Awooo--!

Central plains of the Galliot Duchy, outside a forward camp that had just set up a bonfire for rest after a day-long trek.

As the bright moon gradually rose, pairs of eerie green eyes lit up in the dark, primitive forest, accompanied by piercing howls.

These were packs of forest wolves, one of the most dangerous predators in these woods.

Ah!

Two screams echoed in the darkness.

"Not good, it's Fitch and Kaim who went to fetch water! Battle stations!"

The leader of the advance team, allocating watch duties, leaped up and swiftly gathered over a hundred team members to organize a defense around the camp.

"Don't panic, open fire!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!...

Bright streaks of fire flickered in the forest, and one hungry wolf after another, hoping to taste a meal under the cover of night, fell before their barrels.

Among them, the gunmen wielding "Georgia Rifles" stood out the most.

The confrontation between human firearms and claws and fangs was vividly reflected in this wilderness exploration battle.

Using .45 caliber hex bore bullets, the Georgia Rifle had a firing speed of 2–3 shots, effective range of 730 to 910 meters, and a maximum range of 1200 meters.

For any marksman adept at shooting, it was considered a divine artifact.

At this moment, it appeared it had gradually filtered into the hands of unofficial advance teams responsible for exploration, after meeting certain prerequisites.

However.

In the dense forest, the over-kilometer range of the "Georgia Rifle" was somewhat wasted, as divine archers in the advance team continued to be heavily equipped with "Kentucky Rifles".

The difference was that, previously, these rifled guns were almost all modified by gunsmiths, with varying quality.

Now, most of the divine archers preferred the fine products produced by Vulcan Metals Company—the "Standard Kentucky Rifle".

With a barrel length of 1.17m, overall length of 1.57m, caliber of .44, slender handguard and stock, weighing only 3.63kg.

Due to exquisite craftsmanship and high initial velocity and accuracy brought by small caliber and long barrel, the effective range could reach up to 300 meters in the hands of an experienced shooter.

Excellent firearms paired with not-so-demanding promotion conditions for the [Gunman profession], allowed them to shine brilliantly in this Western Advance.

Potential job applicants only needed to undergo a specific ritual to initiate a solo trial:

Entering the forest alone for a month, equipped with a dagger and firearm.

During this period, relying on firearms, they had to independently kill a prey impossible to defeat with cold weapons, usually a forest brown bear weighing nearly a ton.

Especially now, even their mysterious source "King of the Sky" Avanca, had joined the duchy's ranks, and the complete sequence from Tier 1 to Tier 3 for this profession was already complete.

One day, the [Gunman] might possibly replace the [Knight] as the mainstream on these New Continent lands.

The battle didn't last long.

A few minutes later, the wolves realized their opponents were formidable, and quickly retreated after leaving behind the corpses of over a dozen regular members and one Demonized Forest Wolf.

Soon after, the advance team found and buried the remains of their companions, killed while fetching water, then gathered in a circle to silently pray for them:

"May the Goddess protect your soul, may the Father of Creation grant you peace..."

Tweet--!

A giant mountain eagle, with wingspan exceeding ten meters, circled continuously above their heads in the sky.

Toot... Toot... Toot...

A simple white clay flute, hung around its neck, leisurely played the "Mountain Eagle Song", a tune passed down in many Atrean People tribes.

On this land, planted with Trees of Rest, they wouldn't be given the chance to become new Natural Spirits.

Aiven wouldn't stand idly by; the mountain eagle, born from Olivia's [Soul Returning Technique], was devoid of emotion and operated strictly by rules, naturally delivering their souls to where they ought to go.

This mountain eagle not only maintained the balance of life and death order within the duchy as the [Death God's Messenger].

But also, as the [Spirit of Homeland Guardian: Inspector], could delve into the duchy's political, economic, transportation, shipping, judiciary... and other systems through [Mind Network].

Just like the westward spirit marked on the statues at "Cumberland Gap": Courage, tenacity, exploration, unwavering commitment!

This westward path was destined to be anything but smooth, inevitably accompanied by blood and death.

Yet, members of the advance team clearly wouldn't retreat in face of adversity.

Currently.

The high echelons of the duchy had officially established an industry layout prioritizing manufacturing in the east, agriculture in the center, livestock and mining in the west.

Following mapping by [Mind Network].

This vast, fertile land, yet to be cultivated, was estimated to be about 430 million hectares just for agricultural land (pasture and arable land), accounting for approximately 18% of the world's total agricultural land.

A vast wealth desired by all.

To expedite resource monetization and strengthen national power, the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, proposed a series of supportive policies.

Firstly, land policy.

Maintaining public land ownership as a foundation, implementing collective farm systems by subcontracting land to individuals, then establishing large-scale intensive farms through land equity.

Farmers would not have ownership, yet they would enjoy long-term usage and management rights over land.

Additionally, duchy government-led, dividing the six major regions further into states, cities, and counties.

Under the premise of meeting certain conditions, a frontline pioneer point can apply for the establishment of a subordinate administrative unit, and can enjoy certain privileges depending on the pioneer's contributions.

Second, immigration policy.

Any citizen of the Duchy who is at least 20 years old, or a foreigner who meets the requirements for naturalization and applies to join the Duchy's nationality, can obtain 65 hectares of state-owned land for residence and farming, enjoying the right to use and manage it.

This is equivalent to further attracting immigration from various countries on the Source Continent with vast lands.

Third, infrastructure development policy.

Having tasted the benefits of the "Coastal Railway," they naturally pay great attention to infrastructure construction, especially the construction of railways, highways, and waterways.

The "Coastal Railway Company" and a series of engineering companies are already eager to follow up.

Fourth, policy to support educational development.

At Aiven's request, the cabinet has designed and formulated a grand education system covering primary and secondary schools up to state universities, and implemented free basic compulsory education.

Of course, this initiative is not limited to the Western Region.

In particular, the "Million Golden Lions: Talent Cultivation Plan" was introduced, aimed at attracting the most creative talents worldwide to the Duchy.

Aiven knows well that no social change can happen overnight.

In fact, even before the "Steam Industrial Revolution" was completed, there were already many people studying electrical equipment.

He is precisely planning in advance, reserving talent, and promoting the "Electric Industrial Revolution" in the Duchy first to establish a huge technological advantage in multi-party competition.

According to the current situation, the competition with the forces on the Evil God's side within the established game framework might continue for many years.

As the saying goes, middle-aged wage earners with families are the easiest to manage, and the same goes for opposing forces.

The better the development of the Lowland Republic and the Golden Palm Federation, the more subdued the Evil Gods will be.

At least now, with the new world order just established, neither side would want to start a major war that disrupts the process of human civilization and world trends in the short term.

If no major changes or accidents occur, even if there are military disputes between the two sides, they will maintain a relatively low intensity level or may be confined beneath the surface.

Otherwise, with the top-tier extraordinary powers of both sides, once the table is flipped, no one will have an easy time.

Therefore.

Aiven speculates that large-scale wars between countries might occur afterward.

But it should also "naturally" happen only when both or even multiple sides have digested the existing territories and developed to a certain bottleneck.

For example: the First...

...

Saint Aiven City, White Swan Castle, Banquet Hall.

A small-scale sumptuous banquet carefully prepared by the Night Spirit Maids is both to celebrate the smooth launch of the "Western Advance" and to entertain the far-traveled Liweina.

"Teacher, what is this stuff?"

Having just divided the "Spiritual Origin," many disciples, looking at the small silver liquid before them, couldn't help but feel curious.

"Just drink it, it's something good, the teacher won't harm you."

Sipping a little wine with his meal, Aiven doesn't explain but merely waves his hand to urge them to drink.

This is none other than the "Holy Baptismal Water" from the Celestial Realm.

After a Tier 2 Official Knight consumes it, it can expand potential without side effects and achieve the perfect foundation.

Depending on the original physical foundation, in a time ranging from one month to a year, one can unquestionably reach the Tier 2 Official Knight Peak.

Having already advanced to Great Wizard, Angie, with the physical enhancement of being a "Native Species," does not need such supplementation, but the other disciples are not yet up to par.

Moreover, Aiven is eagerly anticipating whether he can create a few more prodigies like Bach, with balanced three attributes, who can study [Desperate Thunder Swordsmanship] while repairing [Branded Swordsman].

By then, replicating the path Aiven himself has traveled, being invincible in the same tier isn't a dream.

Apart from the students, the only ones lucky enough to receive the "Holy Baptismal Water" are the potential candidates like Jasmine and Gary, who are about to advance to Tier 3.

Sizzle!

Watching the students drink the liquid in their cups, some still smacking their lips with relish, Aiven smiles faintly.

Isn't it just the Goddess's fragrant bath water? Anyway, the whole family has drunk it, so no need to worry about being socially dead alone if exposed in the future.

Truly clever.

Among these true disciples, although Bach is the youngest, his path may likely lead him to surpass all senior brothers and sisters, except for Angie, to the Tier 3 [Branded Swordsman] first.

It's worth mentioning.

The advancement of [Branded Swordsman] now no longer requires Aiven to personally conduct a complex ritual, but can be completed directly through the power of the job-holder themselves.

Just like the divine creature "King of Sea Monsters" Kraken, branded to the World Root Source's path of [Sea Monster Knight], Aiven, also a divine creature, can do the same.

At this moment.

Aiven suddenly sensed something, receiving a message from the Republic's [Faceless Man].

"Hmm? Issuing paper currency on a large scale with national credit?"

A thought immediately and irresistibly popped into his mind, and he turned to test Liweina, who was sitting beside him:

"Beautiful Your Majesty, you and the alliance seem to have a lot of... gold?"

Upon hearing the word "gold," Liweina immediately puffed up like a startled cat, responded cautiously:

"What for?"