Servants in the Castle

36. Servants in the Castle

Inside the Mountain Forest Fortress, the servants from the castle were rounded up one by one by the guards.

At this moment, they knelt on the ground, trembling, their hearts filled with despair.

They already knew what Prinster had done and that the person before them was the true master of Mountain Forest Town.

And as servants of a traitor, perhaps only death awaited them.

"My lord, everyone has been rounded up!"

Chahar finished the count and reported, "A total of fifteen people, including one butler, four in the kitchen, three maids, five manservants, and two others who were Prinster's mistresses."

Chahar paused, then added, "According to Tom, Prinster's wife and son are in Sain Territory and not in Mountain Forest Town."

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow. Good heavens, this Prinster is something else. While his wife was away, he kept two mistresses in Mountain Forest Town.

Luo Ning scanned the group. He didn't need Chahar to point them out; he could tell which two were that fellow's mistresses.

They had shapely figures and fair, delicate skin, a cut above the maids and cooks beside them.

Chahar noticed Luo Ning's gaze linger on the two women and immediately thought of the lord's former reputation. Could it be that after abstaining from female company for some time, he's finding it hard to resist now?

So, he bowed and asked, "My lord, should these two be kept for you?"

Luo Ning's gaze shifted to Chahar, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Do you think I would want them?"

Although he was smiling and his tone was the usual inquiring one, Chahar sensed only rejection and scrutiny.

"Forgive me, my lord, I spoke out of turn!"

Chahar lowered his head, regretting his words the moment they left his mouth.

The former Marquis's grandson was the former Marquis's grandson. The person before him now was a Transcendent with enough confidence, courage, and decisiveness to deal with enemies.

He told himself that he must completely forget his previous impressions of the Baron!

Luo Ning withdrew his gaze and spoke to the people below in a calm tone:

"Although you are the mistresses or servants of a traitor, I should have killed you. But I am merciful and willing to believe that you are not involved in this matter, so I am prepared to give you a chance to live."

All fifteen kneeling individuals breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Luo Ning gratefully in a chorus of voices.

"While I will not kill you, I will not employ you either."

Not killing them was because Luo Ning felt whether to kill them or not was irrelevant; keeping them would add a few people to Mountain Forest Town.

As for employing them, that involved a matter of security. If they were too loyal to Prinster, then it wouldn't be appropriate for them to remain in the castle.

"Chahar, have this butler take you to inventory the food, tools, and other items in the castle, and give me a list."

"Macken, arrange for two guards to supervise these cooks and prepare dinner for us."

"As for the other manservants and maids, go tidy up some empty rooms. Remember to replace everything!"

"Regarding these two mistresses, leave the castle now. Remember, I'm only allowing you to leave the castle, not permitting you to leave Mountain Forest Town."

Luo Ning waved his hand, signaling them to get to work.

For the servants, leaving the castle meant leaving a life of privilege, but compared to saving their lives, a privileged life was insignificant.

After the guards and servants in the hall had left, only Macken, Elrond, and Tom remained.

"My lord!" Macken said respectfully, "I will arrange for the guards to stand watch."

Luo Ning nodded. The security of the castle was very important; he didn't want just anyone coming and going through the main gate.

"Have the uninjured guards be responsible for defense. For the injured guards, have the servants quickly tidy up rooms for them to rest in."

Luo Ning looked at Tom. "You're more familiar with this place. Show Macken the way."

"Yes, my lord!"

Tom followed Macken out of the fortress.

"Come, Elrond, accompany me for a good look around this castle."

"It is my honor!"

And so, Luo Ning and the Mage Elrond explored his base together.

Before long, he reached the top of the tower, gazing out at the small town below.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, the town appeared very simple and impoverished.

Apart from the main road connecting the castle to the outside, which could be considered a "street," other areas seemed to lack even decent roads.

Prinster likely disdained improving the environment for the other inhabitants. For him, living comfortably and securely himself was enough.

But what about Luo Ning?

He hoped his living environment could be similar to the countryside on Earth; only then would he feel comfortable.

Improving the living environment of the inhabitants seemed like a thankless task to many nobles in this world.

After all, with the castle and the Transcendent present, ordinary people could just be diligent laborers. Whether they lived a hard or comfortable life, what did it matter to the nobles?

But Luo Ning didn't see it that way.

If Transcendent are a lord's hard power, then his subjects are his soft power.

Soft power is difficult to see, touch, or feel, but it is crucial for supporting the territory.

Setting aside other things, simply improving the living standards of the subjects and ensuring they have enough to eat every meal, wouldn't that lead to more ordinary people like David who can awaken a Battle Qi Seed?

Without enough Knight families following him, these subjects are Luo Ning's foundation.

However, he also knew that you have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time.

Luo Ning didn't foolishly think about implementing measures like land distribution. This didn't align with the situation here, nor did it fit what someone of his status and class should do.

Adapting to the noble identity, enjoying the power and responsibilities that come with this class, and then making subtle changes according to his own will – this was what suited him.

Perhaps one day when he is strong enough, strong enough that any decision he makes will be supported and followed by others, it wouldn't be too late to make bigger changes then.

Luo Ning shielded his eyes with his hand, gazing at the setting sun. "Elrond, what do you see?"

Elrond looked up at the sunset and smiled, saying, "I see that light will always be with you, my lord!"

"Under your leadership, this small town will embark on a path to unprecedented brightness. I believe that one day in the future, bathed in your radiance, this place will become a City of Miracles!"

"Hahaha~"

Luo Ning burst into laughter. "Indeed, you know how to talk. Unlike Macken, that big simpleton who only says 'As you command,' 'Okay,' and 'As you wish!'"

Elrond smiled and said, "Sir Macken's loyalty and steadiness are worth me learning from."

People who love to read really speak well.

"Let's go, it's time to work, Mage."

Luo Ning was the first to descend the tower. "The Guards' role is protection and combat. Their daily tasks are training and patrolling, not doing things like cleaning."

Elrond followed behind Luo Ning. "You are right."

"So, help me write a Recruitment Notice. The castle has dismissed the former manservants, maids, and cooks. We need to hire a new batch to handle the daily chores."

Elrond echoed, "You are right."

"Also, I only toured the castle today. I need to find time to inspect the entire territory so I can make subsequent arrangements."

"You are right!" Elrond added, "But I think it would be better to first publicize the fact that you have become the lord of Mountain Forest Town."

"The deterrent effect on the streets today made the subjects fearful. Although you said a simple reassuring sentence, I don't think your reassurance necessarily reached everyone's ears."

"You are right, Elrond!"

Luo Ning nodded. "Then later, have Tom take David to publicize it everywhere. Tomorrow morning, find a location and have all the subjects meet me there."

Thank you to all the lords for your votes and support, and also thank you to the several lords who corrected the typos~