Chapter 63
Charm 13
Skills: None
Professional Talent: Word Spirit Art
Class Skills: Soul Amplification, Soul Control Technique Lv1
Equipment: Silver Wings, Ring of Death, Kade's Bracelet
"This Mental Power is really amazing."
Ryan discovered something.
Five stars is just the upper limit of a profession's rating, not the upper limit of a character's growth.
For characters with the same attribute growth level, the level-up bonuses are different. Generally, those with high initial talent will also receive a considerable bonus after job advancement.
Both 'Vainay's' Mental Power and 'Lin Qi's' Magic Power have five-star growth, but the numerical values are slightly higher.
"It's a pity there are no professional weapons; I haven't been able to find a staff in all this time."
The Soul Singer with a pistol is here to guide your souls!
Bang!
Physical extradition.
No more undead are born in the Great Cemetery. On her way back, 'Vainay' saw Harrier Guard and fired her bullets instantly, causing Harrier's health to drop significantly.
The difference before and after the job change is obvious. However, since 'Vainay' is not a strong offensive class, it doesn't have the same satisfying killing experience as 'Lin Qi' and 'Shally'. Especially 'Shally', whose Bloodlust Enhanced Greatsword can kill people in one blow, with more blood splattering than tomato juice.
"Soul Control".
'Vainay' raised her hand and cast Soul Control Technique on a Harrier Guard. The hawk guardian was pulled and began to struggle. The process lasted for about three seconds before the system prompted 'Soul control failed'.
"It failed, which means there was a chance of success?"
After the skill refreshed, 'Vainay' continued to use Soul Control, and finally succeeded on the fourth try.
You have captured Harrier Guard Lv18.
[Currently controllable number of souls: 1/6.]
Ryan was taken aback; he had actually managed to subdue it.
Wow, a Pokémon Master!
At this moment, a new icon appeared in 'Vainay's' character panel, which was the miniature form of the Harrier Guard that had just been captured.
After clicking to release, the Harrier Guard appears and can act according to 'Vainay's' instructions.
"It's similar to the Blood Knight's Blood Minions ability, but the Blood Minions's existence time is shorter, and its ability is much weaker than before it died."
The captured Harrier Guard remained at level 18, with no change in attribute points. 'Vainay' commanded it to fight for a while, and then used Soul Control to capture the second Harrier Guard.
"A total of six can be captured. I wonder if the number can be increased after advancing. If it can be increased, that would be awesome."
Ryan's thoughts shifted, and he saw that the soul collection status display showed that the progress had reached 60%, and then the skill effect lit up.
"Soul release".
The effect wasn't directed at 'Vainay', but at Harrier Guard.
The next moment, the enhanced Harrier Guard entered a berserk state and charged into the monster horde, wreaking havoc.
"This is the right way to be Soul Singer!" Ryan's eyes lit up.
Control, subjugation, and enhancement—the auxiliary effects are maxed out. He suspects that there should be other buff skills in the later stages, such as mental barriers or soul healing.
Moreover, although it is a support role, the combination of the Word Spirit Art and the Soul Control effect can still cause considerable damage to Supernatural Being.
A direct critical hit to the soul, you say that's not powerful?
If we can recruit a few more powerful souls to assist in battle, we can also use them as Summoner.
"I didn't expect the mental-type professions to be so powerful. No wonder they are rarely seen in the game."
Ryan plans to put the Ring of Death on 'Vainay', since no matter how strong she is, she can't change her fragile nature. If she is targeted by an assassin, she can easily be killed instantly.
"Let's collect all the Soul Control items first."
An hour later.
'Vainay' left the Great Cemetery and returned to Loss Town.
"Good afternoon, my lord."
"Greetings, Lord."
"Vainay, you've arrived."
Along the way, the people of Loss Town greeted 'Vainay' respectfully by standing on both sides.
His demeanor was respectful yet friendly and Ryan, unlike how the people of Berman City reacted when they saw nobles.
Big cities have their advantages, but small places have a more honest and simple way of life. Of course, this is mainly related to the way 'Vainay' governs its territory.
"It seems he's quite popular with the people."
Ryan stroked his chin.
Frankly, even if he were to manage the territory, he might not be able to do a better job than 'Vainay' is now.
Times have changed, backgrounds are different, and we can't just copy the old ways. Even if it's truly for the good of the people, we have to be mindful of the methods.
For example, in Berman City, if the goal were to depopulate the city, the kind-hearted native nobles would allow the poor to disappear voluntarily. Ryan, on the other hand, would certainly not establish a workers' guild or a crusade to protect their rights; that would only incite conflict and make life harder. Those nobles might allow you to feed the poor steamed buns, but they would absolutely not allow you to let the poor sit and eat with them.
As for how to strike the right balance, Ryan doesn't have much experience yet and can only try step by step. In this respect, AI Auto-Battle away from keyboard).
When 'Vainay' returned to the castle, the butler told her that guests had arrived.
He was a young man dressed in blue aristocratic attire.
"Hello, Baron Vainay, my name is Thomas, and I am also a baron of the Kells Territory. It's a pleasure to meet you." Thomas bowed to Vainay with a gentlemanly air.
"Hello, Baron Thomas," 'Vainay' returned the greeting.
Compared to the aloof 'Lin Qi', 'Vainay' was clearly much more polite. If it were 'Lin Qi', she would probably just glance at him indifferently and then ask, 'Thomas, who is he?'
Ryan was somewhat puzzled by the other party's intentions. When the two arrived at the reception room to talk, Thomas revealed his purpose.
He came to tell 'Vainay' not to attend Viscount Mars' banquet tomorrow night.
"This is a token of my appreciation."
Thomas took out a money bag and said with a smile.
[30 gold coins.]
"Wow, they're so rich."
At this moment, Ryan became curious. How could a mere baron spend 30 gold?
You see, while 'Vainay' isn't exactly wealthy, even if you squeeze every last drop out of a small territories, a baron like that won't become rich. Thomas is clearly aiming for the viscount position. The other party might be able to save up enough money to compete, but spending so lavishly just to reduce a competitor is suspicious.
How many people in the entire Kells Territory are capable of competing for the title?
If we sent them all like that, it would be a huge expense.
Ryan wanted to say, "Brother, you really think highly of me. 30 gold coins is as much as 'Vainay's' savings."
This person is either a complete idiot or a nouveau riche; otherwise, their actions are questionable.
It wasn't that Ryan was being paranoid; there were requirements for buying and selling titles. The aristocratic circle had its own rules, and the target of a title transfer was generally required to be a nobleman. In other words, if Viscount Malte wanted to sell his title, the person he invited could only be a baron.
For ordinary people, even the wealthiest merchants, taking this step would require paying a price far higher than buying a title.
First, they must become barons, which is the most difficult step, so even wealthy merchants find it hard to cross this social class.
Social class! Social class in people's minds is a mountain!
This step has already filtered out enough competitors, so those who still hold the title of baron can be further narrowed down with a little calculation. In a place like Kells, there are no more than three barons who can afford to come up with a thousand or two thousand gold coins.
"They're determined to get the position of Lord Kells." Ryan stroked his chin thoughtfully. He thought he had it in the bag, but Thomas suddenly appeared.
If even Vainay has approached him, then he's probably bribed the other barons as well.
I'd never heard of this person before; someone this rich must be no ordinary person.
Wouldn't it be better to buy a better one in mainland China with that much money?
"Why doesn't Mr. Thomas go directly to Viscount Mars?" 'Vainay' asked.
"I would like to do the same, but unfortunately his invitation has already been sent out." Thomas with some regret. "I like it here very much. When I become the lord, I will not change it. You can still live peacefully in your own territories."
"Thank you for your generosity."
Ryan decided to accept the thirty gold coins.
And then I'll still go tomorrow.
Why not take the money that's offered to us? The relationship with our competitors is already established.
He wanted to see what this guy was up to.
"What a headache. Luckily, Magana gave me two thousand gold coins, otherwise it probably wouldn't be enough."
Turning off the game, Ryan rubbed his temples. He was 100% certain that Thomas had ulterior motives for buying the territory. If you included the 'gifts' for each eligible baron in the auction, at 2,000 gold coins for a viscount, this whole thing would cost at least 3,000 gold coins.
With so much money, he could easily go to the mainland and buy a viscount's title, where the environment is better and he wouldn't be threatened by war.
From the perspective of noble interests, this kind of losing deal is not something a normal noble would do. Ryan guessed that some powerful guy in the Imperial Capital had gotten involved again. First it was Caslathdi, then Magana, and the Second Prince was also involved. The entire southern part of the empire was in complete chaos.
But the title still needs to be obtained, otherwise 'Vainay' will be confined to the small corner of Loss Town. Ryan did consider going far away to another place, but he was a little worried about the character going too far away. After all, raising Alts is about having more people to fight against fewer people, and the advantage can only be shown when a mixed multiplayer strategy is used in critical moments.
Anyway, Berman City is now in his hands. As long as Caslathdi relinquishes power and Magana supports him, control of the Southern Territory of the Empire will be within his grasp.
Therefore, it is best for 'Vainay' to stay and develop nearby.
Moreover, if anyone really wants to invade the Southern Territory, Ryan will definitely have to find them, otherwise he won't be able to sleep soundly.
Just then, his secretary informed him that the Her Highness the Princess arrived.
"Ryan".
Caslathdi led Eiko into the room.
"Your Highness, is there something you need from me?"
"Yes, I'm planning to go to Kosotoya. I'll leave Berman City in your care."
Oh, this.
Ryan thought to himself, "This is so embarrassing. You're leaving already? Why don't you just go back to the Imperial Capital? I'll take care of things here for you."
"My father bestowed three border cities upon me. Now that the situation in Berman City has stabilized, I feel very reassured with you here," Caslathdi sighed. "But I am worried about Kosotoya and Nade City. I'm afraid they won't accept me so easily, so I need to go there as soon as possible."
While the Old Emperor's orders were still fresh in her mind, Caslathdi was ready to set off immediately. If it weren't for the disaster that had struck Berman City, she would already be in Kosotoya by now.
"When will Your Highness depart?"
"We'll be leaving soon. I'll be taking five hundred Royal Guards with me."
Ryan frowned. "So fast? Isn't five hundred people too few?"
Caslathdi chuckled, "Don't worry, I'm not going to fight a war. Besides, Magana's Iron Blood Legion is still around, and the Royal Guards needs to keep an eye on them."
Your Her Highness the Princess, your smile looks a bit bitter.
Indeed, with wolves in front and tigers behind, Caslathdi is in a truly miserable situation.
Although the Old Emperor issued the order, there were always some people who were dissatisfied because the emperor was far away and the country was far from the capital.
I'll just stay put and wait until the Old Emperor kicks the bucket. Who cares what orders he gave before?
Ryan thought of Viscount Avik's matter. Magana had been smugly saying that the guy had surrendered, but now that Caslathdi was going to take over Kosotoya, it certainly wouldn't go smoothly.
However, there was nothing Ryan could do. The Grand Duke's kindness was too great, and he could only ask the Princess to bear it. Loyalty is not easy to maintain.