Turmoil

This day, Romain chopped down a full five trees.

This added 10 experience points to his Gathering skill.

Due to the long-term strain on both his arms, Romain felt his arms were extremely sore when the fifth pine tree fell. Although he could still continue, he felt there was no need to push himself.

Coupled with the late hour, Romain returned to Origin Manor with Gevra.

The attendant chef, Bob, had prepared dinner.

Butter bread, charcoal-grilled lamb chops, pan-fried ham slices, turnip and vegetable soup, and a large jug of milk.

After sitting down, Romain poured a cup of hot milk for himself and Gevra.

Seth suddenly said, "Master, some farmers found me today, hoping you will distribute land to them as soon as possible. Even if the taxes are higher, they would accept the tax rate being raised from fifty percent to sixty percent."

Romain picked up a fragrant lamb chop and slowly took a bite of the meat.

He said, "Why should I distribute land to them?"

Seth replied, "Those farmers say you have violated the land lease agreement."

Romain did not deny it. "Well, so what if I violated it? He can go find the Black Iron King to punish me."

He had now consolidated all the resources of Sigg Town.

If he distributed land, it would be equivalent to dispersing the labor force.

All those farmers would go and cultivate their own allotted land according to the old traditional methods.

That was an area calculated in units of ten thousand mu. Everyone in Sigg Town, spread across it, wouldn't even cast a shadow.

Who would still cultivate his land?

Seth felt this was inappropriate. He was Romain's retainer and knew that Romain was not someone who disregarded his life.

Romain, as one of the outstanding illegitimate children of the Grand Duke, had gone to great lengths to come to Sigg Town, not to destroy it, but to build it.

After all, he was the lord here.

This matter ultimately carried huge hidden dangers.

He felt Romain should proceed step-by-step, ruling with the methods of other nobles first, to bring peace to the populace, and then gradually change the old traditions.

For example, he could first cultivate and fertilize a hundred mu of land. If it was effective, they could expand the area next year.

This was the most secure method.

However, Seth had never expected Romain to flip the table right from the start.

Without any precedent, he had gone all-in, a move that would be difficult for anyone to understand.

Romain was very persistent about this matter and did not listen to anyone's advice.

After finishing dinner, Romain returned to his room to rest.

Nothing happened overnight.

When dawn broke, Romain woke up.

He put a few slices of white bread in his mouth, had a simple breakfast, then went to the storage room, shouldered his axe, and continued to the northern forest to chop trees.

The fatigue from yesterday had not fully recovered.

So, Romain only chopped down three large trees and two smaller ones that morning.

Gevra watched Romain's every swing of the axe with rapt attention. She sat on a tree trunk, propped her chin on her hand, and watched with great interest, not finding it boring at all.

[Gathering Experience +1]

Romain glanced at the experience points for [Gathering]. He had accumulated 20 experience points and was only 80 points away from leveling up.

This way, after chopping trees for another four or five days, he would be able to raise [Gathering] to Level 2.

Romain valued the [Gathering] skill highly, as it was related to quarrying stone and mining ore.

The difficulty of leveling up from Level 1 to Level 2 was low, but leveling up from Level 2 to Level 3 required 380 experience points. It could be predicted that as the required experience points increased, Romain would need tens of days to reach Level 3, and it would take a long time from Level 3 to reach Level 4.

Therefore, Romain planned to improve various Level 1 life skills first.

His current Level 2 [Planting] skill was sufficient.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Boom!

Another tall tree fell.

Romain gasped for breath, and Gevra beside him immediately handed him a handkerchief.

Just as he was about to rest for a moment and continue chopping trees, a commotion could be faintly heard from Origin Manor.

A male slave ran anxiously from the manor towards them.

"Master, something has happened. Please come and see."

Romain returned to the manor and saw hundreds of farmers gathered at the bottom of the slope from a distance.

The guards, holding long spears, formed an interception line. Aaron and Green stood in front of the guards, two War Knights fully armed, positioned on either side like twin gate gods. There were bloodstains on the ground, indicating that a violent incident had occurred.

Mol and a group of stewards hid in a safe location, not daring to step forward or speak.

Seth, however, stood tall before the two men. Facing a crowd far larger than himself, the steward showed no fear, instead sternly denouncing the crowd's offensive behavior.

Because it was too far, Romain couldn't hear what they were saying.

When he himself appeared, the already agitated crowd became even more restless, surging forward together.

Aaron took a step forward, shielding Seth behind him. The round shield he raised was like an unyielding reef, blocking the crowd's advance.

Romain shouted, "What are you doing!"

The crowd immediately fell silent, everyone staring intently at their esteemed lord.

He stood at a higher vantage point, his dark brown hair cascading over his shoulders, like a newly matured Mighty Lion. Though his shoulders weren't particularly broad, his strong build supported his dignity. His expression was calm, and when his crimson eyes narrowed, they possessed a powerful sharpness, like an eagle's gaze, making it impossible to look directly at him.

When he reached them, the people at the very front of the crowd were over ten old farmers who mumbled, "My Lord, we wish to have our land divided."

Romain lifted his chin and said, "I do not permit it!"

The crowd behind the old farmers began to stir again.

The old farmer said, "The land you let us cultivate is too little. We need more land."

From the boundaries Romain had drawn, they clearly understood the specific area of that land. Romain prohibited them from cultivating land outside of that area, making his intentions obvious.

The farmers who participated in the plowing yesterday had also calmed down from the joy they felt upon seeing the Heavy Plow.

Based on their farming experience from previous years, they knew that this plot of land alone was insufficient to support everyone.

After a day of deliberation, the exasperated farmers had finally gathered, instigating this large-scale disturbance.

The tone of the old farmer before him was weak and humble, yet exceptionally firm. "We need our land divided. Only then will we not starve to death. Even if you increase the taxes, we can agree to it."

Romain acted as if he hadn't heard. "Did you do what you were supposed to do today? How much fertilizer did you pile up today? How much land did you plow? Did you take the Heavy Plow that Laxus newly forged and use it?"

The old farmer shook his head. "My Lord, please have mercy. We see no hope of survival."

Romain said impatiently, "Tell me! How can I make you obey me?"