Mount and Blade System: Start from Pioneer Lords

"Alas, what a pitiful group of people." The lord wore a compassionate expression, resembling a benevolent priest who couldn't bear to see life vanish.

"Since you've chosen to seek refuge with me, who could bear to see you wallow in misery?"

"Today, in the name of the Marquis of Debay, Lord of Highcliff, and Overlord of the Wilderness—I declare you officially my people. You shall possess the official status of Debay, escape the torment of wilderness wraiths, and your fate shall be intertwined with my glory."

"I shall protect you, grant you land and peace. And you shall repay me with loyalty and labor. From this day forward, your sweat shall flow for me, your hands shall till for me. Your destiny is now one with mine."

Li Wei raised his mithril longsword, his voice resonant and commanding. He subtly enveloped himself in a layer of holy light, appearing radiant and dazzling, majestic and tall.

"My lord, you are like the benevolent sun, embracing everyone with impartiality!"

All the former residents of the Northlands raised their hands, kneeling en masse, tears silently streaming down their rough cheeks, falling into the dirt.

An elderly woman tightly embraced her child, sobbing softly, as if thanking the gods for their mercy. The child, whose cheeks were red from the cold and nose was dripping with two icicles, curiously gazed at the knight holding the sword at the front.

Once, their ancestors were citizens of a kingdom, living comfortably, possessing all the glory of a kingdom's people. They would plant seeds in the spring, await the harvest in the autumn, and raise livestock without fear of danger.

But disaster always struck unexpectedly. The kingdom's downfall turned them into wanted criminals overnight.

When enemy soldiers came after them, they had to flee for their lives to survive, thus beginning an incredibly difficult journey of survival. In displacement and hardship, they abandoned their former homeland and arrived in the Kas Mountains in the wilderness, associating with savages and bandits.

Generations passed, and they had long forgotten the calendar, the name of their former kingdom, and how long they had lived in the Kas Mountains. They only knew that their ancestors were citizens of a kingdom, living comfortably.

Now, they had finally become citizens of a kingdom again, gaining an identity, no longer precarious tribal savages. How could they not be saddened and overjoyed?

"Lord, we are willing to offer you our loyalty and sweat, may your glory last as long as the sun!" The words of the three tribal chiefs seemed to ignite the emotions of the crowd. More people began to echo in low voices, the sounds gradually converging into a wave of piety: "Thank you, noble lord! Thank you for your protection!"

"Only loyalty is our last value."

"Loyalty! Loyalty!"

Their gratitude surged towards the high platform like a tide, as if to engulf the lord.

Looking at the excited group of former residents of the Northlands below, Li Wei couldn't help but mutter to himself, he didn't want to eat Cantonese cuisine.

To be honest, he didn't expect his speech to have such an effect.

But perhaps it was also related to his nearly maxed-out 'Persuasion' skill. Coupled with the fact that these former residents of the Northlands were used to a hard life in the Kas Mountains, and now they could suddenly touch the sun, it was understandable that they were so emotionally overwhelmed.

"Give them temporary housing in the slave district first, issue each person a set of warm clothes, and then let them have a full meal." Now, the lord, flush with hundreds of thousands of gold coins, was extremely generous, waving his hand and issuing instructions: "After they adapt to this place, assign them to work in the brick kiln or blacksmith shop."

Now the ground was covered with heavy snow, not suitable for farming, otherwise these former residents could go and cultivate the land.

Watching the group of former residents of the Northlands happily go to collect clothes and food, the lord looked at Layton beside him: "Remember to break up their three tribes separately and mix them together."

Although the lord wasn't afraid of them causing trouble, it was best to avoid it if possible. More than ten thousand people suddenly joining Highcliff did require attention.

To help them integrate here as soon as possible, the best way was to break them up and manage them separately. When they finally completely identified with Highcliff, they could live in Highcliff's territory.

"Yes, sir."

Layton nodded. This trip south wasn't for nothing. On the contrary, he took the opportunity to read many books from Debay and had gained some knowledge on how to manage civilians, all that was left was practice.

"Also, let them first learn how to use the toilet and personal hygiene. Those who defecate and urinate randomly must be severely punished!"

Li Wei said very seriously, suddenly remembering something.

He was very lenient in many aspects of Highcliff, but he was very strict on the toilet aspect.

Because he didn't want to smell urine and step on poop as soon as he went out.

Also, thanks to his unwavering grip, the entire Highcliff could be said to be a breath of fresh air in Debay. The streets were clean and tidy, without any garbage, and there was no strange smell in the air.

This was why Miriel, the half-elf, left the wealthy White Stream City and chose to open a shop in the poor and remote Highcliff.

Even a big city like White Stream City couldn't guarantee clean streets and fresh air. If you went to the slums, it would be like entering a dung beetle's home.

All the general directions were set by him, and the remaining details were filled in by Layton and Beresina. Li Wei, who was free, also prepared to enter the depths of the wilderness.

"Li Wei, are you going to the Wind Whisper Tribe alone?"

Beresina seemed to be in a good mood.

She had just personally supervised the barbarians moving all three carriages of gold and silver treasures into the warehouse specially built with refined steel. Highcliff, which was originally poor and empty, instantly became a wealthy landlord. Although these treasures weren't hers, they couldn't help but make her feel happy.

"I have to go. I have to solve the Bujib matter first. Whether I guessed right or not, I will take the magic crystal to try first." Li Wei nodded. "This is not a big deal this time, I can do it alone, so I can go early and return early."

After a brief preparation, the lord put on the goggles specially made by Mir, climbed onto Sophia's body, and with a loud dragon roar, the huge figure soared into the sky in an instant, covering the sky and heading north.

"Gia...Giant dragon!"

"The boss is actually a dragon knight!"

The collective residents of Highcliff stared blankly at the departing dragon, never expecting that their lord not only really went to slay a dragon, but also rode the dragon under him.

Only the barbarians who went south together hugged their exaggerated pectorals with a calm expression, deliberately approached, and prepared to put on a show like an experienced person: "Let me tell you..."

...

Another round of day and night alternated. Only the next morning, Highcliff welcomed its master again.

"Is everything going well, sir?" Heather, the dark elf, was cracking melon seeds and asked the first question.

"It's okay, it's just that the group of elven girls were too enthusiastic, which delayed me for one night." Li Wei smiled and threw down a sheepskin bag filled with irregular crystals that glowed with blue light, with a few unique magic stones hanging outside.

These were sinking stones, used to prevent the magic power of the magic crystal mine from spreading out, so as not to cause people to suffer from magic power disease.

"I'll take it and put it next to Bujib first." Beresina nodded. Unfortunately, she couldn't lift a sack full of magic crystal ore, and finally had to order Mir to go with her.

"Li Wei, how is the tribe doing?" Aisha, who had been staying in Highcliff for a long time, asked with some worry.

Originally, she also wanted to follow Li Wei back to the tribe by the way, but Sophia wouldn't let anyone other than Li Wei ride her.

She muttered something about how a giant dragon could only have one dragon knight, and that every dragon knight was a person recognized by the giant dragon.

So, helplessly, she could only continue to stay in Highcliff.

"They're fine, they're quite worried about you, but they're fine after I brought them the news."

The lord snatched the apple that Miriel had peeled, and ate it in big bites, not caring about the other party's angry expression.

Aisha breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.

"May the gods bless and let the weather return to normal." She prayed piously.

...

So, after a few more days, on a clear and cold morning, Silvia, who came and went like a ghost, didn't know when she had come to Highcliff again.

This beautiful woman, whose every move revealed nobility, came to the lord to fulfill her promise.

The lord had just gotten out of bed, his hair was as messy as a chicken coop, and he yawned and said hello.

"Good day, Ms. Silvia."

"Good day, Li Wei."

The two greeted each other, and they had agreed to go to an open space.

Li Wei took out the Howl of Digon from the system item bar. In an instant, the cold space was warmed by the scorching flame of the sword, and the snow on the ground melted instantly, revealing the black earth.

Don't mention it, these days the lord has been putting it in the living room for heating, which is a hundred times better than the fireplace, and has been unanimously praised by all the leaders of Highcliff.

If the dead Balor Flame Demon knew that the lord actually used this legendary weapon as an oven, he would probably get up from the ground in anger.

"Ms. Silvia, I'll leave it to you next." Li Wei said politely.

"Okay." Silvia nodded, her body surged with magic power, and began to chant a spell that the lord didn't know.

The tone was ancient and full of ancient charm. Obviously, this was a powerful spell.

As the chanting ended, her white jade-like palm waved gently, and a stream of clear light visible to the naked eye rushed towards the red dragon dragon soul in the dragon crystal, who was staring at them with a face full of resentment.

"You were killed by your enemies at the bottom of the abyss, your flesh was devoured by demons, your dragon bones were swallowed by magma and cast into a sharp blade, and your dragon soul was imprisoned in the cold dragon crystal, forced to serve your former enemies."

"Digon Moses, Crimson Wings, your suffering and humiliation will end today."

The fiery flames that were originally surging towards the two on the giant sword suddenly stagnated, as if time had frozen at this moment. The dragon soul in the dragon crystal twisted, revealing deep struggle and hesitation.

I don't know how long it took, just as Silvia's forehead was also oozing with fine beads of sweat, a thick black smoke rose from the dragon soul, and then turned into dust and dissipated in the air.

The resentment on the face of the red dragon soul had disappeared, replaced by majesty and solemnity, as if recreating the heroic appearance of the former "Crimson Wings".

"Successful?" The lord, who had been holding his breath, finally couldn't help but speak, his tone with a hint of expectation and apprehension.

"Yes." Silvia nodded. "After all, the demon prince is a god who has condensed godhood. Even if his spells are suppressed in this world, it took me a lot of effort to completely remove them." Her voice revealed a trace of fatigue, but also with a relieved ease.

"Thanks to this lord for allowing me to get rid of the obscuration of my mind."

The red dragon dragon soul slowly swam out of the dragon crystal and floated in mid-air. The resentment on his face had disappeared, replaced by majesty and solemnity, as if recreating the heroic appearance of the former "Crimson Wings".

"Huh, can you even talk?" The lord looked at the other party curiously.

"Ignorant ants who don't know how to respect the strong, when my huge wings covered the earth, your father's father's father's fat..."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Li Wei raised the holy sword, and the holy light surged on it.

The last time in the Bone Fortress, he knew that the holy light could have an effect on this red dragon dragon soul, but in order to prevent it from being directly washed into ashes, the lord deliberately avoided the dragon crystal and only acted on the sword body.

Now he doesn't mind trying it directly.

"Don't!" Perhaps finally knowing that disaster was imminent, the dragon soul, who hurriedly drilled back into the dragon crystal, shouted loudly, his face full of fear: "It's me... It's the little one who doesn't know how to respect the strong like you."

"Hehe, interesting." Li Wei chuckled coldly.

To be honest, if it was the dragon soul without any intelligence before, he wouldn't mind keeping it, but now that the dragon soul has returned to normal, for some reason, its intelligence has also returned.

Perhaps the little dragon soul that the other party has left is very weak, but a giant dragon who has lived for so many years in his lifetime knows what strange spells he will use. The lord doesn't want to create trouble, so it's better to solve it as soon as possible.

"Ms. Silvia, is there any way to solve this dragon soul without damaging the dragon crystal?" He simply asked directly.

"I'm useful! Don't obliterate my dragon soul!" The red dragon finally knew he was afraid and anxiously turned around in the dragon crystal, wanting to stop him but not daring to come out.

"What's the use, you have to wait for me to solve you first." Li Wei directly held the flame sword, ready to use the holy light to drive away the soul.

"I know where my treasures are hidden!"

The other party shouted in fear.

This sentence saved his life.

Li Wei tried to maintain his composure, but his heart was beating wildly, and a burst of ecstasy rushed through his heart.

As everyone knows, dragons love to collect treasures and work hard for it all their lives, and the scale is not the same concept as the few copper coins saved by rural barefoot farmers, it represents wealth that can rival a country!

Moreover, the more powerful the dragon, the more considerable its wealth.

This red dragon was able to break into the abyss and kill many demon lords in his lifetime, which means that his strength is at least at the legendary level.

Then the wealth he can own is simply unimaginable!