Transmigrated with a Demon-Refining Pot: Hehehe, Refine in an instant

Laun's expression was solemn, and the chair leg made a soft sound as it scraped against the stone floor.

"Your Excellency, the Duchy's directly subordinate army currently numbers about 15,000 men, mostly veterans from our River Bend territory, plus the troops previously incorporated from the fleeing lords. Those lords' private armies have all returned to their territories with the nobles."

I did the math, and to garrison the entire settlement, we'd need at least 30,000 people.

That means we're still short 15,000 people.

He paused for a moment, then said, "As for manpower, I suggest recruiting from those directly controlled territories. The population of the territories we directly govern is one or two million, which is more than enough to provide manpower."

After we've finished screening these people, I think the Knights Order can expand to at least three to five thousand members.

Just mentioning Ron gives me a headache. One or two million people, even if they are all of suitable age, there must be three or four hundred thousand.

Going through all of them would be exhausting for Margaret.

She must go hunting every day, practically emptying the entire sea area.

Previously, there was enough raw liquid but a shortage of potions; now, potion production is about to increase, but there is a shortage of raw liquid again.

He rubbed his temples and sighed silently.

Well, let's take it slow. Selecting talented people isn't something that can be done in a day or two.

"How much military funding is needed?" Ron asked.

Laun gave a rough estimate. Perrin's brow furrowed even more, and he made a dot with his quill pen on the paper.

Thirty thousand soldiers may not seem like much, but they are all full-time soldiers.

They receive monthly pay, and logistical support is entirely subsidized by military funds. They have also captured a batch of weapons that can be used directly.

But what I just mentioned is not a small amount, and this money is fixed and has to be spent every year.

If they're unlucky and the orcs invade one year, they'll have to send out even more.

Ron remained silent for a moment.

"Military spending cannot be cut back. The principality has just been established, and without a sufficient army, we cannot suppress the chaos in the colonies. Perrin, you take care of the money. Make up for the shortfall from the private treasury first."

Palin knew that the military was of utmost importance and agreed, adding another entry to his ledger.

"How are military pays arranged?" Ron asked again.

"According to the current rate, ordinary soldiers receive fifteen silver coins per month, while junior officers receive more. Knights and squires are paid separately."

Laun was clearly prepared, as he pulled out another parchment from his pocket, which listed the details of military pay at all levels.

Ron did a quick mental calculation; it was a considerable sum, but he could manage if he gritted his teeth.

"Okay. It's settled then. Palin, allocate military funds first."

Ron then turned to Andrei. "How's the legal revision going on the legal side?"

......

"That's all for today. The draft code will be distributed to everyone, and we'll review it in two weeks. Father, please take care of the diplomatic matters. As for the magic academy, wait for my news." He stood up.

The meeting is over!

The first royal council of the duchy ended in a slow and deliberate debate.

Over the next ten days or so, the affairs of the Silver Duchy gradually returned to normal.

Since everyone knows that the Silver Grand Duke is a formidable dragon knight, the surrounding neighboring countries are currently keeping a low profile.

They had no intention of causing trouble.

Ron was busy with various miscellaneous matters in the early days of the duchy, and the royal council was held every few days.

Sometimes it's discussing tax policy, sometimes it's reviewing legal codes. Endless meetings, countless documents signed, and a constant stream of envoys to meet.

Ron felt even more tired than when he was fighting a war. At least in war, you have to use your brain.

Small fish fell from the sky that day.

Raindrops fell from the gray sky, fine and dense, making a rustling sound as they hit the windowpane.

The stone path in the courtyard was wet from the rain, turning dark gray and reflecting the dark clouds in the sky.

Ron went into the small garden to see Margaret, who didn't want to get wet in the rain since the Dragon Castle was just being built.

It took the initiative to come and want to go into the small garden to sleep.

Ron felt that she was becoming more and more spoiled. Before, when they were on a deserted island, exposed to the wind, sun and rain, without even a place to shelter from the rain, he never saw her complain.

We've only had two good days, and now we have to hide from the rain.

Ron didn't say anything, after all, it was his dragon, and he was the one who should cherish his own dragon.

The small garden is quite spacious now. Because he plundered a lot of resources, Ron spends all his spare money on it. Whenever he has extra crystal cores and energy stones, he stuffs them into the Demon Refining Pot.

The thin mist at the edge of space surged outwards time and time again, expanding its territory each time.

What was once a tiny place that could only accommodate a few people and sheep has now expanded to more than a kilometer in length and width.

As long as Margaret doesn't fly, she can still wander around.

Ron has now turned it into a miniature world.

It has everything: forests, grasslands, rivers, houses, and more.

There were twenty or thirty servants, most of whom were old servants that Ron had brought from the Reach, and some were recruited later.

They had all undergone rigorous training, were quick and efficient, and kept their mouths shut.

Most importantly, they had gotten used to Margaret's presence and were no longer as terrified as they had been when they first saw the dragon.

Now they even dare to walk past Margaret while she's sleeping, and the bolder ones will even polish the scales on her tail while she's dozing off.

Now, Ron has completely mastered the Demon Refining Pot.

Two main functions – refining and a small garden space.

The ability to refine is the most extraordinary; Ron has yet to determine its maximum potential.

No matter how advanced the creature, how big it is, or whether you're refining ten or a hundred at a time, the Demon Refining Pot accepts them all and puts them in for refining.

If you want it to be faster, add energy stones; if you're not in a hurry, just wait.

The refined original liquid is even more incredible; it's not simply a purification of blood essence and blood, but more like a recombination of the elements within.

Things that were originally unusable or unabsorbable can be transformed into treasures after being refined by it.

Just like Ron killed dozens of magic apprentices this time, their corpses were separated and brewed into a pot.

After using it, Ron actually felt that his mind was much clearer.

A test conducted by Liulichuan revealed that his mental strength had increased.

This discovery brought Ron a huge surprise and delight.

He knew all too well how difficult it was to improve one's mental strength; it could basically only be achieved through meditation and gradual refinement.

But how long can a person meditate in a day? Meditation potions are much more expensive than ordinary magic potions.

Even Liulichuan, which had Ron's support, was only able to use it freely after seizing a wave of Marquis Mammon.

Now, a low-level magic apprentice can refine four or five bottles, and the quality has been significantly improved.

There's no need to worry about Liulichuan's cultivation progress anymore, and Ron himself can use it too.

After becoming a mage, the main source of combat power comes from magic.

Mages need to learn all sorts of complex knowledge, construct spell models, and ultimately use their mental power to leverage ten times more magic power to launch attacks.

Some geniuses can leverage thirty or forty times more.