Development related to adventure and compensation for commissions took 16% of the fiscus. Searching the other regions inside out, this was incomparable and overwhelmingly the best figure. Other villages were at a level where their best was only at about 2%, 3%. There were cases in some cities where other players ruled that did not even provide compensation.
The regretful thing was that the lords did not feel the need for adventurers and spent their funds stingily. But Weed thought otherwise.
By bringing back the buried equipment, treasures, discoveries, artifacts, and books of the Northern continent the city would develop faster. Developing the city allowed for more taxes in the future so this path was seen as a shortcut. Even after Morata had become big, money was spent without spare for the adventurers.
Quests in Morata appeared as if a dam had burst, many people received quests and left.
“There is no need to dissuade people who are willing to take the risk of death and suffering.”
It was a development oriented taxation!
Weed, Morata, and Vargo Fortress were changing in the blink of an eye even under monster invasions and the game broadcasters reported a lot of news about it. But recently there was an event that engulfed the Versailles continent in a greater shock.
Hermes guild’s blitz of Kallamore Kingdom!
Local wars happened frequently, but they conquered forts and castles and absorbed them into their territory.
“Hermes Guild is charging again.”
“The current situation is amazing. Hermes Guild’s army overwhelmingly crushed the Kallamore Kingdoms border defense garrison.”
“Bardray can be seen with the vanguard. He is participating personally in the war.”
“The Black Knights forces, their inestimable strength! Watch Bardray’s action yourselves.”
“Around 100 thousand Hermes Guild players are part of the charge. The magician’s spells are spreading and pouring on the enemy’s position!”
Hermes Guild’s giant strength was being broadcasted. Due to the Haven Kingdom’s hostility towards the Kallamore Kingdom, they tried to fold the whole region into their territory. By getting the vast breadbasket and technology from the Kallamore Kingdom, Haven Kingdom would become the strongest nation on the Central continent.
Hermes guild started a war to recreate themselves as a nation that no one could stand up against. Imagining the future strength of their armies, no player could hide their astonishment. __________________________________________________
Weed heard the news of Hermes guild’s conquest and triumph over the Kallamore Kingdom in Vargo Fortress.
“Here, it’s complete. 34 gold.”
“Thank you. I will use it with utmost care.”
For Weed, it was business as usual as he made use of his blacksmith and sewing skills. If he did not practice the blacksmith or sewing skill for a long time, it could reduce his skill level.
While making a sculpture, he heard the voices of the chattering merchants from nearby.
“Hermes guild really has a massive army, their fire power leaves your jaw gaping and they are taking over all of Kallamore Kingdom!”
Weed, right at this moment, was using a special wood to sculpt an eagle. He was trying to capture the feeling of life in the eagle, requiring delicate carving to express its exclusivity of the sky and its freedom. While he focused his ears on the conversation of the merchants, his hand was completely tense.
“How long can the Kallamore Kingdom hold out?”
“They can’t. I really didn’t know Hermes guild was hiding such massive strength. Presently the Kallamore Kingdom’s border garrison was completely wiped out. Among 60 thousand people, not many survived.”
Creek!
Weed made a mistake with the carving knife making a long scratch on the side of the sculpture.
“The level 400 powerhouses of Hermes guild went forward, they destroyed and occupied Hosran fort in less than 2 hours. Even the media did not know that Hermes guild’s army was this strong.”
“Do you think they are really that strong?”
“It won’t be an exaggeration to say they have the strongest infantry, even the number that participated in the war… sigh, words just won’t come out. Just hearing the names of the participants you will recognize the rankers, they are lined with strong players.”
“But against Weed-nim?”
“Well… even Weed-nim would have to fold at least once against Hermes guild.”
“Weed-nim is the God of War, he already defeated Hermes guild twice.”
Weed just made his sculpture in silence. The sculpture that was created during this confused moment was a downcast bald eagle!
As a famous sculptor, a disappoint piece was created.
Fame decreased by 15.
It was a relief that he was making the sculpture in a corner away from the prying eyes of the merchants.
Vargo Fortress still did not have a tavern so the video of the broadcast could not be seen. But the grand appearance of the Hermes guild could be felt.
The finances necessary to fund the troops to occupy just a castle or a city was enormous. Even for Weed, the monthly income tax was tremendous only after the huge development of Morata. And Haven Kingdom is said to be the yolk of the Central continent and just conquering it whole spoke volumes about their strength.
As Hermes guild became bigger, Weed’s influence could only become smaller. It was a situation where he could no longer roam around the Central continent freely, but to just imagine if Hermes Guild completely conquers the Central continent!
‘It will only be a matter of time till the underdeveloped north, east, west and south will be seized.’
Then Weed would only be able to hunt in isolation. Even now an assassin could come at any moment for him. As Vargo Fortress was filled with players who would side with Weed, the assassin’s activity was limited. But in other regions, they would smell his bounty and cause an uproar.
‘The only thing left for me is the Sculpture Mastery quest and the final secret sculpting legacy! If Hermes guild or other famous guilds become bigger than now, peace will be impossible. Then the only thing I could do is roam the continent, hiding my identity through Sculpture Transformation and changing my appearance often.’
So Weed prepared to leave for a trip. To master the sculpting skill he still needed a bit more time. Retrieving the final secret legacy would be good, but mastering sculpting was becoming a priority so he planned to meet the master sculptor Zahab.
___________________________________________
The Red Reed Forest.
At the quest area the queen of fairies Teneidon spoke about, the assassins waited and prepared for an ambush.
As a rule they did not talk aloud but only in whispers.
When do you think Weed will come here?
If you wait he will come.
The assassins deployed themselves in the grass and above the trees. They were used to the boring waits. High level assassins preferred killing stronger people rather than doing normal hunts as it gave them more experience and mastery in skill went up a lot more.
To kill Weed they went ahead to the quest starting area and waited for him.
“They said Weed would come here, right?”
“If we just catch him we can definitely receive a reward from Hermes guild. I am going to change all my equipment and also ask for a skill book.”
“It’s the God of War Weed. When he appears we must attack him together.”
“There is no need for honour. When we kill him we will share the reward equally.”
Even bounty hunters, trying to make a fortune through the bounty, were roaming around the Red Reed Forest.
Truthfully there were not many righteous people among the bounty hunters. They usually laughed as they betrayed or deceived their partners without feeling a smidgen of guilt. They knew the cynical nature of the job but for now they decided to join their strength.
“If he just comes…”
“He’s already dead!”
“Kuhuhu, let's receive our bounty and sign up with Hermes guild.”
“Will they accept us?”
“They say Hermes guild accepts anyone if you have the strength.”
“Then we have to get in. Just by signing up we can live in a grand style.”
____________________________________
Lee Hyun logged into the Dark Gamer information board. He was trying to gather information on Grapass, one of the 10 forbidden regions of the continent, which was the place Zahab went.
“Will there be any good information here?”
It had been a long time since he received the quest from the old handmaiden. He expected that more people would have explored the region and more information had built up since then.
But in reality, many players actually challenged the forbidden regions in the early days. As they were level 100 and 200s, he nimbly skipped their stories. Just from skimming them, there were many stories about being completely wiped out by the strong monsters and that they would try again later.