The setting sun, like a giant ruby, slowly sank below the distant horizon, draping Swamp Castle in a golden afterglow.
The once underdeveloped town had transformed thanks to Ronin's arrival and his willingness to spare no expense on its development. Today, Swamp Town's population was larger, its farmland more expansive, and a constant stream of merchants passed through.
Before anyone realized it, Swamp Town had become an outpost for Wubei Territory and the liveliest place in the north.
Having been in his post for several months, Population Officer Omar, along with one of his assistants, carried a thick, recently compiled population register toward Swamp Castle.
"Mr. Omar, why do you think the Lord wants us to collect all this information?"
Sixteen-year-old assistant Nier had asked himself this question many times. 'If we sold all this paper, we could trade it for so much food!'
"How could our Lord possibly be short on money for paper?"
