Chapter 521, You Know How to Enjoy Life
The issue with the factory was discussed before.
However, the gnome designer didn't expect the site selection to take place today.
Even if the concept of providing energy was somewhat unfamiliar, they vaguely understood the meaning.
They took the map they carried from their satchel.
Spreading it on the table, standing on the chair, they pointed to a location and said, "Sir, this is the site we've selected over the past few days, which covers the two areas you mentioned."
Wu Heng followed their finger and looked at the indicated location.
It was a newly developed area, a location on the eastern side.
In fact, the island's population was far less than that of the modern world.
With the power capacity provided by the main station, it was more than sufficient to meet the needs of the entire island.
After listening to the explanation of the site's advantages, Wu Heng nodded and confirmed, "This works. Arrange for people to clear the site over the next two days. Once the artificers complete their planning, construction can begin immediately."
"Understood. I'll arrange for the work to begin once I return."
"Alright." Wu Heng nodded. With the discussion about the power plant site selection concluded, he continued, "How is the progress in the expansion area?"
The gnome sat back on the chair and said, "Progress has been smooth. Next is the construction of houses. Once the bricks arrive, we can continue."
"According to the previous plan, some of the buildings should be larger and more luxurious."
"Understood, sir."
The conversation with the gnome concluded.
Wu Heng thought for a moment and, seeing that there was nothing else, said, "Alright, that's it for now. If any difficulties arise during construction, report them to Andviel immediately. Don't let it delay progress."
"Yes, I'll return to arrange the work now."
"Go ahead!"
The gnome stood up, gave a slight bow, and left the meeting room.
After they left,
Wu Heng also stood up and headed to Lighthouse Street.
Along the way, he purchased some alchemical materials from various shops.
He booked a private room in a tavern called Red Coral.
He had considered booking a room at the 'Nautilus' since it was his property and would be more convenient.
But after thinking it over, he decided to opt for an external venue.
It was better for him and Sheila Grey not to appear there too often.
...
Near dusk.
There was a knock on the private room door.
The door opened, and two figures wearing hoods that concealed their faces entered one after the other.
Seeing that Wu Heng was the only one in the room, they both removed their hoods, revealing the similar yet distinct appearances of two elf sisters.
Sheila Grey, with her golden hair tied neatly behind her head, had smooth, radiant locks. Her skin was fair and delicate, her face slightly chubby, and her eyes exceptionally sharp, contrasting with her adorable appearance.
Her elder sister, 'Shiyali,' had shoulder-length golden hair. Her facial features were more mature, but her resemblance to Sheila Grey was striking. With golden earrings and a pendant, she wore a gentle smile, giving off a softer impression.
"Is this a newly opened tavern?" Sheila Grey asked as she sat on one side of the dining table.
Shiyali followed her and sat beside her, folding their hoods neatly and putting them away.
"Yes, it's new. I heard their food is pretty good." Wu Heng poured the two of them some cooling tea.
"They must have a specialty. Otherwise, it would be hard to compete on this island," Sheila Grey remarked.
"I've ordered their signature dishes. We'll see if they live up to the hype."
As they were talking, the voice of the waiter came from outside the door.
However, the waiter did not enter.
Instead, the skeleton servant guarding the door brought the food in.
One dish after another was placed on the table.
"Let's eat first," Wu Heng said.
After a few bites,
Wu Heng picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said, "I just met the island's designer. The expansion project has reached the stage of house construction. Where do you think we can get more people?"
"Where to get people?" Sheila Grey raised an eyebrow. "Why does that sound like you're planning to kidnap people, you necromancer?"
"What are you talking about? I mean, how do we attract people to settle on the island?" Wu Heng replied.
Sheila Grey chewed on a piece of sliced beef and then said, "There are two ways. One is to relax the restrictions on who can come to the island. As long as they can settle, they can gain residency. The second is to apply to the main guild for population allocation. Tribes or races without permanent homes could be sent here to become islanders."
"Which option is better?"
Sheila Grey shook her head. "Actually, neither is ideal."
Shiyali chimed in, "If you relax the restrictions, you might attract criminals or fugitives—people who can't survive in their original countries and seek refuge here. As for tribal relocation, that's also risky. If they feel they're being treated unfairly, a single tribe rebelling could be a major issue."
Sheila Grey nodded in agreement. "Exactly what she said."
Wu Heng leaned back in his chair, contemplating their words.
Relaxing restrictions would allow anyone to settle on the island, but the first arrivals might be refugees or criminals.
As Sheila Grey suggested, requesting the guild to send tribes without permanent homes could lead to even bigger problems.
Criminals posed a security risk, but a united tribe could potentially overthrow the island's administration.
"Isn't there a more normal approach?" Wu Heng asked.
Sheila Grey responded, "Normal approaches take time. Like you said before, once Gold-Silver Island thrives, people will naturally want to move here."
Wu Heng looked at her and said, "How about your people coming to settle here?"
Sheila Grey raised an eyebrow. "Oh, stop it. You always have ideas that involve me."
Wu Heng laughed, clearly teasing her.
They continued discussing various island matters.
Sheila Grey gently wiped her mouth and then looked directly at him. "A few days ago, Minnie brought people to the guild to select profession scrolls. I heard you've added two new maids?"
Her tone carried a hint of accusation.
Wu Heng took another sip of wine, organized his thoughts, and explained, "They're friends of Minnie. When I left the island last time, she asked me to bring them along so she wouldn't feel lonely at home."
"You've just become the island lord, and you're already living the high life," Sheila Grey commented.
Wu Heng added, "Yes, I did buy them as slaves. Back when I was a squad leader, I had dozens more."
"Slaves?" Sheila Grey asked curiously.
Shiyali also turned to look at him.
"Yes, the place I worked before was a border city between two kingdoms where slave traders operated.
At the time, a faction of Warhammer mercenaries, essentially bandits, planned to attack the city. The local merchants and those with resources fled, and even the least fortunate found refuge within the city. But the slaves remained with the traders. So, I bought as many as I could. The rest are still back there, running a small shop."
Both elves looked at him in surprise.
They had initially thought the reason for having so many maids was purely for leisure.
Now they heard such a story.
A squad leader actually spent his own money to buy those slaves.
Sheila Grey subconsciously said, "No wonder that [Immaculate Holy Radiance] didn't affect you. You're not like a typical necromancer in this regard."
Wu Heng slapped his thigh and leaned closer. "You have no idea! Back then, there were even rumors in the city that I bought those slaves for necromantic rituals. Many people looked at me as if I were a butcher."
Sheila Grey laughed, her face beaming with amusement. "Well, that's what you get for choosing to be a necromancer."
"I had no choice! My dream was to be a prince, the kind that's born inheriting the throne."
"What's so great about being a prince?"
"So I can appoint you as a minister."
"Do you want a beating or what?"
The two bantered, and Sheila Grey completely forgot about the new maids.
Shiyali, sitting to the side, rested her chin on her hand and watched them with a smile.
Whispering softly, "How nice."
...…
After leaving the tavern,
The three parted ways outside and each took a carriage back to their residence.
By the time Wu Heng returned to the manor, night had fallen.
He entered the main hall.
From the adjacent training room came the sounds of the maids training, with shouts of exertion.
Dressed in modern sportswear, their clothes were damp with sweat on the collars and backs.
The addition of the two new maids had reignited the enthusiasm for training.
Seeing Wu Heng return,
Several maids quickly approached him.
"Master, have you eaten?" Minnie asked.
"I have. I ate outside."
"Then shall I prepare you some snacks?" Minnie continued.
Wu Heng patted her rabbit ears. "No need. I'm full and can't eat another bite."
"Oh!"
"Go back to training, but don't overwork yourselves."
"Yes, Master." Minnie led the others back to the training room.
Andviel, however, accompanied Wu Heng to the living room.
She sat down next to him.
Andviel wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, "Master, today I contacted a few shipping fleets. Their ships will start arriving at the port over the next few days."
The merchant fleet took a bit longer than expected.
But since this was their first collaboration, time was needed to prepare the goods and compress the copper ore into copper plates.
"Alright. Keep an eye on it, especially the gunpowder storage, to ensure there's no danger."
Wu Heng handed her the spatial sachet.
Now that he had the [Hundred-Arms Spatial Belt], he had another high-capacity storage tool.
He temporarily entrusted Andviel with this one for storing goods, knowing it wouldn't inconvenience him.
"Yes, Master." Andviel accepted it with a nod and a smile.
She then took a chilled fruit wine and headed to the training room.
Wu Heng went upstairs and entered his study.
...…
The chandelier and air conditioner were turned on.
A cool breeze quickly lowered the room's temperature.
He poured himself a cup of tea and sat at the desk, taking out all the rewards he had received today.
First were the two Tier 1 artifact rewards.
The [Hundred-Arms Spatial Belt], although an accessory of the 'Hundred-Arms Robe,' was incredibly useful on its own.
In fact, it was precisely what Wu Heng needed at the moment.
He was quite satisfied with it.
"I wonder if the guild has any other accessories for this set?"
"Next time I receive a Tier 1 merit reward, I'll write a letter requesting the accessories for the Hundred-Arms Robe. That way, I won't be sent something strange and useless."
Next, his gaze fell on the second item: [Immaculate Holy Radiance].
He had already worn it and confirmed that it didn't cause spontaneous combustion, proving that he wasn't one of the sinful individuals mentioned in the side effects.
However, the fact that the guild awarded such an item to a necromancer naturally raised suspicions.
Its effect was to protect the spirit and provide the protection of knightly retainers, while its side effect caused spontaneous combustion for the sinful.
It seemed to be a reminder from the guild: they could protect him,
or they could kill him.
Spontaneous combustion was a warning not to dig his own grave.
The more he thought about it, the more plausible this seemed.
"Whose idea was this shady move? They wasted one of my reward slots."
Fortunately, since he could wear it, it wasn't entirely useless.
...…
Next were the Tier 2 rewards.
The [Elven Magic Carpet], [Soul Whip], and [Iron Golem] were all well understood, so there wasn't much to examine.
He simply put them away.
His gaze then fell on the [Companion Shadow Jade] in his hand.
Just holding it, he could feel a cold sensation spreading throughout his body.
Within his body, his dormant necromantic power suddenly became active, like a still aquarium receiving an oxygen pump.
The sensation wasn't overwhelming, but the liveliness and energy were unmistakable.
"This really suits a necromancer."
With a thought, two wraiths flew out from his body.
They hovered on either side of him.
"Uncle, what's up? We were resting," Xiaoxiao said.
Glenda also turned to look at him.
Wu Heng said, "I obtained an artifact today that's supposed to nourish you. I wanted to see if you feel any different."
"I didn't notice anything. Did you get scammed by a street vendor?" Xiaoxiao asked.