Many players are gathered around the Arpen Palace in an attempt to catch a glimpse of Weed, who has been holed up in his suite ever since he came back. While the wait for Weed to come out, they admire the palace and how it’s strong, well built, etc. Inside his quarters, Weed is about how much money is used to build a building like this (?). As he thinks about this more and more, his thoughts slowly grow darker. He thinks about how he could make a fortune if he built houses (not sure if this refers to in real life or being an architect in game). Weed then considers how land speculation and construction is the driving force behind economic development and how Arpen Kingdom will (or “is” not “will”, not sure) expand throughout the North, creating a spiderweb of roads for easy access and many centers for culture and art. In addition, he remarks on how the wellbeing of the cities and towns of Arpen looks terrific. Finally, with the tension and anticipation of opening up a piggy bank, which exceeds the tension he felt when he saved the world by fighting the Embinyu or even when he fought the undead legion with the Orcs, he opens up the Internal Affairs window for the Arpen Kingdom
“Arpen Kingdom.
A northern kingdom that rules over a vast territory, The flags and culture of the Arpen Kingdom has spread far and wide throughout the North, despite of the different topographies and climates. Through trade and cultural assimilation, this kingdom has already occupied most of the area ruled by the Niflheim empire in the past. The subjects revere their king (?); many residents believe that the Northern King has been chosen by the Goddess Freya. (Something pioneering the construction of nobility between the nobility and the king of kings? Idk). The rumors of the God-Chosen King have spread far and wide in the Versailles Continent (? Also, something about Weed doing the duty of a warrior). The ideal of the Arpen citizens are inclined towards adventure, freedom, and the pursuit economic affluence. Through art, they find their satisfaction. Although there is an invasion, the citizen believes that the power of their King will push the invaders back. It is difficult to measure the birth rate because it is growing so quickly. This especially applies to the Orcs of the Arpen Kingdom.
Military: 7,390.
Economy: 48,291
Culture: 42,092
Technology: 62,380
Religious Influence: 86
Political Influence on nearby countries (?): 97%
Kingdom Development: 79
Health: 42
Security: 92%”
The screen then continues and tells about how new areas are being cleared, abandoned mines being actively redeveloped. How special products are increasing, and how road construction is everywhere. Provincial cities are still paying their taxes (?) but they sometimes complain about how thieves and crime is growing. There is also a lot of interest in the marine industry, with maritime trade and fishing growing day by day. Agriculture is also another booming industry, with young farmers growing many species of plants. The surplus of rice and wheat are usually eaten by the Orcs, while the value of coffee, tea, and herbs continue to increase. Adventurers keep finding more and more relics of the Niflheim empire, and this rate doesn’t seem to be dropping anytime soon. Monsters subjugation happens frequently. Knights from all over the continent come in order to serve the prestigious King of Arpen, Weed
Total Population of Kingdom: 38,291,029.
Monthly Tax Revenue: 21,943,920
Operating Expenses: (? A number is missing here. It’s quite possible that the 38 million is the monthly tax revenue and the 21 million is the operating expenses)
Military: 6%
Technological Development: 12%
Cultural Development: 38%
Economic development: 22%
Investment: 6%
Monster and quest commissions: 14%
Religious donations: 2%
(Note: the numbers here are kind of mixed up so I may be wrong to where these numbers go).
Military
Commanders: 4939
Soldiers: 162,023
Trainees (or trainers?): 9720
After viewing the window, Weed exclaims how rewarding seeing the growth of Arpen is (he compares it to a full stomach?). Apparently, watching his “piggy bank” grow is like owning a poultry farm where all the poultry lay golden eggs. He remarks on how he can depend on this “rice bowl” until he grows old. However, Weed suddenly becomes anxious of how the Haven Kindom is trying to destroy his way to a comfortable retirement, and calls up the military window. Apparently, Apren has 32,998 knights at an average level of 367 and 187,390 soldiers at an average level of 194. Their loyalty is at 99% and training is 89%. Because of Weed’s title has “The Hero who saved the Continent” many of the righteous, unaffiliated knights are gathering in response to his call. The knights have great pride and will face any situation, no matter how dangerous. The soldiers have absolute loyalty and will do anything that the King says. (Something about how the inhabitants of Lavias are willing to fight too). Many run-down fortresses of the Niflheim empire are being repaired and garrisoned.
Weed looks through the window, and remarks on how although Arpen’s military is fairly decent, it’ll probably completely destroyed if pitted against the forces of the Haven Empire. His mind then turns to Lavias. The reason why there wasn’t that much military development is because Mora prioritized economic and cultural development. Even after Mora was flourishing, a significant portion of the money was spent on expanding the territory of the Arpen Kngdom (roads, wall construction, urban renewal etc.). However, Lavias does not have to worry about monster invasions (so they don’t need to build wall) and their infrastructure has already been largely developed. Frankly, with its many dungeons, it’s almost like a small kingdom. Also, apparently, playing an Avian is completely different than playing as a humanoid race. In addition to the humanoid races secondary and tertiary class promotions, the Avians had other amazing properties. Once a certain level has been reached, an Avian’s body will change (molt?), granting a newer body with enhance physical attributes. Molting also will unlock new equipment for the character to wear. Because of the constant demand for equipment, the ability to fly, the restaurants, hotels, and the training center, and the nature of the Avians to migrate to Lavias at least once or twice a year, Lavias has an extremely stable and fast-growing tax base. A window then pops up about how the Avians also want to fight the enemy incursion and Weed immediately accepts, saying it’s better than nothing. Weed then uses his authority as King to call his troops together, choosing the land around the Palace as a gathering ground. A message pops up saying how the army will be moved to the place and how Lavias is coming also. Weed is then allowed to select a commander for the army, but he chooses to directly command them.
Note: There is a paragraph here talking about Weed’s ability that he received (?) from the quest. It mentions how his level is only 419 now because of all of the levels lost from granting life to sculptures. The book also mentions how Weed (?) is the only weapon that’s absolutely replaceable and how it is unlikely that anybody else can learn similar skills. We find that if Weed reaches Intermediate Sculpting with his new Time Sculpting skill, he may be able to stop time (?). Weed then complains about how these art skills are kind of worthless (????)
The scene switches to a tent where the commanders of Haven’s northern invasion army are gathered. The leader of the invasion is Deuraka, a staunch supporter of the Hermes guild and also one of its most elite commanders. Deuraka also has one of the most notorious reputations, causing towns to flee just because of his presence. Hearing a report of how Weed has appeared in the Arpen Palace, Deuraka orders a full speed advance to the palace, saying how it’s only a stone’s throw away. One of the other commanders point out how even though it’s only a 3 day march, the constant hindrances by the Porridge cult has reduced their rate of marching. It is likely that it’ll at least take 5 days to go to the palace. Deuraka says that it doesn’t matter even if it’ll take a week’s time to march to the palace, because the end result (Weed and the high level northern users getting defeated) will be worth it. For the Hermes army, the repeated attacks by the Porridge cult are like little ant stings, and the assaults are easily defeated by a barrage of spells and arrows, followed up by a charge by the knights and infantry. The Porridge cult is compared to little birds defending their nest against a large snake (Hermes) while the mother bird (Weed) is off. Also, we find out one of the biggest reasons why the players are desperately fighting isn’t just because Weed is popular; it’s because the Arpen Kingdom is the user-ruled kingdom where players have freedom to do whatever they want, unencumbered by heavy taxes or rules. One of the commanders asks that wasn’t their original plan to have Ray Bard personally face Weed if they find him. Deuraka than replies, talking about how Ray Bard is currently dealing with the Abyssal Knight that appeared in Haven territory. Another commander brings up a report of troop movement and how the Arpen troops are all gathering on the Arpen Palace, meaning that Weed intends to fight. Deuraka says that although Weed’s commanding ability is great, there’s still a limit to what the NPCs can do. They then talk about how the Haven Army relies on NPC troops controlled by player commanders (unlike Arpen’s forces). There are many advantages to NPC troops like reliability, loyalty, swiftness, good training, and consistent morale.