Chapter 20

Tyler and Bana asked the burly man where Conrad Brown lived.

The man said, "Most of the outsiders who settled in Nilamo live in the same area. Head to the far eastern edge of the city and ask along the way. Someone will know."

After leaving the tavern.

Bana asked, "Are you thinking of recruiting Conrad Brown to return to Wisus?"

Tyler nodded. "Just from listening to him, it's clear Conrad Brown is quite capable. As for those people in the Craftsmen's Guild, they throw their weight around and cozy up to the powerful. They're rotten to the core. We don't need them."

Bana wholeheartedly agreed.

Conrad Brown knew nothing of the decision they had made.

He was walking home. This was the very edge of the eastern district—a filthy, rundown, chaotic place packed with outsiders.

They suffered the same discrimination and oppression in Nilamo, yet no one ever stood up to resist or unite.

Everyone was indifferent, concerned only with living their own lives and unwilling to meddle in anyone else's affairs.

The people living here clearly knew Conrad Brown had done nothing wrong. On the contrary, when he discovered problems, he had done his best to correct them. Yet he had offended the president of the Craftsmen's Guild and his son because of it, and had suffered no small amount of humiliation and exploitation within the guild.

Conrad Brown was innocent.

Yet no one spoke up for an innocent man. He lacked even a heartfelt word of comfort, or a simple greeting.

Conrad Brown walked home in silence.

He had a considerate wife who never complained, as well as two intelligent and outstanding sons.

After arriving in Nilamo, Mrs. Brown had also given him a lovely, beautiful daughter, who was now just over a year old.

Thinking of his sweet, soft little daughter.

A faint smile appeared on Conrad Brown's face. He stepped through the door and said, "I'm home."

His eldest son, Darren Brown, and younger son, Deef Brown, hurried out of the room to greet him.

"Dad, you..."

When Darren Brown saw the torn hem of Conrad Brown's clothes and the obvious mud stains on his knees from having hit the ground, the smile on his face gradually faded until it disappeared entirely.

Only then did Conrad remember the "traces" on his body that he had not cleaned up in time. He hurriedly raised a finger to his lips. "Shh."

Mrs. Brown was cooking and had not yet had time to come out of the kitchen.

He did not want his wife to worry.

However, Deef had not noticed his gesture and immediately shouted angrily, "Dad, did those people from the Craftsmen's Guild bully you again?!"

With a clatter.

The sound of bowls and dishes falling to the floor came from the kitchen.

The next moment, Mrs. Brown hurried out.

"Conrad, oh no, are you all right..."

Mrs. Brown was heartbroken over her husband's suffering and looked as though she were about to cry.

"Why do they always... You've never done anything wrong. Creator God, they'll surely receive their punishment..."

Darren and Deef clenched their fists tightly. The anger in their hearts swelled, and their faces were filled with fury.

Deef even wanted to rush to the Craftsmen's Guild and demand an explanation, but Conrad stopped him.

"Child, it's useless."

Darren also said, "Don't go, Deef."

"Doing that will only make Dad's situation even harder. Those people won't reason with you. They might even throw you out and laugh at you."

Deef said indignantly, "But are we supposed to let Dad keep being bullied by them?!"

Conrad sighed. "If we ignore them, perhaps they'll lose interest before long."

On the contrary, sometimes the more one resisted, the more oppression one invited.

Just as the atmosphere at home grew somewhat gloomy, a shout suddenly came from outside. Someone was looking for Conrad Brown.

Conrad was puzzled.

He had no familiar friends at all in Nilamo. Who would come looking for him?

When he went outside, he discovered that the people looking for him were actually the two knights from earlier.

Conrad could not help feeling flustered and uneasy. He stood motionless in the doorway for a long time before finally saying, "Y-Yes? May I ask what business you two gentlemen have with me..."

Tyler said, "Why don't we talk inside? Don't worry, it has nothing to do with the Craftsmen's Guild."

Conrad hesitantly stepped aside. "Please come in, gentlemen."

The place was filthy and messy, the house was dilapidated, and everything inside was old and worn.

After looking around, Tyler and Bana sat down on the chairs.

Mrs. Brown anxiously brought them two cups of water.

Darren and Deef stood to the side without approaching, secretly observing them without making it obvious.

Tyler said, "I'll get straight to the point. The two of us have come on behalf of Lord Desinia to recruit capable craftsmen from various cities and bring them back to Wisus."

"They will take part in the construction of Wisus and Fort Comoy, and all benefits will be generous..."

He paused, glanced at Conrad's family, and continued, "You may leave on your own, or bring your family with you to Wisus... Can you read? The parchment contains the favorable terms and benefits offered by the lord."

Conrad could naturally read. Hearing that, he nodded and accepted the parchment Tyler handed him.

Darren and Deef could not help exchanging glances, curious about what benefits were written on it.

The farther Conrad read, the more disbelief filled his face. "Th-These terms... are they real?!"

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Bana said, "Of course they're real!"

"Why would we lie to you? Look at the seal on the parchment. That is Lord Desinia's family crest."

At the bottom, Conrad saw a rose surrounded by thorns.

He gripped the parchment, looking hesitant and uncertain. "Why me?"

Tyler said, "We heard about what happened to you."

"Your ability is beyond doubt. Wisus is recruiting talent right now. If you no longer want to be bullied like that, seizing this opportunity is the wisest choice."

Conrad understood what he meant. He had already begun to waver a little, but he felt even more uneasy, and his face showed repeated hesitation.

Tyler said, "I understand that you cannot make a decision immediately."

"I can give you one day to think it over. Come find me at Nas Inn tomorrow evening."

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After saying that, he and Bana left.

After they left.

Mrs. Brown and the two boys hurriedly asked Conrad what exactly was written on the parchment to make him look so shocked earlier.

After Conrad explained it to his family, he received three equally incredulous looks.

Darren said in surprise, "The terms offered are far too good. We can have a place to live in Wisus for free, and there are subsidies too... Dad, are they really not swindlers?!"

As soon as he said that, he immediately denied it himself.

"No, no. They are obviously knights. Impersonating a knight is a serious crime. How could they be swindlers?"

Deef had already begun looking forward to it. "Dad, are we going? If we leave here, will you never be bullied again?!"

Conrad could not make up his mind.

At that moment, Mrs. Brown took his hand and said, "Dear, I understand your concerns."

"We worked so hard to settle down in Nilamo, but now we must decide whether to leave and live and work in another city."

"This is undoubtedly a very difficult choice."

"But you must know that nothing could be harder than our current situation."

"As long as the president and his son remain in the guild, you will never have an easy life. I don't want you to keep... Why don't we take a gamble? At least there's hope for a better life."

Darren nodded. "Yes, Dad. That's what I think too."

"But no matter what decision you make, I will support you unconditionally."

Deef said, "Me too, me too!"

Conrad said, "Let me think it over carefully. Tomorrow... I'll have a definite answer."

Mrs. Brown returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Darren and Deef also returned to their rooms.

Conrad went to the room he shared with his wife.

Their youngest daughter, Belle, was sleeping soundly on the bed. Her tiny fists were clenched at either side of her head, and her little mouth occasionally suckled as if she were still drinking milk.

Conrad stared absentmindedly at his adorable little daughter, and an involuntary smile appeared on his face.

He gently stroked his daughter's soft cheek and whispered so quietly it was almost inaudible, "Our Belle still has a long time before she grows up."

Conrad watched her for a long time before finally making a decision.

The next morning.

Conrad did not go to the Craftsmen's Guild. Instead, he went directly to Nas Inn.

Afterward, he returned home to pack. When the Thorn Merchant Guild set out again, he would leave with them.

More than a month later.

The two teams sent to various cities returned to Wisus one after another, bringing back many craftsmen and their families.

Not a single craftsman had come alone.

Xia Zuoyi gathered them in the open space before the castle.

Conrad Brown's family was among them, and they saw the young Earl of Desinia.

Once he confirmed that everyone was present.

Xia Zuoyi said, "I know what you most urgently need confirmed right now."

"I can give you a definite answer. Every promise and condition on the parchment is genuine and valid. You will receive what you are entitled to."

The craftsmen and their families could not help showing delighted expressions.

Xia Zuoyi continued, "However, the prerequisite for the benefits and conditions I offer is that you must devote yourselves wholeheartedly to rebuilding Wisus and Fort Comoy for me."

"If I discover anyone cutting corners, taking shortcuts, or even trying to reduce labor and materials to deceive me during construction, then once it is found out, everything granted to you will be taken back immediately!"

"Not only that, you will be permanently expelled from Wisus and Fort Comoy!"

First came the sugar, then the stick.

The craftsmen below looked extremely obedient and repeatedly nodded in agreement.

Xia Zuoyi said, "In time, I will establish a Craftsmen's Guild in Fort Comoy. As for the guild president, the position will be held by the most capable person, and all of you may compete for it."

Wisus now had a sufficient population.

But Fort Comoy... after his conscription and tax reduction measures, the city had become far too desolate. He needed to find a way to balance things out.

As soon as those words were spoken, the craftsmen could no longer contain their excitement. Their eyes lit up as they began clamoring.

"The president of the Craftsmen's Guild?! Anyone can become one?"

"Is what the lord said true?!"

"My heavens, I have to fight for it!"

Conrad Brown's face also flushed red with excitement.

Xia Zuoyi raised a hand to quiet them. Once the commotion gradually subsided, he continued, "The method of competing for the presidency is this—I require you to familiarize yourselves with Wisus and Fort Comoy as quickly as possible within two months."

"And according to your own ideas, redesign and plan the layout of the entire cities. Not only must the districts be clearly defined, but the functions and purposes of every district must also be marked in detail."

"Two months from now, I want to see the plans you submit."

The craftsmen looked at one another.

This seemed... rather difficult...

Xia Zuoyi said sternly, "You may form teams with others to plan and design. Naturally, the credit will be divided equally, or given to the person who contributes the most. You may also work alone... Compete however you wish."

"However, if anyone steals, snatches, or destroys another person's plans during the competition, if they cannot be fair and impartial and only want to win through petty tricks..."

"I welcome you to report such people to any knight in the city at any time. They will report it to me."

"Once it is confirmed, everything granted to them will likewise be taken back immediately, and they will be permanently expelled from Wisus and Fort Comoy!"

"Do you all understand?"

"Understood!"

The craftsmen answered unevenly, their spirits raised.

Conrad Brown shouted especially loudly.

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