Read Novel Full Chapter 459: Learning How to Become a Ruler?
Chapter 459: Learning How to Become a Ruler?
Although the current power structure in the eastern camp had been fixed to a certain extent for now, there was still a lot more to do. Therefore Gabriel postponed the extraction of the corpse waiting for him in his basement for the time being.
Right now his major concern was putting things in order. Even though he was not the diplomatic type, for the base’s current state he had to put in the work.
And quite honestly, to Gabriel this felt even more difficult than swinging a sword, running, and throwing punches.
Unlike the battlefield where he only had to focus on eliminating opponents, this time around he needed to figure out a way to feed roughly a thousand people and keep them safe from harm.
"Damian," he mumbled under his breath. "He would have done a better job."
"Isn’t he the merchant you told me about?" Seraphina asked.
"Yes, him. He is probably running the first base alongside Logan," Gabriel replied.
"Why do you think he would do a better job than you?" Seraphina asked curiously.
"Well he came from a wealthy family with strict business management skills. The whole camp in a way is like a business. I feel he and Sophie are the best suited for these jobs."
"Well you have to learn. You cannot depend on them forever." The vampire queen pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Knowing how competent you are, I am sure you will figure it out."
In his past life, Gabriel had only run a small guild. There were guilds that were much larger than his. Though somehow his guild later became prominent during the final moments of the Convergence, it was because of the brilliance of one person.
’Valery....’
He was the blade and she was the mind.
This time around I have two people just like her. Damien and Sophie. But somehow the vacuum in his heart was still not filled.
"Knowing how competent you are, I am more than certain that you will find a way to handle the running as well."
Suddenly Gabriel paused in his steps and said,
"You said they will not be here forever. What if I find a way to make them stay forever? I mean as long as they are alive I do not have to worry about paperwork, right?"
Seraphina sighed while looking at Gabriel who seemed as if he had discovered a groundbreaking idea. "But this is what you have been doing. Also I only said that to motivate you to work on your diplomatic skills, but clearly you do not want that."
"Yes I already keep them safe but I have never prioritized their lives. I will do that from now on."
"You are seriously not going to learn about diplomatic affairs?" Seraphina frowned.
"Nope," he replied. "I am competent on the battlefield, you are right. But in diplomacy it is not really my forte. My job will be to expand and make the Broken Dawn as powerful as it can be. That is why I will always need people."
Seraphina did not say a word, but she felt he made a lot of sense.
"But for now you have to do that yourself." She smirked. "You cannot really run away from it, especially when your goal is to become the strongest individual in the entire human region."
"Right. I almost forgot about that."
"Forgot about what?" Seraphina frowned.
"It is nothing," he replied, hastening his steps quietly. Just now when Seraphina mentioned the strongest individual in the human region, he had briefly thought back to his meeting with the goddess and the quest timer.
A day had already gone by.
It was now three hundred sixty four days.
Gabriel sighed.
While they walked down the long luxurious hallway of the mansion, Gabriel briefly wondered what the situation was in the first base.
"After I settle this base, I will check the first camp. I left too much to Damian and Logan."
"You trust them," Seraphina said.
"I trust competence," Gabriel replied. "Damian understands trade and supply better than I do, so yes I trust him. Plus he owes me."
Seraphina smirked. "And you understand killing."
"Yes," Gabriel said, the side of his lips rising slightly.
Seraphina tilted her head. Before she could say more, footsteps approached from behind. Sophie’s calm voice followed.
"Gabriel."
Gabriel stopped and turned. Sophie walked toward them at a steady pace, veil in place and posture straight. She looked composed, but her pace showed she had been moving around the base.
"Any problem?" Gabriel asked.
Sophie nodded. "The camp is stabilizing. Arnold has already reorganized the storage records. We found reserves the former storage manager kept for himself and his inner circle."
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. "What was it?"
Sophie reported, "Food and medicine. It will not last long, but it will help. Arnold also found sealed crates he never logged into the public records."
Gabriel’s gaze sharpened. "How did he find them so fast?"
"He kept copies of old orders and delivery logs," Sophie answered. "He knew which rooms stayed locked during distribution."
Gabriel nodded, quite impressed.
Sophie continued. "He has started removing corrupt clerks quietly. Some were stealing small portions daily. Others were taking full crates and selling them through people outside the supply tents."
"Did you verify it?" Gabriel asked.
"Yes," Sophie replied. "We checked the records and caught them. The worst ones have been detained. The rest are being watched."
"Detained is slow," Gabriel commented.
"Not every problem is solved with executions," Seraphina argued, though only Gabriel heard her.
Gabriel did not argue, but his eyes stayed cold.
Sophie continued as there was still more.
"Patrol routes have been strengthened. We placed guards near the storage areas and rotated the night watch so no single group stays in one spot too long."
"That reduces bribery," Gabriel said, his eyes flashing as he understood what Sophie was trying to do.
"Exactly," Sophie answered. "Morale is improving. Food lines are fair again. Workers are moving with less fear."
Gabriel looked at Sophie for a moment and gave a nod. "Good work."
"Always," Sophie replied, blushing slightly. It was quite rare to receive praise from Gabriel after all.
Gabriel turned toward the main doors. "I want to see the camp."