The Northern Province was established twenty years ago. After these two decades, the entire Northern Province still remains a wilderness, except for Loren City, the administrative center of the province, which bears traces of civilization.
However, they are only traces.
Compared to the Frost Moon Province, where nobility governs each region, Loren City still appears chaotic, savage, and dirty.
Yes, dirty.
The roads are piled with excrement, a constant foul odor pervades the air. If the Frost Moon Province showcases the bright side of a kingdom, then Loren City undoubtedly displays its last dwindling, deteriorating side. Dirty water flows everywhere, and the Free People on the streets, as malnourished as the Peasant Slaves of Frost Moon Province, struggle to survive. Here, even as Free People, life is extremely difficult.
There's no way around it. As the kingdom's newest province, the Northern Province lacks the protection of the kingdom's laws, and the local lords are the absolute rulers here.
Oppression, exploitation, and chaos are the main themes of this place.
Under such circumstances, life in Loren City, the administrative center, is naturally very difficult.
It was now the ninth day since Thor and the others entered the Northern Province.
After a forty-day journey, they finally traversed the long road to Loren City.
However, upon entering Loren City, the entire team fell into a heavy silence.
Even Reine felt the same way.
Life for him was already extremely tough, yet compared to the Free People here, it seemed significantly better.
He could clearly sense that the people here had lost the light in their eyes.
Their arrival was met with nothing but indifferent withdrawal from those around them.
"My lord!!"
Reine spoke in a low voice, his youthful face carried a heavy air.
"Let's go, we should head to the municipal center for registration first!"
Thor was equally silent. Despite having some understanding of the entire Northern Province through books, the direct impact at this moment still left him speechless.
However, clearly this wasn't something he could manage.
Let's not even talk about him—his father wouldn't have the authority to manage the affairs of the Northern Province either.
There's a Marquis overseeing this place.
"Yes!"
Reine nodded.
After arranging for his Knight Order to station themselves, Thor took Reine and Steve toward the center of Loren City.
Loren City wasn't large, and the municipal center was quite prominent.
Among the low, flat houses, the municipal center's structure was entirely built of bluestone, exuding grandeur and solemnity.
As the three of them approached.
They were quickly stopped by two knight guards.
"Gentlemen, I am Thor Dressrosa, here to register as a Pioneer Knight!"
Thor spoke and then displayed his family crest. To avoid any trouble, Thor hadn't worn it on the journey, but now that he had reached Loren City, he needed to reveal his identity.
The emblem of the Eagle was especially striking under the sunlight.
The two knights were startled and quickly saluted Thor with the Knight's Salutation.
"Honored Thor Dressrosa Knight, pardon my offense, please enter!"
One knight spoke respectfully, feeling a bit anxious inside.
The name of the Dressrosa Family was quite eminent in the entire kingdom, and he dared not offend them.
"Thank you!"
Thor nodded.
"You're too kind, my lord, this way please!"
The knight quickly responded, then led the three inside the municipal center.
The entire municipal center was immensely large.
Its area was almost as vast as Dressrosa Castle.
Within the hall, figures moved back and forth.
There were staff members, as well as many knights.
As Thor approached, the family crest on his chest immediately drew many eyes.
Some even stopped directly to pay a Knight's Salute to Thor.
Though the Dressrosa Family was merely of count rank, its name was as illustrious as some Marquis Families. Even a Pioneer Knight from the Dressrosa Family deserved solemn respect.
Thor returned the salutation one by one.
He was then led by the knight to a window.
"Hello, esteemed Dressrosa Knight, at present, unclaimed targets in the Northern Province can be selected here for registration!"
At the window, a blonde girl spoke cautiously, filled with humility.
"Thank you!"
Thor nodded, then took over the map handed by the blonde girl.
As a Pioneer Knight, it's certainly impossible to explore at will.
The Kingdom had established a complete set of rules.
Everyone becoming a Pioneer Knight must register in Loren City and choose their exploration target.
Generally, this also becomes the core of their future domain.
Only after fully developing the selected area can a Pioneer Knight's mission be considered complete.
Thor was naturally quite familiar with this.
Reaching out to accept the map, his gaze involuntarily focused on it.
The map was extensive, much clearer than anticipated.
The entire Northern Province was covered with green and red circles.
Red circles represented areas already chosen, while green circles stood for unchosen areas.
Presently, looking at it, the Eastern and Southern parts of the Northern Province were almost entirely occupied by red circles, leaving only the West and North with numerous circles.
This was also understandable.
Though there were only a few dozen granted noble titles in the Northern Province, this didn't reflect the number of Pioneer Knights. Even if Pioneer Knights had a high casualty rate, their numbers continued to grow with constant reinforcement.
For the entire Northern Province, not to mention more, as far as Thor knew, the number of Pioneer Knights was likely not less than a thousand.
There was no other choice; the Northern Province was exceedingly vast, nearly twice the size of the Northern Border in his past life. Such extensive territory could not be claimed by tens or hundreds of people.
Even a thousand now have developed less than a tenth of it.
But such matters had nothing to do with Thor.
With streams of information flowing in his mind, and the intelligence gathered over the past few days weaving together, his eyes scanned across the green circles on the map.
Unlike others who could only choose aimlessly, Thor was different.
With an intelligence system, particularly organized in recent days, he had some reference directions.
What needed to be done now was selection.
As time moved on.
The blonde girl waited patiently, not daring to urge.
Not until Thor had scanned over all the red circles did he finally make a decision.
"I'll choose the Maine River Valley here!"
Thor spoke softly, then handed the map back to the blonde girl.
"Yes, esteemed Thor Dressrosa Knight, I will process this for you immediately!"
The blonde girl nodded quickly, and promptly began to take action.