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To be precise, this was Murphy’s first time summoning the administrators of his domain in his capacity as the “Count of Kadman.”

Therefore, this could be called a meeting of his vassals.

However, apart from appointing three barons, Murphy had not yet specifically assigned various affairs within his domain. It could be certain that after this meeting, every attendee would likely gain several official positions.

This was an obvious fact.

Therefore, apart from Baroness Miriam and Professor Malcolm, the others who were invited felt elated, though they tried hard to remain composed. Yet the light in their eyes betrayed their emotions.

Although Kadman City was destroyed.

Although out of the city’s 150,000 people, only fewer than 3,000 remained alive or unaccounted for.

Although everyone was still living in shacks, and they were destined to endure hardship before the reconstruction was complete.

Although as the “Protector of Transia” and the 400-year-old orthodox Blood Vulture Clan, they were now on the brink of extinction, just one step away from being wiped out.

But none of that mattered!

If they could seize this opportunity to achieve a sudden class elevation like Lady Miriam—no, like the noble Baroness Miriam—then this disaster would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these opportunists.

As for Miriam and Professor Malcolm’s composure, the former had already obtained her share of the cake and was full, while the latter was a scholar who had witnessed the vicissitudes of the world.

The dignity brought by knowledge allowed him to understand the danger and adversity of the current situation, to the extent that the forthcoming positions, offices, and honors didn’t seem so appealing anymore.

These administrators, large and small, were seated in a room at the edge of the second-largest hall of the Blood Vulture Halls, a place originally used for the guards of the halls to rest and relax, but modified into a meeting room.

Everyone was waiting for the Count’s arrival.

“Knock”

“The Count of Kadman has arrived!”

The door was pushed open.

At Lady Adele’s slightly hoarse reminder, everyone stood up to welcome the lord of the land.

Murphy was not wearing his vampire light armor but a crimson red robe, with Necessary Evil at his waist. He walked into the room with an elegant, graceful demeanor, a charming smile on his face, and his hands clasped behind his back.

His loyal vassals, Baron Maxim and Baroness Adele, would also participate in arranging the management details of the domain.

The vampire lord gestured downward, signaling everyone to be seated.

He swept his crimson gaze across the crowd, and their expressions gave him a strong sense of déjà vu, as if he had returned to a dull Monday morning at the company he had worked for, attending a meeting to discuss the week’s work with a group of disheartened workers.

Hmm, that was a position he had struggled for ten years to obtain. It was a bit of a pity to think that it might have been given away to some lucky person.

With this in mind, Murphy cleared his throat.

He sat down on the chair Lady Adele had pulled out for him and said in a steady tone:

“Thank you all for your efforts during this period. It is because of your assistance that the survivors of Kadman City were able to quickly settle down after the disaster. I have seen the changes happening every day in the camp, and I have witnessed how the frightened refugees have regained their confidence in life under your management and consolation.

After the celebration, they have prepared themselves and are now ready to return to their homeland with courage and rebuild their homes.

This is all due to your efforts, everyone!

Although I am a vampire, I am also familiar with human society’s ways. Therefore, I have decided that before truly beginning to discuss important matters, I should give you what you deserve.”

As he finished speaking, Murphy waved his hand, and Lady Adele, standing by his side as the “Count’s Voice,” immediately unrolled a scroll.

She cleared her throat and read:

“By the authority granted to the Count of Kadman by Tracy Cavendina Chia Lorraine Lessenbra, the Blood Vulture Grand Duchess and the Night Ruler of Transia, the following list of the Count’s vassals and domain administrators is hereby decreed:

Baroness of Morland Lady Miriam is granted the title of ‘Crimson Regent.’

She will represent the Count of Kadman and have full authority over all political affairs within the domain, except for the bestowal of noble titles and land grants.

Baron Maxim Cena Vlad Lessenbra is granted the title of ‘Military Commander.’

He will represent the Count of Kadman and have full authority over all military affairs and the reconstruction of the formal army within the domain.

Professor Winston Malcolm is granted the knighthood of ‘Administrative Knight’ under the Count of Kadman and the title of ‘First Deputy Regent.’

He will assist the Baroness of Morland in administering the domain on behalf of the Count and establish the local formal laws based on the Blood Vulture Clan’s previous administrative methods, leading the Count’s subjects.

Mr. Filro Portman is granted the knighthood of ‘Administrative Knight’ under the Count of Kadman and the title of ‘City Guard Commander.’

He will be responsible for maintaining law and order within the domain and rebuilding the domain’s police and militia systems.

Mr. Franks Shovan is granted the knighthood of ‘Administrative Knight’ under the Count of Kadman and the title of ‘City Logistics Commander.’

He will be responsible for all civilian supplies, distribution, and transportation within the domain, as well as providing two meals a day and recording labor credits for the people working on the city’s reconstruction.

Sister Jules is granted the knighthood of ‘Administrative Knight’ under the Count of Kadman and the title of ‘City Medical and Faith Commander.’

She will be responsible for all medical affairs within the domain and manage the various faith groups, as well as seek out and identify potential heretics among the people for the Count.

Lady Blanche Palen Fedo is granted the knighthood of ‘Administrative Knight’ under the Count of Kadman and the title of ‘City Warehouse Manager.\'”

“She will be responsible for food gathering and storage within the domain, and for ensuring sufficient food reserves are replenished before the first snow of winter arrives, as well as establishing at least six large food warehouses.

Please take note, everyone!

The medical affairs overseen by Sister Jules should be given the highest priority in subsequent administrative management.

The Count does not wish to see any plagues or epidemics occurring within his domain.

The food gathering affairs overseen by Lady Blanche Palen Fedo should be given a relatively high priority in subsequent administrative management.

The Count does not wish to see frequent occurrences of famine within his domain.

The above appointments are the result of careful consideration and full authority exercised by Revnor Murphy Lessenbra, the Count of Kadman.

All appointments take effect immediately from the date the authorization document is issued.”

As these orders were read out, the atmosphere in the room immediately became more joyful. Although no one spoke, the sense of relief and delight that pervaded everyone except Sister Jules was visible to the naked eye.

The officials appointed by Murphy were already serving as administrators among the surviving residents of the camp, and their abilities had been affirmed and recognized by the recent complex affairs.

And as the vampire lord listened with Desire Perception, he did not hear any dissatisfaction or complaints arising in anyone’s heart.

They were satisfied with the current situation and joyful at having gained the recognition of their new lord, even though this lord was a vampire entirely different from them. The racial difference seemed to have been quietly erased in the process of power delegation.

Power is a good thing.

If used properly, it can eliminate all dissatisfaction.

“I will emphasize again! These appointments are what you deserve, not a bestowal from a superior. I also wish to take this opportunity to explain to you my rough plans for my domain’s future as its lord.”

Murphy stood up, and Maxim immediately stood and unfolded a prepared map beside the lord.

It showed the outline of the entire domain of the Count of Kadman, occupying one-third of Transia, with another third near the Goldflower Kingdom’s border in the Anderma Hills of northwestern Transia.

That area had already been granted to Lady Femis by Tris, but since the latter was still being questioned by the Blood Pact Knights, her domain was being co-managed by Murphy in her absence.

The final part was the northern Count of Seicob’s domain, which had existed in a “semi-independent” state for almost 400 years and had never truly been governed by the Blood Vulture Clan, so there was no need to go into detail about it.

However, the Count of Seicob’s domain had already been destroyed beyond recognition in the Ten-Year War. Although there were still some settlements there, their order was much worse than the Count of Kadman’s domain.

So theoretically, Murphy was currently the actual administrator of the Transia region, though his strength was still completely insufficient to oversee all of Transia.

“Please look at the map, everyone.”

Murphy pointed at the map Maxim was holding up, which he had already marked with different colors to indicate different areas. He said:

“In my future plans for the domain, the lands of the three barons will each take on different responsibilities.

The Baroness of Morland’s lands are near the trade routes.

So the Baroness of Morland, in addition to managing the domain, should also focus on restarting the commerce that was delayed by the war. Our domain needs wealth.

The Baron of Leim’s lands are near the north.

There, we can absorb the homeless mountain people from the Count of Seicob’s domain and the Saxony and Ice Bay regions who were driven from their homelands during the Ten-Year War, as we are currently severely lacking in population.

I believe that now that the Ten-Year War has effectively ended, there will soon also be war refugees from other regions.

They are also subjects who must be taken seriously.

Therefore, in addition to managing the domain’s military affairs, the Baron of Leim should also focus on attracting more population to the domain. Only with enough people can we mobilize sufficient manpower to rebuild Transia.

Finally, there are the Baroness of Shadow’s lands in the south.

Not only is it close to the Foul Swamp and Smugglers’ Woods, but it also has abundant mineral resources. However, we will definitely not have the manpower to develop them for at least half a year.

The Baroness of Morland proposed an idea to me.

She believes we can temporarily lease the mineral resources here to the Brass Dwarf mining teams from Brass Citadel in exchange for the food and weapons we urgently need from the dwarves.”

“Ahem, Count, I have a better suggestion on this matter.”

Having changed into more presentable clothes but still wearing a broken pair of glasses, Professor Malcolm cleared his throat.

He was still somewhat unaccustomed to Murphy’s detailed and pragmatic outline for the domain’s development, which was so different from other feudal lords. However, he felt it was necessary to remind this young vampire lord.

“Oh, Deputy Regent, please speak freely.”

Murphy smiled and made a “please” gesture, saying: “I desperately need your wisdom now! Believe me, I am in urgent, urgent need of your advice. The Count’s domain is not only my territory but also your homeland. It will benefit us all for it to improve.”

“If we are to lease out the mineral resources, seeking out dwarves may not be a good idea,” Professor Malcolm spoke at length.

“The distance between their Brass Citadel and Transia is a fatal factor. And from what I know, the mineral region of the Baroness of Shadow’s lands is obviously much closer to Fort Crimea. Considering that it has already been occupied by the Kingdom of Nordtov, the occupying forces there will certainly need more minerals to rebuild the new border.

This need exists, and one should never underestimate the Northern stubbornness of those Nordtov fellows when it comes to territory.

Therefore, if we can establish a trade relationship with them and lease the mineral region to them, the profits we can obtain will undoubtedly be more substantial.

They have already occupied the fertile Kafhoka Plains.

That area was once the most important grain-producing region in the lands of the Portia Federation, and even the entire human civilization. This means the Northerners now have an extremely, extremely large amount of food.

When food is abundant, its value decreases. Now is an excellent opportunity to purchase it!”

“Professor, I have a question.”

Lady Miriam frowned and said:

“We currently have no trade relations with the Kingdom of Nordtov. Let me say something that doesn’t sound too good.”

She glanced at Murphy’s expression and said softly:

“Whether that Wolf Queen acknowledges the Count of Kadman’s authority is itself a question. And the discipline of the Northerners’ border troops is a long-standing, major problem. Rather than trade, they might be more willing to simply plunder. We currently lack sufficient strength to defend our property.”

“Uh, Count, Lady Regent, and Deputy Regent Sir.”

Lady Palen, who had just been appointed City Warehouse Commander, was a stout, middle-aged woman. It was clearly her first time participating in such a high-level meeting.

Having previously been a small merchant, she was still somewhat unaccustomed to it.

She stood up, attempting to express respect with poor etiquette, but was stopped by Murphy waving his hand. He said in a gentle tone:

“Lady Palen, there’s no need for that. We are discussing the future of the domain. In such a situation, insisting on etiquette is somewhat inopportune. Please state your thoughts directly.”

“Oh, it’s like this.”

Seeing the lord’s gentle manner, Lady Palen relaxed.

She organized her words and said:

“When I used to do business in the border town of Bataxin in Transia, I knew some Northerner merchants. They boasted of acting as agents for some officers of the Northern border troops in commercial matters. Perhaps we could establish connections through those smuggler merchants.

Additionally, if the Northerners want to sell us grain, it will undoubtedly go through those merchants as well.

Contacting them directly might be better.”

“Excellent, Lady Palen. This is precisely the kind of suggestion I need.”

Murphy nodded in satisfaction and gave Lady Miriam a look. The clever regent immediately nodded and said:

“Then, Sir Palen, I hereby officially appoint you as the representative for commercial dealings with the Northerners. The appointment document will be issued subsequently.”

“I also have a suggestion, my lords!”

Seeing the cunning Palen use her connections to gain the power to intervene in trade, the other “newly rich” could no longer sit still.

Sir Filro Portman, the City Guard Commander, immediately stood up and said:

“I have a distant cousin who has been purchasing local products from the Western Silan tribal people in the Ice Bay region for a long time. I can write him a letter. If we pay a sufficient amount of money, those tribesmen are very willing to provide us with large quantities of cured meats and dried seafood.

I admit that those rock-hard frozen fish probably don’t taste very good, but in our current state, we shouldn’t be too picky! After all, just three frozen fish, along with some local vegetables and enough breadcrumbs, can make a thick soup that can feed ten workers! Most importantly, buying from the tribal people is very inexpensive.

It’s even cheaper than you can imagine!

Both the Northerners and Silan look down on them. The abundant seafood and local products of the Ice Bay region have always lacked long-term patrons.

This is an opportunity!

Count and Lady Regent!”

“Very good! Sir Porter, I hereby appoint your distant cousin as the Count of Kadman’s commercial representative for the Ice Bay region. What is his name?”

“And me, Lady Regent!”

The head chef, Franks Shovan, was getting a little anxious.

Seeing the benefits being divided, this burly man with a thick neck, crude tattoos on his arms, and a street-smart demeanor, stood up and shouted:

“My buddy used to work for the city’s gangs for a while, smuggling guns and explosives from the Goldflower Kingdom’s border troops.”

As soon as he said this, he realized something was off.

But it was too late to stop, because everyone else was staring at him with looks that said, “You little bastard, you really fucked up.”

Shovan also realized he had let something slip.

Arms smuggling is the kind of serious business that would lead to immediate questioning and punishment from any sensible lord, let alone the fact that his buddy was involved in this from the currently “enemy” Goldflower Kingdom.

He slumped back into his chair, dejected.

Thinking that his whole family would probably be killed by the Count now. However, Murphy roared with laughter and shook his head, saying:

“Excellent, I need precisely this kind of talent and connections right now. Go find him, Sir Shovan. I’m giving him fifteen days. I want to see at least three thousand military muskets and sufficient ammunition.

I can pay directly in gold, but don’t try to fool me with substandard goods. Do a good job, and I’ll pardon his past crimes and even grant him an official position or knighthood.

But if he doesn’t perform well…”

“I stake my entire family’s lives on this, my lord!”

Having narrowly escaped death and experiencing a reversal of fortunes, Sir Shovan immediately stood up and pounded his chest with his fist. This gangster-like head chef loudly declared:

“We need thirty days, but I guarantee we can procure the weapons you need! We can even negotiate for armor and cannons. The war is over, so Silan must have a large stockpile of weapons that need to be disposed of.

They’re still conducting military reforms, so those old-style weapons will be destroyed even if they don’t sell them to us.

Therefore, perhaps we could purchase sufficient quality weapons for a third or even a fifth of the usual price.”

Such a professional statement caused the others’ expressions to become even more subtle.

Well, you chef!

You even have such a shady yet impressive side business.

It seems your buddy is just a grunt, and the real mastermind behind the underground arms smuggling is you, kid!

“Very good, go ahead.”

Murphy didn’t care about such matters.

He now needed to utilize every available force.

He was well aware that each of these individuals, capable of promptly demonstrating their talents among the survivors, was certainly no slouch. But it didn’t matter; if they wanted to become respectable people again while also gaining a more noble background, Murphy could satisfy them.

As long as they could bring mutually beneficial gains, all of this could be negotiated!