Upgrade.

"Silence!" Magnus's command rang through the room, silencing the two arguing men. A stunned quiet followed. The men, just moments ago locked in a heated debate, now shared the same bewildered expression. Their faces mirrored each other's shock and confusion.

'When did he learn how to take charge?' The thought echoed simultaneously in both their minds.

Magnus, observing their reactions, understood their surprise. He knew from the original Magnus's memories that he had been perceived as spineless, a spoiled and naive young man incapable of giving orders. This sudden display of authority was unexpected, but Magnus wasn't about to offer explanations. Satisfied that the argument had ceased, he addressed the two men.

"Both of you raise valid points. As General Nutgrove stated, we require significant manpower in this current crisis, and we must be prepared to take drastic measures to secure it."

"But…" Augustus began, attempting to interrupt, but Magnus raised a hand, halting him mid-sentence.

"Allow me to finish," Magnus said firmly. Without pausing for a response, he continued, "Augustus you also made a crucial point. We cannot afford to further destabilize the populace, which is already fragile. We must be cautious and strategic in our next move." His expression remained serious, conveying the gravity of the situation.

The two men exchanged confused glances, unsure where Magnus was leading them.

"How are the territory's inventory levels?" Magnus asked, turning to Augustus.

Augustus, still perplexed, answered, "The inventory is relatively stable. It hasn't been significantly impacted, aside from the resources allocated to the territory infirmary for treating the wounded soldiers. Everything else remains intact."

Magnus nodded, already aware of this information, but he had asked to confirm. From the original Magnus's memories, he knew the Lancaster Territory's inventory was robust.

Their location in the Beastlands, while dangerous, offered unique advantages. The high density of beasts presented a constant threat, but it also provided a wealth of resources. Extracted materials like beast cores, hides, and other valuable components were utilized by the territory or traded with other territories and passing merchants.

"Good. I need the territory inventory opened, and I want the families, relatives, or guardians of all the soldiers who have perished to be generously compensated." Magnus's command hung in the air.

'What?' Both men gaped at the request. Thousands of soldiers had died – approximately eight thousand in total. Compensating their families and guardians would significantly deplete the territory's resources. But Magnus wasn't finished.

"Arrange for a mass burial and a memorial service to be held for the fallen soldiers. Spare no expense. I want it to be grand and inspiring," Magnus ordered.

"What? How can we squander resources on something as meaningless as that?" Nutgrove finally exploded, unable to contain his outrage.

"Who said it was meaningless?" Magnus countered.

Nutgrove frowned, bewildered by the question, prompting Magnus to explain.

"The people are grieving. Many have lost children, friends, and parents. The least we can do is honor those they loved."

"By doing this, we can begin to restore the trust we've lost. Trying to force measures upon them now will only cause further damage," Magnus reasoned.

"But the cost is exorbitant. We need more f…" Nutgrove began to argue, but Magnus swiftly cut him off.

"The territory has sufficient resources. Yes, this will be a considerable expense, but it won't cripple us. We will still have enough to do what's necessary."

"Besides, there are many non-essential areas where we can cut costs to conserve resources. The territory needs this right now to regain the people's trust. Whatever we spend now, we can recover later, as long as we navigate this difficult period. This isn't a request; it's an order. I don't require your opinion on the matter." Magnus's voice was firm and authoritative, yet his explanation remained calm and reasoned, ensuring he justified his actions. He understood the risks, but he believed this was the best course of action for the long-term stability of the Lancaster Territory.

-[Your subject Egbert Augustus is pleased by your action. Trust level has increased by 1%. Current trust level: 63%]

-[Your subject Archibald Nutgrove is displeased by your action]

Notifications flashed across his screen, acknowledging his commands, but Magnus dismissed them, his focus remaining on the two men before him. Nutgrove made no attempt to hide his displeasure at Magnus's decision, grumbling as he stomped out of the room. Magnus watched him go, unconcerned. He had other reasons for his decision, reasons he hadn't shared with either man.

He recalled a saying from Earth: "Tell a man to die, and he will be scared. Give him a purpose, and he will dedicate himself to the cause, even willing to sacrifice himself for it." This was the strategy Magnus intended to employ. By honoring the fallen soldiers, he would rekindle not only the people's trust but also their will to fight. And while this happened, Gaylord's spies would likely make their move, giving Magnus the opportunity to identify and expose them.

Augustus remained after Nutgrove's departure, and the two discussed the logistics of the memorial service. After some time, Seraphina entered the room, carrying a bowl of steaming broth. The delicious aroma immediately filled the room, intensifying Magnus's hunger. She placed the bowl on a side table before quietly exiting, leaving the two men to continue their discussion.

Once Augustus had also excused himself, Magnus finally released a sigh, now alone. His stomach rumbled insistently, reminding him of his hunger. He decided to postpone checking the system notifications until after he'd eaten.

The broth was still hot, and Magnus savored each spoonful. The flavor was exquisite, exploding on his tongue. In his previous life, he had considered himself a foodie, sampling cuisines from around the world, occasionally indulging in fast food, and even treating himself to five-star restaurants when his budget allowed. Yet, he had never tasted anything quite like this.

The flavor was unique, with a hint of herbs – likely something Seraphina had added to aid his recovery. But the most distinctive element was the meat. Tender and melt-in-your-mouth, it was unlike any livestock he had ever encountered. It had to be beast meat. Magnus ate quickly, the bowl empty in minutes, leaving him pleasantly full.

"Well, that's at least one good thing after all the bad news," he muttered to himself, settling back against the headboard of his bed and opening the system interface. He reviewed the notifications that had appeared earlier during his conversation, scanning them briefly before dismissing them once more.

"Territory Status," he murmured, accessing the relevant information.

-----

[Territory Status]

Rank: Unranked

Trial Status: (0/10)

Area: 35 Square Kilometers

Population: 43,000+

---[Army Strength]---

Total Troops: 1,250 [Weak]

Troop Morale: Very Low

Training in Progress: 25

---[Resources]---

Mining, Hunting, Farming

---[Quest]---

Main: Evolve your territory to a holy land.

Side: Find the lord's seal and complete the first trial.

Side: Deal with Gaylord's spies.

Side: Defeat Gaylord and conquer his territory.

-----

Magnus sighed, studying the display before dismissing it. He navigated to the upgrade section, where he could improve the territory's buildings, monuments, and defenses. Given the external threats facing the territory, he decided to prioritize strengthening the outer walls. He reviewed the available options, settling on a reinforced stone wall similar to the existing one, but significantly stronger.

[Upgrade]

Without hesitation, he pressed the upgrade button.

-----

Outside, on a watchtower attached to the territory's outer wall, two guards were startled by a sudden tremor.

"What was that? Are we under attack?" one of them asked, panicked. The territory was already in a precarious state.

The same scene played out at various points along the wall, as those nearby felt the momentary shaking. Fortunately, it quickly subsided. The soldiers who experienced the tremor were understandably alarmed, and some were dispatched to investigate. However, they found nothing amiss, and the incident was eventually dismissed as a strange occurrence, quickly forgotten. The current situation in the territory was dire enough; they didn't need another worry added to the mix. The soldiers already had enough on their plates.