Chapter 421: Appreciation

The Farmers and the Botanica Sorcerer were even more talkative than the Tamers. They asked Michael a lot about the notes, how he found them, and if he verified the truth about everything written in the notes.

Unfortunately, Michael could hardly answer any questions. He could somewhat verify the notes because he had some of the Kitsun Lord's memories in his mind, but that was already it. The Kitsun Lord failed at properly growing the Element Seeds because the Elemental Empress' Element Seeds were somewhat unique. They were even harder to grow than ordinary Element Seeds.

The difficulty in growing mythical plants such as Element Seeds was usually directly proportional to the preciousness and quality of the ripened fruits they could grow. Therefore, the harder the difficulty to grow them, the better the finished product. While that sounded extremely nice, it was also a tremendous challenge. It required time and effort to grow the Element Seeds. That was also where the Farmers and Botanica Sorcerer began to make requests. They requested special fertilizers, an elemental converter - a machine that converted neutral energy into elemental energy using elemental crystals as a medium -, various agriculture devices and tools, and a dozen more items and devices. Michael, who didn't really like where this was going, could only agree to the demands. He was the one who wanted the Farmers and Botanica Sorcerer to grow the Element Seeds. Thus, he had to give them what they demanded to ensure that the Element Seeds wouldn't wither once planted.

It would be quite expensive to grow them, but Michael was certain that the final results would generate a great fortune and make up for the investment. It would be as useful as the Beast Ranches, if not more. Once he handed the Element Seeds to the Head Farmer and Botanica Sorcerer, Michael looked at the other farmlands. The farmlands were built around the largest trees. They were rather small, but that was necessary because Michael couldn't clear the land and remove too many trees of the Untamed Jungle without destroying the environment in turn. It would start with just one humongous tree of the Untamed Jungle to make space for the farmlands, but would soon result in Michael removing more and more trees until his entire territory would be exposed to the enemies that would chance a glance upon it through the air.

Michael wanted to stay hidden in the Untamed Jungle under the dense canopy of the trees, unable for anyone to find him by observing the Untamed Jungle from above. At the same time, he would have to reconstruct the entire infrastructure of his territory if he were to start removing too many trees. The trees had turned into the residents of his subjects, after all.

It was also not that bad to have small farmlands. Michael had many fruit farms spread across his territory, and each of the small farmlands produced more ingredients than most could hope for. The Untamed Jungle's highly nutritious ground and environment aided the growth of most plants - including everything Michael had grown so far. Adding the effect of the Nature Spirit's Domain and the power of the Forest Pixie, most plants required a quarter or less than usual time and nutrition to germinate.

The small farmlands made it much easier to plant different herbs, plants, flowers, and other plant-based ingredients all over his territory. Every farmland had a different plant that required a specific method to be nurtured in the most effective way.

Michael learned a lot from the Head Farmer as he was led through the farmlands. He got to know more Farmers and learned about the methods they used to ensure that the plants would grow in the most efficient way. It was very interesting to learn new stuff.

Learning so many new things was also why Michael decided to help out in the kitchen. His cooking skills were below average. However, he was willing to learn. It might come in handy in the future. But before he went to the kitchen to help out cooking for the masses, Michael had to take a bath as he was covered in sweat. He thought about the events of the day and smiled to himself while letting himself soak in the water. His head was submerged in the cold bathing water, but his smile never ceased.

It was truly nice to be away from the battlefield, learn new crafts, and experience the expertise of veterans in their respective fields. Michael learned a lot more new stuff, and he decided that it was necessary to appreciate every craft a little bit more. Until now, Michael had been focused on his Alchemists, Blacksmiths, and Enchanters. These three jobs were considered the most commonly known lifestyle occupations in their territory. They were very important. However, they were not the only lifestyle occupations that had to be appreciated.

Cooks were very important to the territory as well. In war times a good meal was as valuable as some potions. A delicious meal could fill your stomach, provide enough nutrition to recuperate faster from injuries and it could release hormones in your body to heighten your morale. During cold nights, a warm jacket and a woolen blanket could turn into your savior. Feeling warm and cozy on a chilly night was a luxury, but it was also something his lifestyle occupations could provide to the territory.

The more Michael thought this way the more foolish he felt. He decided to use the next few days to learn more about his people, the other occupations, and their work. Michael wanted to make sure that everyone felt appreciated. This was not only a means to increase the loyalty of his subjects, which would strengthen his Links of Loyalty and generate more Soul Power for his Soultraits to grow stronger, but it would mean a lot to his subjects as well.

Michael was still a Rookie Lord. He learned a lot and had considerable theoretical knowledge from various sources, but that didn't mean Michael was adept at using his theoretical knowledge in practice. As a young Lord, he had to learn a lot.

However, he was already aware of the most important aspect- His territory would be nothing but an empty shell without his subjects. Michael might be the exoskeleton of his territory, but his people were the heart, liver, brain, and everything else that turned his territory into a functioning, well-established society.

Michael merely held it together. That was all he did.

His train of thought went deeper and deeper as he stayed underwater. Only after he felt like suffocating did his train of thought disperse. He jumped out of the bathing tub, dried his body, and put on some ordinary clothes. Then he rushed to the kitchen where he began to help his people.

At first, the cooks felt a little bit weird to see their lord peeling potatoes, cutting carrots, and dicing meat, but they became accustomed to their Lord's new behavior quickly. Bright smiles appeared on their faces as Michael continued to praise his people every now and then, and countless Links of Loyalty grew firmer than ever.

The result of Michael's hard work was even more impressive once the first Summons returned from the training ground for their meal. They went to the newly constructed treehouse canteen, only to find their Lord distributing food. The young Summons saw their Lord, the enigma of power, who saved their territories and destroyed their enemies countless times against all odds and were taken aback. They had only seen him fight or work. But now he was standing right in front of them, joking around with the other cooks and volunteers while distributing food.

At first, the young Summons were shocked to the core. They only regained their senses when they saw the older Summons get their food. The older Summons were also a little uncomfortable in front of Michael. However, the veterans who had been with Michael for some time knew that Michael's presence and appearance were the opposite of their Lord's usual behavior.

Michael might be dangerous and a terrifying monster to their enemies, but he was an innocent and harmless sheep in front of his subjects. Realizing that Michael was but a mere human, who liked to joke around, make friends, and get to know his subjects, the younger Summons were both shocked and exhilarated. They never expected to be resurrected in such a territory, where they were granted the opportunity to grow stronger through the Immortal Knight, and with a powerful, yet kind Lord ruling over them. It was truly perfect.

Time passed slowly, and darkness enveloped the Untamed Jungle as the sun disappeared behind the horizon. However, Michael's territory was still bustling with activity. Crystal torches empowered with monster cores had been installed all over his territory to allow Michael's subjects to work, or play around at night. The night duty of Guards moved steadily through the territory while the muffled noises of Summons could be heard from all directions.

Tonight's atmosphere was a lot better than usual, and Michael knew exactly why. At the same time, he had come across as a little bit more distant and reserved after the incident with the Kitsun Lord, today's interaction with his subjects proved to be a much-needed icebreaker. Michael had finally been able to get closer to his people once again.

He told himself that he would get even closer to his people, not only to accumulate more Soul Power to strengthen his Soultraits, but mostly to get to know his people and learn more about the countless paths he could choose to develop his territory.

Michael learned a lot, and he was willing to learn a lot more. He had more than enough time to do so as well.

The only thing that bothered him was that he was still a participant of the Battle Exchange.

'The Battle Exchange can still wait a little longer. I am not in a rush. Once my War Rune finishes digesting the remaining energy within me, I can return. But...for now, I shall make use of my time here to get closer to my people!'

Michael clearly forgot that some people outside the Origin Expanse were worrying about him. They didn't know what was going on with Michael, or how he was doing. All they knew was that he rushed into the Origin Expanse because his territory had been attacked - or something like that.

But, of course, the news of the female Greater Eagle laying two eggs was of far more importance.

'Right, I have yet to name the little girl.'

**