Chapter 177: Serves You Right, Perverts!
Because they had been foolish enough to stare.
The dust and tiny pebbles kicked up by Luke’s takeoff flew straight into their wide-open mouths.
"Cough!"
"Ptui! Ptui!"
Several knights immediately bent over, desperately spitting out dirt.
One even rubbed his tongue with a disgusted expression.
"Ugh! It tastes awful!"
Seeing the pitiful scene.
The maids, who had finally managed to hold down their skirts, glared at them.
’Serves you right!’
’Perverts!’
One maid stomped her foot. Another covered her blushing face.
"Hmph!"
Without another word. They hurriedly ran back toward the servants quarters.
Their dresses, Hair. And even their faces were now covered with dust.
It would take quite a while before they looked presentable again.
High above Luke happened to glance downward. The scene immediately entered his eyes.
"..."
An embarrassed smile appeared on his face.
"Ahem!."
"Next time."
"I should probably take off from a stone courtyard."
"That way, maids won’t have to suffer skirt attack again and poor knights don’t have to eat dirt as well."
He scratched his cheek awkwardly before shaking his head.
Soon his attention shifted elsewhere.
The silver wings beat steadily against the wind as he soared even higher.
From this altitude...
The entire Blackstone Highlands spread out beneath him like a magnificent map.
The bustling marketplace immediately caught his attention.
Unlike the quiet streets from before. The town had become lively once again.
People walked from stall to stall. Children laughed as they chased one another through the streets.
Merchants loudly promoted their goods.
The aroma of freshly cooked food drifted upward.
Everywhere he looked. Life had returned to the territory.
Many citizens had even gathered together to celebrate.
Cheers echoed through the marketplace.
"Our Lord defeated a Mid-Golden Knight!"
"Haha! Tonight’s drinks are on me!"
"Long live Baron Luke!"
Some taverns were already overflowing with customers.
Others had hung colorful banners outside their buildings.
The entire territory buzzed with excitement.
There were also mercenary companies escorting merchant caravans into the territory.
Seeing the growing flow of people. Luke recalled what Osric had reported earlier.
More and more Iron Knights had begun arriving in the Blackstone Highlands.
Even a handful of Bronze Knights had chosen to settle here.
Most of them belonged to adventurer parties or mercenary companies.
Of course, Joining the territory didn’t mean they had sworn loyalty to Luke.
Not yet.
Instead they had simply decided to make Blackstone their primary base of operations.
From now on they would spend most of their time here.
Accept quests here. Rest here. Purchase supplies here.
And naturally spend their earnings here as well.
In many ways that alone greatly benefited the territory.
More adventurers meant. More monsters being hunted. More bandits eliminated. More dangerous quests completed.
Many problems that would otherwise require the territory’s soldiers could now be solved through guild commissions.
Luke smiled faintly.
’As long as they obey the rules. They’re all welcome here.’
Then he also noticed the size of blackstone highlangs, as this was his first observing from the sky.
Because earlier, with the arcane sky tower. He didn’t done at that time.
The territory wasn’t particularly large. Roughly one kilometer in length and about eight hundred meters in width.
Even so its layout had been carefully planned.
The Lord’s Estate occupied the highest point.
Below it, Lay the bustling marketplace.
Further downhill rows of residential districts stretched across the slopes.
And beyond those the farmlands extended toward the lower plains.
Every morning the citizens had to walk down from the residential area before beginning their work in the fields.
It wasn’t the most convenient arrangement. But the mountain terrain left little choice.
With that thought. His gaze drifted toward several large buildings standing prominently within the town.
The Adventurers Guild.
The rhythmic sounds of weapons and lively conversations could be heard even from above.
Next...
The Blacksmith Guild.
Smoke continuously rose from its chimneys as the constant ringing of hammers echoed throughout the district.
Then came...
The Alchemist Association.
Its elegant building stood quietly, carrying a faint fragrance of herbs and potions.
Finally...
The Merchant Association.
The busiest building of them all.
Merchants entered and exited almost without pause.
Watching them from the sky...
Luke suddenly realized something.
All four organizations. Belonged to massive continent-wide organizations.
He had first encountered them back in Stormveil County.
At the time he had assumed they were only important in large cities.
Now, however he understood the truth.
Every noble territory possessed branches of these organizations.
Whether it was a barony, A viscounty. Or even a duchy. Their presence was almost universal.
The only difference was the scale.
Wealthier territories boasted grand headquarters with extensive facilities and hundreds of personnel.
Smaller territories, like Blackstone until recently. Only maintained modest branches capable of handling basic operations.
Then he also noticed. That Workers continuously carried construction materials inside.
Scaffolding had already been erected around several buildings.
Additional floors were being constructed. Walls were being expanded.
Even the surrounding courtyards were undergoing renovations.
Luke couldn’t help but chuckle.
"So."
"You’ve finally decided to invest in my territory?" His amused smile carried a hint of sarcasm.
When the Blackstone Highlands had struggled for survival. Not a single one of those organizations had offered meaningful assistance.
The territory had remained poor for years. Almost forgotten.
Yet now, the moment its future became bright. Everyone wanted a share of the benefits.
’How realistic.’ Luke smiled faintly. Businessmen truly followed profit.
Still his expression gradually became thoughtful.
Because he understood something else. The people belonging to those major organizations. Especially those from larger branches were notoriously proud.
He had personally experienced it back in Stormveil County.
Despite being the Hero. Most guild officials had treated him with only the minimum level of courtesy required by etiquette. Nothing more.
The only exception. Had been the manager of the Merchant Association.
That man had shown genuine respect from the very beginning.
Thinking back on it. Luke’s smile slowly faded.
"They haven’t even visited me once." He quietly muttered to himself.
If those organizations truly intended to deepen their investment in Blackstone. The proper courtesy would’ve been to meet the territory’s lord first.