by Park Saenal
***
Reidan was a very large city that could accommodate 430,000 people, but it was currently impossible to increase the population. It was because Reidan didn’t have any charms to attract people from other parts of the world to it.
Lauel believed that they should make good use of the 20,551 people currently living in Reidan.
“We have addressed the food shortage. The pace of the farmland clearing has increased exponentially thanks to the discovery of water by Piaro, the legendary farmer and feng shui expert. It’s easy to spread drinking water.”
‘Legendary farmer? Feng shui expert?’
Grid and the Overgeared members were in the meeting room. How did Piaro become a legendary farmer and feng shui expert? Grid questioned this while Lauel laid out policies for the future.
Developing agriculture would encourage the birth of the people, promote consumption and attract external resources. In addition, there was a plan to grow the smithy on a large scale, centering on Grid and Khan. This would build up a foothold to become a commercial city.
“At this time, the role of the Overgeared members is to subjugate the monsters. We need to reduce the power of the monsters occupying the west. In particular, the ultimate goal is to destroy all the giant worms.”
As with most online games, Satisfy’s monsters respawned after a certain period of time from their deaths. But monsters that caused certain episodes, such as the giant worms, were in the special category.
“There is probably the home of the giant worms somewhere underground. If we find and destroy it, I’m sure that the giant worms will no longer respawn.”
The giant worms had to be destroyed. Then the west could develop and the episode would move to the next stage. Lauel’s words stirred the enthusiasm of the Overgeared members.
“Levels are guaranteed.”
“Yes. The monsters in the west give a lot of experience.”
“In return, they are too strong.”
“We have the power of our items. Have you forgotten? We fortunately have Grid.”
“Lauel, are there no longer any villages or cities in the west where people live? If it’s possible to find a place where people are still living, can’t we bring them to Reidan to increase the population?”
This was the opinion of Toban, the former chief of staff of the Tzedakah Guild. The Overgeared members responded positively to his words, but Lauel expressed concern.
“For the time being, I don’t plan to search for other villages or cities. We should ignore the cities and villages found in the middle of the desert. There is likely to be a vampire lair.”
Vampires had a minimum level of 250. However, this was the case of the young vampires. Vampires who lived for over 300 years were likely to have levels over 400. The possibility of being wiped out was high if they stepped into a vampire lair, so Lauel wanted to avoid such a situation.
Grid rose from his seat.
“I’ll go now. There’s a mountain of work piled up in the smithy.”
Grid’s word was far from being a lord. In fact, Lauel was taking the role of the lord while Grid acted like a blacksmith. At first glance, the situations should be reversed, but this was actually right.
Grid wasn’t smart enough to lead a big city. It was Grid himself who appointed Lauel to this role.
After that.
The Overgeared members were able to level up and secure resources by hunting the monsters. The desertification of Reidan meant that timber was lacking, so securing timber was the first priority.
Piaro and Bland immersed themselves in farming with the people, while Jude was tasked with training the strong people who Grid discovered through the Great Lord’s Sword.
“Jump. Roll. Gear up. Spear…? Stab and swing your spear.”
Jude’s reckless training caused many soldiers to leave. However, a handful endured and were gradually reborn into elite soldiers. Unfortunately, their Weapons Mastery skill didn’t grow, but the speed of their strength and stamina rise was abnormally fast.
“Anyway, my soldiers don’t need a high Weapons Mastery skill.”
Grid made weapons with low usage conditions and high attack power and spread them to the soldiers. Even the farm equipment was powerful, so the soldiers armed with his items were different from other soldiers in the region.
Ttang! Ttang!
Grid worked in the smithy around the clock. He was now working on construction tools instead of farming tools. Agriculture was stable now, so they were focusing on constructing facilities with the resources secured by the Overgeared members.
‘I feel like I’m dying, but my persistence and dexterity stats are rapidly growing.’
Grid wasn’t bored. Obtaining a different outcome every time from his production work was a different type of fun from hunting and boss raids. In any case, he was a blacksmith and needed to do it for the rest of his life.
‘Irene will like it.’
His dexterity stat kept rising, so he would be able to make Irene even happier. Grid laughed while thinking about it.
On the other hand, Khan was busy nurturing young blacksmiths.
“Hey! That forging quality isn’t great! Hey! If you put the firewood in now, your control of the fire will fall!”
Khan’s voice seemed to become more vigorous as the days passed. Khan’s passion made Grid smile.
Then after a while.
“It’s been a long time.”
Rabbit finally arrived.
Chapter 221
Chapter 221
Rabbit was from a rural part of the country, but his genius and talent caused him to rise to the top of the Mero Company. In the past, he was the first to recognize that the level 21 Grid had a huge talent and suggested a partnership.
“This commoner, Rabbit, greets the great hero, Duke Grid.”
Rabbit hadn’t changed since the first day they met. He wore thin-rimmed glasses and gave off the impression of a cultured gentleman. There were no signs of greed in his eyes, but he looked more like a saint than a merchant.
But what was the truth? Unlike his appearance, Rabbit was as greedy as Grid. That’s how he was able to succeed as a merchant.
‘A true charlatan gives a sense of confidence to the other person.’
Grid grinned with satisfaction and greeted Rabbit. “You must’ve had a hard time. Isn’t it nice to see people after being stuck in prison for a long time?”
“Thanks to the people of Winston treating me as a hero, Marquis Steim gave me many conveniences.”
“That’s good. I’m relieved to see that you’re healthy. It’s nice to meet you again.”
“…”
Rabbit’s insight detected the changes in Grid. His gestures, expressions, speech, etc. From head to toe, everything about the current Grid was completely different from the Grid of the past. It wasn’t a simple change, so Rabbit felt a thrill.
“I underestimated you.”
The future that Rabbit saw for Grid was the best blacksmith and the richest person. But the current Grid was…
“You are pursuing the path of rising to the top, where everyone will look up at you.”
It was heartfelt appreciation. The Grid from a while ago would’ve overreacted. But now Grid combined reality and humility.
“It’s a challenge. I’m lacking a lot, so I need your help. Will you serve me?”
Rabbit bowed. Then he answered formally, showing his loyalty with honest words.
“Duke Grid, I don’t doubt that you are the one who will make me the richest man on the continent. So I’m willing to follow you.”
Grid also responded honestly. “Not the richest person on the continent. I will be the richest person.”
“Haha, then I will just dream of being rich.”
“So be it.”
Grid smiled as he pulled out the Great Lord’s Sword and laid it on Rabbit’s shoulder. It wasn’t a problem that this was a smithy instead of a palace. Rather, it was more meaningful because a smithy
was the place where Grid’s identity was established.
“From this moment on, you will be a viscount of the Eternal Kingdom. But you need only be loyal to me.”
When Marquis Steim was still an earl, he had appointed Grid as a viscount, despite Grid being a commoner. As a duke, Grid also had the authority to arbitrarily give someone a title. But he had no plans to abuse Rabbit, as he planned to give Rabbit a monthly salary that suited his title.
He could sell titles to users, but Lauel had dissuaded him from doing this.
“Both I and my descendants will be faithful only to My Lord.”
A notification window popped up the moment Rabbit made the oath.
[You have used your authority as a duke to appoint ‘Rabbit’ as a viscount.]
[You have an obligation to give Rabbit a monthly salary of 500 gold every month. Rabbit’s loyalty will fall if you don’t pay this salary.]
Delight appeared on Grid’s face.
‘As I expected, he’s a named NPC.’
Name: Rabbit
Age: 37 Gender: Male
Occupation: Merchant/ Viscount of the Eternal Kingdom
Title: Wealthy Merchant
* The best merchant of this era. He has the ability to create demand even for simple stones.
Level: 307
Strength: 49 Stamina: 380
Agility: 150 Intelligence: 2,241
Political Power: 1,505 Insight: 1,533
Leadership: 512 Charm: 210
Skills: Composure (A+), Detection (A+), Administration (S), Business Acumen (S+), Wisdom of a Great Merchant (SS).
Born in Winston, in the northern part of the kingdom. He was born a commoner, but he devoted himself to his studies. After proving that he had talent, he received a sponsorship to the Central Academy and graduated as the best student.
He served as a royal administrator, but received unfair treatment due to his commoner status. Therefore, he became a merchant and made the best achievements.
Due to his poor childhood, he has a tendency to cling to money.
[Composure (A+)]
No matter what situation he faces, he won’t lose his composure. It’s rare for him to make mistakes because his brain is active at all times.
[Detection (A+)]
Can see the essence of humans and objects. He can easily communicate with anyone and always gets the best results.
[Administration (S)]
If he belongs to a certain power, the ability to manage the affairs is excellent. It is at a level that can develop a small village into a city.
[Business Acumen (S+)]
The trading ability has reached the highest level. Even a piece of garbage can be made into a product.
[Wisdom of a Great Merchant (SS)]
The experience and know how of someone who made a large company.
‘S-grade Administration…’
The speed of development of a city was proportional to the grade of the administrator. The role of an administrator was very important, but it wasn’t an easy task to find one with a high rating. Winston was the second largest city in the north, and even Administrator Valdi only had a B-grade. Then how fast would a place grow with a S-grade administrator? He didn’t dare imagine it.
‘His ability as a merchant is S+ and SS…’
Rabbit even had the ability to make goods out of rubbish. Based on the description, it was a complete scam. Grid was confused.
‘How should I handle him?’
Should Rabbit serve as an administrator, or work as a merchant? Rabbit spoke while he couldn’t make a decision.
“Before I came to see you, I looked over Reidan. It’s good that you are clearing the fields and connecting waterways, but I feel like it’s too much.”
“Too much?”
“Doesn’t Reidan only have a population of 20,000? If the number of fields are reduced by a third, it will be enough to feed the people.”
Grid explained the situation. “Once the clearing of the fields is done, we plan to expand farming and build this up as an agricultural city. This will be the basis to become a commercial city.”
“It’s the wrong choice. Due to the hot climate of Reidan, only a limited number of crops can be grown. Reidan isn’t suitable as an agricultural city.”
“There are no problems with the species restrictions. In the first place, we were planning to concentrate and export the crops that can be harvested quickly.”
Lauel entered the smithy at this time and rebutted. He had an upset expression on his face and Rabbit responded appropriately.
“Crops that can be harvested quickly aren’t competitive. They are easy to get anywhere.”
Lauel glared at him.
“We can overcome it by selling a lot at a cheap price. Currently, the only advantage of Reidan is the spacious land. Using the land is the only way to build up funds, so the reality is that Reidan can only be an agricultural city. No, first, who are you?”
Grid introduced him. “This is Rabbit. He was once the number two of the Mero Company, the largest in the north.”
Lauel was angry. He was only the number two of a northern company, yet he dared try to decide the city’s policies.
Grid handed him the Great Lord’s Sword.
“What is this?”
Grid explained to the bewildered Lauel. “Wear it and examine Rabbit yourself.”
“What are you trying…”
Lauel was annoyed that Grid would listen to the opinion of a merchant over him. He grumbled as he wore the Great Lord’s Sword and observed Rabbit.
“Heok.”
These days, Lauel was often surprised.
Grid persuaded Lauel as he checked Rabbit’s stats and skills. “I’m not discrediting your abilities, but why don’t you try and listen to Rabbit’s thoughts? Who knows? It might help you as well.”
“…”
***
“I will entrust the overall management of the territory to Rabbit. I will work in the fields.”
Lauel decided. He recognized that Rabbit’s administrative ability was superior to his.
Grid questioned him. “Can’t you also show great abilities as an administrator? Isn’t it better to have Rabbit create a business company, since it will make more use of his talents?”
“Even though I have business ability, I don’t have the ‘Administration’ skill.”
In the end, Satisfy was a game. The importance of skills was higher than practical abilities. Administrators greatly increased the pace of domestic development because they had the Administration skill.
“In addition, diplomacy is included in the work of an administrator. Rabbit’s talent as a merchant will manifest itself in the form of diplomacy.
Lauel’s guess was correct.
After being appointed as the administrator, Rabbit reduced the scale of agriculture and invested in alchemy as well as facilities to amplify the value of blacksmiths, including Grid and Khan. At the same time, he exerted his talent as a merchant by talking diplomatically with ‘Baron Butin of the Saharan Empire.’
***
“The alchemists say that the sand of the desert has no value in alchemy.”
Currently, Reidan’s only available resource was sand. Sand was the basic material required for construction, but that was the role of sea sand. Unlike the sand at the sea, the desert sand was so fine that there was no place to use it.
Modern society could utilize the desert sand due to advanced technology, but Satisfy’s background was a medieval fantasy, so its technology was inferior to modern times. Rabbit tried to use the sand in magic and alchemy, but he couldn’t achieve satisfactory results.
Then one day.
“Let’s export the sand to Baron Butin.”
Rabbit came to Lauel and spoke nonsense. Lauel was perplexed. “Why should we export desert sand to Baron Butin?”
The desert was all over the west. There was an excess of sand so there was no point in exporting it. It was realistically impossible. Rabbi
t smiled at Lauel’s disapproval and explained.
“I will make it so that the baron has to import it.” Rabbit noted that Baron Butin owned one of the empire’s resorts where many wealthy people and nobles visited. “The people of Reidan have lived in this hot and desolate place for 10 years. I will advertise it like this. The sand of Reidan remedy of longevity that will improve human health.”
“…Huh?”
Lauel was stunned by the absurd words.
Rabbit continued. “It’s a luxury product made with magic, and those who don’t have it will covet it. I will set the price higher so that the image of a luxury product will be firmly established. The longevity remedy won’t be credible if it’s cheap.”
“No, what type of sophistry…?”
Lauel wondered if Rabbit was sane. But Rabbit didn’t care and kept talking.
“I will use Khan as my advertising model. He’s older than 60, so if we put him front and center, the trust of the customers will increase and the reputation of the longevity remedy will rise.”
Rabbit referred to the sands of Reidan as a ‘longevity remedy.’ Lauel was convinced that Rabbit was crazy. Rabbit had high stats and great skills as a named NPC, but he had a clear flaw in his personality.
But what was the truth?
“It’s selling well.”
The sands of Reidan were called the ‘Longevity Remedy’ and started to be imported at the mad price of 3 gold per 10 grams.
Once the nobles and wealthy people who visited the Butin Barony heard about the reason why the sand of Reidan was called the Longevity Remedy, they couldn’t resist buying out of curiosity.
“This might cause a serious problem in the future…”
Lauel was concerned, but Rabbit reassured him.
“3 gold is huge for a commoner, but this is trivial for the rich.”
Even if they knew it was a scam, they could just laugh it off. They didn’t have to get angry over that level of money. In the first place, there was no reason to call it a scam. How could people know their exact lifespan? There was no way to prove that the lifespan of a person was increased or not increased by the Longevity Remedy, so there was no reason to call it a scam.
“The one thing I regret is that there aren’t more people visiting the Butin Barony. For the moment, the profit from selling this will stay at around 800 gold per month. But if the rumors of the goods become widespread in the future, things will change again.”