Intimate lord system

"YES!" Haotian nodded in approval. His current body wasn't particularly gifted. He had started tempering his physique at the age of ten, became a knight apprentice at twelve, and was promoted to a formal knight by fourteen. Now, at nineteen, he was only a third-level low-rank knight.

However, after unlocking his status as a lord, talent didn't matter anymore. Whenever his subordinates killed enemies, he gained "battle experience" that allowed him to level up. Just now, he had broken through to the fourth level. He was now a mid-rank knight.

Moreover, his original profession no longer limited him. When he used knight skills, he was a knight. When he cast spells, he was a mage. His improvement was comprehensive—his physical fitness, magic, and mental strength all increased with each level up.

This was the power of a lord!

"May the Goddess of Magic bless you!" Old Butler Horden exclaimed excitedly. "Young master, you will surely become a renowned saintly warrior one day!"

Haotian merely smiled. The goal of becoming a saintly warrior was too low for him. With a large enough army and continuous warfare, his level could keep rising. Demi-god, titled quasi-god...these were within reach.

Ten royal knights returned from clearing the battlefield, handing Haotian several sandworm skins, a pile of intact sandworm teeth, and seven gold coins. The skins and teeth were harvested from the creatures, while the coins were loot. The former could be stored and crafted into equipment once they had a blacksmith shop. Even if he didn't need them, he could trade with passing caravans or desert dwellers for necessary supplies.

"It's just like a game," Haotian mused, looking at the gleaming coins. "Killing monsters grants experience and drops items."

These gold coins were valuable for upgrading the village hall and military buildings. Notably, these coins were different from those of the Stanlo Kingdom, distinct in appearance and function. He had already tried using Stanlo Kingdom's coins to upgrade his territory's buildings, but it didn't work. He had over fifteen hundred Stanlo Kingdom gold coins—funds meant for his escape—but they couldn't be used to upgrade the Royal Knight Training Ground.

"What a pity," he thought. If he could use them, it would give him another excuse to declare war on Stanlo Kingdom.

As if sensing his disappointment, a message appeared in his mind: "Ten universal gold coins from the Divine Continent can be exchanged for one lord's gold coin."

"They can be exchanged?" Haotian's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he exchanged all his Stanlo Kingdom gold coins for lord's gold coins, even emptying the savings of the old butler and maid Sally. In total, he exchanged over four hundred lord's gold coins.

[Haotian] [Identity: Lord, Viscount of Stanlo Kingdom] [Territory: Golden Oasis] [Level: Ordinary Level 4] [Lord Talent: Favored by All Races (Super Divine)] [Gold Coins: 749]

"I just need two hundred more gold coins to upgrade the Royal Knight Training Ground," he thought. "Then I can increase the recruitment of Royal Knights."

He glanced at his lord talent. This super divine talent could randomly add a troop building from any race to his territory every week. For a lord, this was invincible. The combat power of the mid-level Royal Knights was already impressive. If he got a high-level or even god-level troop building, it would be even better.

"Patrol the surroundings of the territory and slay any sandworms you encounter!" Haotian ordered the Royal Knights.

"Yes, great lord!" The knights obeyed and marched off into the desert, swords in hand. After they killed another dozen or so sandworms, Haotian's second side quest would be completed.

Just then, maid Sally asked, "Young master, what should we do now?"

Sally, a year younger than Haotian, was his personal maid. Despite her coarse linen dress, her beauty was undeniable. She had long golden hair and emerald green eyes, and her skin was smooth and fair. The count and his wife had clearly put much effort into selecting a suitable maid for him. Sally had served Haotian longer than Butler Horden, making her closer to him.

"We need to gather some food and clean water," Haotian replied. They had fled in a hurry, and their supplies were nearly depleted. Fortunately, they had reached the Golden Oasis just in time. The sapphire lake provided ample water, which could be boiled for drinking. There were also date palm trees and giant cacti around the lake, whose fruits could be eaten.

Old Butler Horden went to collect dates and cactus fruits, while Sally fetched water. Haotian walked around the sapphire lake, looking for other resources. He found several rotting animal carcasses and bones near the lake, which needed to be disposed of.

As he considered calling Horden, a thought struck him. He recalled the fireball spell runes he had learned from Horden. After a few attempts, he felt the magic within him surge and a fist-sized fireball formed above his palm.

"That was easy," Haotian marveled. As a lord, even previously uncastable spells seemed simple now. "I should learn more magic. It's always good to have more skills."

He waved his hand, and the fireball shot out, instantly incinerating the rotting carcass. He repeated the process, burning away the remaining carcasses and bones to prevent them from contaminating the lake's water. In the desert, water was more precious than gold. Any traders or desert dwellers passing through the Golden Oasis would have to purchase water from him—unless they had the strength to take it by force.

Half an hour later, Haotian returned to the village hall, carrying a grey-white rattlesnake, a common desert creature that wasn't even a low-level beast. He had easily killed it with a single step. It would make a good dinner.

Old Butler Horden also returned, his face troubled. "Young master, we have a serious problem—food scarcity!"

He had managed to gather some dates and cactus fruits, but the amount was pitifully small. The old butler was clearly worried.