40 – Terra Village
＜Chapter 40 – Terra Village＞
Frontier Territory, 3rd floor.
Brilda’s room.
“So, you’re saying you’ll put the village up as a prize and have mercenaries compete? A competition to subjugate monsters?”
“Yes.”
Thud. Thud.
Brilda’s fingers tapped rapidly on the table.
“Elwin’s goal is to hunt trolls, right?”
“Yes.”
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“Can he even handle that? He lacks the ability, so can he just push through?”
Anna extended a paper in her hand.
“The situation has changed. After the announcement of offering the lordship, reputable mercenaries are crossing Vampire’s Bridge.”
Reading the paper while listening to Anna’s words, there were familiar names of mercenary groups.
If he knew them, they were quite famous.
“If they come… can they hunt trolls?”
“Yes.”
Thud. Thud.
Once again, Brilda’s fingers struck the table.
“Elwin will contract with the top-ranked mercenary group, won’t he?”
“Yes, it’s a contract that includes mobilization orders.”
“What exactly are these mobilization orders? Are they for monster defense? Or does it include threats from humans as well?”
“That… hasn’t been investigated yet. I apologize.”
“The top-ranked mercenary group with high potential?”
“It’s the Innocent Mercenary Corps.”
“Make contact with them. Make sure to specify the monster-limited defense.”
The first contract is crucial.
Depending on whether the phrase “monster-limited” is included or not, future contracts will follow suit.
“Understood. Madam.”
Kalas Territory.
Lord’s study.
“To appoint mercenaries as lords…”
Of course, it’s not a typical loyalty relationship. It was clearly mentioned as a mercenary contract with a set deadline.
“To acquire both ‘power’ and ‘force’ under ‘sub’.”
Knock. Knock.
“Father, it’s Jeffrey.”
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Jeffrey entered.
His hands were full of documents.
Since meeting Elwin,
Kalas’s lordship began to focus on succession.
Elwin, Geoffrey.
Both are young adults.
But how about Elwin?
The day Elwin crossed the Vampire’s Bridge for the first time.
They had met near the mansion near the checkpoint.
“Until then, I had ignored the idea of an islander.”
Monster Island.
The islanders who live there.
In the past, when the vampire dukes were strong, no one could ignore them.
But even the vampire dukes were weak in the face of time.
100 years. 200 years.
As time went on, the vampire dukes grew weaker.
They couldn’t pay attention to other matters as much.
They only focused on the war with the monsters.
This is how they viewed themselves as islanders.
Fighting only, ignorant of economics.
“That’s how it was…”
But meeting Elwin changed their thinking.
Even at a young age, they were not lacking compared to themselves.
“Father, I finished the toll settlement for last month.”
He stopped his thoughts and looked at his son.
Could Jeffrey become like Elwin?
Fortunately, he’s working hard, but… it’s not on a comparable level.
“How’s it going?”
“It’s increasing. With mercenaries crossing over to Ireland, the trade volume of maritime goods in Busan has noticeably increased. Consequently, toll revenue has also risen.”
It’s going as Elwin said.
‘Importing weapons, equipment, increasing hunting capabilities with improved combat skills, and the production of maritime goods is growing… Wasn’t this called a virtuous cycle?’
“When Elwin’s upper ranks come next time, support actively.”
“Understood. Father.”
Jeffrey carefully placed the documents he brought on the desk and bowed deeply enough for it to touch the floor.
Then he turned around.
“Wait.”
“Do you have something to say?”
“What is Freya doing?”
“Sister Freya is diligently attending noble classes to refine her body and mind.”
“Oh? I see. You may leave now.”
“Yes, Father.”
Originally, he tried to maintain a reasonably good relationship with Elwin.
A relationship where they help each other but not so close.
Kallas picked up the documents placed on the corner of the desk by Elwin.
In that place, the timeline from the moment Elwin established the Mercenary Guild in Server was densely written.
“Was it something I had thought of and done from the beginning? Is that really the case?”
Jajak instinctively wiped his arm.
A rough texture could be felt.
Along with it, a cold sensation was also felt.
**
**
After two months,
the basic construction of Terra Village was completed.
The village took on its proper appearance,
and the slaves and retired mercenaries moved into their respective homes.
Outside the wooden walls, vast farmland was created.
The village square.
The residents of Terra were gathered there.
“Terra Village has been completed through everyone’s efforts! We will hold a village festival for three days starting today!”
“Wow!!”
“Wow!!”
“Before the festival begins, there is good news!”
As the words ended, those who had been waiting under the platform stepped forward.
Among them were Russell and Isaac.
“I bought slaves and cultivated land. I expanded the territory and built a city there. It was something I couldn’t do alone. It’s all thanks to everyone’s efforts together!”
“Wow!!”
“Wow!!”
Raising his hand, he calmed the crowd.
“I have a promise for you. It’s called, Free. dom. For. Slaves! Here, there are slaves who have devoted themselves for me, for us.”
Starting with Russell, he explained what each of them had accomplished.
After introducing the last person, he removed the slave marks in front of the slaves.
“Wow!!!”
“Wow!!!”
Beep–
Beep–
The cheers filled the village to the point of deafening.
It took five minutes for the resounding cheer to subside.
“Work for me. Strive for the community. Then, within 10 years, the slave marks on your bodies will disappear! I promise this in the name of I. Elwin Frontier!”
“Wow!!”
“Wow!!”
“Enjoy yourselves for three days to your heart’s content!!”
.
.
After the speech,
Russell returned to the room with Isaac.
“You’ve worked hard all this time.”
“Thank you, master.”
“Thank you, master.”
“No, that’s not it. Since you’re not a slave, the title should be changed.”
“I understand, my lord.”
“I understand, my lord.”
Was it the influence of Enon?
Instead of titles like Elwin or Lady Soyoung, he chose the word ‘lord.’
I didn’t mind that word either.
“Keep up the good work in the future.”
“Of course.”
“I will do my best.”
After conveying the congratulations,
We immediately started working.
“What’s the situation with the mercenaries?”
“The total number counted by the mercenary guild is 3,200.”
In two months, the number of mercenaries increased by two thousand.
It’s not just a simple increase in numbers; the overall level has greatly improved.
This is because renowned mercenary groups have come in, promising the position of Terra’s Lord.
“They’re going troll hunting, right?”
“That’s correct. They’re mainly operating in areas with high troll scores. However…”
Russell trailed off.
“It’s okay, go on.”
“I’m concerned about the funding.”
Having mercenaries come and hunt monsters is a positive thing.
The problem is that subsidies are being paid under the guise of request fees.
“Is it that difficult?”
“At this rate, we’re expecting to be in the red.”
“Is it that bad?”
Because of the island’s special characteristics, Monster Island is making a lot of money from crops and livestock.
But it seems that the expenses are not manageable.
“But we can’t stop the mercenaries from coming. There’s not much time left this year, and next year is Gibson’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
After Russell’s report was finished,
he turned his gaze to Isaac.
“How’s the agricultural situation?”
“It’s good. We’ve added a large farm while making Terra. The production of the existing farms is also continuously increasing.”
It’s not difficult to develop further.
If there’s enough money, you can buy slaves and do it anytime.
What’s even better is that the production of the existing farms is steadily increasing.
This was partly because the slaves had adapted to farming, but also, in a different sense, because of the system.
Norfolk-style 4-Rotation Farming (Lv 4)
The efficiency of Norfolk-style 4-Rotation Farming has slightly increased.
Combat Farming Synchronization (Lv 2)
The combat power of farmers increases.
The productivity of soldiers increases.
Both skills have leveled up by 1.
After the report ended,
I covered the documents in front of me.
“You guys also have a 3-day vacation. Don’t think about work, just enjoy together.”
Isaac and Russell smiled at each other. Then, they bowed politely.
“Have a good time for 3 days! There’s no need to report anything! Don’t even come looking for me! Just relax!”
The two left the room,
And silence fell.
‘We’re in the red…’
I said it was fine in front of my subordinates, but it’s not really fine.
Even after taking control of the Troll Zone, we still have to pay subsidies to mercenaries.
That’s the only way we can defend ourselves.
Slave soldiers alone can’t stop the trolls.
‘We can’t reduce the subsidies. Should we increase our income? Buy more slaves…’
His head drooped.
Even slaves need money to live.
“Phew, what should I do.”
Cheers could be heard from outside.
There seemed to be something interesting happening.
I also wanted to go out and enjoy the festival.
But the thought disappeared when faced with the words “in the red”.
“To grow, you need money no matter what. I wonder if there’s nowhere to get money…”
At that moment,
A knock was heard.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Russell appeared.
“I told you not to come for three days. Rest well.”
“A customer has come to see you.”
Two people appeared behind Russell.
One was Jeffrey Kalas, whom I had met at my sister’s adulthood ceremony.
And the other was a woman I had never seen before.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Freya Kalas.”
“Ah… Yes, please come in.”
