Yurin was very helpful with her paintings even though she did not engage in combat. Looking at her silently hold the painting to herself, wearing her cowl hat, made people want to give her a hug.
But the images she was painting were quite bloody. It was quite a sight to see the ogres, known as the lords of the forest, being tossed around like rabbit. The heads of the ogres were skewered by 3 beautiful golden snakes.
Yurin was a very pretty girl but the picture showed the cruel reality.
Inhumane abuse!
Pale nodded a little.
‘Her brother really is Weed.’
In Yurin’s veins flowed the same blood as Weed.
***
Viewership was always rising over news about the Versailles Continent.
Oh Juwan and Shin Hye Min were on a program having a discussion with a number of experts.
“A few days ago a combat based profession player took over a castle.”
“Warriors and Knights seem to be the most popular classes to own castles. There are a few mages but they aren’t exactly many.”
“Professions that are good with leading others into combat seem to be good.”
“However, for the first time, a blacksmith has appeared with enough money to become the lord of a castle.”
The specialists for the Versailles Continent argued about their opinions.
“Impossible.”
“I have no idea how that could have been done.”
“Was it merely a coincidence? Or maybe there were special circumstances?
Several things changed after the castle was bought.
An increasing number of residents were interested in metal. Residents would talk about metal and hand out quests related to it. Usually smelting a certain ingredient or making a special item.
The number of quests for blacksmiths were limited. Most of the time the quest was too hard for the blacksmith to complete. There was also the fact that a lack of fame made it more difficult for blacksmiths to receive quests. Because there were hardly any quests available, blacksmiths had to work for days to increase their skill proficiency.
In the blacksmith’s castle the quests were very basic. But the rewards for those quests were quite decent. By making the appropriate armor and weapons for the quest, fame raised quite quickly. The weapons depended on what the quest referral wanted and may require more skill than available. Even if the result was poor, the blacksmith would still receive a considerable amount of training. This lightened the burden considerably.
“I think, thanks to this castle, the blacksmiths class and other crafters will receive better treatment.”
“Crafters?”
Han Gil’s eyes shone.
This did not happen often.
“Yes. My guess is, with the heightened interest thanks to this new castle, the value of blacksmiths will increase considerably.”
“Then that means...”
All eyes were looking towards the expert.
“The castle lord’s profession will have a large impact on the continent.”
All of the conclusions were converging towards a single point. Otherwise people wouldn’t be able to understand the situation.
Shin Hye Min asked cautiously.
“What kind of changes can we expect to see because of the new blacksmith lord?”
“It’s a little early to make any definite conclusions.”
With that they began beating around the bush with idle conversation. Then he said.
“The first development we should expect to see in that castle is the the level of technology should advance more quickly than other cities. The blacksmiths will sell a larger number of weapons and armor. Moreover, the quality of these items will constantly improve.”
“In other words, this means that this is going to be that castle’s specialty?”
“That seems to be the case. From the information gathered so far, the standard of weapons is currently higher than usual and there are signs of positive effects. Raising soldiers in the castle will be considerably easier than raising mages.”
Shin Hye Min nodded at what the experts said.
With combat based castle lords could raise strong soldiers easily. Wizards lords increased the overall magical power. Yet blacksmiths were able to have a similar impact as a combat related profession.
***
When Weed returned to the Versailles Continent, the sun had already gone down and it was evening already.
The clear jewel like stars were twinkling in the sky.
Dark clouds loomed overhead of Weed. Harsh thunder bolts rained down from the sky. The entire rest of the Continent was busy watching the televisions.
“Damn! This cursed profession forcefully made me into the Lord.”
His complaining and lamenting over his cursed profession did not disappear.
Rhodium City of Artists.
In reality it was a city infested with beggars.
There was no guarantee that someone would try and overthrow Morata after Weed took over.
Exploiting high taxes!
Ripping off the residents and squeezing out large taxes.
Raising soldiers to fight monsters to earn him items and money!
For Weed being a vicious dictator was truly his dream.
“Honestly, what is peace... there is no need for any of that. Anything beats being a beggar.”
Weed wanted to be a dictator.
But a lot of traders did not come through Morata because it was far from being a metropolis. Famous fortresses did not border it nor were there well developed hunting grounds.
“But being a Lord should come with some benefits right? Regional status window!”
Lord Weed was allowed to use that command.
The Province of MorataA province belonging to the Nifleheim Empire.
In the past the Emperor brought the land prosperity but now it is hard to imagine it.
Military
20
Economy
90
Culture
120
Technology
190
Religion
80
Urban Development
62
Security
98%
There are currently no soldiers so a regiment of vigilantes exists in its place. For one year the province will have the protection of the Church of Freya.There are few buildings. The residents are very poor. Merchants used to visit this land. Needs rapid development to quickly improve the livelihood of the residents.Festivals and sculptures make the residents more happy. Requires more cultural facilities for the residents to put behind their harsh past. Former cloth and sewing industry is on the decline.
The local population believe in the Church of Freya as their religion.
In the future, it is likely that it will become the central faith of the Kingdom.
Specialties:
Leather and Cloth.
Total Territory Population: 7863
Monthly tax income: 2300 gold
Village operating costs and expenditures:
Military 20%
Economic Development 20%
Village Maintenance 45%
Donations to the Church of Freya 15%