: Farmer
Skills: [Farming LV.5][Irrigation LV.4][Fertilization LV.3]
Trait: Experienced, trusted by residents
"Excellent!" Allen grasped the old man's hands excitedly. "Thomas, from today you're Blackstone Territory's Agricultural Manager!"
Thomas froze. "M-Manager?"
"That's right!" Allen patted his shoulder. "The territory's agricultural production is now your responsibility."
The old man's eyes reddened, too moved to speak.
He'd lived in Blackstone Territory for over a decade and had never been valued like this.
"This old man... will not disappoint your trust, my lord!"
The surrounding residents murmured.
"Old Thomas really knows his stuff."
"With him leading, we can relax."
Allen nodded with satisfaction.
This was the art of management—finding the right people and letting them do what they're good at.
Over the following days, Blackstone Territory bustled with activity.
Thomas led the residents in clearing wasteland while Allen "guided" from the side.
"Thomas, this plow is too heavy. Can we improve it?"
The old man looked at the wooden plow and shook his head. "My lord, this is already the best plow. A better one would need iron, but that's too expensive..."
Allen's mind turned.
He remembered seeing online that ancient China had a tool called the "curved-shaft plow," far more efficient than straight-shaft plows.
"Thomas, what if we try this—"
He found a stick and began drawing on the ground.
"Make the shaft curved so we can adjust the depth. Add a moldboard to turn the soil to one side..."
Thomas watched the diagram, his eyes growing brighter.
"Brilliant! This would save so much effort!"
"And this planting method." Allen continued drawing. "Don't broadcast seed—use row planting. Dig shallow furrows, spread seeds evenly, then cover with soil. This way seedlings emerge uniformly and are easier to manage."
"Also crop rotation—land planted with wheat this year can grow beans next year, preventing soil depletion..."
Thomas listened intently, nodding frequently.
"My lord is truly learned! This old man has never heard of these methods!"
Allen felt smug inside but maintained a calm exterior. "Just some small tricks."
Internally he was screaming: Thank god I liked watching documentaries in my past life, or I'd be exposed...
Anna stood at a distance, quietly watching the scene.
The lord was crouched on the ground discussing something with Old Thomas, occasionally drawing patterns with a stick.
Sunlight fell on him, making him look especially earnest.
Anna's heart inexplicably quickened.
She remembered when she first arrived at Blackstone Territory—
Back then, Allen was drunk all day, ordering residents around arrogantly, losing his temper constantly.
Once, drunk, he'd pinned her against a wall and tried to tear her clothes.
"You're my guard, you have to obey me..."
Those eyes full of lust and contempt, treating her like a plaything.
Anna fought desperately, finally holding a sword to his throat before he reluctantly let go.
After that, she felt only disgust and disappointment toward Allen.
But now...
Anna looked at the man working earnestly before her, complex emotions rising in her heart.
He'd truly changed.
No more drinking, no more oppressing residents, no more groping her.
He thought of the residents, bought tools and seeds, taught them farming.
He stood up for her, bought her new clothes, displayed powerful strength before her.
"My lord..." Anna whispered softly.
Her face unconsciously reddened.
What was this feeling?
"Anna!"
Allen's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Ah?" Anna snapped back to attention.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Allen walked over with a smile. "Come help me test if this new plow works well."
"Oh, oh..."
Anna hurried to follow, her heart beating faster.
She stole a glance at Allen and found him focused on adjusting the plow, completely unaware of her state.
Anna felt both relieved and disappointed.
The lord... probably wouldn't like a rough-handed female knight like me, would he?
He used to like noble, elegant women like Saintess Eliya...
Thinking this, Anna's heart dimmed.
"Anna?"
"Yes!"
"You're strong—help me hold this steady."
"Okay!"
Anna quickly stepped forward to adjust the new plow with Allen.
Their hands accidentally touched. Anna jerked back as if shocked, her face growing redder.
Allen didn't notice and continued fiddling with the plow.
"Mm, this angle should work... Thomas, give it a try!"
The old man took the plow and tested it in the field, his eyes lighting up.
"It works! Works great! This can plow several more acres a day!"
The surrounding residents gathered around, praising enthusiastically.
"The lord is amazing!"
"This plow is so much better than before!"
Allen felt pleased inside but waved dismissively on the surface. "It's nothing, nothing."
[Resident Loyalty +3]
[Current Loyalty: 38%]
The system notification sounded, making Allen even happier.
This investment was worth it!
He turned to look at Anna and found the girl staring at him, her cheeks flushed.
"What's wrong?"
"N-nothing!" Anna quickly looked away.
Allen scratched his head, somewhat puzzled.
Women's thoughts are so hard to understand...
Over the following days, Blackstone Territory's spring plowing proceeded vigorously.
Under Thomas's leadership, residents cleared large tracts of wasteland and sowed seeds.
Allen occasionally offered "suggestions"—building irrigation channels, making simple fertilizer, setting up bird nets, and so on.
These techniques, ordinary in the modern world, opened the residents' eyes in this world.
"The lord is practically divine!"
"With the lord here, we'll definitely live well!"
[Resident Loyalty +3]
[Current Loyalty: 41%]
Allen watched the system notification, delighted.
Indeed, to win hearts, you had to show them real benefits.
However...
He looked at his increasingly thin wallet with some heartache.
These past days, improving tools and building irrigation had cost quite a bit.
[Current funds: 615 gold 2 silver]
"Sigh, being a lord really isn't easy..." Allen sighed.
In his past life he was just an ordinary office worker—when had he managed so much?
Now he had to worry about territory development, find ways to make money, and improve his strength...
"Feels more tiring than work."
He muttered and turned back toward the manor.
Just reaching the entrance, he saw Anna standing there holding a tray.
"My lord, you've worked hard." Anna offered the tray. "I prepared lunch for you."
On the tray was a steaming bowl of meat soup and several pieces of fresh bread.
Allen paused, then smiled. "Thank you."
He took the tray but noticed Anna still standing there, hesitant to speak.
"What's wrong?"
"Um..." Anna bit her lip. "My lord, you've... really changed a lot."
"Mm?"
"Before, you..." Anna lowered her head. "You were always drunk, harsh with residents, and... and with me..."
Her voice grew quieter.
Allen understood.
The original owner was indeed a bastard—not only oppressing residents but also groping Anna.
"I'm sorry." He said seriously. "The old me... did many wrong things. But now, I want to change."
Anna looked up, tears glistening in her azure eyes.
"I know." She said softly. "That's why... I'm happy."
"Happy?"
"Mm." Anna nodded, her face reddening again. "Seeing you become like this now... makes me happy."
With that, she turned and ran.
"I-I'm going on patrol!"
Allen watched her retreating figure, both amused and exasperated.
This girl... is really cute.
He took a sip of the meat soup, suddenly remembering something.
Wait, what Anna just said... could she be hinting at something?
Allen shook his head.
Forget it, why overthink?
Right now the most important things were improving strength and developing the territory.
As for romance...
He glanced in the direction Anna had left, his lips unconsciously curving upward.
Let nature take its course.
As night fell, Allen sat in his room and opened the system panel.
[Current Status]
Level: LV.1 (950/1000)
Funds: 615 gold 2 silver
Resident Loyalty: 41%
"Just 50 more experience to level up."
Allen pondered.
"Tomorrow I can hunt in Shadow Forest again and scout the Shadow Wolf King's location."
He opened the map and marked several possible locations.
Based on his past life's game memories, the Shadow Wolf King's lair should be in a cave deep in the forest.
"But with my current strength, soloing the Wolf King is too risky..."
Allen frowned.
The Shadow Wolf King was a late Tier 1 BOSS with strength equivalent to early Tier 2—far stronger than him.
"Need to think of a way..."
Just then, a knock came at the door.
"My lord, may I come in?"
It was Anna's voice.
"Come in."
Anna pushed the door open, holding a small package.
"My lord, this is the coin pouch I mended for you."
She offered the package, her cheeks flushed.
Allen opened it to find a brand new leather pouch with fine stitching and excellent craftsmanship.
"Thank you." He smiled. "Nice work."
"Not at all..." Anna grew more embarrassed. "I-I'll take my leave now."
"Wait."
"Mm?"
Allen stood and walked before her.
"Anna, tomorrow I'm going deep into Shadow Forest. It might be dangerous. Will you... come with me?"
Anna froze, then nodded firmly.
"Of course! Protecting you is my duty!"
"Good." Allen smiled. "We'll leave early tomorrow morning."
"Yes!"
Anna bowed and turned to leave.
At the doorway, she suddenly looked back.
"My lord..."
"Mm?"
"Please... please be careful."
With that, she quickly walked out.
Allen watched the closed door, smiling and shaking his head.
This girl... is getting cuter.
He put away the new pouch and lay on the bed.
"Tomorrow, time to face that Shadow Wolf King."
Outside the window, moonlight bathed Blackstone Territory.
Spring had arrived, and everything was quietly changing.