Chapter 372: Recruiting People

With the New Year's celebration approaching, nobles flocked to Wushan Fortress in ever-increasing numbers.

Last year at this time, Princess Blanch herself had graced the occasion, while Counts Hesus and Osen stirred trouble, turning the banquet into a whirlwind of speculation and intrigue beneath its festive veneer.

This year, such vexing figures and events were absent; the banquet unfolded with a serene yet vibrant atmosphere.

Though Rulans had fully recovered, knowledge of his condition was tightly held; desiring discretion, the patriarch merely made a brief appearance before ceding the rest of the evening to the younger generation.

Roning, the most talked-about figure in Wushan Domain, naturally became the banquet’s centerpiece.

Beyond Viscounts Vitornio, Sandro, and Marven dragging him into discussions on domain management and labor exploitation, many nobles sought to partner with Roning.

Take Baron Germain, for instance.

He proposed supplying labor to bolster North Wushan’s construction.

Once the port was built, Germain hoped to transport Lake Town’s specialties to the capital via waterways at favorable rates.

In doing so, he’d found a new economic lifeline for Lake Town.

Others planned to lease serfs or commoners to North Wushan for labor, sending them back to their lords’ domains once work concluded.

It was merely wage labor, and Roning found it acceptable.

At the lively banquet, Diane unveiled North Wushan’s porcelain high-footed cups.

The novelty sparked immediate curiosity; upon learning they were North Wushan products, many rushed to endorse them.

Whether genuine buyers or merely paying respects, a two-thousand-plus cup order was secured.

Roning planned to discuss with Diane how to enhance the cups’ aesthetics, giving Jim and others clear improvement targets.

If this order garnered praise and opened the market, all the better.

Joyful moments were fleeting; by the next day, nobles departed Wushan Fortress in succession.

With Polandt Bandits and Black Gold Brotherhood no longer threats, peace would likely endure, freeing them to focus on profit and domain management.

Roning intended to sleep in, but Breton dragged him from bed early.

This young brother, ever drawn to strength, now idolized Roning; in his words, guidance from his idol would be an honor.

Reluctantly, Roning offered brotherly and idolatrous affection.

Though restraining his power and avoiding martial arts or magic, recent intense sparring with Rydar had honed his swordsmanship and combat experience.

Breton had clearly trained hard in swordplay and combat, slaying numerous second-tier beasts in wilderness trials, yet he fell swiftly against Roning’s assault.

Enough!

Breton gasped, tossing his sword to a servant and snatching a towel to wipe sweat from his face.

Last year I could hold my own against you for several moves. Now I have no chance to counter. Brother, how do you train so hard?

Roning wouldn’t crush his confidence: “I’m only slightly stronger. You’ve done remarkably well.”

Breton leaned in, “I heard the three viscounts’ sons are in North Wushan. I’ll go too—what task can you assign me?”

Once he’d trained solely to lift his family from hardship.

Now Roning had resolved it; his mind felt lighter, and new ideas bloomed.

Like joining North Wushan to aid Roning.

“You?”

Roning hadn’t expected Breton’s request; he pondered but found no suitable role.

Rognar, fond of movement, was made transport officer;

Yusef, a high-rank mage, now studied magic potion-making under Elron;

Ris, arriving soon with his aquatic prowess, would train North Wushan’s naval forces.

With Breton joining, Roning had no good placement.

On one hand, he was young and weak; Roning couldn’t assign him to patrol duty.

On the other, his status was unique; history knew no heir serving a vassal.

“As family heir, you must train diligently to become a knight capable of standing alone.”

Roning said, “When you become… ah, a Bronze Knight, then come for training.”

Breton slumped at once.

“Alright…”

Roning drew near, arm around his shoulder: “Though you can’t join my domain, I have one task for you.”

Breton’s eyes lit up: “Speak!”

“Wushan Supernatural Academy has fine students. Use your status to bring as many as possible to North Wushan.”

“You want me to recruit professional knights for you?”

Breton understood: “Many haven’t awakened aura seeds; even as knights, most are low-rank, with few reaching high rank.”

Graduates of the Supernatural Academy typically leave around twenty.

Those capable of high-rank knighthood by that age are exceptionally gifted, yet exceedingly rare.

Still, low and mid-ranks are valuable; even Wushan Fortress’s knightly order includes mid-rank knights.

“Bring them all, but no more than a hundred at once.”

Roning added: “Recruit literate or skilled students—craftsmen, hydraulic experts. Noble or common, as long as they serve me.”

He added: “I want as many as you can get!”

With domain expansion, supernaturals were scarce, but administrators like Wilson were Roning’s true headache.

North Wushan’s population was a complex mix of slaves, serfs, savages, and criminals; selecting administrators from them—let alone competence—would struggle for basic communication.

Yet academy students, though inexperienced, had strong fundamentals, youth, quick learning—and low wages.

Common-born students likely dreamed of pledging service to a lord.

Roning offered this olive branch; even meager pay, as long as survival in North Wushan was assured, many would leap at the chance.

“Got it, brother! Leave it to me!”

Breton thumped his chest, confident: “A month, at most, and I’ll have your answer!”

“Then I entrust it to you!”

Roning patted his shoulder: “When counted, send word to Swamp Castle for Rognar to fetch them from Wushan Supernatural Academy.”

Breton countered: “No need for fuss. I’ll have them go themselves.”

Roning shook his head.

Wushan Town to Swamp Castle was a long way; any mishap en route would stain North Wushan’s reputation.

Thus, sending Rognar to fetch them was best. (End of Chapter)