My Players Are So Fierce

That night, Murphy received a message from Miriam.

She had completed three days of negotiations with the financial representatives of the Nordtov Kingdom, signed a memorandum and a series of terms, and would be setting off to return to Crimson Citadel after tonight’s dinner.

Murphy was quite satisfied with this.

The red-haired Miriam was becoming more and more suited to her role. The once village chief’s illegitimate daughter who hated vampires could now serve as a representative of a vampire lord without any psychological barriers, truly participating in the circle of “continental politics” that had previously seemed unattainable to her.

Compared to her progress, the “advancement” of himself, Maxim, and Adele in this period was indeed somewhat worrying.

So, could the legend be true?

After becoming a vampire and being granted immortality by midnight, is the human talent for quick learning and curiosity removed, turning one into a lazy and indolent being like other transcendent races?

No wonder he had no interest in complex spirit knowledge. It turned out that changing races resulted in losing all learning ability.

Ah, it shouldn’t be like this.

Murphy felt a bit melancholy, but he quickly cheered up. As usual, after reviewing all the quest contents issued by NPCs to little players today, he began his nightly patrol of the territory.

There wasn’t much to see in the Baroness of Shadows’ domain that had just been cleaned up. The situation in Baron Morland’s domain, which had been precisely hunted by Witch Hunters, was also stable and improving. So Murphy went to Baron of Leim’s domain.

He had no doubt about the little players’ enthusiasm for clearing out gnolls. Their dedicated work attitude could be seen from the constantly refreshing personal scoreboard.

An hour ago, Brother Mao, currently ranked first, had already broken through 1300 points, while Sister Pomegranate, closely following, had reached 1290 points.

The stable 10-point difference meant that these two must have reached some tacit agreement.

But Murphy didn’t care.

He only looked at results, not concerned with the process. Moreover, little players were free in this world. As long as they didn’t do anything unforgivable, Murphy didn’t intend to interfere too much in their gaming careers.

However, 1300 points was indeed a bit shocking.

With the current progress of gnoll hunting entering its 11th day, it meant that Brother Mao had to kill 100 gnolls on average every day. Of course, the specifics weren’t calculated like this. His little players were more focused on hunting higher-scoring elites and Black Iron individuals, but even so, this kill efficiency was still terrifying.

Besides Molotov cocktails, they didn’t have any decent firearms in hand. Hacking out such terrifying scores with just blades, one could only say that Brother Mao and Sister Pomegranate were truly “Khorne’s chosen ones.”

But it didn’t seem particularly good to always have these two dominating.

Perhaps he should introduce a “competition” mechanism in the next little player selection? Murphy thought, maybe he could recruit some real “professionals,” like the three suspected official background individuals lurking on the forum.

Introducing official forces certainly meant risks.

But this ‘risk’ wasn’t for Murphy. He believed that at worst, he couldn’t be cross-world enforced. The real risks would ultimately be imposed on his little players, which Murphy didn’t want to see.

So, perhaps he should find a way to “contact” the officials appropriately. When they realize this is just a “game,” many misunderstandings would have the possibility of further consultation.

As for what to do later, Murphy didn’t know.

He also didn’t want to waste brain cells on it now. Just take it one step at a time.

Moreover, the best advantage of introducing official forces was that there would be a continuous stream of “professionals” entering his “talent pool.” This is what “otherworld pioneering” should look like, right?

For example, these current ones

The vampire lord silently patrolled in the air, flapping his wings. Below him in the night stood several buildings that had already sprung up using the “mold manufacturing method.”

That was the residential area that Old Chen had prepared for his five collective farms with the help of Grayman and Bricklayer. They were square Khrushchyovka-style buildings, focusing solely on practicality without considering aesthetics.

The villagers who had been relocated here could still live in tents like real medieval people for now, but they would soon reach 20th-century living conditions.

According to the daily reports submitted by the civil servants of the Administration Office, it was estimated that in a few days, the first batch of residents would move into the “residential buildings” in Crimson Citadel.

The settlement of the five collective farms would be a bit later, to be completed after the gnoll hunting activity ends. By then, the administrative players would truly begin their “village chief” careers.

The first batch of grain handled by Knight Palen and her “Bataxin Chamber of Commerce” had already been delivered to Crimson Citadel and distributed to the collective farms by the administrative department.

Like the former survivor camp, labor points and rationing system were implemented here, along with militia patrols and curfews, making the overall order still acceptable. But as Murphy flew over the farms, he could still hear the voices of unease from the hearts below.

The villagers here were forcibly relocated.

They hadn’t “shared hardships” with Murphy like the residents of Crimson Citadel, and they were very uneasy about how the lord would treat them.

On this continent, in this era, these bottom-tier residents lived without any dignity to speak of. That was something they simply couldn’t afford to think about, after all, it was already hard enough trying to fill their own and their families’ stomachs every day.

But.

This was a good thing for the lord.

In Murphy’s view, as long as the foundation was low enough, any small improvement would make the residents grateful.

If the vampire lord had learned any experience from his years of struggle in another life, it was that free things would never be cherished! Like free breakfasts, like the love of a simp.

He believed that his administrative players should perhaps learn this as well.

“This is the ‘Transia Demonstration Zone’ after all.”

Murphy spread his wings to fly higher, letting the spirit vulture Revnor follow beside him.

He looked down from the high altitude at the five farms neatly arranged along the planned “main road” of Baron of Leim’s domain. On the chaotic Transia land, such a small orderly area looked out of place, but Old Chen had already started planning for the entire Count of Kadman domain.

Murphy believed that the old professor would definitely design his territory to be very beautiful.

This place would be filled with beautiful scenery full of a sense of order and unity, and it would have human care far beyond this era and this world.

That would be a solid rule established from the grassroots, which was Murphy’s greatest source of confidence.

This was a dimensional reduction attack of civilization against civilization.

The future of Transia would be limitless under the brick-by-brick efforts of his little players. Of course, the premise was that he could lead them through this Black Disaster.

Ah, the Black Disaster.

Just as little players want to become strong by breaking through the Black Iron trial, the Transia he owned, wanting to stand on the continental stage again after having its backbone broken, also needs to pass this trial!

——

“It’s so tiring to deal with these guys.”

In the “City Hall” of Bataxin city, which had been renovated by the Chamber of Commerce, Regent Miriam, dressed in a red gown with her hair up and looking very glamorous, returned to her resting seat with a glass of wine.

She complained to Lady Palen beside her, who was smiling contentedly:

“I really can’t understand why these northerners have to recite some sour poems before drinking. The poems written by Lord Andrei are much better than theirs.”

“This is their way of life, Lady Miriam, and it will be your way of life in the future,”

Lady Palen shook her head and said:

“This circle has its own set of rules. I also find it troublesome, but you have to admit that compared to the verbal sparring at the negotiation table, these northerners are obviously more relaxed in this kind of situation.”

“I’m still not used to it,”

Miriam pouted and said:

“If this is what being noble means… No, it’s not! After all, I haven’t seen this kind of problem with Lady Tris and Lord Murphy. Those two were said to have been nobles before becoming vampires?”

“Well, gossiping about superiors is not something we should do,”

Lady Palen grinned and said:

“Of course, I also believe that our lord is different, in all aspects.

Crimson Citadel has been standing for a month now, but apart from a simple celebration, our lord hasn’t even held a single party in his own castle, and Grand Duchess Tris has no complaints about this.

This is obviously different from the vampires in rumors who are said to love luxury and socializing.”

“So is there a possibility that Murphy doesn’t hold parties because he and Tris are too poor and don’t even have a castle that can serve as a venue for parties?”

Miriam made a witty remark, causing Lady Palen to cover her mouth and chuckle lightly.

Although her plump physique made this action look quite awkward, given Lady Palen’s current status in Bataxin city, no foolish person would dare to come and criticize her for it.

As the two were talking, Professor Malcolm, also dressed very properly and leaning on a cane, walked over with a glass of wine.

The professor was a man of experience, having attended many such occasions in Shaldor port.

Tonight’s party reminded him of the past, but it also made the no-longer-young professor feel somewhat overwhelmed.

He sat down next to Miriam, looking at his wife dancing with a representative from the north who was as big as a bear in the dance floor before him, and sighed:

“Fiona seems to be enjoying this long-lost relaxed life. My wife, who has been accumulating too much dissatisfaction, just told me that she wants to live in Bataxin city with our two children. The environment here is a bit better than Crimson Citadel.”

“I would be very welcome for your wife to settle here. I will arrange a safe and comfortable residence for her and your two children,”

Lady Palen immediately said, but Professor Malcolm shook his head and said:

“I refused, so she’s very angry. That’s why she’s dancing with that rude northerner who always mocked my leg and walking posture during the negotiations, right in front of me.

But don’t mind it.

It’s just Fiona’s little mood acting up.

She’s also a faculty member of the Shaldor Engineering Academy, and she’s about to take up the position of senior secretary in the administrative department.

So she knows why I refused her.

Bataxin city is good, your chamber of commerce has managed this place quite well, and the restarted business with the Nordtov Kingdom is destined to make this place prosper again. However, Crimson Citadel needs us more.

I also don’t want my children to miss the opportunity to witness the entire process of a city and a regime being born. When they grow up, they will realize what a rich spiritual wealth this is.”

“You always have such strict requirements for yourself and your family, Professor. Madam Fiona has stuck with you through thick and thin for many years. Personally, I think it’s quite normal for her to want an easier life,”

Miriam said in a low voice:

“Aren’t you afraid that Madam Fiona might really be seduced by that northerner? He’s a noble count with family territory, and I heard his wife just died. He’s like a bear in heat right now.”

“I’ll be a count too in the future, if I want to be,”

Professor Malcolm shrugged. This scholar who had seen the vicissitudes of life, under the influence of alcohol, said with a slightly frivolous smile:

“Governor Murphy is a very generous ruler. The best thing is that he knows how to use people. I even feel that if I were willing to nod and become a member of the Blood Vulture Clan, he could directly get me a duke title.

But we all know that those luxurious titles are just for our own amusement so far.

Actually, there’s another reason why I don’t want to leave Crimson Citadel.

I don’t want to interrupt my studies.”

“Studies?”

The two ladies almost choked on this reason.

They looked at the middle-aged professor in surprise. Although in the scholar circles of the continent, Professor Malcolm couldn’t be considered truly top-tier in terms of reputation or knowledge, his knowledge at this age clearly destined him for future greatness.

In Miriam and Lady Palen’s view, they really couldn’t imagine what Professor Malcolm could learn in that rebuilding ruins of Crimson Citadel.

The latter took a sip of wine, and under the gaze of his student and colleague, he said quite seriously:

“Yes, studies!

I’m learning from Lord Murphy’s warriors. The knowledge and completely different history they bring, for example, I’ve made a small deal with ‘Lady Aqua’ and ‘Professor Chen’.

I will choose a shop in the city for that charming and wise lady and support the aesthetic style and design concepts of different races she wants to collect. I will also try to collect some architectural classics for the mature and steady professor. In exchange, they will take time to teach me some of the history they know.

The descriptions of the two are slightly different, but comparing them allows me to see the real history that happened in another world.

Perhaps I’m too slow, I’ve just learned about the ‘Homeric Epics’ and ‘The Strategy of the Warring States’.

I hope my wife can forgive me, but the fact is, I really don’t want to miss those beautiful and extremely flavorful epoch epics.

Can you imagine, Miriam?

That’s over 5,000 years of profound history, and it actually happened in another world! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me! Missing it would break my heart, even if it’s historical material that can never be made public on this continent.

But it can still teach us many, many lessons.”

“Such as?”

Miriam knew that her deputy professor had been communicating with little players about this, so she asked curiously. Professor Malcolm glanced at her and said softly:

“For example, I finally realized what kind of country Lord Murphy wants to build Transia into. His connection with his warriors is closer, so he knows more than me, and his learning about the other world is deeper than mine.

I can’t summarize what Transia looks like in Murphy’s eyes for now, but I have to admit, I’m already fascinated by it.

I’m already fascinated by everything that will happen in this land in the future.

This will be the confluence of two worlds, two civilizations!

It will undoubtedly become the center of the continent and the world! And I will be the recorder of this ‘Transia Epic’. The changes recorded by me will eventually become legends in children’s mouths as time passes, and after you and I have perished in history, it will be elevated to myths experienced and recorded by Mortals!”

“Frankly, I think you’re already obsessed, perhaps because you’ve had too much to drink tonight,”

Miriam whispered critically:

“Some of my previous immature actions and words made Maxim constantly rebuke me as a coward wanting to flee my homeland, but in my view, you’re already too immersed in the history that doesn’t belong to us.

You’ve gone too far down the path of ‘betraying your homeland’.

After all, no matter how glorious the past was, it’s still someone else’s.”

“Rather than betrayal, I prefer to call it ‘assimilation’, and this is just the beginning. We are all being assimilated, Miriam, you just haven’t felt it yet,”

The middle-aged professor raised his glass and said with a relaxed expression:

“But there’s nothing to be ashamed of! The weak learn from the strong to become strong. We already have a more wonderful example to emulate than the Goldflower Kingdom. Um, it seems our warriors are in trouble.”

Miriam followed Professor Malcolm’s gaze and saw that those warriors she had chosen as advisors, dressed in Blood Vulture ceremonial outfits, were being “harassed” by the female companions brought by the northerners at the edge of the party.

The young men were somewhat at a loss.

Despite being vampires, their faces were still flushed red, showing a naive demeanor. Meanwhile, old hands like Brother Meow and Tobacco Mulberry were already gracefully inviting two noble ladies with at least D+ cups to the dance floor.

Although they couldn’t do anything, it didn’t stop these flirts from fully enjoying the “exotic flavor” the game brought them.

As Murphy said, their lives here are free.

“Miriam, those kids,”

Professor Malcolm looked at those student players being “harassed”, he saw Cheche, with his cute face and puppy-like charm, being sandwiched between two girls and at a loss for what to do, which made him laugh.

He said:

“The knowledge possessed by each of them is enough to make them outstanding teaching assistants at Shaldor Engineering Academy, but they always self-deprecate as ‘poor students’, and in the few days of interaction, they always inadvertently reveal their confusion about the future and anxiety about competition.

Do you know what this means?”

The professor posed a question, and Miriam pondered for a moment as a student.

Then, she answered:

“It means that even though they can crush the financial representatives of the Nordtov Kingdom in the economic field with their so-called ‘basic knowledge’, they are just ordinary people in their homeland.

This also reflects from the side that their homeland’s knowledge transmission and talent education are beyond our imagination. Their general education has developed to a level that seems divine to me.

But people with empty stomachs have no mood or energy to study. They are already in their twenties but still full-time students, which is enough to prove that in their world, they have already escaped the constant invasion of famine, war, and disease.

No!

It can even be said that they have conquered the malice of the world, they have been able to Sovereign the changes of their world with their own will.

Ah, I think I understand where your previous obsession came from.

What a wonderfully heavenly world that must be, I’m afraid I can’t imagine it.”

“It’s a crushing at the civilization level,”

The professor lowered his head and drank a glass of wine, as if wanting to get drunk in this night.

He said softly:

“What I’m grateful for now is that this ‘power’ is only in the hands of Lord Murphy alone, and he doesn’t have the ability to truly open a door connecting the two worlds.

Transia’s future is destined to be incredibly glorious, Miriam.

This is the grace bestowed upon you by fate. You must constantly learn. Perhaps in the future, you will become a pivotal figure in our history. Perhaps in the future, the two worlds will truly make contact, and you

You and Lord Murphy will be our representatives!

You must understand the weight of your responsibility. You can’t even have a moment to catch your breath. I even feel a bit sorry for you, child, but I also feel honored for you. You will be my most outstanding student, you will be the pride of Shaldor Engineering Academy.

No one else!”