I think it is very well done for my standard, even beans can grow in the midst of a drought.
But since walking down the path of the Eternal Sculptor, masterpieces are produced fairly frequently.
‘It all thanks to the increased effectiveness of my skill.’
Weed was satisfied with the end result. Not only did the Sculpting skill increase, but even the related skills would increase its effectiveness by 20%.
Sculpting Blade skill increased by 20%, and Sculpture Transformation will become better at expressing racial characteristics.
Weed was able to use the fast paced method he had learned from his illegal part-time job during his teenage years.
With approximately 45 masterpiece sculptures created, he could earn approximately 1,200 gold.
It was petty cash compared to what other classes made, but with all his money invested in Morata even this small amount was precious!
Weed made sculptures all night long.
When morning came, the Dwarven Liberation Corp entered the town square.
“One day of taxes from all travellers!”
All are required to pay taxes for all commercial activity done in the square, if you do not pay the taxes required, you will be forcibly expelled.
The Dwarven Liberation Corps ruled over all the guilds in Iron Hand!
The Dwarven Liberation Corps increased the village’s tax rate by 35%, making it higher than any other villages.
Murderous tax rates!
Most people agreed, that as a whole, the group did not fit their name.
‘They should change their name. Dwarves Exploitation Group would be a much more fitting name.’
The Dwarven Liberation Corps ruled Thor Kingdom, including 8 guilds and other small villages.
Every month the guild had to pay tribute to the Akryong (Evil Dragon) Kaybern in the form of goods. Thus the greedy dwarves could not become wealthy.
Dwarves with Beginner Blacksmithing skill did not open their eyes to avoid the high taxes. Those with Intermediate skills tried to bluff their way stating that they were moving to another village. However, the Dwarven Liberation Group still had influenced over the village, forcing them to pay the taxes.
Dwarves from the Liberation Group walk towards Weed.
“Art Hand, you have to pay taxed for that.”
“Seniors, earning a day-to-day living is the plight of the poor Dwarves.”
“All other Sculptors also pay taxes. And from what we’ve heard, you’ve been earning quite a lot.”
“I have recently pursued sculpting and it’s the truth that I have a few customers. However, others are jealous of me and are defaming me. How much could a sculptor possibly make?”
“Please accept 15 gold.”
“I can’t shave off 20 gold, if you don’t like it leave the village.”
At the Dwarven Warrior’s threat, Weed had no choice but to pay the 20 gold. However, it was a relatively small price to pay if you compared it to the weapon craftsmans’ taxes of several hundred gold pieces. Gathering all of their income from taxes, the Dwarven Liberation Corps were very profitable.
Inside the protection of the Akryong Kaybern, there was no need to maintain an army because neither monsters nor other Kingdoms dared to invade. There were occasional power struggles amongst the dwarves, which didn’t normally last very long, nor very catastrophic.
The Dwarves were a race that was naturally hard to siege.
The cities and villages were built on harsh terrain of mountains, which gave an overwhelming advantage to the defenders, and, without Magicians or Archers, they did not have the necessary resources to attack.
The Kingdom of the Dwarves was a disappointment.
Although it was their birthplace, those with a certain degree of skill scattered throughout the Versailles continent.
***
“Ah! What a beautiful sculpture, lately I’ve made most of them without errors.”
“What are you talking about, Pin? The brass statue you made yesterday had more dignity. How good was the “Anxious Dwarven Child” statue?”
“From a woman’s perspective, the sculpture you created today is more appealing.”
Weed created a sculpture of two people who couldn’t stop squabbling.
Herman had a profession as a Dwarven Blacksmith. At the sight of Weed making sculptures, he said.
:“You look like a Blacksmith with superior skills.”
Weed could not helped but asked.
“How did you know that?”
“If you look closely it’s obvious. You are not a native Dwarf are you?”
“Yes.”
“In this place, the most Dwarves acquaint themselves and live on. Although most other people think all Dwarves look alike, if you look closely, there’s a slight difference.”
The length of the beard, hair color, the shape of the jacket, and even to the size of the head differs according to the taste of the Dwarf. Even if other people have difficulty differentiating them, if one actually became acquainted with a Dwarf, it would be easy to tell them apart.
So Herman said while gently stroking his beard.
“While I think I know, to some extent, most of the Dwarven Sculptors who live in the Kingdom of Thor, there wasn’t one among them that looked like you.”
“It appears you know how to sculpt.”
“It’s a job without anything special involved. Speaking of sculpting, aren’t you skilled with your hands?”
“…”
“Although I trained in order to master sculpting, there was no reason for me learn other skills. While it’s hard to attain greatness, it’s probably easy to become good enough at it.”
“You can see a lot of struggling Dwarves.”
“The Dwarves who worked on Sculpting have usually dreamed those dreams and achieved it. However, the actual number of Dwarves who have done so are very few. They had their hand full with training their Sculpting skill, how can they possibly raise other skills? However, I think a person of your caliber can make it possible.”
“Why is your estimation of me so prominent?”
“Do you know how long you’ve been sitting here sculpting while eating only bread crumbs?”
Weed had not been aware of the time for hours.