System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 870 - 271: Making You a Commander

The gleaming blade of the kitchen knife kept striking down on the pork without pause.

A steady 'pa pa' rhythm rang out from the knife edge clashing with the pork, which squished and smacked against the cutting board.

His movements flowed with expert precision and fluidity.

[Cooking Experience +1]

[Cooking Experience +1]

[Cooking Experience +1]

…

Experience points accumulated swiftly, one after another.

The almost ten-pound slab of pork on the board transformed from a solid chunk into a mushy paste before the eyes.

The earlier 'pa pa' sounds shifted to 'dong dong' thuds as the blade plunged through the pork mush and struck the board.

Even with the thick oil and smoke stench filling the kitchen.

Even as anthracite blazed in the stoves, sending waves of scorching heat billowing out.

Lynn refused to stop grinding his [Cooking] skill experience.

A thousand-mile journey starts with one step.

All nine of his major skills had hit Level 3.

Advancing to Level 4 or 5 demanded far more experience.

That would open up new features and grant extra rewards.

Skill grinding could feel dull and repetitive.

However.

Nothing beats the thrill of watching your hard work pay off—it's something you have to feel yourself.

Especially.

That total immersion in the task, blocking out the world around you.

It brought him immense satisfaction.

Until nightfall arrived.

Lynn emerged from the kitchen and dining hall, his body coated in a film of grease and soot.

He walked under the stunned and baffled stares of the townsfolk eating their evening meal.

Newcomers to the territory could never have imagined.

Their revered Lord would personally prepare dinner for them!

It was beyond comprehension, utterly shocking!

Long-time residents wore more composed faces.

But even they couldn't help shooting admiring looks at Lynn.

Lynn ignored those stares from the townsfolk entirely.

Right as he exited the dining hall, a cool breeze swept by.

It somewhat relieved the sticky, uncomfortable sweat clinging to his skin.

Lynn exhaled a steamy breath in relief.

Be it dining hall chefs or other roles, none were as easy as they seemed.

With the surging population of townsmen, shift-based meals had become standard in the dining hall long ago.

That meant.

Every stove in the kitchen fired up before dawn and cooked nonstop.

All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for the townsmen.

Townsmen dined in rotations.

Yet kitchen cooks had to rotate shifts too.

Otherwise.

Nobody could endure slaving over hot stoves amid choking smoke and blistering heat from dawn to dusk.

He sat on a bench in the Lord’s Square to catch his breath.

Once his sweat had dried, he headed along the path to the castle.

By now, dusk had started to fall across the sky.

Another full day had slipped away in a flash!

For Lynn, it was merely a day spent farming experience.

Yet for the territory.

It marked yet another day of steady growth and progress!

…

Darkness of night blanketed everything.

Shrouding sky and land alike.

A squad of cavalry clad in chest plates bearing a golden-field black-crowned lion insignia galloped through the city gates.

"Hyah hyah hyah~"

"Get out of the way!"

"Get out of the way!"

"Get out of the way quickly..."

Amid the rough shouts urging them on.

Residents' faces paled in alarm, scattering in haste.

To dodge the thundering rush of the heavy cavalry.

Some panicked too much and tripped, crying out in terror.

This cavalry unit showed no sign of slowing.

They barreled onward instead.

In their wake, chaos reigned as residents grumbled loudly.

But complaints were all they dared voice.

They had seen and recognized clearly.

Those heavy cavalry in uniform armor hailed from the Ducas Clan!

Marquis Duca of the Ducas Clan ruled over them!

Not until over ten minutes later.

Did the heavy cavalry vanish from sight, letting the bustling street calm down.

Those who worked nights picked up where they left off.

As common folk, they could only stick close to their lord to scrape by.

Such a routine had become second nature to them.

After crossing the outer city into the inner one, the cavalry eased their pace.

Until reaching the Marquis’s Castle gates.

Following a brief talk with the gate guard.

The lead cavalryman leaped off his mount.

Led by the guard, he dashed swiftly through the castle halls.

Patrol guards handling castle security.

Merely glanced at the guided cavalry leader and looked away.

Everyone recognized him instantly as the messenger cavalry dispatched from Triumph City!

Having navigated endless corridors and twisted corners repeatedly.

At last.

The messenger cavalry halted in front of the massive double doors, protected by four sword and shield soldiers.

He retrieved the letter from inside his chest pocket while informing the guards by the entrance.

"Marquis, His Highness Mitchell has an urgent report!"

Silently, the sword and shield soldier guards at the door examined the letter clutched in his grasp.

One advanced with purpose, seized the letter from the messenger cavalry’s hands, and proceeded to the door.

With the letter delivered, the messenger cavalry withdrew at last, gasping for breath.