Looking through his earnings. His eyes were immediately drawn to the horde of new materials. More than enough to boost him through the Manor Levels.

With that, a weight was lifted off his shoulders. He would move into the era beyond the protection period with power of his own.

For now, he had a lot of upgrading to do.

The setting sun illuminated his new home that he would have for all of a few minutes.

The Manor was twice the size of the townhouse and far more opulent. He made his way around the building. It made him quite a bit more excited for the villa. Even back in his home world, the Manor would be a high-quality home.

There was space for staff members to stay and more than enough room for dozens of people.

He couldn't grow too attached to it, as he continued to upgrade his lord's abode.

If he was in any other situation it would probably make more sense to focus on developing his town. But with lacking population to keep such growth maintained. Focusing on his Lord's abode, the main building of his land seemed like the best course of action.

He did take the time to look at the changes to his Lord's Menu.

This time around there were no new options.

[Lord’s Store Lv2:

Bronze Draw: 25 LP,

Medium Health Potion: 50 LP,

Tier 2 Recruitment: 500 LP]

[Congratulations on unlocking the Lord's Store Lv 2. As a reward you can claim one free item.]

The Lord's Store was the only noticeable change from the townhouse. He immediately chose Tier 2 Recruitment as his free option. Even a single Tier 2 had been beyond anything he could have expected days before. But Tier 2's wouldn't even be his limit. Soon a Peak Tier 3 would appear in his land.

He didn't even look at the new options for his territory. Upgrading to a Villa would only give him better options. He did take a look at how much his territory had grown.

It had once again doubled in size allowing him a much greater view of the surrounding area.

There were a few more deposits of stone. As well as a few wild animals. But nothing that would change the course of his realm.

With his inspection of his new level done. He began to upgrade the building once again. Speeding through the Manor's Levels.

Finally, he had reached the peak of the Manor.

[To Upgrade: Mystic Stone X 10000, Mystic Wood X 10000, Magic Crystals X 100.]

The amount of materials needed had reached an insane amount. Upgrading left him all but penniless, but far more hopeful about the future.

The Manor had been impressive. This was something else.

The first thing he noticed was the gardens. The area surrounding the Abode thus far had been either dirt for the hovel and townhouse or gravel for the Manor.

Now there were several manicured gardens surrounding the building. Looking quite out of place in his quaint village. There were several terraces on the side of the villa. Surrounded by ornate structures and statues.

As he made his way inside the towering structure, he couldn't help but marvel at the artistry of the building.

Stolen novel; please report.

The centre of the building was a courtyard filled with well-groomed gardens.

In the centre of it all a tree reached up through the roof of the building.

He wasn't sure how long he would be able to keep it like that, but it was more than impressive from his initial view.

The side buildings were for the many members of staff and held various rooms for hosting banquets. As well as chambers to discuss matters of the state. Not much he would be able to make use of for the moment.

The back of the villa was where his quarters lay.

Opulence that he had never experienced in either world was on full display. Dozens of couches and resting areas littered the space. He made his way towards where his Lord's Office was. It took up most of the highest level of the villa, allowing him to look over his lands from all sides.

The courtyard tree was the only thing that broke apart the room.

His desk was three times the size it had been before. It was still wood but of a far different quality. He sat down in one of the most comfortable chairs he had ever experienced and opened up the Lord's Menu.

Instead of a single ethereal screen, now three popped up in front of him. Allowing him to multitask with far greater ease.

[Sovereign Synergy]

That was the newest addition to his menu that drew his attention. It allowed the lord to equal their most powerful citizen. The only reason he had been so resolute about upgrading. He would have to choose his Tier 3 with care, as copying their power could mean the difference between death and survival.

[Lord's Store Lv3:

Silver Draw: 125 LP,

Major Health Potion: 250 LP,

Tier 3 Recruitment: 2500 LP.]

[Congratulations on unlocking the Lord's Store Lv 3. As a reward you can claim one free item.]

The prices of the items within the level 3 store almost made him faint.

Even with the addition of his new citizens, he had less than a hundred Lord Points. He was happy to see that he was earning around sixty points per day at this point. But it wasn't anywhere near enough to be shopping in the Lv 3 Lord's Store.

The silver draws did catch his attention. But they were in no way worth disregarding the free Tier 3 on offer.

With a Tier 3 powerhouse as a citizen, he would be able to reach the level of being able to afford one a day very soon.

Before he could be tempted by any of the other options. A chime rang through the office. It seemed that his doorbell had been upgraded as well.

All of the townsfolk were very impressed with the change of the Lord's Abode. Elenora didn't even talk with him before declaring one of the other bedrooms in his abode as her own.

"I won't be leaving until I have an appropriate place to live."

As it was Julius didn't have the strength to even try and stop her. He was more than happy to leave her behind and join the others in a celebratory feast.

It was a stark contrast to the feel of the place hours before. He was still worried about the loss of protection in the coming hours. But his jubilant citizens helped take his mind off things for the moment.

Stumbling into bed after the revelry. His head seemed to barely hit the pillow before another chime rang through the house.

He woke with a beam of sunlight illuminating the room. That was very pleasant. What was less pleasant was the incessant chime ringing through the villa.

It took him a few moments to come to terms with his surroundings. It was a far greater level of luxury than he had ever experienced in either world.

As such getting out of bed and dressed was a monumental task. It was only thoughts of the task ahead that had him moving.

He only had a matter of hours before the protection zone would fall. Leaving him vulnerable to any power in the world.

He made his way to the throne room, where the cause of the chime was waiting.

Hunter David was waiting, looking a little nervous.

Julius almost wanted to cry. They had only managed to get rid of one threat. He didn't want to hear of another.

He took a seat on the upgraded throne. Finally feeling a lot more the part compared to the lacklustre wooden chairs he had before.

"We have found signs of a road through the forest."

It took a moment for Julius to understand what the man was saying.

A moment after that he had jumped to his feet.

"They are on the outskirts of your new realm limits. In the area where the Shadow Hounds once laid claim to."

He had David follow him up to his new office.

He hadn't taken the time to look through his new territory management now that his realm had doubled once again.

He saw it clear as day on his screen. While the road was overgrown and looked abandoned, its presence gave him some hope.

"Was there anything else of note about the road?"

Only a small section of it went through his land, giving him a limited perspective on it.

"We are unearthing it as we speak. We will report back with more information when we get it."

Julius was a little annoyed that it was only due to the presence of a road that he was woken.

The thought of recruiting a Tier 3 quickly changed his mood.

He wouldn't limit himself to someone with Peak Tier 3 power. Whoever seemed the most suitable he would choose.

With that thought in mind, he opened up the recruitment menu. Twelve different faces stared back at him.

He was more than a little excited by that fact. For the first time, he would be able to scout every individual available.

With hope in his heart. He began scouting.