Chapter 43: 43 New Servants

Chapter 43: 43. The New Servants

For ordinary people, entering the castle to become servants of the lord and nobility was a highly fortunate event.

Firstly, joining the castle meant that, in most cases, one no longer had to worry about hunger and cold, and could also have a stable income.

Secondly, entering the castle provided an opportunity to get close to the nobility; with good luck, there might be chances for rewards, and even opportunities to change fate and elevate social status!

Therefore, when Chahar announced on the pasture that Mountain Forest Castle was recruiting twenty servants, the citizens who had not yet dispersed became fervent, with many volunteering eagerly.

If not for David, Tom, and several super knights maintaining order on-site, this young steward would likely have been completely overwhelmed by the surging crowd.

The enthusiasm for competition was intense, yet with a single statement from Chahar, many immediately lost their spirits.

The reason was that, aside from the head cook, Mountain Forest Castle only required individuals within the age range of 18 to 35; exceeding this age meant no opportunity.

Next came the major screening.

On the issue of selecting people, Chahar first adhered to the three requirements set by Ronin, followed by some standards he established himself.

For servants responsible for carrying and moving heavy items in the castle, he demanded those who appeared strong and powerful.

For Ronin's personal manservant, he required a decent appearance, cleverness, and quick reactions.

As for the personal maid, though the lord seemed not very interested in feminine beauty, Chahar believed the personal maid should still be as beautiful as possible.

After all, when Ronin later went out to visit other nobles, the personal manservant and maid would follow to serve. If their looks were peculiar, it would harm the reputation of Baron Mountain Forest.

Chahar absolutely did not permit such incidents.

Thus, he spent little time selecting other servants, but spent a long time on the positions of personal maid and manservant.

By around four in the afternoon, Chahar finally assembled twenty servants and brought them to the castle to meet Ronin.

On the lawn outside the main building of the inner castle, Ronin looked at the servants standing in rows before him, nodding slightly.

"You've worked hard, Chahar. Things have been handled well."

Chahar bowed, saying, "Thank you for your praise, lord."

He then began introducing.

Standing at the front were three: personal manservant Gallon, personal maid Bella, and kitchen head cook Bandelle.

"Gallon is a nineteen-year-old lad. His family consists of four people; his father was a soldier responsible for logistics who came here with the count years ago."

"Bella is also nineteen. Her parents are free citizens of the town, cultivating some farmland."

"Mrs. Bandelle is thirty-eight. Though older, I personally went to her dilapidated bakery and tasted her food; compared to others, it is the best."

As he introduced them, these new, somewhat nervous servants each greeted Ronin, bowing respectfully, each one very reserved, given the lord's reputation for severity outside.

Ronin observed them.

All wore clothes made of linen, with similar styles; the difference lay in some wearing newer garments, while others had several patches, clearly indicating poor living conditions.

This was normal, as they were commoners in mountainous areas; being sturdy and clothed was already good enough, demands could not be too high.

Yet Ronin glanced twice at this maid; quite beautiful, with some adornment, perhaps even more attractive than those two lovers of Prince's.

Chahar, having studied in Black Mountain Castle, indeed had a discerning eye.

Behind these three were ordinary castle servants, those responsible for livestock, etc.

Ronin did not spend much effort remembering their names, as in daily life, those he would interact with more were likely only the three in front.

"Very well, welcome to your joining."

After Chahar finished introducing, Ronin spoke a few words of welcome. "Chahar, there should be some servant attire in the castle; assign it later."

"Additionally, teach them basic etiquette, especially Gallon and Bella. You may follow me outdoors later; habits in demeanor need changing."

Chahar felt relieved inwardly.

Before coming, he thought the lord might critique two individuals, requiring re-recruitment; unexpectedly, all twenty passed.

"You can rest assured, lord. After we go down, I will inform them of basic etiquette. For Gallon and Bella, I will focus attention!"

Ronin did not further express opinions on servant issues; Chahar was educated, these matters could be entrusted to him.

"First, issue the second recruitment notice for Mountain Forest Town."

He needed to arrange the magistrate matter first, instructing, "I need to recruit one magistrate; all citizens of Mountain Forest Town can come to the castle for application tomorrow morning at nine."

"Of course, not everyone qualifies."

He emphasized, "Apart from those points mentioned yesterday, age can be relaxed, up to forty years and below; additionally, must be able to read and write most words, mobility unrestricted."

The condition of merely recognizing most words likely would filter out a large portion.

Because in this world, knowledge was expensive.

A book bound with parchment of several dozen pages generally sold for several silver coins!

Common people barely ensuring a family's daily three meals were already quite good; where could there be extra energy and funds to study and purchase books?

After Chahar led the servants away, Ronin began contemplating the questions for tomorrow's interviewees; if many came to apply, he still needed to filter.

After some time, Ronin finalized the questions, then went to the window, casting Wind Gust spell outside.

This spell, as an elementary magic for wind attribute mages, was not difficult; plus Ronin's attribute affinity reached superior level. Since learning it that night, he quickly could cast it with one hundred percent success.

His continued practice mainly aimed at enhancing proficiency and stability of mental inscription of spell patterns, preparing for later creation of spell scrolls.

Mage Pedro said, creating spell scrolls required mages' mental power and mana output extremely stable, to inscribe spell patterns on beast skin.

Not meeting this condition prevented creation of spell scrolls, as Pedro attempted many times, ultimately only producing waste.

Ronin obviously met this condition.

His mental power, mana were very stable; future creation of spell scrolls should pose no problem. He privately inquired with Ellron; the latter also seemed to meet this condition.

Thus, future Mountain Forest Town could have two mages creating spell scrolls.

Ronin seriously considered, if Mountain Forest Town lacked specialties, he could sell spell scrolls as resources externally.

Moreover, once their mage levels rose, enabling creation of powerful spell scrolls, they could treat them as strategic resources.

If a magic could instantly destroy a city, and Ronin could create it into a spell scroll, then this scroll would be equivalent to nuclear weapon.

Of course, this was merely his imagination; whether this world had any astonishing magic, he did not know.

These were future considerations; currently, a second-level Healing spell scroll definitely could sell well.

Thus, Ronin could also achieve some wealth accumulation.

Besides spell scrolls, Ronin planned, relying on memories of previous life, to see if some industries could be developed.

For example, white liquor?

People in this world greatly enjoyed drinking; from high nobles to ordinary citizens, all had drinking habits, many addicted to liquor.

However, they drank beer and wine; predecessors like Ronin's high nobles never encountered white liquor, clearly lacking white liquor.

This provided Ronin a very clear market.

Yet concerning how to produce white liquor, Ronin had not practically operated; presumably required long exploration and experimentation.

Fortunately, theoretical knowledge already possessed; lacking only practical operation, Ronin had great confidence in himself.

(The chapter ends.)