Chapter 56:

“These NPCs are efficient! It’s only been one night and they’ve already set up the department structures,” said Dump Truck Iaido. The next day when Dump Truck Iaido’s trio logged in at the survivor camp, they found that Miriam had already arranged tents for them to use as offices based on their respective management responsibilities, along with a few experienced subordinates. Outside, the entire camp was bustling with activity. Miriam’s assistants were registering the survivors’ information, while a squad of militiamen clad in leather armor and wielding weapons maintained order, clearly personnel borrowed from Maxim. Most of the survivors at the camp were illiterate commoners, but a significant portion of the second batch rescued by the players were literate and from affluent backgrounds. After all, when the astral rift opened over the city and spawns of despair and astral beasts ran rampant, only the sturdy mansions of the wealthy could protect them until the players’ rescue operation began. To the middle-aged trio’s surprise, establishing basic rules in the camp from scratch was not as difficult as they had imagined. Particularly implementing the rationing system caused almost no backlash, with everyone calmly accepting the strict management. Dump Truck Iaido even specifically asked his assistant about it, only to learn that rationing had been in place for years during the war in the original Kadman City. Everyone was already accustomed to this system, and even felt a strange “sense of reassurance” seeing the familiar rationing return. It meant they knew their current leader, the vampire called “Murphy,” would not abandon them, and that they needed to take on sufficient work going forward, otherwise there would be no need to allocate them daily rations, right? The people of Transia were not afraid of hard work, only of being worthless. The veteran residents were well aware of a worthless human’s status in the eyes of vampires on these lands. “The people of Transia are said to have been fighting vampires all this time, but anyone with a basic understanding of history knows that we’ve already accepted these rules of governance over the past 400 years. We’re just stubborn and unwilling to admit it,” sighed Dump Truck Iaido’s assistant, a former tutor for wealthy merchant and noble families, explaining to his new boss: “These people are like a flock of brave but ignorant mountain goats. They need to know they are being protected in order to find courage. If their protector shows a little more kindness, they will be grateful. I do not mean to mock my countrymen. For I am one of them. 400 years of dark rule has changed many things. Alas, sir, perhaps we should start today’s work.” “Ooh, right. Let’s get to work!” Through the translation function of his computation bead, Dump Truck Iaido understood his elegant, amiable, and personable assistant. Pondering the matter, he waved his large hand and said: “Alright, the first task for the logistics department is to ensure all our supplies are properly recorded and used judiciously. We need a warehouse, a few dedicated guards, and professional cooks and doctors! Robert, go find Miss Miriam immediately! I need those people assembled within an hour. I don’t have time to wait for them. We also need a schedule and a ledger tracking our daily supply needs to coordinate with the manpower department. They can then publish specific work assignments and calculate labor credits accordingly.” He kept talking nonstop, hands on his hips, just like when he was managing his own machinery factory, an air of vigor about him. His words were translated into concise local text by the computation bead and displayed as spiritual projections on his wrist. His assistant named Robert immediately jotted it down in his notebook, with similar scenes unfolding for Bulldozer Man and Half Off. Though not as formidable in combat as the younger players, nor as enthusiastic about fighting, the extensive life experience and superior management skills of these middle-aged men were exactly what the survivor camp desperately needed now. With their assistance, by noon Miriam had the camp registry listing 300 individuals’ detailed information, which she inputted via the computation bead to elevate her and the city-dwelling Murphy’s oversight and control of the camp to a new level. Since there was not much to record, the work could be completed by evening without much difficulty. If this were truly an internship, Miriam felt she would easily earn an A grade based on her current arrangements. In her eyes, the previously chaotic survivor camp was now functioning properly. Though still a bit rough around the edges, with many processes prone to issues, it was far better than the previous idleness. Moving forward, she would follow the veteran players’ recommendations and fill the survivors’ days with work. As long as people stayed busy, they wouldn’t have time for idle thoughts! This principle applied in any world. Everyone remained in high spirits until Heaven’s Chosen Grayman logged in. After joining and stifling a series of yawns, he had stayed up all night studying plans for the survivor camp construction, the design student presented a conclusion that made the middle-aged trio’s eyes bulge. “What did you say?”As the recently gathered cooks prepared the first “communal pot” meal at the camp and were about to serve it, the gathered middle-aged trio stared at Grayman in disbelief. Dump Truck Iaido exclaimed: “You thought about it all night just to give us this surprise? What do you mean ‘can’t build’? Explain yourself clearly! Are you planning to quit?” “I mean exactly what I said – can’t build,” Grayman shrugged, looking at the communal pot meal without any appetite. He had just eaten takeout before logging in, so he passed the porridge filled with wild vegetables and a few seasoned meat strips to his two “secretaries” beside him, telling the Palean sisters to find a place to eat and come back later. “If you admire her so much, then let her join your ‘Kadman Civilian Self-Defense Force’ with the rank of Decurion,” Murphy said. Murphy waved his hand and said: “Miriam has already fully tapped into the wisdom of my warriors. You should follow suit and learn to utilize their strength. I’ll grant you twelve warrior positions, plus one ‘Champion Warrior’ as the leader. You may recruit those otherworld warriors you deem promising into your own ‘retinue’. The challenges ahead will only increase. You need to start establishing mechanisms for training and selecting warriors now. If you cannot do this independently, you can seek Miriam’s advice and experience.” “Yes, my lord,” Maxim nodded, then reported: “But currently, nearly all survivors in the ‘Monster Wildernesses’ have been rescued by your warriors. Only spawns of despair and lurking astral beasts remain in those areas. The ominous black snow grows heavier, driving those malicious beings into greater frenzy. The situation grows dangerous, my lord. Perhaps we should accelerate our plans and purify all this with fire!” “Give them two more days,” said Murphy confidently, having seriously considered this aspect. “Two days is enough time for my warriors to remove most valuables from the outer city. After that, we shall burn away the darkness with flames, giving the survivors new hope.” “Indeed, your warriors are exceptionally gifted at searching and scavenging. Though it sounds unflattering, I must insist they all possess a dog’s nose and a squirrel’s insatiable hoarding instinct,” Maxim said in a low voice, prompting Murphy to laugh heartily. The crude analogy was quite apt. But Murphy’s laughter soon stopped when Lady Adele silently appeared nearby. The lady, now clad in a vampiric crimson hunting attire, bowed her head and said to Murphy: “The Young Lady Femis wishes to request–” “Silence!” Maxim interrupted with a rebuke before Murphy could speak. “Do you not even know who your elders are? Adele, Lord Murphy may not mind, but your behavior is far too disrespectful even in the eyes of a mere blood servant like myself!” Adele did not retort against Maxim’s scolding, only lowering her head further. She dared not look Murphy in the eye, not out of fear, but for another reason. “Enough, Maxim! Do not speak words that undermine unity.” Murphy placed his hand on Maxim’s shoulder and said: “Go take a rest. News of my warrior Sister Pomegranate defeating you will spread quickly. I expect the other warriors will soon emulate her in challenging you. You’ll be quite busy ahead. This little bug also needs fixing. I think there’s no need for you to be so stubbornly disadvantaged. Use your sword to teach them, the path of strength tolerates no cunning!” “I will not let them pass easily, my lord. It is my duty,” Maxim bowed to Murphy while grasping his sheathed sword’s hilt. He then glared at Lady Adele before turning to leave. After he departed, Murphy shook his head: “Maxim is a blunt man. He never conceals his loyalty and cannot abide any sign of disloyalty. Pay his words no mind. I do not object to you maintaining your prior relationship with the Young Lady. Your initial embrace was merely a desperate act to save you. I wished to repay you for saving my life, as well as a reward to request you forget certain unpleasant matters. You know what I refer to.” “Yes,” Adele nodded, whispering: “I will happily stand in Your shadow eventually, Lord Murphy. I only pray for this final period to settle the Young Lady’s affairs, to repay the kindness she showed me in rescuing me in my youth. I hope you can understand my choice. It is not betrayal or disloyalty!” “I’ve said I do not mind,” Murphy waved a dismissive hand. “What did the Young Lady seek me out for? And about the one-quarter elven blood within you...” “That is not a topic for the present, Master Murphy,” Adele’s body trembled as she spoke. “My bloodline stems from the perilous dark depths below the Dark Mountains, a sinister and occult curse from the Eternal Chasm. When appropriate, I shall reveal all my clan’s burdens to you. I can also assure You it will not cause trouble. For now, you have more pressing matters. Regarding your plan to purge the city’s shadows with fire, the Young Lady has an immature idea she believes may aid you.”