Chapter 132: Assign tasks

If Phield were to die, without the protection of the Lord’s Domain, Nightfall Domain would collapse as well. Not to mention that food was limited—watching the supplies steadily diminish created a kind of anxiety that only those who experienced it could truly understand.

"Ahem, no problem. From now on, unless absolutely necessary, I won’t leave the territory for too long." Phield made an OK gesture as he leapt down from his warhorse. He stretched his shoulders—marching on horseback for so long was exhausting. Waving his hand, he said, "We’ve returned in victory. Arrange for the villagers to cook for the army. Also let everyone taste some meat—at least a small piece for each person."

Fodder was limited, and the livestock that had to be eaten couldn’t be spared too much.

"Yes, my lord. I’ll arrange it immediately. But first, I’ll see to lunch preparations."

Kaor eagerly pushed open the doors of the great winery.

"Ned, put your full effort into it—make the most exquisite dishes. My lord has returned!" Kaor shouted into the house. "Maids, quickly change the new bedding and clean my lord’s room again—especially the desk, make sure it’s spotless!"

Kaor turned his head as if he wanted to say something else, but when he saw Charlotte, he froze.

"And this young lady is?"

"Hello, Mr. Steward. I’m Charlotte, the Divine Chosen of the Goddess of Abundance."

"Contracted?" Kaor’s eyes widened as he looked back and forth between Phield and Charlotte in disbelief.

Charlotte clearly didn’t understand why everyone seemed so surprised. She clasped her hands behind her back to appear more dignified.

"Yes. I’m contracted with your Baron."

"May I ask something... are you human?"

"Yes, I’m human. Why... don’t I look like one?" Charlotte was puzzled.

"By the Goddess... this must be a dream. My lord has finally stopped being a pervert." Kaor beamed with joy, trembling with excitement. He shouted into the house, "Stop whatever you’re doing! Clean up the best room first for the honorable Miss Charlotte—quick, quick, quick!"

"???"

Phield was speechless. This guy was far too biased. The moment he saw Charlotte was human, he immediately switched sides. He even stopped the cleaning of Phield’s own room just to prioritize Charlotte.

"I... actually don’t need it. It would be better to prepare Ashina’s room first," Charlotte said awkwardly, worried Ashina might be upset.

Ashina simply laughed generously. She didn’t care at all—after all, she had no intention of spending the night in her own room anyway.

Phield cleared his throat lightly.

"I have a task for both of you. Go tidy up the room together."

"Oh! Right!" Charlotte instantly understood Phield’s arrangement and quickly grabbed Ashina’s hand, pulling her away to get busy.

At noon, the chef Ned displayed the skills of his lifetime.

"I like that thing called apple pie. I’ve never tasted such a delicious dessert." Charlotte wiped her mouth happily.

Ashina, however, remained a firm carnivore. "I still prefer meat."

"When you’re done eating, come to my room," Phield said, calling the two of them over.

"Huh? But it’s not even dark yet." Charlotte immediately thought of something improper. Her pretty face flushed red as she shook her head like a rattle drum. "No, no, no. That’s too fast. I’m a good girl."

"Oh? Together?" Ashina cast a teasing glance, licking the corner of her lips. "Can you handle it?"

"A man must never be called incapable." Phield looked utterly confident, then quickly realized something was off. "Wait, that’s not it. I asked you here to discuss serious matters. Stop letting your imagination run wild."

Even so, Charlotte clutched her skirt nervously.

That is, until they opened the door.

"Holy—who is this?"

The mature, elegant version of Rosalia lounged lazily at the desk. Golden hair cascaded over her shoulders and the right side of her chest, half-concealing her ample curves. She crossed her long snow-white legs, her raised foot loosely holding a slipper between her toes, swinging it back and forth.

She sipped her black tea leisurely. Only after noticing everyone had arrived did she set the cup down.

"A d-demon? And a Divine Chosen too!"

Charlotte jumped in shock. She had noticed the tiny skeletal wings behind Rosalia’s back.

And although Rosalia stood right in front of them, there was no detectable life aura at all—clearly the sign of a Divine Chosen.

"So she’s become a second-tier Divine Chosen... what an oppressive presence." Even though Rosalia hadn’t made a single move, Ashina subconsciously clutched her chest and took two deep breaths, barely steadying herself. "It feels like being watched by a monster."

"Don’t be afraid. I mean no harm. Hello, everyone."

Rosalia rose gracefully and adjusted her long dress. In this mature form, Rosalia’s mind was extremely composed—she almost never said anything outrageous.

"Rosalia is my second Divine Chosen. From now on, everyone should get along well." Phield patted Charlotte’s head as he introduced her.

Charlotte blurted out, "Y-you stole someone else’s Divine Chosen again? That’s not allowed! If it’s discovered, it’ll be terrible!"

"What do you mean stole? Since this place is safe, I’ll tell you the real secret." Phield wiped cold sweat from his forehead. This idiot still hadn’t figured it out. He immediately explained, "I can form contracts across races. And I’m not limited to just one. Both Ashina and Rosalia are my Divine Chosen."

"...What?"

Phield briefly explained his situation.

Charlotte froze for a moment before gradually understanding everything. Her eyes suddenly lit up.

"This is wonderful."

As long as the number of Divine Chosen increased, the lord’s power would expand rapidly. When that time came, she could finally take her revenge.

"Alright. Now let’s discuss matters concerning the territory and our next tasks."

"I plan to completely reclaim Starnight Manor and disperse the gray mist covering the other half of the estate. Before that, we need to eliminate the corrupted creatures within the fog." Phield examined the mini-map repeatedly. In fact, the number of enemies remaining in the other half of the manor was already quite small. "Ashina, I’ll leave this task to you. The guards will assist you."

"Yes, my lord." Ashina accepted without hesitation.

"Rosalia, in two days, please take my black crows and scout the entire Nightfall Domain. I need information on its resources and production."

Soon, adventurers from the Empire would arrive. Phield needed to identify all the valuable assets within Nightfall Domain beforehand. After all, who would have guessed that a lumberyard could hide a divine artifact?

Better to search through everything himself first.

He could also use the opportunity to learn the terrain and locate mineral veins.

"Finally, Charlotte. Next, I need you to use your abilities on the territory’s crops. Nightfall Domain’s future food production will depend entirely on you."

"No problem!"

Everyone accepted their assignments.

After giving out the tasks, Phield turned to leave, but Rosalia called out to him.

"I almost forgot something important."

"What is it?"

It was the first time Phield had seen Rosalia in this mature form. Her entire presence radiated an almost overwhelming allure. Her voluptuous figure, along with the gleaming white skin across her chest and legs, emphasized the graceful curves of her feminine body.