Anser did not activate the teleportation immediately. Instead, he brought Makaria to Fort Jacqueline.
Fifty guards had already assembled. In addition to them, there were two castle stewards and five young servants.
These people had been prepared for Anser by Iris. They had all undergone years of training—at the very least, they could bring the castle under control and keep it running smoothly.
Using one's own people was always more reassuring.
When Iris saw Makaria, she scrutinized her for quite a while, her expression subtly off.
Anser quickly stepped forward to explain, but Iris's expression toward him only grew more displeased.
She wasn't being petty—she was dissatisfied that Anser hadn't come to her first for personnel, and had instead gone to recruit those unreliable mercenaries.
Fort Jacqueline had always used its own people. Its hiring philosophy was completely different from Anser's.
However, considering that Anser truly lacked manpower at the moment, she didn't say much. She only warned him to be careful in his selection—most adventurers, she said, were not trustworthy in character.
Anser called out Lin Qiancheng, and the group chatted while waiting, taking the opportunity to get to know each other better.
As evening approached, Adolf arrived with his seventeen subordinates. He also brought a carriage and four fine horses, the carriage loaded with bags and luggage.
Makaria and Adolf had worked together before, but when they met, they only nodded silently—neither said a word.
Adolf maintained a composed façade. After all, he had abandoned his former master during a time of crisis; no matter the reasons, it wouldn't sound good if word got out. Others wouldn't care about the circumstances.
Makaria didn't look down on him. After all, Anser was the one who had recruited him. Right now, her mind was entirely occupied with what Anser had just told her—she had no energy to concern herself with anything else.
Anser had the guards and Adolf's men form ranks, reminding them to maintain order and efficiency in movement.
Afterward, he left behind a Teleportation Circle in a side hall of Fort Jacqueline, but did not activate it, using it instead as a return circle. It would last for roughly an hour.
After recording the coordinates, he cast Teleportation Circle again, opened a portal, and led dozens of people to White Stone Island.
In less than half a day, the previously empty White Stone Castle had become heavily garrisoned.
More than one hundred fifty soldiers, dozens of full-fledged professionals, and several elite professionals—if pirate scouts saw so many defenders on the walls, they would most likely not dare approach again.
After briefly settling the guards, Anser released the dragonfly ship, bringing Iris, Quentin, Giant Tail, Makaria, Adolf, and others aboard. Lin Qiancheng piloted the vessel to survey White Stone Island and the surrounding sea.
White Stone Island was neither too large nor too small, shaped like a mango. It stretched twelve to thirteen kilometers from north to south, and only five to six kilometers east to west. Aside from several reef clusters that appeared and disappeared with the tides, there were no other islands nearby.
The nearest uninhabited island was over a hundred kilometers away. If enemies approached, they would be easy to detect.
The island itself had mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes—its natural resources were quite good. Its drawback was the limited arable land. The four fishing villages on the island mainly relied on fishing for their livelihood.
Inside the cockpit, Anser used a map to explain White Stone Island's location and the potential threats in the surrounding region.
Everyone was in high spirits, though their thoughts differed.
Many of them had never met each other before. After being introduced through Anser, they immediately felt that his foundation was far stronger than they had imagined.
That was exactly Anser's intention—he wanted to display his strength. White Stone Island, the dragonfly ship, and the professionals present were all part of that strength.
What they didn't realize was that most of these people had been recruited by him just within the past few days.
"The Sea of Fallen Stars is an inland sea. White Stone Island is also surrounded by a peninsula, so the waves here are generally mild. According to records, the island rarely experiences hurricanes or tsunamis…" Lin Qiancheng, being half a local, acted as a temporary guide.
"Truly a good place." Quentin was seeing the sea for only the second time in his life, and the novelty struck him deeply—he even felt the urge to move his home here.
"I plan to build a Commercial Community, linking Durlag's Tower, White Stone Island, and Rock of Bral through Teleportation Circle…" Anser revealed his plan for the first time, but he had already run through it many times and believed it was entirely feasible.
The key to all of this lay in the energy consumption of the teleportation circles.
Based on his own experience, permanent teleportation circles required a caster to activate them. Within a few seconds—at most a dozen seconds—they would completely drain the stored magical energy, after which they would enter a cooldown period, taking one to three days to fully recover.
If powered by his own magic like Anser did, each use would consume at least 9 points of magic power. Even a level 5 wizard could only use it once.
But he couldn't possibly be doing this every day. It was best to rely on the natural recovery of permanent teleportation circles.
Replenishing goods once a week was a reasonable cadence.
However, the teleportation circle at Fort Jacqueline had not yet been established, so during the first year, he would still need to put in more effort himself.
"I will expand the membership of the Community. Every member will have the right to use teleportation circles and participate in trade—so long as they pay taxes."
"Once a professional advances into the high tiers, serving for one year will automatically grant them a council seat—for example, Mr. Lin Qiancheng." Anser added, his tone carrying deeper meaning.
Adolf looked confused. He didn't really understand.
Makaria, on the other hand, had bright eyes. Her hand repeatedly brushed the hilt of her sword, her mind racing with countless thoughts.
At the helm, Lin Qiancheng turned his head and gave Anser a long, searching look. When he turned back, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but lift.
"So the Community… won't be the Durlag Union anymore?" Quentin caught the implication.
With this move, Durlag would become just like White Stone Island—Anser's private property. The Union's subordinate administrative bodies would manage these assets, while the Community itself would serve as the framework for building a commercial community.
Anser wouldn't need to do anything—he would simply profit as the entire Community worked for him, so long as he remained strong enough and kept a firm grip on the trade routes.
The council members would be the main trading entities, earning massive commercial profits without worrying about security. Naturally, they would support Anser.
"You're quite generous," Iris chuckled.
Taking Durlag would be effortless for Anser, but instead of monopolizing trade, he opened the channels—letting everyone profit together. The council members would have no reason to oppose him.
After all, Durlag had never been theirs to begin with—but the commercial profits were.
"This is still just a plan. Let's pool our ideas—everyone give your suggestions. Quentin, you'll compile them into a new Community charter," Anser instructed.
"Alright."
The discussion grew increasingly lively. Even Moen and Lin Qiancheng became especially active.
The stronger the Community became, the safer they would be—and there was even a chance to become council members. Their enthusiasm was only natural.
During this time, the dragonfly ship passed over the four fishing villages one after another. On one hand, it was to observe the situation; on the other, to assert presence, making it easier to intervene in management later.
Due to limited time, the dragonfly ship soon returned to White Stone Castle.
After everyone disembarked, Anser stored the ship back into Holrewen.
Seeing this, Iris smiled sweetly. "Do we still have time? I'd like to visit the Rock of Bral."
The others immediately halted, looking at Anser with eager eyes.
Who wouldn't want to see a city in space? Many would never have such a chance in their entire lives.
"Let's go. There's still a quarter-hour," Anser said without hesitation. With a wave of his hand, he brought everyone—and the guards—into the teleportation hall.
Then he opened a portal and stepped into a dimly lit room.
The moment the portal closed, chaos erupted outside—panicked shouts, screams, a cacophony of noise.
Anser's heart skipped a beat. A sense of foreboding instantly washed over him.
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