The Exiled Lord: My Maid is a Battle Goddess

Chapter 316: inspection

"Come on, it’s still better than a prison cell."

Phield patted Annie Rui on the shoulder and offered a few words of comfort.

"Save your strength. Get ready for revenge. When I give my word, I keep it."

Even after settling Annie Rui’s accommodations, Phield still left the Corrupted Greatsword Warrior behind as a guard. He didn’t want any accidents, contract or no contract.

The raiding plan would take time.

While waiting, Phield intended to make arrangements across every aspect of the territory.

The first priority was agricultural expansion and cultivation.

He issued a new agricultural policy. Ninety percent of the farmland would be planted with oats and barley. Wheat was unsuitable for the current season, while the remaining fields would be used for vegetables.

"Kaor, the eggs and mushrooms being sold on the market right now all come from the same few families, correct?"

After glancing through a few pages of reports, Phield raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. They were among the earliest groups to earn their freedom from slavery. They were also the first to apply for permission to raise chickens."

"How large are their operations?"

"Uh... I’m not entirely sure. Probably three or four chickens per household."

Kaor always felt guilty whenever he couldn’t provide exact numbers.

"They usually sell eggs once a week. Around ten eggs or so."

"Only three or four chickens, yet they can sell that many eggs. Compared to them, the productivity of my ranches is far too low."

The difference was obvious.

The commoners raised their chickens with meticulous care, treating them like treasured possessions. His own ranches inevitably operated on a much rougher scale.

"The smallholder economy does have its advantages. It suits the current level of productivity."

After a moment of thought, Phield stood up.

"Come on. Let’s take a look around."

...

Thanks to his diligence, Abum had become one of the earliest people in the territory to earn freedom from slavery.

As he stepped out of the market, he carefully cradled the coins in his arms.

Although patrols ensured there were no thieves or bandits, money was more precious than life itself and had to be protected.

"Mr. Abum, selling eggs again?"

A soldier at the market entrance waved to him.

"Why aren’t you selling mushrooms anymore?"

"Good day."

Abum nodded respectfully and forced a flattering smile onto his face.

"I seem to have lost the Goddess’s blessing lately. The mushrooms won’t grow."

He still remembered the first time a soldier had greeted him. It had nearly scared him into wetting himself.

Outside Nightfall Domain, if a soldier noticed you, it usually meant trouble.

Only the lord’s army possessed such unbelievable discipline.

"Praise be to the lord."

After paying a single copper coin as a market stall fee, Abum left the public market.

The market of Nightfall Domain had been divided into two sections by Lord Phield.

The western side was the public market. Citizens could freely trade goods there and rent a stall for one copper coin. Nearly everything sold there was agricultural produce, and his eggs were among the most sought-after products. The public market only opened at dawn and dusk and was frequented mostly by housewives.

The eastern side was the lord’s temporary commercial district.

Abum didn’t even dare approach it.

Everything there radiated sophistication and luxury. Every time he walked past, he felt like a country bumpkin and could only stare at his own feet.

White salt was the only product he ever bought there.

He could swear he had never tasted such high-quality salt in his entire life. It lacked bitterness and carried a pleasant fragrance. Whether used in soup or paired with crispy bread, it was a delight.

His wife constantly begged him to buy a bar of soap.

The thing was practically worth its weight in gold. Any woman who managed to acquire one instantly became the center of attention.

Besides that, the commercial district sold snacks, white bread, and clothing.

Abum guessed only military officers and castle maids could afford such luxuries.

"Abum. Stop right there."

Kaor called his name from a distance in a stern voice.

Turning around and spotting Lord Phield, Abum nearly jumped out of his skin. His legs went weak, and he dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Good day, Baron!"

"No need to be so nervous."

Phield maintained a faint smile.

"I’d like to see how people are living these days. Would you mind letting me visit your home?"

Phield never believed that simply issuing orders from city hall would automatically improve the lives of ordinary people.

Random inspections and visits were necessary if he wanted a genuine understanding of the territory.

After all, the prosperity of the territory directly benefited Divine Chosen.

"Y... yes, my lord. Please inspect it. Though my wife and daughter are both at work right now."

Fear filled Abum’s heart.

He still carried the mindset of a slave and believed that any poor performance might result in execution.

"Uh, I’m just visiting. I’m not here to meet anyone. Don’t overthink it."

Phield twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Did he really look that suspicious? Why was the man’s first thought about his wife and daughter?

"As if your daughter would ever catch the lord’s eye."

Kaor rolled his eyes and kicked Abum in the leg.

"Ingrate. The lord visiting your home means you’ve been blessed by Lady Luck herself."

Phield wanted to tell Kaor to be more polite.

Yet strangely enough, Kaor’s rude and arrogant attitude visibly relaxed Abum.

The man even smiled in relief.

This was the kind of noble behavior he was used to.

It felt reassuring.

"The lord is right. I only hope my house won’t dirty his boots."

Abum immediately settled back into familiar territory and led Phield toward his home.

Inside the mud hut, Phield looked around.

It was the classic medieval peasant dwelling.

A fire pit sat in the center, serving as the kitchen.

There was no bed, only a worn sleeping mat spread across the floor.

The most valuable possessions were food and seeds stored inside a wooden cabinet, carefully protected from damage.

The living conditions were worse than those of a modern homeless person.

"As expected. The living standards of ordinary citizens are still abysmal."

Phield felt a heavy weight settle in his heart.

Kaor, however, thought differently.

"My lord, as long as they still have breath in their lungs, they should be grateful for your mercy. Besides, they have food and a roof over their heads. Their lives are already quite good."

"That’s right, my lord."

Abum scratched his head and grinned happily.

"Even if I tried to imagine something better, I couldn’t think of anything. It’s not like I could replace my cabinet with a golden one."

"Heh."

Phield shook his head with amusement.

"What’s in these jars?"

The most noticeable items in the room were the rows of clay jars lined up along the wall.

"My lord, I picked up those old jars from the public market."

"I meant what’s inside them."

"Mushrooms. The same kind from Turnip Village. I don’t know why, but they just won’t grow anymore lately."

Abum scratched his thigh nervously.

"I’ve tried everything I can think of. Fertilizer, different water, all kinds of methods. Nothing works."

"I see."

Phield nodded.

Then he turned toward Kaor.

"Ask around. Check whether other households are experiencing the same problem."

"Yes, my lord."

Kaor had no idea why the baron cared so deeply about the daily lives of commoners, but following orders was never the wrong choice.