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

P.S.: Map of the Frontier

The sound of the wheels rolling over the sand and gravel was monotonous and dull. Ron lifted a corner of the curtain, and the hot summer wind, carrying sand and gravel, hit his face and stung.

The caravan had been away from the heart of the Bronze Duchy for more than half a month, and the further north they went, the cooler the climate became.

The once densely packed farmland has disappeared, replaced by waist-high weeds and exposed gray-brown rocks.

"My lord, the 'Broken Blade Pass' is just ahead. Once we pass through this pass, we will be out of the Tianluo Mountains and will then truly enter the territory of the pioneering land."

The Tianluo Mountains are a giant mountain range that spans the continent, dividing it into northern and southern parts.

To the south are the various kingdoms and duchies, while to the north are the pioneering territories.

Ron Onion reined in his horse and approached Ron's carriage.

Ron Onion is a knight recruited by Ron from his territory; he comes from a knightly family in Broccoli Territory.

He once served as a mercenary in the frontier, a seasoned mid-ranking knight squire in his thirties. Later, he returned to the Baron's cavalry to serve as an instructor.

The rest included five low-ranking knight squires and a potion master apprentice sent by his father.

Ron greatly admired Lauen's rich experience; expanding territory required the help of a steady person.

These days, he has used the Demon Refining Pot to refine the flesh and blood of the wild beasts he hunted along the way. Although the original liquid did not allow him to break through to the level of a high-ranking knight follower, his fighting spirit became more and more solid, and his physique was no weaker than that of a high-ranking knight follower.

After entering the settlement, Ron also dismounted from the carriage and rode his horse to observe the surroundings.

The remnants of arrowheads and dried dark red bloodstains can be vaguely seen between the rocks, and the air seems to still be filled with a faint smell of rust and decay.

"Are there often bandits around here?" Ron asked the White Birch Town administrator beside him.

The old administrator, named Perrin Wheel, had graying hair and was holding a roll of parchment map, marking routes with charcoal.

"They are more than just robbers."

Perrin pushed up his brass-rimmed glasses, his voice trembling slightly.

"The rules within the pioneering territory are chaotic, and many of the duchy's laws simply do not apply here."

This place is teeming with fugitives from various countries, and some bandit gangs number seven or eight hundred men, capable of breaching castles. Almost every year, lords are killed in these new territories.

"Not only that, there are also various monster clans and powerful magical beasts in the wilderness."

Occasionally, they would encounter raids from small orc tribes, making it a dangerous place indeed.

Ron frowned.

"A bandit with seven or eight hundred men! What kind of bandit are they with seven or eight hundred men? They're probably some lord in disguise, or a black glove kept by a high-ranking nobleman."

"Looks like I'll have to play it safe for now!" Ron thought to himself.

The thirty guards he brought from his family were now gripping their spears, escorting the convoy forward.

Fortunately, the journey was uneventful.

As the convoy drove out of the pass, a vast, seemingly boundless wilderness stretched out between heaven and earth.

On the distant horizon, a winding silver ribbon can be seen; that is the Green Water River, the largest river in the northern expansion of the principality.

"After crossing the Green Water River, it's another three days north, and we'll reach Oak City." Perrin breathed a sigh of relief and pointed to the mark on the map.

"The Oak City, where Marquis Mammon is stationed, is the core of our Bronze Duchy's northern expansion. All newly established expansion lords must first register there and receive documents outlining their territory."

The caravan continued along a tributary of the Green Water River, gradually encountering human settlements and passing through the territories of many nobles.

"That's..." Dick suddenly pointed to a low mound in the distance, his voice tense.

As everyone looked, they saw a dozen sharpened wooden stakes stuck in the mound, each with a head nailed to the top.

Some were human, while others had twisted animal ears and fangs—those were the heads of orcs.

"It was done by Marquis Mammon's men," Lauen said in a deep voice.

"Oak City has a rule that anyone who attacks and kills a noble caravan or merchant caravan within the territory of the settlement will have their head displayed on the road they must pass through, as a form of deterrence."

Ron remained silent. This was the northern frontier, the edge of civilization, a blind spot of law, where only iron and blood could maintain a fragile order.

Three days later, the outline of Oak City finally came into view.

It was a city built with huge oak logs and gray-brown rocks, with walls over ten meters high. Two flags hung at the city gate: one with the brass dragon emblem of the Brass Duchy, and the other with the black wolf emblem of the Mammon family.

"Stop and submit to inspection!"

The city gate guards stopped the convoy. The leader was a bearded captain whose sharp eyes swept over each carriage. When he saw Ron's baron's insignia, his attitude softened slightly.

"A newly appointed pioneering lord?"

"The Broccoli Family, Ron Broccoli." Ron handed over the investiture document.

The captain of the guard carefully checked the documents before waving him away.

"Sir, please come in!"

Ron tossed a few silver coins to the captain of the guard, who immediately beamed and added:

"There are camps outside the city where you can camp. It would be best if your caravan camped there, otherwise the goods will be taxed when they enter the city."

He then hurriedly ordered a guard to take him there.

Ron entered Oakwood City with a few entourage, and the noise and bustle immediately greeted him.

The streets were lined with log houses, taverns, blacksmith shops, and general stores, and the air was filled with the smells of beer, sweat, and animal dung.

At the tavern entrance, several drunken mercenaries were boasting about their exploits, while in a corner, people were gambling with dice, with occasional arguments and wild laughter.

The city lord's mansion was a massive stone building, and the political official was a middle-aged man with a wig and a stern expression.

After verifying Ron's information, he took out a huge map and pointed to the westernmost area of ​​the settlement north of the Green Water River:

"Baron Ron, your territory is here, River Bend in the Greenwoods."

It is approximately thirty kilometers long and wide, with the Black Rock Mountains to the east and the coast just two territories to the west.

Ron looked at the "Green Wasteland" marked on the map, where there were only a few blurry terrain markers.

How many lords are there in the surrounding area?

"There are seven or eight." The political officer handed Ron several files.

Then, after a pause, he added:

"Remember, no noble will take action against the newly established territory within a year. This is a rule set by Marquis Mammon. A recorder will accompany you to reside in the territory."

Whether you can hold onto your territory after one year depends on your own abilities. After three years, officials from the duchy will determine the size of your territory. So, if you succeed in expanding, try to extend your territory northward as much as possible.

After registering, Ron received the land decree and a bronze token representing jurisdiction.

With the token, one can receive the Duchy's development grants in Oak City:

One thousand half-price serfs.

After leaving the city lord's mansion, Ron stood on the street, a smile playing on his lips.

In this life, he started as a baron, wielding the Demon Refining Pot, and at this moment he just wanted to shout.

Who else is there?!

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