The registration situation for the security squad at noon exceeded Li De’s expectations. According to his estimates, most humans still harbored vigilance towards vampires; entrenched notions weren’t easily changed.
But unexpectedly, 120 people signed up for the security squad, which only had 30 spots—far exceeding his expectations.
Upon investigating, he discovered the reason for the excess number of applicants—the security squad would receive priority in land allocation.
This gave him a more direct understanding of the importance of land in the minds of commoners.
Even with an irrepressible fear of vampires, the allure of land was enough to offset those fears.
Li De chuckled inwardly. Since ancient times, schemes have won hearts. This was a good start. He could imagine that these people would gradually integrate into the vampire fold along the path he designed, truly becoming part of the vampire community.
Li De had already assigned Harrison and Augustine to establish the security squad. He himself didn’t interfere at all.
There were many departments to be established in the future. Practice makes perfect. It was good to give the two some exercise.
Moreover, he neither liked nor was adept at these tedious political matters. Perhaps Harrison, the clever genius, would be more suitable than him.
Lower-level individuals labor physically, middle-level individuals labor intellectually, and upper-level individuals manage people. As the top boss, one only needed to set the direction; other tasks naturally fell to subordinates.
In the evening, the logistics team prepared bread and wheat porridge once again. The residents of Eric Town, who received free food once more, finally felt reassured.
Most people gradually built trust in Dawn City.
In Eric Town, not only was there no free food, but even during the coldest month of Deep Winter, dying of starvation at the doorstep of Mayor Marcus wouldn’t earn even a piece of black bread mixed with wheat bran.
Even fleeing to Green City didn’t guarantee encountering noble charity.
Although what Dawn City did was simple, it directly benefited these people in the most straightforward way.
Commoners surviving amidst war and turmoil weren’t as resistant as imagined to vampires who brought tangible benefits.
After nightfall, Li De returned to his manor.
Dawn City had made a good start. Now he needed to return to Green City before the second batch of captured people arrived at Dawn City.
Although the population capture plan had just begun and someone needed to oversee Dawn City, resources there were too scarce.
The grain could barely feed this group of commoners, but they still lacked winter clothing and farming tools to cultivate wasteland.
Dawn City couldn’t even produce a single hoe at the moment.
Thus, large quantities of supplies still needed to be purchased from Green City.
Though farming wouldn’t start until next spring, failing to prepare these tools would certainly delay next year’s planting.
Vampires followed an extreme path, with every member being a soldier. In terms of combat strength, they were top-notch, but their ability to farm and develop was even inferior to the most ordinary laborers.
"Comrade, you still need to work hard."
Li De gazed through the glass window at the cold moonlight spilling over the dark expanse of Green City, his fighting spirit soaring.
At this moment, apart from moonlight, Dawn City remained pitch black, without a trace of light.
"One day, I will make the lights of Dawn City at night brighter than during the day.
I will make this place a true City of Dawn."
Dawn breaks through the darkness.
A great city would rise from his hands.
Taking two full chests of gold pucks from the treasure vault inside the house, and calling Harrison and Augustine to give them some instructions, Li De boarded a Whispering Bat and flew back to Green City.
Currently, there were three second-generation bloodline descendants and over 70 vampires in Dawn City. Fred guarded the blood pool, while Augustine and Harrison managed humans and guarded the city walls.
Though few in number, Li De wasn’t overly concerned. Firstly, Dawn City was extremely secluded, located deep within the Far Mountain Range, where human presence was rare.
Not only was discovery unlikely, but even if discovered, the other party couldn’t harm the vampires in a short time.
The roads were rugged and winding; without flying magical beasts, entry was impossible.
Secondly, though few in number, vampires possessed sufficient self-defense capabilities. Unless encountering formidable enemies like grand mages, there wouldn’t be much impact.
This time, Li De timed it precisely, landing in the woods outside Green City after dawn. By the time he reached the towering, sturdy walls of Green City, which resembled a giant beast crouching on the ground, the city gates had just opened.
Unimpeded, he returned to the Crimson Mage Tower at exactly ten in the morning.
Vina, practicing magic on the first floor of the mage tower, instantly displayed immense joy upon seeing Li De, her previously calm face lighting up.
Dragging her long blue mage robe, she trotted towards Li De, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons, her slightly curly golden long hair resembling the Sun Goddess.
"Good morning, Lord Li De. You haven’t had breakfast yet, right? I’ll go prepare something for you~"
Looking at this sweet smile, Li De inexplicably felt better.
Indeed, appearance is justice. No wonder everyone likes to hire pretty female assistants or secretaries. Even without doing anything peculiar, just looking at them can bring a good mood.
"No need. I’ve already eaten. Vina, have Karu call Laurent over."
Vina lightly stepped upstairs.
Soon after, Karu came down, greeted Li De, and quickly left. Vina stood before Li De with a jubilant expression.
Looking at the little maid in front of him, Li De pondered for a moment before opening the girl’s attribute panel.
Class: Mage Apprentice
Introduction: Mage apprentice of the Crimson Mage Tower, youngest daughter of Sir Belami
Very simple attributes. Compared to the president of the Alex Merchant Guild, the most beautiful tulip of Green City, Winnie Alex, it was like comparing heaven and earth.
But Li De instead felt relieved. Simplicity meant the other party wouldn’t harbor malice. If Vina’s introduction mentioned being a direct disciple of the Tempest Duke, that would be cause for concern.
Li De took out a crystal bottle wrapped in cloth from his chest and handed it to Vina.
"This is a magic potion I’ve developed. You can try it during meditation; it might help you."
Vina instinctively unwrapped it, somewhat surprised by the milky-white liquid inside the crystal bottle.
The magical fluctuations emanating from the glass bottle were too powerful; she felt it was even more exaggerated than the magical beast cores she saw last time at the trading market.
"No, Lord Li De. Such a precious thing, I can’t accept it. Please keep it for yourself."
Vina immediately recognized the value of this magic potion. A potion with such magical fluctuations might not be purchasable for twenty or even thirty gold pucks.
As a mage apprentice, she knew how expensive magic potions were. She was merely a mage apprentice; using such a precious potion on her would be too wasteful.
Li De smiled faintly.
"No, Vina. Nothing is more precious than you.
This potion is named Mana-Infused Blood, a lifeblood mixed with a large amount of magical materials.
You are the first person besides me to try it. I need your feedback."
This bottle of Mana-Infused Blood was taken from the blood pool by Li De.
Mana-Infused Blood was very miraculous, created by soaking human blood in the crystalline remains of gods.
After being nurtured by dense magic, the current Mana-Infused Blood could no longer be considered blood; it was more like a powerful magic potion.
The system’s description didn’t state that humans couldn’t use it, so Li De took some out, intending to test whether ordinary humans could gain enhancements similar to vampires when using it.
Because the origin of Mana-Infused Blood was too astonishing, he could only choose the most trustworthy person. This clean-background little maid was undoubtedly the best candidate.
Nothing is more precious than you.
Upon hearing this, Vina’s heart trembled, her face suddenly flushing deeply. Biting her lips, she nodded.
"I’m willing, Lord Li De."
Li De looked at her charming, fiery cheeks, feeling bewildered.
Did I say something wrong?
It’s just a bottle of Mana-Infused Blood. I still have a whole pool of it?
But he felt this statement shouldn’t be said, decisively closing his mouth, watching Vina drink the Mana-Infused Blood in the crystal bottle in one gulp.