My Domain Runs on KPIs

Chapter 005

“No.”

“I still have to go back and be a lord.”

Luke smiled and turned down Grimjaw’s offer.

“Fine.”

Grimjaw sounded a little disappointed.

But after thinking about it, he stopped caring.

That miserable Domain of Luke’s was nothing but a worthless patch of land anyway.

Sooner or later, Luke would figure that out for himself.

And when he did, he could always come back.

“Fine.”

“The food you asked for is ready.”

“It’s outside.”

Luke followed Grimjaw out of the tent.

The moment he saw the carts piled high with food, he realized that for the first time in his life, the word food sounded incredibly beautiful.

“There’s one more thing.”

Luke turned back toward Grimjaw.

“You promised not to invade my Domain for one year and to provide military support if I’m attacked.”

Grimjaw nodded.

“I keep my word.”

Luke thought for a moment.

Then he reached into his clothes and pulled out a piece of bark covered in writing.

He had written it the previous night using charcoal from the bonfire while everyone else was celebrating.

“Then let’s sign an agreement.”

Grimjaw stared at the bark.

He scratched his head.

“What the hell is that?”

“An agreement.”

Luke held it up.

“Everything we just promised, written down clearly.”

Grimjaw sighed.

“You humans are such a pain.”

Still, he dipped one massive hand into the charcoal Luke had prepared and pressed his palm onto the bark.

Luke carefully folded it away.

Then he dusted off his clothes.

“I’ll be going, then?”

“Mm.”

Grimjaw nodded.

Luke had only taken a few steps when he suddenly turned around.

“Oh, right.”

“If you have trouble with the training system later, you can come find me.”

“I’ll keep teaching you.”

Grimjaw froze.

“Why?”

Luke looked back at him with his standard professional smile.

“A strong neighbor is more useful than a weak enemy.”

What he didn’t say was-

A strong neighbor who also owed him a favor was even more useful.

Grimjaw stared at him for a long moment.

Then he suddenly laughed.

“You’re not a simple man.”

Luke casually waved goodbye and walked away.

Behind him, the hundred Orcs he had trained watched him leave.

Some waved.

Some even shed a few tears.

Although, considering yesterday’s fight, those tears might simply have been from the pain.

Dreadiron remained where he was, watching Luke and several Orc Laborers slowly disappear into the distance with the food carts.

“What’s his name?”

Dreadiron asked.

“Luke Crowe,” Grimjaw replied.

Dreadiron nodded.

He committed the name to memory.

* * *

【Congratulations. You have returned to your Domain.】

【Current Population: 3】

【Current Treasury: Enough food to sustain 100 people for one month.】

【System Recommendation: At least you won’t starve to death now.】

Hearing the system notification, Luke knew he had finally returned to his own Domain.

But then-

he looked around.

“What the hell is this place?!”

Even with more than a decade of HR experience and all the professional composure that came with it, Luke couldn’t hold that one back.

There was nothing here.

Trees.

More trees.

And then even more trees.

Not even fruit trees.

Not a single edible crop in sight.

In the middle of the forest stood a dilapidated house.

Luke walked closer.

Then almost laughed from sheer disbelief.

The damn thing was made of mud.

“My Lord, your Domain is just ahead.”

“We’ll be leaving now.”

“The chief said you can keep the carts.”

The Orc Laborers unloaded the carts full of food, gave Luke a quick farewell, and left.

Just as Luke was beginning to feel genuine despair, a hoarse voice came from nearby.

“Who are you?”

Luke looked toward the sound.

A middle-aged man wearing a worn-out military uniform stepped out from among the trees.

“Luke Crowe.”

Luke gave his name directly.

“Luke Crowe... Luke Crowe...”

The veteran repeated it several times.

Then his eyes suddenly widened.

“Luke Crowe?!”

Apparently, he had finally realized that the man standing in front of him was his lord.

“My Lord?”

“You’re back?”

“Those Orcs actually let you go?”

Luke nodded.

“Yeah.”

He glanced around.

“Just you?”

The system had clearly said his Population was three.

Why could he only see one person?

“Three of us.”

“The other two aren’t here right now.”

The veteran limped toward Luke.

Luke felt ten thousand imaginary horses stampeding through his mind.

He had finally found someone who at least looked like he might be useful in a fight-

and the man was crippled.

Luke had no choice but to accept reality.

“What are the other two doing?”

“Skipping work?”

“Technically...”

The veteran gave a disdainful snort.

“They’re missing.”

Luke stared at him.

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

“What’s your name?”

“Garrick Holt.”

“Good.”

Luke nodded.

“I’ll call you Garrick.”

Then, right there on the spot, Luke conducted a role competency assessment.

Combat ability: C.

I’m worried he’ll die if he walks another hundred feet.

“What did you do before this?” Luke asked.

“I was a soldier.”

Garrick’s expression became somewhat melancholy.

“Before... well.”

“Ever managed people?”

“Yes.”

Luke nodded immediately.

“Management experience: B.”

“Loyalty: Unknown.”

Assessment complete.

Luke looked directly at Garrick.

“You can’t really fight anymore.”

“But you’ve commanded soldiers before.”

“So from today onward, you’re in charge of military affairs for this Domain.”

“Probation period: one month.”

Garrick froze.

It took him several seconds to process what he had just heard.

“Why the hell should I listen to you?”

He had spent all this time alone in the middle of nowhere, with no one around to bother him.

Now the new lord had barely returned and was already assigning him work?

Luke didn’t even look up.

“Because I’m paying you.”

“Paying me?”

Garrick scoffed.

“You have money?”

“If you had money, you wouldn’t have gotten kidnapped by Orcs on your second day as lord.”

Luke said nothing.

He simply pointed toward the carts behind him.

“I don’t have money.”

“But I have food.”

Garrick froze.

“Wh-what?”

He practically launched himself toward the carts.

Luke watched the supposedly crippled man cross the distance in about three steps and begin running his hands over the sacks of food.

Luke had absolutely no idea how someone with a bad leg had moved that fast.

By the time Garrick hurried back, his limp was noticeably worse.

But the grin on his face was impossible to hide.

“Oh, right.”

Luke spoke from behind him.

“During your probation period, your daily salary is six portions of food.”

Garrick stopped dead.

“If you pass your performance evaluation and become permanent staff...”

Luke continued calmly.

“Ten portions per day.”

Garrick stood completely motionless.

His voice trembled.

“You’re not lying?”

Luke looked up.

“The food is right there.”

“What exactly are you worried about?”

He walked over to the cart.

“Here.”

“I’ll advance you today’s salary.”

Luke picked up six portions of food and shoved them directly into Garrick’s arms.

Garrick stared blankly at the food.

Then he carefully took a bite.

Tears immediately began streaming down his face.

It tasted incredible.

For days, he had been surviving on wild vegetables he dug out of the ground.

He had had enough.

Luke waited until Garrick slowly recovered.

Then he calmly added,

“Of course, if you fail your probation evaluation...”

“The benefits disappear.”

Garrick snapped upright.

“Understood!”

“I’ll do my best!”

Luke could practically see Garrick’s loyalty rating shooting upward.

“Now.”

“Where are the other two?”

“One’s in the vegetable garden.”

“The other’s in the swamp.”

“I’ll take you there!”

Garrick immediately hurried ahead to lead the way.

“Vegetable garden?”

Luke looked around.

This dump actually has one of those?

He followed Garrick through the woods.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at a crude wooden sign with the words VEGETABLE GARDEN painted on it.

Garrick abruptly stopped.

“My Lord.”

“You need to follow me very, very carefully.”

“Do not take a single wrong step.”

Luke frowned.

“What?”

He had no idea what Garrick meant, but followed exactly in his footsteps.

The vegetable garden was crude, but surprisingly large.

If they could fully develop it, it could probably produce enough vegetables for at least twenty people.

Luke was still estimating its potential when a bird swooped down and landed in the field.

THUD!

Luke nearly jumped.

“What the hell?!”

He looked toward the sound.

A large hole had suddenly opened in the ground.

The bird was lying at the bottom, completely dazed.

“Beanpole probably dug that one too.”

Garrick gave an awkward smile.

“That kid can’t grow vegetables worth a damn.”

“But when it comes to digging holes...”

“He’s a natural.”

Luke stared at him.

“Don’t tell me this entire vegetable garden is like this.”

Garrick smiled awkwardly.

Then nodded.

Luke fell silent.

“Talent.”

He stared at the field full of hidden pits.

“A genuine talent.”