Chapter 22

On the open ground outside the castle.

Taking advantage of the count's absence, the artisans gathered in twos and threes to chat. Their faces were filled with barely restrained excitement and anticipation, mixed with a hint of unease.

"I wonder what kind of blueprint would be considered the best by the count's standards. I already did everything I could..."

"I have no hope of becoming the president of the Artisans' Guild. After all, I know my own limits. But I'm good with my hands. Once I join the guild, I shouldn't be considered too bad, right?"

"Even if there's no hope, living in the count's territory is already so much better than living anywhere else."

"Yeah. Luckily, I made up my mind to come here back then. Otherwise, I would definitely regret it later."

They gradually began discussing the benefits and changes they had experienced since moving to Komoy Fort.

They spoke of how much easier life had become after the taxes were lowered.

Then they talked about the coming summer recruitment. Those in their families who did not want to become artisans could consider enlisting.

Dief could not help but say longingly, "The soldiers patrolling the city every day look so impressive."

"One group wears black armor, while the other wears white armor. I heard they are the Black Cavalry and White Cavalry, led by Lord Fernandi Edward and Lord Walker William respectively."

"Also, I heard from others that most of the soldiers in the Black Cavalry and White Cavalry were originally slaves. Later, some soldiers in the two cavalry units accumulated enough merit and successfully shed their slave status..."

Conrad smiled as he listened to his younger son speak.

Darren could not help asking, "We've been so busy these past two months that our feet barely touched the ground. We hardly even had time to sleep. When did you learn about all this?"

Dief muttered, "I'm not as busy as Dad and you, big brother. There's still so much about engineering drawings that I haven't learned, and I can't help much either..."

"Since I have free time, of course I asked around about what's going on in this territory. Honestly, the count is truly the best lord I've ever met!"

Conrad nodded in agreement and sighed. "Praise the Creator God for the count's benevolence and tolerance."

They did not talk for much longer.

Xia Zuoyi walked out of the castle.

He held a list written on parchment and, as usual, Judith carried him onto a high chair.

The artisans on the open ground involuntarily fell silent.

Judith said, "After six days of selection, we have chosen the best design in terms of city planning and layout. The owner of this blueprint will be appointed president of the Artisans' Guild."

"But those who were not selected need not feel discouraged."

"We will divide the Artisans' Guild into four ranks: Ordinary Artisan, Junior Assistant Engineer, Intermediate Engineer, and Senior Engineer."

"Those with excellent blueprints and city designs will respectively receive one of the three engineer titles: Junior Assistant Engineer, Intermediate Engineer, or Senior Engineer."

"Of course, the amount of money distributed each month will differ for every rank..."

Before he could finish, someone below could not help speaking up.

"May I ask, my lord, does a Senior Engineer receive the most money?"

Judith nodded. "Naturally."

"If you work hard enough, make contributions during future construction, and improve your own abilities... your rank will rise."

"From Ordinary Artisan to Junior Assistant Engineer, from Junior Assistant Engineer to Intermediate Engineer, and from Intermediate Engineer to Senior Engineer."

"If Senior Engineers make enough contributions, they will be rewarded with a large bonus as encouragement. Whether Junior Assistant Engineers and Intermediate Engineers receive bonuses will depend on the circumstances."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The artisans' emotions were completely ignited, and their excitement soared.

They had thought the competition would end after choosing a president, never expecting such an unexpected delight.

Some people knew they had no chance of becoming president.

But perhaps they could still hope to receive an engineer title.

Judith had them quiet down before continuing, "Now, the count will announce the contents of the list."

The artisans could not help holding their breath.

Conrad nervously clenched his fists.

Xia Zuoyi unfolded the parchment, cleared his throat, and read as though he were hosting an awards ceremony.

"There are seven Junior Assistant Engineers: Benson Nutt, Chad... There are five Intermediate Engineers: Payne Ell, Eugene... There are three Senior Engineers: Yilifu Bana, Fagin Inris, and Paul Snet."

From the very first word, Conrad anxiously waited to hear whether his name would be called.

Yet until the final word was spoken, his name never appeared...

In an instant, a lost and dejected expression gradually appeared on his face.

But just then.

Conrad heard the count continue, "The president of the Artisans' Guild will be—Conrad Brown. He will also receive the title of Senior Engineer."

It was as though an enormous surprise had suddenly crashed down on Conrad Brown's head, leaving him dazed and bewildered. Even his soul seemed to float in midair without a place to land.

It felt like he was dreaming.

An incomparably wonderful dream.

Darren and Dief were the first to react.

The two shook him excitedly, speaking in stammers.

"Dad, Dad, you... you seem to have become president?!"

"Dad! Tell me, is this real?!"

Dief could not help covering his mouth. He had nearly screamed aloud.

After Xia Zuoyi finished reading the list from atop the chair, he obediently clasped his hands behind his back and waited, giving the artisans time to react.

Not long afterward.

He quietly whispered to Judith, "So this Conrad Brown is the one Taylor and Bana brought back from Niramo. What a coincidence."

After confirming the choice for president, Walker had casually mentioned what had happened in Niramo.

Conrad Brown had suffered oppression in the Artisans' Guild of Niramo, where his abilities and talents had no chance to shine. That was why Taylor and Bana had invited him to Visas.

Xia Zuoyi whispered disdainfully, "Niramo's lord is terrible. Like ruler, like subjects—the people below are just as bad, with rotten character."

They deserved to lose talented people.

Once the commotion below gradually subsided.

Conrad held a hand over his chest and finally began to process this enormous surprise.

Xia Zuoyi said, "Thorn Artisans' Guild will be the name of the guild to be established in Komoy Fort."

"Ordinary Artisans who did not receive engineer titles need not lose heart either. Participation is what matters. Later, you will each receive an encouragement prize of forty copper coins."

Upon hearing this, the disappointment on the Ordinary Artisans' faces lessened considerably.

Xia Zuoyi said, "The president and the engineers of the three ranks whose names were just called, come forward."

People began stepping out from below.

Under a knight's arrangement, Conrad stood at the very front, his heart pounding fiercely without pause.

Judith said, "The count specially had identity badges made for the engineers. The pattern on them is also the emblem of the Thorn Artisans' Guild."

"Senior Engineers receive gold badges, Intermediate Engineers receive silver badges, and Junior Assistant Engineers receive iron badges. After joining the guild, you must wear them on your chest at all times."

"This is both an identity and an honor."

The Artisans' Guild emblem was a hammer and a chisel axe encircled by black thorns.

Judith continued, "You will also receive rewards."

"Each Junior Assistant Engineer will receive two silver coins, each Intermediate Engineer will receive ten silver coins, and each Senior Engineer will receive three gold coins."

Compared with money, the engineers receiving rewards cared more about the badges representing their identities.

This was the count's high recognition of their abilities!

Their hearts surged with emotion, and they could not control their expressions as all kinds of feelings churned endlessly in their chests.

—Coming here had truly been the right choice!

The Ordinary Artisans had never expected badges to exist as well.

At that moment, they were extremely envious and secretly resented their own lack of ability, their inability to compare with others.

Conrad stood quietly to one side and waited in silence, because he knew his turn would come last.

Sure enough.

After all the engineers' badges had been handed out.

Judith personally walked over to Conrad and said with a smile, "From now on, I should call you President Brown. Please come before the count..."

Conrad moved his limbs somewhat stiffly. He had no idea how he had managed to walk before the count, and he even stammered out a greeting.

Xia Zuoyi smiled.

He took out a badge of interwoven gold and silver and pinned it to Conrad's collar. "The president's reward is ten gold coins. In addition, you will receive a house in Komoy Fort free of charge and the right to seek an audience with me directly."

Darren and Dief could not help tightly covering their mouths, afraid of losing composure before the count and embarrassing their father.

But they truly could not restrain their wild joy. They stomped their feet in ecstatic delight.

The others erupted into an uproar.

Sure enough, the president's benefits were even more enviable.

The announcement event ended with Conrad unable to control his emotions and bursting into tears.

The soldiers escorted them back to Komoy Fort.

Aside from the Brown family weeping tears of joy and barely sleeping all night, everyone else was also stirred up, their enthusiasm roused as never before.

The plans to rebuild Visas and Komoy Fort proceeded alongside the castle construction work.

The soldiers were responsible for mining and transporting Black Ore.

Drawn by the generous wages, many commoners and slaves from the two cities also actively joined the construction efforts, forming engineering teams led by Ordinary Artisans or engineers.

After Xia Zuoyi calculated the accounts again and again with old treasurer Nick and Gibran, they discovered that while funds were still fairly sufficient, they were severely short on manpower!

Without enough people participating, the future five-year construction plan would stretch to seven years, nine years, or even longer before it could be completed...

How was that any different from the plan becoming nothing but a bubble?!

"..."

After a long silence, Xia Zuoyi sighed deeply. "Judith, it's time for us to go out and recruit people."

Such a large area of Komoy Fort was sitting empty. Leaving it unused would be such a waste; properly utilizing land resources was the right thing to do!

Besides, Visas was also a prime example of a large city with too few people. They had to recruit another wave of settlers.

Judith calmly asked, "Count, where do you have in mind?"

So he could make arrangements as soon as possible.

Xia Zuoyi propped up his small chin and pondered. "Exclude Kaies, the royal capital. Promote ourselves as much as possible in the other nearby cities, with Niramo as a key target."

"This time, the places we promote in will also include the neighboring country of Gaina. Fernandi is not suitable to go there for the time being, so have Walker lead people on a trip."

"Yes, Count."