"Go ahead and get busy, the brick kiln matter is more urgent. I plan to have people start making bricks in no more than three days."
Luo De instructed Xue Rui, "You donât need to worry about Fernie here, sheâll be well taken care of."
"You can come and see her when you have time."
"Alright, my lord."
Xue Rui left after bowing.
Luo De looked at Lawrence and instructed, "Pick two clever ones from those well-behaved slaves; weâre short on servants at the manor."
People at the manor are increasing, and Leia not only has to serve Luo De and Vivian but also do the laundry and occasionally help her mother.
Leia is overwhelmed, with dark circles under her eyes, and sheâs lost quite a bit of weight.
"I was already arranging that, sir, and was just about to ask you for specific choices." Lawrence reported.
"You handle the selection; youâre more familiar with those slaves than I am."
Luo De said casually, "Just bring them to me so I can take a look."
"Alright, Iâll arrange it for you by tomorrow."
After Lawrence responded respectfully, he immediately reported, "Sir, during the two days you were absent, Prophet Bai Shuang came several times requesting to see you."
Luo De raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of curiosity.
"Oh? What does he want?"
Prophet Bai Shuang is mainly responsible for teaching the Wildmen the Empireâs language now and doesnât involve himself in much else.
Although Luo De had given the Meditation Technique to Prophet Bai Shuang, due to his old age and poor aptitude, Luo De had little hope.
Lawrence shook his head, "I donât know, mainly because he refused to tell me."
"He refused to tell you?" Luo De frowned slightly.
"Yes, sir."
Lawrence replied, "He insists on reporting to you personally."
Luo De wondered what this Wildman prophet was up to again.
"Alright, then let him come."
Lawrence respectfully took his leave, and Luo De turned and entered the manorâs hall.
Luo De had a simple meal and then met with Prophet Bai Shuang.
"Youâve finally returned, great Saint Master!"
As soon as Prophet Bai Shuang saw Luo De, he immediately knelt down, his wrinkled face trembling slightly.
Luo De watched his excited demeanor, feeling even more puzzled,
"Whatâs wrong with you?"
"Has someone bullied you, and you need me to stand up for you?"
"No, Iâm fine, Saint Master."
Prophet Bai Shuang said, cautiously glancing at Vivian, who was sitting beside Luo De with her eyes closed as if napping.
"Whatâs the matter? Vivian isnât an outsider; what canât you say in front of her?"
Vivian was aware of almost everything in the territory, yet Prophet Bai Shuang still seemed wary.
This piqued Luo Deâs curiosity even more.
"Quick, speak up."
Prophet Bai Shuang hesitated a moment, then quickly walked to Luo De, bent down, and lowered his voice,
"Did two mutated rabbits appear in your rabbit hutch?"
"Youâre quite well-informed." Luo De replied with a smile.
"No, I just overheard the women mentioning it in passing."
Prophet Bai Shuang said somewhat awkwardly, hurrying to explain, "I heard it unintentionally, I didnât deliberately probe!"
"Alright, go on."
Luo De indeed hadnât particularly kept this matter secret, so Prophet Bai Shuang knowing wasnât surprising.
However, this did remind Luo De.
Being careful not to spread information related to the Mutated Demon Rabbit and the extraordinary matters was wise, needing Tyr and them to hold their tongues.
"Itâs coming true, the prophecy is coming true, Saint Master!"
Prophet Bai Shuang said excitedly, his face a mix of worry and enthusiasm.
Before Luo De could ask more, he immediately explained,
"There is a prophecy among prophets, passed down orally through generations:
âMagic Energy will revive, chaos will rise, darkness will fall, endless slaughter will flood the Earth with the blood of the Nether River, and the North shall be the only sanctuary amidst bloodshed!â
After hearing this, the corners of Luo Deâs mouth curved into a mocking smile,
"Is there also a savior included?"
Prophet Bai Shuang nodded repeatedly, his eyes flashing with fervent light,
"Yes! The Saint Master descends, all things reboot!"
"How clichéd."
Luo De laughed lightly, shaking his head.
Just two Mutated Demon Rabbits signify the revival of Magic Energy?
Nonsense.
Such vague prophecies could correlate with many phenomena.
Luo De merely had the Saint Master title along with those phenomena.
But Luo De knew in his heart that the so-called Saint Master was nothing but a lie fabricated by Prophet Bai Shuang.
The changes in the territory werenât due to the revival of Magic Energy, but rather his own golden finger and innate bonuses.
It was all just coincidence.
With benefits available, it wouldnât hurt to use the Saint Master title more often.
As for prophecies, Luo De generally didnât put much stock in them.
Besides, he didnât enjoy playing the part of a savior to save the world.
Luo De just wanted to live a stable life, build a safe and comfortable homeland, free from threats, and enjoy life without worries for the future.
The tales of saviors belong to heroes, whom Luo De admired but didnât aspire to become.
If the role of savior were swapped with a ruler of the world, Luo De might be tempted to imagine himself in such a scenario.
"Eh?"
Suddenly, Luo De realized a problem.
"Since itâs a prophecy passed down orally among you prophets, why didnât you tell me before?"
Luo Deâs gaze became sharp, staring at Prophet Bai Shuang.
Prophet Bai Shuangâs expression stiffened a bit, his eyes flickering,
"Before... there werenât any occurrences like this... and the title of Saint Master..."
He stammered, once again glancing at Vivian, not continuing further.
The title of Saint Master was a lie concocted by Prophet Bai Shuang, a fact only he and Luo De knew.
"But now itâs different. The sayings in the prophecy align with whatâs happening now!"
Prophet Bai Shuang didnât dare express that he now firmly believed Luo De was the Saint Master.
"Even if I am the Saint Master, I canât possibly be the prophecyâs savior."
Luo De dismissed with a wave, "Alright, you may go, stop concerning yourself with these things."
"But... but Saint Master,"
Prophet Bai Shuang spoke urgently,
"According to the prophecy, next, you will unify the entire Wilderness Tribe!"
"See, thatâs where it differs from the prophecy." Luo De said helplessly, spreading his hands.
"Itâs the same, as long as your story is told to those in the Wilderness Tribe!"
Prophet Bai Shuang urgently stated, "You are truly the Saint Master; all the Wilderness Tribes will rally under your banner, whether they worship the Beast Spirit Ancestor or the Natural Ancestors!"
"Hold on,"
Luo De interrupted Prophet Bai Shuang, finding his logic somewhat muddled.
Is the prophecy about unifying the Wildmen first, or does unifying the Wildmen prove the prophecy?
However, if just by speaking one could expand the population and gather workers, Luo De found himself interested.
Luo De fixed his gaze on Prophet Bai Shuang, "How exactly do you intend to do that?"