[09] Kingdom building or territory development

[09] Kingdom building or territory development
How would you bring technology into a fantasy world? Make sense of the magics? Feed people and get rid of the corrupt nobles? This is specifically on developing a city or territory, not:
- Developing a dungeon/core (see my other list: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/10742/)

First, a few worthy mentions that aren't on NU:
1. Castle Kingside (rewrite) - a lot of inspiration from Release that Witch, imo improved! Warning: it's slow. Kingdom only begins around c60ish.
2. The iron teeth - although territory development comes late in the story, it's well done and exotic, being based on a goblin kingdom
3. 1632 (published book) - an American village goes back to the 30 years war. It's much less fantastical, but has a lot of similar elements to other kingdom building novels.
4. The Eagle's Flight - highly intricate fantasy webnovel
5. Defiance of the fall
6. Randidly Ghosthound - neither Randidly nor Defiance of the Fall focus on kingdom building, but they both have elements related to setting up a post-apocalypse system city - complete the quest to get the village crystal/coin!
7. The Expansion (Legend of the Arch Magus) - [have not yet read] - recommendation from Hitexh in the comments
8. Enlightened Empire - weaker than the others
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tallrice
Created: Jun 1st, 2020, Updated: Mar 19th, 2023
Created Jun 1st, 2020
Updated Mar 19th, 2023
CN (4.5)
689 Chapters Every 491.3 Day(s) 24689 Readers 359 Reviews 09-25-2017
The epic of this genre, modern Chinese guy goes back to fantasy world in the middle of witch hunts and liberates the oppressed serfs to create a progressive kingdom with lots of awesome tech while also developing magic.... more>>
CN (4)
141 Chapters Every 9.7 Day(s) 2622 Readers 64 Reviews 03-23-2024
This has some of the most complex (somewhat contrived) politics and plots in the genre, or even in NU. Great series, if slow and sometimes hard to keep on reading. But it's rewarding if you do, whether it's from a perspective of characters, magic system, politics, lore and world building, everything is ultimately epic and well done, just sometimes ponderous and slow to get to.... more>>
CN (4.1)
477 Chapters Every 1.9 Day(s) 14782 Readers 154 Reviews 03-28-2024
Game world world building! And lots of epic adventuring.... more>>
CN (3.4)
0 Chapters Every 92 Day(s) 3065 Readers 65 Reviews N/A
If you've seen any of my lists, you've probably noticed I love Black Iron's Glory despite everybody else thinking it's horrible. The hiatus for an ending certainly doesn't help it...... more>>
CN (4)
0 Chapters Every 129.7 Day(s) 11545 Readers 157 Reviews 12-19-2018
The military campaigns, very first romantic arc in the story, politics, territory development are all top class. Read it for the kingdom building.... more>>
JP (4.2)
115 Chapters Every 122.3 Day(s) 13181 Readers 160 Reviews 08-15-2023
Cute, fluffy, laid back, brings lots of modern lifestyle to a medieval world. It's another template Japanese reincarnation novel, except the characters are actually good.... more>>
KR (4.2)
0 Chapters Every 2673 Day(s) 16895 Readers 143 Reviews N/A
Average spearmen reincarnates and rises through the ranks to become a noble and make a super modern territory. Why the MC can make modern territories? Slightly contrived... but anyway, the kingdom building is still decent, when it comes.... more>>
JP (4.3)
52 Chapters Every 223.3 Day(s) 6126 Readers 14 Reviews 07-27-2019
The other classic of this genre. It does have a lot of the great elements of kingdom building with details of behaviours, crops, politics, etc. Definitely worth giving a try if you're into this genre.... more>>
CN (3.7)
45 Chapters Every 112.1 Day(s) 1110 Readers 15 Reviews 01-13-2020
For the Release that witch fans out there, this is the closest series (but read 1632 first - see the description - it's also similar and much higher quality, or you can save best for last?). Complicated religion, bringing socialism to upend feudal issues, adoration of the MC by all (if no real romance, so technically not a harem... but spiritually one).... more>>
JP (4.5)
0 Chapters Every 10 Day(s) 3077 Readers 5 Reviews N/A
Great series about getting stuck in an MMO with consequences. There's a society of NPCs to meet, many gamers who develop into fixtures of the gaming world and some kingdom building as the gamers establish themselves and do politics.... more>>
JP (4.5)
416 Chapters Every 95.3 Day(s) 24240 Readers 193 Reviews 06-23-2020
Shoujo, but still has a lot of the elements of a novel any audience would enjoy. The characters are not amazing, but they're still decent.... more>>
CN (3.5)
60 Chapters Every 185.9 Day(s) 2211 Readers 32 Reviews 02-22-2019
Great kingdom building elements in this series based on systems and quests. Like Amber Sword, this one also has the guild territory and all the cool MC driven advantages to his territory. It also gets quite into the lore of the kingdom and it's neighbouring enemies and how the kingdoms face off against each other.... more>>
CN (4.2)
21 Chapters Every 21.2 Day(s) 896 Readers 7 Reviews 06-16-2023
[have not yet read] Another interesting novel that seems to have elements of 1632, Black Iron's Glory and Release that Witch, but with less magic.
CN (4.4)
894 Chapters Every 2.6 Day(s) 3253 Readers 52 Reviews 03-26-2024
[not yet read] but good ratings and looks interesting!
CN (3.8)
2477 Chapters Every 67.2 Day(s) 10058 Readers 171 Reviews 07-01-2021
Amazing! ... For the first 300 chapters.... more>>
KR (4.5)
969 Chapters Every 3.4 Day(s) 37512 Readers 581 Reviews 03-26-2024
This novel has lots of thrills from being an arrogant can-do-no-evil reincarnator in this 'tr*sh count's heir's body. In terms of kingdom building, there is... more>>
CN (4.4)
40 Chapters Every 280.5 Day(s) 7216 Readers 189 Reviews 12-14-2018
Great series, but kingdom building is not really the main thing going on here. Still, there are some minor kingdom building elements so you can... more>>
KR (4.1)
478 Chapters Every 0.8 Day(s) 14849 Readers 192 Reviews 03-28-2024
The MC keeps world hopping, so the kingdom building is always somewhat distant and introduced as an afterthought between arcs. But it is an important... more>>
KR (4.5)
55 Chapters Every 176 Day(s) 23743 Readers 316 Reviews 11-26-2017
Territory building is not the main element in this one, but it's a good, dramatic story (at least for the first arc). 
KR (4.2)
205 Chapters Every 143 Day(s) 11651 Readers 110 Reviews 06-07-2018
Kingdom building is not the main element, it's more focused on action and epic post-apocalyptic adventure. Kingdom building does become more important later on, when... more>>
JP (4)
92 Chapters Every 196.6 Day(s) 5528 Readers 15 Reviews 05-29-2016
Hmm, I liked the premise, the fact he reincarnates into a married man and is in a farming village. It kind of reminds me of Utawarerumono in terms of the immersive medieval fantasy village atmosphere (go play the game Utawarerumono though, it's better than Seiun - original is 18+, but the PSP version is for all ages, with extra game features like special moves).... more>>
JP (4.6)
41 Chapters Every 92.5 Day(s) 2669 Readers 11 Reviews 07-21-2022
[have not yet read] - looks solid, good ratings, classic oda nobunaga warring states period time slip setting, and has a manga that's been rec'ed... more>>
CN (4.1)
342 Chapters Every 0.7 Day(s) 869 Readers 16 Reviews 03-28-2024
Well, this was exceedingly disappointing... I love the setting, reincarnation premise, time period and historical details... But it's just info dump after info dump with... more>>
KR (3.9)
208 Chapters Every 5.5 Day(s) 2346 Readers 8 Reviews 02-20-2024
[have not yet read]
JP (4.2)
0 Chapters Every 3118 Day(s) 19474 Readers 145 Reviews 09-14-2015
[have not yet read] - some people love this! Cover looks very shounen, so I'm assuming this doesn't concentrate on the kingdom development? Don't take... more>>
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Comments (45)
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  1. Wholesomepanda
    Wholesomepanda· Aug 30, 2020 12:47 PM

    Haloo , i cant write english well, but im highly recommended the defeated dragon, its have the best kingdom building or territory development that i have read so far, it dont have great action or sword and magic like novel but i think the territory build is soo good.

    And thank you for the list i really love this kingdom build or territory development genre of novel

    Ps : sorry i dont know how to tag the novel name so you can just click it name and go to the novel page, so just search for the defeated dragon

    Reply · 4 Likes · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Aug 30, 2020 01:20 PM

      Thanks so much Wholesomepanda! I'll add it to the list and definitely take a look as soon as I have a chance.

      Thanks for following and leaving a comment! Hope you find some novels that let you scratch that kingdom building itch!

      Actually, taking a look at the defeated dragon novel page, it appears I put it on my to read list long ago and forgot about it... I should catch up on my old saved titles...

      Reply · 2 Likes · ·
    • Daresan
      Daresan· Nov 18, 2020 05:01 PM
      Name sounds really cheesy? Could be jap novel? I havent enjoyed Kingdom building in jap novel for long time except overlord.
      Reply · 2 Likes · ·
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    • SuckTheBlood
      SuckTheBlood· Apr 8, 2023 07:13 AM
      Hello bro, where i can read fully translated until the end? 
      Reply · ·
  2. McShuffle
    McShuffle· Jun 15, 2020 07:18 PM
    Tallrice, if you wanna read Holly roman empire, I recommend to read mediterranean hugemony first.Because it is the first book of the same author ,it will give you information about politics around europe. You will have better understanding relationship between countries 
    Reply · 3 Likes · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Jun 15, 2020 11:23 PM
      Thanks McShuffle! Great thing to know before getting started!
      Reply · ·
    • Marcus
      Marcus· Sep 10, 2020 05:44 AM

      Hard to read beacause of slow translations, I first read it a year ago but it stopped translating and when I read it again I forgot most of the names and alot of minor events. It is a novel that is quite boring if you read it again. 

      Holy Roman Empire is translated by webnovel so if it dosent get popular enough it wont be translated further than 60 chaopters

      Reply · 1 Like · ·
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    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Sep 10, 2020 12:02 PM

      @Marcus Thanks for leaving the comment about Holy Roman Empire! Definitely looks promising but good to caution on waiting a bit before picking up a slow to translate series.

      Reply · ·
  3. rfrfcb3001
    rfrfcb3001· Jun 15, 2020 03:46 PM
    the master of ragnarok have a kingdom building through this rather a clan   building . MC  use his morden  knowledge   to rise the nation and  in the wars to  beat other clans . um..
    Reply · 2 Likes · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Jun 15, 2020 05:37 PM
      Cool! Thanks for the mention rfrfcb! I hadn't heard of that one before. I'll add it in!
      Reply · ·
  4. Marcus
    Marcus· Jun 15, 2020 05:16 AM

    Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi has a lot of development so you should nlot worry about it focusing too much on war or romance, it fits just right althought the romance is a bit too much if your looking for a novel without too many women

    Doom Lord is not boring, it only has slow updates which kinda makes it boring but still it is quite fine especially how it works

    Reply · 2 Likes · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Jun 15, 2020 06:52 AM

      Thanks for the constructive comment Marcus! Appreciated!

      I'll have to disagree somewhat on doom lord... I enjoy Doom Lord and do recommend it as well. But there's something somewhat bland about it, and not just because of the update speed. I do admit it's a bit hard to put my finger on though, since the system is well developed, the world is interesting, the characters are decent, the main city's management is neat... it's just somewhat grindy perhaps in the details? For others looking for a series though, there you have it... Might just be me, so give it a try and tell us what you think.

      And good to hear the second opinion on Oukoku e Tsuzuku! I do have to give that one a try.

      Reply · 1 Like · ·
  5. Kalamel513
    Kalamel513· Jun 10, 2020 05:05 AM

    Seriously recommend Magus of Genesis. The entire premise is about development of a whole civilization, from caveman age, because MC is kinda immortal. It is quite slow pace and not really involved politic (how?, when other polities are basically other races, with either vastly different niches or are self-sufficient and isolationist). The only arc about political conflict is pretty much the worst arc, politic is a real weakpoint so it's good that it wasn't focus. Because it start at stone age, MC have to introduce many basic concepts already accepted in general medieval stories, including math, language and whole agriculture. Magic development is interesting because MC is learning along with other characters, with most breakthroughs credited to other and MC is just refine them.

    Bad points of this series are, as mentioned, politics, and MC is borderline annoying in many cases, too hesitating, too soft heart, and of course, dense. The worst thing so far is that TL is hiatus, or may be taking long breaks frequently and unpredictably. And raws is hard to read with MTLs.

    Speaking of MTLs, Ascending of bookworms is very MTLs friendly. And I agree with you on it ending.

    Edit: NPC Town-building Game, so far, is not really town development but more like village governing. Well, the residents counts just stepped on 2-digit counts in recent chapter so it might change.

    Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi is more of action/tactic/wars strategy adventure and harem making. Town development so far mostly involve defense industries and tactics, along with logistics and a bit of taxes/recruitment policies. You can say it is approximately 50% wars, 30% romance, 15% politic and 5% development.

    Also recommend Risou no Himo Seikatsu, my top politic-focus WN so far. Soooo politic that detailed on why MC must choose this wording over that than what this new product effect this world.

    Reply · 2 Likes · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Jun 10, 2020 12:41 PM

      Wow, awesome! Thanks so much Kalamel! 

      My reading list says I tried Magus of Genesis and dropped it, but I can't remember it at all. I'll add it into the list on your recommendation and give it another go.

      Risou no himo seikatsu, however, I have on my wish list, so I haven't tried it before. I think I was a bit leery of the comedy tag... so few good comedies. That's a high recommendation though, so I'm looking forward to it! 

      Reply · ·
    • Kalamel513
      Kalamel513· Jun 11, 2020 06:05 AM

      @tallrice  Thank for reception.

      Magus of Genesis: Many dropped it after the s*upid display of MC in arc2, which is really s*upid, but consistent with character of MC. Other might drop it far earlier, as it's slow pace as hell. Multiple time skips, generally in seasons to a decade, between volume skips are on few decades/centuries scales. And MC is not in hurry at all, directly opposite from RTW. If I must describe him rudely and harshly, he is an epitome of beta (I hate this term, but can't find better) until push comes to shove. There is an obvious reason why it was not tagged with OP MC. If you can't tolerate this beta of MC, without development in foreseeable future, and can't ignore him despite other good-designed characters, safe your frustration and ignore this series.

      Risou no himo seikatsu, What!? I just saw the comedy tag, who tagged that? Probably from manga, but most comedy are in extra chapters of each volume, you can try extra of v1 without spoiling anything except basic premise. Other than that there are just few skits and some monologue jokes, very rare. If I give it score it is 40% slice of life, 40% romance, 10% magic, 10% introducing Earth tech, no comedy or about 1-2% at most, with ubiquitous politics overlap on everything, because every single active (named) isekai non-infants characters are politically-involved in some degree. Starting from youths from nobility to foreign royalty. Only commoners actively mentioned are servants, employees, or one-time-off POVs. Author probably can sell LN about daily life of a modern councilman. 

      Reply · 1 Like · ·
  6. wayvern33
    wayvern33· Jun 4, 2020 03:58 PM

    Nice selection of stories here, but knight and magic is not a kingdom building story, it a mecha building fantasy

    Reply · 2 Likes · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Jun 4, 2020 04:11 PM
      True enough, been awhile since I read that. Don't mind removing.
      Reply · ·
  7. Daresan
    Daresan· Aug 3, 2023 05:09 AM
    Mediterranean hegemon of ancient greece is best novel
    Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Aug 3, 2023 11:27 AM
      Thanks for the rec Daresan! Kind of crazy I never came across that one before! I'll give it a read
      Reply · ·
    • Daresan
      Daresan· Oct 13, 2023 11:53 AM
      @tallrice definitely i think it is the only novel that really takes you back to greece in 400bc.Everything else in nu cannot compare to this novel in kingdom building as this novel is almost alternate history while every novel in nu has some magic bullsh*t even though author wants to write kingdom building novel.
      Reply · 2 Likes · ·
  8. justnewhere
    justnewhere· Jan 10, 2022 12:37 AM
    should definitely read Strongest Sect of all times
    Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Jan 22, 2022 01:17 PM
      Thanks for the rec, justnewhere! I haven't heard of that one before, I'll put it on my to read list and see if I can check it out!
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
  9. Baobei01
    Baobei01· Dec 21, 2020 07:03 AM
    How bout world online? Its pretty good plus it is completed. Thanks for the list
    Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Dec 21, 2020 01:57 PM
      Glad you found things you liked and thanks for leaving a comment and recommendation! I haven't actually read that one, partly due to the very mixed reviews. I'll add it to the list though, as kingdom development does seem to be the theme!
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
  10. ln0353
    ln0353· Oct 7, 2020 09:38 AM

    more JP novel please !!!

    kingdom building so fun

    Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • tallrice
      tallrice· Author · Oct 7, 2020 01:22 PM

      Did you mean you know some other JP novels that fit this genre? Or that I should read more JP novels?

      If you know some good ones, please tell me!

      Hope you found some things you like on this list!

      Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • justnewhere
      justnewhere· Jan 22, 2022 01:39 PM
      @tallrice Reincarnated as an Emperor ~ Will the Emperor at Birth Survive?

      good jp novel and some good kr novels:

      Black Corporation: Joseon

      Napoleon Bonaparte 

      Goblin workshop in me

      Reply · 1 Like · ·