The prime location is near a water source, facilitating water collection and diversion to farmland. The surrounding land, nourished by the stream, is also favourable for development.
Studying this map no larger than a palm, Velin found only three viable sites to choose from.
One lay seven kilometres north of the Boulder Tribe, featuring a pond formed by converging streams. Covering approximately one square kilometre, it offered sufficient water for initial needs.
The other two locations lacked this geographical advantage.
"This shall be the site. Bring men this afternoon to survey and finalise the selection."
As for the surrounding goblin tribes, they were scarcely a threat now. Perhaps these green-skinned creatures had already begun their migration.
Nearing noon, a knight arrived bearing news of a salt mine discovery.
After lunch, Velin led several knights to the salt mine's location.
Upon a low hill, a few serf soldiers guarded the cave entrance, nibbling on black bread while discussing excitedly.
"Yesterday on the battlefield, I slew two goblins. Combined with discovering this salt mine, I'm certain to escape serfdom and become a freeman."
"Ah, I've not been so fortunate. Even with credit for discovering the salt, I've only two kills to my name. Who knows when the next battle will come?"
"Don't be disheartened. Our master is expanding his domain; there'll be plenty of fighting ahead. Perhaps tomorrow we'll join the knights in crushing the goblin tribes nearby."
"I hope so. Once I'm free from serfdom, I'll surely... Look! It's our master!"
A serf's words trailed off as he spotted the approaching figure in the distance, his voice rising in excitement.
As Velin drew nearer, one serf stepped forward to lead his red-scaled horse, while the other two immediately reported: "Master, this is the salt mine. There are no dangers within."
"Well done. Keep up the good work."
Velin dismounted and offered encouragement to the three serfs before leading Baird into the cavern.
After traversing over a hundred metres, a chamber spanning more than a hundred square metres came into view, its walls entirely composed of salt deposits.
He stepped forward and probed with his magic. Within his perception, the entire area was salt deposits, and of exceptionally high purity. With only rudimentary refinement, it could be sold as medium-grade salt.
As for the surface layers containing more harmful impurities, they constituted only a negligible portion.
"The reserves here are substantial—a most welcome surprise."
Baird, who had also been probing, looked doubtful. His expression suddenly changed as he urgently interjected, "My lord, this is a treasure trove! We must guard it fiercely. I suggest employing only those bandit slaves for mining, with troops stationed around the perimeter for defence."
"That suits me perfectly. However, large-scale mining should be avoided initially to prevent discovery and unnecessary trouble," Velin replied, stroking his chin as he addressed Baird.
"Understood, my lord."
Soon, the pair departed the cave, locating a massive boulder to seal the entrance. Once the settlement was successfully established, miners could be dispatched to begin extraction.
With time still available, Velin led Baird and several others to explore a water pool twelve kilometres away, preparing to finalise the location for their initial settlement.
After a dozen minutes or so, the group arrived at a broad lake, where several animals were drinking nearby.
The serene scenery relaxed both body and mind of those who had journeyed here.
"Baird, wouldn't it be rather pleasant to settle here?" Velin turned to the impassive Baird, a genuine smile lighting up his face.
"My lord, this land is indeed fertile and well-suited for irrigation. That distant slope offers a strong defensive position, ideal for constructing a castle. Moreover, its proximity to the salt mines ensures readily available supplies."
"Perhaps you mean something different, but never mind." Velin shrugged, speaking with resignation.
"Come, let us explore the surroundings. For a considerable time, this may well be our future home." Velin addressed the knights behind him, then rode his horse towards the distant slope.
Baird observed this and quietly led his men to follow behind.
After over two hours, Velin had circled the lake, jotting down rough plans on paper: where to build the castle, where to cultivate farmland, where to establish barracks, and where to store waste to prevent polluting the lake's waters.
Though the lake's flowing waters possessed self-purifying properties, Velin had no desire to drink water tainted with waste.
As dusk approached, Velin concluded his reconnaissance and led his men back to the Boulder Tribe to finalise preparations before the expansion.
…
News of the Boulder Tribe's demise and the destruction of six neighbouring tribes spread rapidly through the surviving goblins.
True to Velin's expectations, upon receiving the news, the remaining goblin chieftains did not rally for resistance. Instead, they immediately prepared for migration, intending to depart this land and head further west.
For over a century, this had been their way of life. Now, they were merely repeating the past.
They would rather contend with Gnolls and Trolls for survival territory than confront human settlers.
In conflict with other races, defeat might yield slavery and a lingering existence.
Opposing human settlers, however, meant the annihilation of their entire kin. Over a century had witnessed countless such instances, etching this memory deep into the bones of the goblins of Grimfang Plains.
In the days that followed, migrating goblins became a common sight along the fringes of Tokshik.
Thousands of green-skinned creatures, creatures of the night, departed this barren land where they had lived for over thirty years.
Goblin tribes from other regions, hearing news of the human settlers' reappearance, began preparing their own migrations away from this place.
They were uncertain whether this signalled another large-scale human expansion; it seemed wiser to leave sooner rather than later.
Thus, through Velin's solitary actions, hundreds of goblin tribes and tens of thousands of goblins along the Goldenrock region's periphery were compelled to migrate.
This development proved a bountiful feast for the deeper-dwelling monster tribes, who could now harvest vast numbers of enslaved tribes to bolster their own combat strength and grain reserves.
Yet none of this concerned Velin in the slightest.
His sole focus now was establishing the first village, the first farmland, the first castle—expanding his domain to pass the assessment in four years, ascend to baron, and become a true noble of this world.
Upon returning to the Boulder Tribe, preliminary construction blueprints were drafted after collective deliberation.
Yet these discussions mostly consisted of Velin expounding, others nodding in agreement, with only Baird occasionally voicing his opinion. The rest either acquiesced silently or remained mute.
Lying upon the rug, studying the laid-out blueprints, Velin felt a profound weariness.
This meeting only intensified his longing for an administrator.
A band of knights whose heads were filled with nothing but muscle left him feeling utterly helpless.