Chapter 177: Selena Holds Nothing Back
Several months had passed since Simone pledged his allegiance to Duane.
Although Duane could tell the man was diligent in his work and took meticulous care of Vera in his personal life, when it came to himself, Simone always seemed melancholic, a bottle of liquor perpetually in hand, utterly devoid of passion.
Duane had assumed this was just his personality. It wasn’t until his trip to the Royal Capital, where he learned about Simone and Miss Constance from Lord Manny, that he finally understood the reason for it.
Thus, the words he had just spoken were not a spur-of-the-moment improvisation.
He wanted to use this method to ignite Simone’s fighting spirit and push him to unleash his innate talent.
After all, a few years ago, Simone had become an Advanced Warrior before he was even twenty.
With such talent, had he not grown complacent from a lack of passion and ambition, Simone would have surely broken through to the Human Tier by now—and he would definitely be stronger than Kaelon.
Duane watched Little Vera, who was laughing happily on horseback under Kaelon’s protection. ’I hope it works,’ he thought.
If his words were effective and a newly strengthened Simone truly sought to reclaim his wife, Duane wouldn’t mind lending a hand.
After all, helping a broken family reunite after enduring countless hardships was a very meaningful endeavor.
Of course, Duane stood to benefit from this process as well.
First, he would gain a warrior with both immense talent and strength.
Second, if he could bring Constance to Black Forest Island, he would gain another exceptionally talented Level 4 Mage.
Beyond these two points, given that Simone had little interest in power or wealth, Duane’s actions would also strengthen the bond between them.
Meanwhile, Baron Jick, accompanied by Michele and Jack, had entered the Hot Spring Mountain Range.
There, he saw a group of laborers wielding pickaxes, engrossed in building a road.
This was the road to the mine, and it had been under construction for over two months.
The relatively flat and compacted road now stretched for nearly a thousand meters.
The reason for such rapid progress was that after the busy farming season ended, many farmers had joined the road construction project to earn extra money.
The team now numbered around a hundred men and could build over ten meters of road per day.
Jick stood on a small hill, watching for a while. He found it strange. "Why are some of the laborers smiling while they work?"
This was different from what he was used to. In his own territory, most laborers worked listlessly, and they certainly wouldn’t be chatting and laughing.
Jack replied, "These men are building a road where no one whips them, and they’re earning money. How could they not be smiling?"
Although no one was whipping them, there were still overseers. If they worked too little or slacked off, their wages would be docked, and they would receive a proper scolding.
Jick asked in surprise, "They aren’t working for your Lord for free? Don’t the commoners have to perform several days of labor service each month?"
"They do have to perform labor service, but Baron Duane has enacted a subsidy plan. Those performing the service receive a pound of dry rice per day."
Jack continued, "When it comes to road building, experience significantly increases speed. So, some who have already completed their service can choose to stay on, and the Baron pays them for their work."
"Duane pays them, too?"
Jick was starting to wonder if he had misheard. "Are you sure you’re not joking?"
"It’s true."
Michele said, "These laborers can earn five Copper Coins a day."
Jick couldn’t help but gasp. "Is Duane that wealthy?"
If there were a thousand such laborers on Black Forest Island, Duane would have to pay out fifteen Gold Coins after just one month.
"He doesn’t need to pay in cash. It’s basically all deducted using grain, salt, or other resources."
Many people haven’t even finished paying off their loans for the threshing machines. Even with several thousand laborers, Duane wouldn’t have to spend a single coin.
It was a system of taking from the people to be used for the people.
"Unbelievable!"
Jick shook his head in secret. ’If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d think Duane was insane,’ he thought.
While all the other nobles were scheming how to squeeze more value out of their subjects, Duane was doing the exact opposite—paying them wages.
If word of this got out, the other nobles would definitely think he was sick in the head.
Jick walked down the hill and approached one of the laborers. He wanted to ask himself and see if what Michele and Jack said was really true.
When Duane returned to the castle, Baron Jick had not yet come back.
"Owington, go and inform Julian, Haien, and the Camp Commanders and Captains like Gaius and Hardy. Tell them to come to the castle the day after tomorrow in the afternoon. I’m holding a meeting."
Soon, the six thousand laborers from Silent Shore would be arriving, and he needed to arrange their work in advance.
"Yes, Baron!"
The Male Servant, Owington, added as a reminder, "My Lord, the new beer you brewed is just about ready. It can be tapped."
Duane nodded.
After the autumn harvest, he had used the newly acquired barley to brew a full thirty barrels of beer. It had been fermenting for over a month now and was indeed almost ready.
He glanced at his attribute panel. His Basic Brewing Skill Level had reached Skilled (288/300). He should be able to break through to Mastery this time.
"Alright, go and deliver the notice. I’ll handle the beer."
After Owington left, the maid, Jasmine, came to Duane’s study.
"My Lord, Miss Selena wishes to see you."
"Very well, bring her here."
Soon, Selena was led into the study. She bowed respectfully and presented the items she had prepared.
"Baron, I have recorded all the Spell Models I know."
Jasmine took them and placed them gently on the desk.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Duane looked through the documents. They contained everything from Level 1 Magic to Level 4 Magic, primarily concentrated in the three elements of Wind, Water, and Arcane.
The Wind Element section had only one Level 1 Spell: Clear Wind Technique.
The Water Element section included Water Gathering Technique, Water Arrow Technique, and Fog Condensation Technique.
The Arcane Element had the most, including Magic Burst Technique, Arcane Missile, Multiple Arcane Missiles, Arcane Shock, as well as the corresponding Shaping Magic Models for the seven elements: Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, Thunder, Light, and Darkness.
Including the Magic Shield she had provided earlier, the Arcane Element alone comprised twelve Spell Models!
Of course, in addition to these, there was also the Basic Extraction Spell Model and the recipes for three types of Magic Potions: Basic Hemostatic Potion, Basic Stamina Recovery Potion, and Sleep Potion.
"This stack of paper may only be twenty-some pages, but its value is comparable to a castle!"
Selena replied humbly, "I’m just glad I could be of help to you."
Duane was a Mage himself now, and with his highest affinity being for the Arcane, the Spell Models Selena provided were a godsend.
"The day after tomorrow in the morning, Baron Jick will transport you, Brison, and the other prisoners to Silent Shore. Before long, Viscount Freddy, Baron Torre, and the Akutas Kingdom should all arrange for people to come and negotiate."
Selena’s expression grew melancholic. "If my parents and relatives weren’t in the Starfall Islands, I truly wouldn’t want to leave you."
Duane smiled. "I would also like for you to stay, but you must leave."
He knew she was worried. From the moment she left Black Forest Island, her new life would begin—one filled with risk, where a single misstep could mean death.
"Don’t worry. I’ve already entrusted someone at Silent Shore to look after you. During the negotiations, I’ll also downplay your crimes so that Baron Torre won’t have to pay too high a price."
Selena understood. "Brison and I will insist that this whole affair was Garrot’s idea, and that we were coerced."
Duane nodded. "Once you leave Silent Shore and return to the Starfall Islands, I won’t be able to help you anymore."
"How to win Baron Torre’s trust and carry out the subsequent plans will be entirely up to you."
"I understand, Baron!"
Both Selena and Brison knew in their hearts that if they couldn’t even get past this hurdle, they couldn’t expect any further help from Duane.
"Just one thing, Baron. If everything goes smoothly, how should I contact you?"
"You don’t need to worry about that. When the time is right, I will have someone contact you."
Despite this conflict, the Pruck Kingdom and the Akutas Kingdom would continue to conduct business and trade; they wouldn’t become complete adversaries.
As long as there was communication between the two kingdoms, the rest could be handled.
However, there was no rush to assassinate Baron Torre. They would have to wait until Selena’s child was at least two or three years old.