Chapter 59: Side Effects (1)
The regular soldiers in the Lartania territory each displayed different tendencies, but what they all had in common was their respect for the Lord of Lartania.
Soldiers working in Lartania could not help but respect their Lord.
After all, the soldiers serving in Lartania had witnessed Kim Hyunwoo capturing Disasters with their own eyes.
Furthermore, the Lord of Lartania had never once delayed the soldiers wages and had recently been paying them extra in accordance with the increased workload.
Of course, from Kim Hyunwoos perspective, this was merely an act to improve efficiency and boost the citys security, but naturally, the soldiers were moved.
From the soldiers point of view, Kim Hyunwoos actions were those of a Great Lord, who had tactfully handled Disasters causing thousands of casualties, was always paying attention to them, deserving their respect.
Therefore, the soldiers always felt grateful to Kim Hyunwoo, sending him their respect and loyalty, and at least their feelings were solidified to never change.
In such a situation, Kim Hyunwoo had transitioned the soldiers to apprentices, and all the soldiers were seriously shocked by it.
Soldiers working in the Lartania territory had never even dreamed that they could become apprentices.
Of course, from Kim Hyunwoos perspective, he had evolved them into apprentices because he could afford it in Gold Coins, but for the soldiers, it meant something entirely different.
After all, the moment they were transitioned into apprentices, the soldiers knew they could break free from their set limits a little, even if not to the extent of a hero.
Therefore, most, if not all, lords would never make someone an apprentice unless they were chosen elites.
Becoming an apprentice immediately involved huge growth costs, and while lords had different limits, there was a limit to how many apprentices they could create.
Thus, while the soldiers could easily foresee becoming guards, becoming apprentices, which could be considered a life-changing opportunity, was beyond their wildest dreams.
They were merely civilians of the territory, not a collection of carefully selected talents, and among the regular soldiers, there were those in their thirties, considered too old to learn martial arts.
Therefore, when Kim Hyunwoo transitioned them to apprentices, the soldiers wore stunned expressions at the notification that appeared, and soon, without exception, they were moved to tears.
Essentially, becoming an apprentice meant that the Lord had chosen them, who were nothing, to become elite personnel he would support to the end.
Therefore,
Sob-! Really, I will work very hard, My Lord-!!!
Kim Hyunwoo could see Malon, whom he knew to be over thirty-five this year, prostrated in front of the Lords office, with tears streaming down his face.
I will! I will definitely repay your kindness! Definitely-!
Thud! Thud!
No need to knock your head that hard-
Thank you! Thank you!!
Thud! Thud!
Even if I tell you not to do that, first get up and lets talk-
Kim Hyunwoo, after consoling and sending Malon off, the leader of the regular soldiers no, the leader of the apprentices, who was declaring his moved state while knocking his head, sighed as if tired and opened his mouth after grasping the situation from what he had heard from Malon and Loria.
Um So, apprentices somewhat transform a regular person into something like a hero something like that?
[That's correct, My Lord]
And on top of that, the soldiers also get a notification?
[Notifications appear only for apprentices and other additional advanced soldier types. If they are transitioned to regular soldier types, only their stats change without any notification]
I didnt know that was the setting.
Kim Hyunwoo murmured, but also nodded as if he found this reasonable.
Swordmasters emerging from among the advanced soldier types are incredibly strong, enough to transition into the hero tier Considering such a setting, it doesnt feel odd. Plus, there definitely was a limit to how many advanced soldiers could be selected.
However, Kim Hyunwoo had forgotten this fact because, initially, ten years ago in Lartania, there was no meaningful limit as to how many advanced soldier types could be created.
Loria, by the way, how many advanced soldier types can I currently create?
Aware of this, Loria answered Kim Hyunwoos question.
[The level and development have declined compared to ten years ago, but about 300 more can still be cultivated]
Now that theyve been made apprentices, well definitely need a hero to train them, so I should start looking. Theres still no related hero appearing in the tavern.
As Kim Hyunwoo shrugged, he watched Malon heading towards the barracks, sniffling, and thought this,
Ah, now that I think about it, Ive used up almost all the resources Maybe I should buy some more.
Realizing that the resources he had bought last time for constructing the walls were quickly depleting, Kim Hyunwoo turned on the trading post and began requesting resources from the Tesnoka territory.
Duchess Rania Tesnoka of the Tesnoka territory, also a duke of the Norba Kingdom, was receiving a report on external affairs from Roman.
This concludes the report on the Lartania territory.
As Roman finished speaking, Rania murmured with a genuinely regretful expression.
Ah- I knew it. That was indeed the lowest price.
Rania made an utterly dejected face.
After all, it was something you couldnt buy even at its lowest price.
Surely, I couldnt buy it because the Magic Eye didnt work but still, its such a missed opportunity.
Rania grumbled and sighed as if resigned, then spoke.
Anyway, to summarize the report, it means that Magic Stones are continuously emerging from Lartania, right?
Thats correct.
And that the Lord is related to the Mage Tower since all the soldiers are equipped with magic scrolls?
And the Magic Stones coming from the Labyrinth might be-
The likelihood is high that the Lord of Lartania did something right?
Yes, the probability is high.
Contemplating Romans words, she spoke with an intriguing expression.
Indeed, hes no ordinary person.
I think so too.
Definitely, it was a small, insignificant territory at first glance, but as soon as I left, he started doing serious business through the Labyrinth, showing connections with the Mage Tower, preventing neighboring countries from acting rashly like that.
I think its smart.
Exactly. Even without a connection to the Mage Tower, just showing it like that will make those cautious of the Mage Tower take care well, unless its an empire.
It might not last long, but for a simple action, it neatly eliminated unnecessary diplomatic relations.
Right.
Kim Hyunwoo was unaware of the status of the Mage Tower, so he had no such intention, but Rania and Roman were impressed.
So, what do you plan to do?
Huh? What do you mean?
The Lartania territory. Essentially, this means your plan has gone awry, hasnt it?
Roman inquired.
However, Rania smiled in response.
Theres no need to end the friendship because of that. No, we need to deepen our friendship even more. Even though the product has been revealed it doesnt seem like it will be sold anywhere. Besides-
Grinning,
-Ive also become a bit interested.
Roman nodded at Ranias words, and after a while of discussing Lartania,
Lets leave the discussion on Lartania here and proceed with an additional report.
Additional report? I thought Lartania was the end?
Its about the Duke of Landaron.
Tsk.
Rania grimaced openly at the mention of the name Landaron.
Landaron.
He was one of the three dukes of the Norba Kingdom, wielding one of the most formidable powers in the Kingdom.
This was because, under the Lord of Landaron, there were as many as three heroes, not quite grand heroes but just below that rank.
Moreover, in terms of military forces alone, there was no one within the Norba Kingdom who could oppose the Duke of Landaron on a military basis.
Especially since two years ago, after experiencing an unbelievable growth unlike any other territory, even more so.
Thus, at this current point, it was fair to say that no territory in the Norba Kingdom possessed a stronger military force than Landarons territory.
However, despite knowing the importance of diplomacy with such a powerful territory within the same country, Ranias dislike for the Duke of Landaron was due to his personality and behavior.
Not to mention that the previous Duke of Landaron, but the personality of the second-generation Duke of Landaron, like her, was absolutely terrible.
No, his personality was so ruinous that it went beyond being a mess, to the point of being utterly reckless.
To the extent that he uttered offensive words to her, a fellow duke, several times upon meeting in public.
Since the steep growth of his territory two years ago, his arrogant nature had turned into outright destructiveness, prompting her to ask with a scowl.
Why him?
Following that,
It seems the Duke of Landaron has taken an interest in the Lartania territory. He appears to have sent an envoy.
Ranias expression soured.
For good reason, as Rania knew all too well what it meant for the Duke of Landaron to take an interest.
And at that moment.
Are you the Lord of Lartania?
??
Kim Hyunwoo was greeted by the Duke of Landarons envoy, who looked at him with an incredibly arrogant expression.
Recently, as an envoy of the Mage Tower to the Lartania territory, the diplomat and Light Researcher Onel was currently facing the Master of the Blue Tower.
This was because of a single request made by the Master of the Blue Tower when Onel had left for Lartania.
Here it is, Tower Master.
Thus, the Light Researcher handed over the item requested by the Master of the Blue Tower.
Wow, thank you so much.
The Master of the Blue Tower activated the storage artifact given by Onel with a bright smile.
And then,
soon, the artifact, activated with the pure blue magic power that could be considered the symbol of the Master of the Blue Tower, began to reveal the face of a man.
It was the photo of the Lord of Lartania, taken by Onel at the request of the Master of the Blue Tower.
And,
Indeed-
Seeing the Master of the Blue Tower smiling with a peculiar joy upon confirming the photo, he had a face full of questions.
Though the Master of the Blue Tower was always smiling cheerily, such a radiant smile was a first for him too, who always interacted with the Tower Masters due to his diplomatic role.
Therefore,
Master, although I took the photo as you requested, may I ask what relation do you have with the Lord of Lartania?
Onel asked the smiling Tower Master.
The Master of the Blue Tower nodded at Onels question as if it were obvious.
How should I put it
Seeing the Master of the Blue Tower momentarily lost in thought, Onel looked at her with a curious gaze.
She is someone who prides herself on making quick decisions about everything in the world.
If she is this contemplative about speaking of a person of the opposite sex around her age, the nature of their relationship must undoubtedly be interesting.
The Master is also of that age, after all.
Onel looked at her with an inwardly pleased smile.
Its like a father figure.
I thought as much-
No, wait a minute.
What?
Yes?
A father, a father.
With a giggle and her eyes slightly unfocused, Onel barely suppressed a dizzy spell that felt like it would shatter his temples as he looked at the Tower Master.
Who in the world looks at a father figure with eyes that say I want that?
This time, Ill really be able to see him.
Regardless of Onels bizarre gaze, the Tower Master murmured quietly.
Just wait a little .
With a sentence filled with delight, the Tower Master lightly kissed the photo.
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