"There are also peasants from Kakasong Duchy. Duke Hubert has embarked on the Path of the Holy Grail, and the duchy is currently jointly regented by a Marquis and the Lake God Prophet. So free people have taken the opportunity to co here looking for work," Ollica said, draping a towel over Laine's shoulders. The Dark Elf's pointed ears adorned with golden hoops gently swayed with her movents.
"This might cause so trouble in the future," Laine sighed contentedly. Having absorbed so many people, his neighbors were surely going to have opinions.
Developnt is the key principle; for now, he couldn't manage too much. The arrival of these quality people was more beneficial than harmful.
"What about the Wood Elves and the Dwarves?"
"My cousins sent a team of Woodland Guard and a team of Eternal Guard, stationed on the land you've outlined for them," Ollica spoke with slight disdain and awkwardness. "Overall, they're content with the status quo. These Wood Elves have attracted a lot of traders for comrce. At least your rchant friend, Oliver, has made a considerable profit from it, and now it's said that through your connection and his Wood Elf trading empire, he's made his way into Marinburg's high society."
"Don't forget our kin, the Asur. They are our Eslelin enemies! And don't forget our cousins, the Duruzi. They are our Eslelin enemies!"
—Wood Elf's nursery rhy
"Very well," Laine continued, "So what about the Dwarves? It seems the forges along the river have grown quite sizeable."
"Rune Artisan Delong Feinson produces over two hundred sets of complete Dwarf masterwork equipnt and weapons every month. These ironworks are very successful; demand from the Wood Elves and local Lords alone outstrips supply. So, the Dwarves decided to call upon their kin to help. As of today, ten or so Dwarves have left the mountains and settled here," Ollica gently pressed her small hand against Laine's back. "Dwarves find it hard to trust others, but they trust the Holy Grail Knight, our Lord. It's said many mountain Dwarves are intrigued by life outside, and the Dwarf King of Karak Breeze Castle did not stop them after hearing your na."
"Did you draw up a community solely for them as I instructed?" Laine asked.
"Yes."
"Good," Laine saw no need to question further. After washing a bit longer, he stood up from the wooden tub; the scar on his chest was very apparent. The Dark Elf could tell her master had been through fierce battles.
Unlike the lady knight or people like Alia, the Dark Elf looked at the scar not with concern but with pride and admiration. She used the towel to help Laine dry off, speaking cheerfully, "You're quite extraordinary, Master. In the darkness and cold of Naglos, if any Dark Elf could defeat the Chaos Great Demon, you would certainly earn an audience with the Witch King."
"Will he na Lord of Fear?" Laine joked.
Ollica hesitated, her gaze shifted awkwardly, "That I wouldn't know."
Laine didn't notice the Dark Elf's unusual deanor; he dressed in lightweight attire, pulling the Dark Elf into his arms. Ollica flushed as she embraced him, "Master~ We'll talk later tonight. Her Highness the Lake Witch is still waiting for you."
"Alright! I'll bring the items up now," Laine carried the hot water and towel to the Prayer Room on the third floor.
Under Ollica's direction, the Prayer Room had been refurbished with Lake Fairy's Holy statue and shrine untouched; the walls were adorned with wallpaper and paintings, and the floor carpeted.
Mogiana was sitting on the large bed in the room; the Lake God Witch's long dress reached the floor. Seeing Laine bring in the large tub of water and towels, she complained a bit, "Why are you coming only now?"
"Apologies, my lady. I needed to wash myself before daring to et you," Laine set down the tub and towels and asked casually, "Do you wish to dine with my people and tonight?"
"No, you can just bring the dinner here." Mogiana removed her soft boots, exhaling lightly; she softly thanked, "In any case, thank you, Laine. Both for eliminating the Chaos Great Demon and my personal matters."
"It's my honor, my lady." Laine bowed gracefully and then stepped out.
"Wait..." Mogiana wanted to say sothing more to Laine, but he had already closed the door and left.
Descending from the third floor, Tax Officer Gaspardon promptly found Laine, "My Baron, there's a matter here for you to handle."
Ranger Knight Olivier also erged, "My Baron, I also have an immature suggestion."
"Let's discuss it in the office, Gaspardon," Laine indicated for everyone to talk while walking.
"The tax revenue for the first quarter this year already exceeded five hundred gold crowns, my Baron," Gaspardon said with a smile, chasing after Laine, "My suggestion is to allocate so of it to get better equipnt for our soldiers."
"That's exactly what I was about to say, my Baron. Recently, a band of thieves appeared in Charon Forest, and my suggestion is to lead a force to eliminate them," Olivier added, following Laine.
The three entered the office, and Laine sat in the Baron's chair, motioning for the Tax Officer and Ranger Knight to sit, "Have the soldiers been equipped with enough crossbows?"
"Yes, my Baron. With the help of the Dwarves, the soldiers are now entirely equipped with Dwarf-made chest armor and Dwarf crossbows," Olivier continued, "The range of these Dwarf crossbows is longer than the Peasant Archers but shorter than that of the Bastogne Longbown."
Laine nodded, "Describe the band of thieves to , Olivier."
The Ranger Knight pulled out a map, pointing to a region in Charon Forest leaning toward the Bastogne Duchy above Baron Gene's Domain, "Recently, a band of robbers calling themselves the 'Berelac Brotherhood' has gathered in Charon Forest. They are led by a notorious peasant fugitive, intercepting travelers and rchants. Interestingly, they never murder or rob exorbitantly; instead, they take only a small portion of the travelers' belongings before letting them go. This band even calls themselves 'Heroic Thieves,' often leaving the forest to aid impoverished peasants, making it extrely challenging for Bastogne's knights to quash them, eventually leaving them be."
"Hah! These thieves understand sustainable developnt?" Laine chuckled.
Gaspardon and Olivier were puzzled. Sustainable developnt?
The Baron did not explain further, and Olivier dared not pause. Laine's authority had grown heavy. The Ranger Knight coughed lightly, continuing, "Overall, I recomnd deploying troops to wipe out these thieves, although they are quite formidable. Especially their leader, clad in green, known as the Heroic Thief Bertrand. It's said he can shoot a Pegasus's eye blind in one shot."
"Hmm, this matter need not rush. It's currently the ti for spring cultivation; we cannot muster troops lightly. For now, send scouts to gather intelligence," Laine made a temporary decision, "I wish for a year of rest and recuperation; deploying forces requires careful deliberation."
"Understood..." Olivier felt sowhat disappointed seeing Laine had no intent to deploy troops. Military rit and honor are ladders to promotion; the position of the two Kingdom Knights under Laine was still vacant, and several Ranger Knights were discreetly vying.
After processing the accumulated internal affairs, ti had already passed to night.
After enjoying a sumptuous dinner, Laine carried the al tray to knock at the Prayer Room door on the third floor, "Her Highness Mogiana? I brought dinner."
"Co in."
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