[ Ginseng Rooster ] certainly knew what it was; in fact, every Soul Returner infiltrated the militia had long anticipated that dark cloud.
The royal army has finally marched south!
They had been eagerly anticipating this moment, and some were even starting to get impatient.
But at this moment, facing the archbishop who was not easily fooled, the players maintained basic composure, just like [ the Ginseng Rooster ].
Realizing that the situation might have taken a slight turn for the worse, Archbishop Luorui'er looked at [ the Ginseng Rooster ]:
"I think if that was the work of the rebels, then you may be about to face your first battle."
She gritted her teeth, as if she had made up her mind:
What does your militia need?
Despite saying that, Luorui'er didn't actually intend to give it to him.
[ Ginseng Rooster ] didn't hesitate at all upon hearing this:
"Some salary is required, Your Excellency the Archbishop."
Looking at the archbishop's surprised expression, [ the Ginseng Rooster ] said unhurriedly:
"In order to enable them to acquire basic combat capabilities in the shortest amount of time, I have recently trained them extremely hard."
"Many militia members are saying that they haven't even received their salaries yet, and they're already being asked to train for battle. If they die, they won't even get a copper coin, no, not even a single seed..."
This was obviously made up by [ the Ginseng Rooster ], but it wasn't entirely baseless.
He had recently heard similar comments among the militia, only succinctly and in more detail.
When he heard the militia captain come up and ask him for money, Luorui'er's face turned somewhat ugly.
"No, they're just a bunch of ordinary people, what would they need a salary for?"
The Ginseng Rooster instinctively retorted with a question that could even be heard by several militiamen nearby.
Upon hearing this, [ Ginseng Rooster ] exclaimed, "Good heavens! He's not even acting anymore!"
What does it mean for ordinary people to ask for wages?
The Tree Worship Church Theocracy is not a slave society; isn't it only natural to pay people for their work?
And although I planned to tell the NPC militiamen to go home and find their own mothers at the last minute and not get involved in this mess, haven't I told them yet?
In other words, the archbishop, knowing full well the potential for high casualties among the militia, didn't even intend to pay their wages?
No wonder I only saw the militiamen's obligations in those drafted contracts, and didn't see any clauses that could be called rights.
So that's how it is!
[ Ginseng Rooster ] looked at Luorui'er in astonishment, feeling that although this archbishop was not as bad as Antiya Lisi, he exuded a simple and unpretentious beastly aura.
If Antiya Lisi is a product of later creation, then Luorui'er is as if it were born naturally, truly a masterpiece of World of Disorder.
As [ Ginseng Rooster ] looked at Luorui'er, the Archbishop was also looking at the militia captain.
It's one thing for the Holy Crusaders to need monthly food and tree seed supplies, but how dare a mere militiaman ask me for money?!
Why did she defend Black Pine City? Wasn't it simply to avoid sending money to those important figures in the Holy City?
Even the militia now need money, so it's better to just run away.
However, upon further reflection, it seems there's another solution to the problem raised by [ the Ginseng Rooster ] --
Those militiamen are only demoralized because they haven't received their pay. If we just get them motivated, the problem will be solved, won't it?
What's truly inspiring is precisely what Archbishop Luorui'er excels at.
Although he was merely a figurehead in Fitz Province, Luorui'er was no mere figurehead with no real skills.
Symbiotic Plant [ Forget-Sorrow Mint ]: A Aberration plant that can grow far from its host for extended periods. It can parasitize the superficial epidermis of animals without affecting the main symbiotic plant. It applies an excitatory effect to the Planting individual, and its scent can amplify the strongest subjective emotions of surrounding organisms. The greater the level difference, the more pronounced the effect.
This is Archbishop Luorui'er's symbiotic plant. Although its combat enhancement effect is not significant, it has a wide range of applications as a support plant.
The reason why the speech a week ago was so inspiring and whose influence could even affect citizens for hours was because Luorui'er had already had his men Planting his symbiotic plants in various locations around the square.
Even when hundreds of thousands of people gather together, the mint scent, diluted countless times, can still have some effect.
With this in mind, Luorui'er already had an idea to get the militiamen's hard-earned money for free.
She reached out to the [ Ginseng Rooster ], and a slender plant stem emerged from her sleeve, quickly blossoming and bearing fruit.
The archbishop placed the seeds of his symbiotic plant into the [ Ginseng Rooster ]'s hand:
"This is my symbiotic plant. It has extraordinary abilities, but it's not cheap either. One plant per person is enough to cover at least two or three months' salary."
"Have the militiamen plant these seeds on their bodies; they will gain even greater strength. Your militia has a full five hundred men, and the number of seeds here isn't enough. However, with careful cultivation, a batch can be produced in three or four days, and then the rest can be distributed."
Luorui'er was very satisfied with her arrangement. She did not tell [ Ginseng Rooster ] that her [ Forget-Sorrow Mint ] could not only strengthen the host, but also intensify emotions.
This kind of thing can't be explained to ordinary people.
As for the fact that the second-generation symbiotic plants, which originated from the original organism, are far inferior to the first generation, Luorui'er didn't even mention it.
They're just a bunch of cannon fodder to be used and discarded anyway. Let them experience the enhancement effects of their symbiotic plants before they die. What more could you ask for?
Back when I was studying at the Holy City Theological Seminary, so many people wanted their own symbiotic plant seed...
The more Luorui'er thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed, and he even felt that he had lost out while the militia had gained.
Seeing the dark clouds getting closer and closer, she waved at the [ Ginseng Rooster ]:
"I'm going to inspect the Holy Crusaders's encampment."
"If that dark cloud really is the work of the rebels, then there will be fighting soon. You must distribute these seeds immediately; as you said, this will greatly stabilize morale."
Having said that, the archbishop left the militia's encampment, surrounded by the Holy Crusaders guards and servants.
[ Ginseng Rooster ] stared blankly at the string of seeds in his hand, suddenly remembering the phrase he learned as a child, "Half a bolt of red silk and a length of fine linen." He realized he'd been dismissed...
It feels like the NPCs in this World of Disorder have even lower moral standards than I do in some ways. No matter how bad the players' character is, at least within the Second Holy See's sphere of influence, they almost never dare to skip out on their bills or dine and dash.
I never expected that there would be such a simple way to get free labor in the province right next to Aduolin.
Even Seraphina knew to only take half and leave the other half for the Dragonborn!
Those damned Tree Worship Church are not even as good as the stingy dragon they regard as a beast!