The next morning, after waking up, Yor, holding Niu Zida, ate some dry rations and left the inn. Seeing the owner still sitting there idly as he had been yesterday afternoon, she asked:
"Excuse me, how far is Duōléi City from here?"
"It's about five kilometers from here. If you walk, it will take a little over an hour."
This was indeed a main thoroughfare. Yor then generally inquired about the situation in several surrounding villages and was told that there were two or three villages nearby. Originally, the population was dense, and they all had their own churches.
"You can also seek help there. Our village also has a church. You can go there and contact them."
"Thank you."
The owner really thought Yor was a nun and kindly pointed the way for her. After thanking him, Yor left the inn with Niu Zida. To be honest, they had entered this place at dusk yesterday and hadn't noticed, but leaving the inn in the morning, she realized this village was quite large, with a decent street and at least two to three hundred scattered houses on both sides. Including the scattered houses on the nearby mountains, it was estimated to have nearly a thousand people, making it a large village. In the distance, she could indeed see a church, much larger than the one in Aponia's village.
Niu Zida certainly wouldn't order Yor to actively seek out the church. Yor's identity as a nun was a disguise, and seeking out the church would only attract attention. Especially since Yor was so beautiful, a young, beautiful nun carrying a "child" and wandering between several villages, inquiring about the territory's situation, would easily arouse suspicion. So Niu Zida had Yor carry him and go up the mountain to ask people there.
Once on the mountain, Niu Zida specifically had Yor find a more secluded residence. Under the pretext of asking for water, she knocked on the door. Fortunately, an old woman answered, indicating that many people in the Dore Territory had indeed been conscripted into the army. Most of the people Yor had seen outside during this period were women; any men she saw were either disabled or elderly.
After a few pleasantries, she still used the excuse of asking for directions to Duōléi City. Yor, following Niu Zida's command, specifically asked:
"I see there aren't many people here during the day. What's going on?"
"What else could it be? The men have all been taken to fight. My son was also taken away, leaving only me and my daughter at home. Besides working in the fields, I don't dare let my daughter go out freely now."
"Oh? Why can't women go out either?"
"Because there are many bandits in this area. It would be terrible if a young woman was spotted and targeted at night. Speaking of which, even though you are a nun, you should be careful. Being so beautiful and walking alone in such a chaotic rural area can easily lead to trouble. Alas, just a few years ago, although this was a border region, people weren't rich, but life was peaceful."
The old woman sighed at this point, seemingly nostalgic for her past life, and then muttered to herself:
"I hope my boy comes back soon. As long as nothing happens to him."
"Nothing will happen, the Saintess will protect him."
"Thank you, you truly are a beautiful and kind Sister."
Hearing the tall, beautiful nun in front of her bless her son, the old woman also smiled in response. After chatting for a while, Yor left the farmhouse. Over the next day, Yor inquired with about six or seven farming households, and the intelligence she gathered about the territory was mostly the same: many young and strong men had been conscripted into the army, people were dissatisfied with the territory's rule, and quite a few also complained about Amelie, believing that it was because the Lord married this noble lady that Baron Spring of Dorei sided with the King to go to war.
"It seems the war in the Dore Territory is real."
That evening, Yor, holding Niu Zida, found another nearby village for lodging. Since there were no inns, they simply found a secluded place and paid some money to stay at someone's home. Fortunately, Yor was dressed as a nun and was a lone woman, so finding a family to take her in was not difficult. The family that housed Yor was similar to the situations encountered before: an elderly couple whose two sons had both been conscripted, leaving only a seven or eight-year-old grandson and their daughter-in-law at home.
"Hmm, it seems the information Comte provided these past two days is likely true. Tomorrow, we can return to the village."
"Next, Master, are you preparing to attack Duōléi City?"
"That still needs to be decided after I meet with Comte. My main purpose for coming this time is to privately understand the situation within Dorei Territory. If it's not as desolate as Comte described, I wouldn't come to attack Dorei. Because even if I could take Duōléi City by strategy, the people in the territory would oppose me. Now that I know the territory is so poor, if I take Duōléi City, the reaction to my continued rule of the territory won't be as strong later."
"Is Master really planning to rule Dore Territory?"
"Of course! Otherwise, how could such a small village develop? Am I to remain a Goblin cooped up there my whole life?"
This was the first time Yor heard Niu Zida's future plans; before this, Niu Zida had only kept this thought to himself and wouldn't tell his maid. Yor then realized that Niu Zida was such a visionary person.
The two stayed overnight in the farmhouse and were treated to corn porridge the next morning. Yor left a few extra copper coins as a thank you, but Niu Zida objected when Yor wanted to leave more money:
"Leaving too much money will make this farmhouse a target, and for a nun like you to be overly generous will easily arouse suspicion. It's better to leave quickly."
Following his Master's advice, Yor carried Niu Zida and left the village, heading west to return. Along the way, they occasionally visited a few farmhouses, and the situations they found were similar to before. By evening, the two finally returned to the village, and upon their return, Aponia told Niu Zida some good news:
"Misato Shizuku has given birth to an Elite Goblin, a Goblin Demon Swordsman, but it's still in its infancy. It will need some time to grow before it can upgrade its class."
"Ah? My wife Misato Shizuku is so capable?"
Unexpectedly, there was such good news upon his return. Niu Zida quickly went to visit Misato Shizuku. By this time, Misato Shizuku had been resting for two days after childbirth and had almost recovered. She was now lying in bed eating meat porridge. This was probably Aponia's special meal for the beautiful girl because she had given birth to an Elite Goblin.
"Misato Shizuku, you've rendered meritorious service this time. That's great."
"Master, could you please stay away from me? I just gave birth and want to stay away from dirty things."
Misato Shizuku was still as impolite as ever, launching a sarcastic attack as soon as she saw Niu Zida...
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