If there is one job the serfs love the most, it is undoubtedly apprenticing for dwarves.
Apprenticing for dwarves pays similarly to other jobs, but it carries endless possibilities. Lords require such skilled individuals, especially dwarf apprentices. Apprentices approved by these traditionally strict and stubborn dwarves can almost certainly look forward to a prosperous future.
This path is one of the few ways to rise above being promoted to a sergeant.
Therefore, when the dwarf rune craftsman Delron Feynson announced he needed three apprentices, nearly all the serfs responded eagerly, all wishing to be apprentices.
"I don't need so many people. Those under twenty, who have worked for the lord, and have assisted local blacksmiths or carpenters, step forward," said Delron Feynson, now dressed in a satin outfit, impatiently, "The rest need not apply. And if I find out any of you have lied to me, just wait, my beard witnesses everything!"
His statement scared away most of the fugitive serfs. They looked at each other and most chose to step back.
Having barely made it here, these fugitives did not want to be expelled for lying, especially when dealing with dwarves who could estimate one's age by simply feeling the bones in their wrist.
Among the crowd, Raymond's eyes sparkled. He was only seventeen, had labored for a knightly lord, and had assisted the village carpenter, knowing a bit about carpentry.
Raising his hand, he said, "Me! Mr. Dwarf, I'm seventeen this year, started working for the knightly lord at fifteen, and have worked with the village carpenter!"
Dwarves are exceptional craftsmen, whether as blacksmiths, stonemasons, or carpenters, their exquisite craftsmanship is envied by humans. Delron Feynson heard Raymond and responded in his imperfect Low Gothic, "Why shout so loudly? I heard you."
Raymond approached the dwarf amid the envious gazes of the other fugitives. The dwarf first squeezed Raymond's wrist firmly.
The dwarf's grip was strong, causing Raymond some pain.
"Hmm, it seems you haven't lied; you're indeed seventeen or eighteen," Delron Feynson nodded, pondering for a moment before asking, "If I asked you to make an eighteen-centimeter long wooden plank, what would you do first?"
"I would chop a piece of wood at least twenty centimeters long!" Raymond replied without hesitation, "Better too long than too short!"
"How do you usually handle wood?"
"Large wood with an axe, small wood with a saw!"
"What's the key to making a mortise?"
"This..." Raymond faltered, his face flushing, "I don't know, Mr. Dwarf."
"The requirement for making a mortise is to be vertical and square; only through skilfulness can one make the best use of limited wood," Delron Feynson nodded, frowning slightly, "It seems you haven't learned from the carpenter for long."
"I... I'm sorry, Mr. Dwarf," Raymond lowered his head.
"That's alright, young and not overly taught by those inferior humans, becoming an idiot who can only produce subpar goods. Fine, my workshop needs someone like this; we'll discuss apprenticeship later, but I'll take this person." The rune craftsman nodded, "Deni, arrange for this... what's your name?"
"I'm Raymond!" Raymond quickly responded.
"Arrange for this Raymond!" Delron pointed at Raymond's nose, continuing to instruct.
"Yes!"
The office swallowed these fugitive serfs completely, and in just over an hour, they all found their jobs.
The families were then accommodated in a camp located outside the city on an open field, temporarily provided with food, which would cease once they started working.
With a day left until work began, the serfs lit fires in the middle of the camp, boiling water and eating the earl's provided black bread, chatting about the day's events.
Some local serf archers and infantry joined them, eager to hear news from these northerners.
In this era, information was scarce, and this was one of the few ways to learn about the outside world.
From the conversations, it was revealed that many fugitive serfs came from the Leonnese Duchy, Montfort Duchy, Le-Angouleme Duchy, and the Atouva Castle District. Connacht Duchy was the territory of Duke Rowan, a Grail Knight who had journeyed on the path of the Grail for over a decade and was deeply aware of the common people's hardships, thus the serfs there had a relatively better life.
Such was the way of Grail Knights; their expeditions could last from a few years to decades, making them more aware of common hardships. Knightly virtues included empathy for the common folk, but unfortunately, not many knights possessed these virtues.
"
Speaking of which, have you seen the Wizard's Tower? That tall one, shining with dazzling light," the serfs began discussing the earl's nearby Wizard's Tower, known as Veronica's Dawn Wizard's Tower.
"Yes, it looks quite scary. They say those dreadful witches eat the hearts of a hundred babies every day to maintain their youth!" a serf said fearfully.
"Ha, nonsense, do you know anything? The earl here has already debunked that. Besides, the village you lived in doesn't even have a hundred babies; the whole place only has a few hundred people. Eating a hundred every day? The village would be eaten clean in a week, not even a rat left!" a local serf infantryman retorted, "There are many witches in that tower, are they planning to eat the entire city?"
"Ha ha ha ha ha~" The serfs gathered around the fire laughed heartily, finally feeling secure after being accommodated.
"No matter what, that is a very tall, very large Wizard's Tower!" some serfs still expressed fear.
That sentiment was agreed upon; the immense Wizard's Tower gave the serfs a great sense of oppression and fear.
"Speaking of which, the Lady of the Lake's Tower seems to be right behind that Wizard's Tower!" a serf interjected, "I heard from the locals here that the farmland is top-notch, producing high yields, all thanks to the Lady's protection!"
"Praise the Lady~"
"Praise the Lady!!"
The group hastily praised the Lady of the Lake.
"Our earl is very devout; he spends a day each week praying in the Lady's Tower!" a serf infantryman said admiringly at that moment, "He truly is the chosen champion favored by the Lady."
"That's not right, isn't it forbidden for commoners to get close?" a cautious fugitive serf inquired, "How do you know?"
"My uncle's neighbor's fellow townsman had guard duty at the earl's castle; he saw the earl coming out of the Lady's Tower late at night, looking a bit weary. He must have received the Lady's teachings; our lord is truly devout!"
"Yes, truly devout!" the group echoed in admiration.
Raymond thought such secrets sounded unbelievable; knights typically do not allow serfs to guard their estates and castles, preferring to rely on their own retainers and guards.
"In order to devoutly pray for the Lady's blessing and ensure high yields, our lord works tirelessly, truly remarkable!" another serf added.
"Yes, truly remarkable!" the group concurred.
Raymond nodded half-believingly; the Lady of the Lake almost never appeared before serfs, but since Earl Ryan was the chosen champion of the Lady of the Lake, his deeds were well-known even in rural areas, making it somewhat plausible.
Meanwhile, inside the earl's castle, Ryan stood in the inner hall, awaiting his fiancée's arrival.
"Sulia!" Sulia entered the hall with her entourage, noticeably dressed up today in a pink butterfly flower-colored double-breasted trench coat, her exquisitely beautiful face wearing a subtle smile, her delicate feet clad in flesh-colored stockings and ivory high heels, her pearl earrings gently swaying in the air, a golden double eagle engagement ring on her left ring finger signifying her engagement.
Seeing Ryan waiting for her, the lady knight's face blushed, and taking advantage of the hall's privacy, she slowly approached Ryan: "I'm here."
"Sulia!" Ryan embraced the lady knight, giving her a gentle kiss, inhaling the scent of iris from her golden curly hair, and smiled, "You're here, and I'm relieved. I have many things I need your help with, my future wife!"
The dignified lady knight immediately blushed at Ryan's words.
The two were engaged, making their close relationship normal. Apart from blushing, Sulia didn't say much, and the engaged couple walked together toward the three-story building, with Olica following behind, dutifully addressing her as "lady."
Since their engagement, Sulia's influence within Ryan's territory had rapidly expanded. It hadn't been long since their engagement, but everyone in the earldom was already addressing her as "lady," with Ryan's knights and courtiers showing her exceptional respect.
"This is what it means to be a daughter of a great noble," Ryan thought to himself, "She hasn't even married into the family yet, but she's already managed to command respect from everyone. Her gentle nature is one thing, but her political savvy is clearly inherited from Francois."
Ryan held his fiancée's hand, his face wearing a warm smile: "Anything interesting happen recently?"
"Nothing much, it's been quiet around Wintford recently. The serfs are busy harvesting winter wheat, and the knights are busy with drills. Oh, Ryan, father thinks your fixed tax rate is very constructive. He plans to reform the tax
system like you did, changing from the tithe to a fixed rate," Sulia said, her face flushed, "We'll need your guidance on that."
"Sure." Ryan couldn't help but want to kiss her whenever he saw the lady knight's graceful and dignified demeanor.
As Sulia was about to speak, Ryan kissed her lips again.
Sulia closed her eyes, feeling dizzy with the sensation.
After two minutes, the lady knight, out of breath, sat beside Ryan on the sofa in the room, slightly chiding him with a playful slap, "Ryan~ you rascal~ If you keep this up, I won't come over anymore."
"Ryan, I missed you." Ryan hugged the lady knight, intoxicated by the scent in her hair, "It's been months."
"Ryan... I missed you too." Sulia was touched by Ryan's words.
The couple spent some time together.
"Then I'll leave the rest to you, Sulia. I'll be in the inner room listening," Ryan whispered.
"Okay!"
Half an hour later, in the earl's castle's conference room, several prominent merchants and the steward Carsonberg were waiting, enjoying the Empire's beer, Bretonnia's red wine, and delicate pastries from the wood elves, anticipating the earl's arrival.
Steward Carsonberg stood beside the empty main seat, his tall and slender figure standing upright, temporarily entertaining the merchants. His wife had just given birth to a boy a few days ago, and with the earl's permission, this child would grow up and be trained as a knight in the earl's court, making Carsonberg feel hopeful for the future.
The attending merchants included Oliver and Hadrian, who had good relations with Ryan, Ismael from Bordeaux, Fernan from the north, and Jacques from Wintford.
These merchants possessed immense wealth and had deep connections with local nobility.
"Good afternoon, everyone!" The sound of high heels clicking on the floor heralded Sulia's arrival in a Bretonnian marquess's dress, with her maid Sylvia following behind.
"Good afternoon, Lady!" The merchants instinctively stood up and bowed to Sulia.
Bordeaux's merchant Ismael sneaked a peek at Sulia's noble stature, thinking to himself that this negotiation seemed to be spearheaded by Ryan's fiancée.
As the daughter of the Duke of Wintford, a jewel in Francois's crown, Sulia was renowned among the kingdom's nobility for her beauty, temperament, and capability. Many nobles had sought an alliance with Francois, but he had refused.
It was said that the lady sought an excellent marriage, not only requiring a Grail Knight but also a young one with sufficient status.
And she had indeed found one! Ismael internally scoffed at the luck of the Duke of Wintford's daughter, whose marriage was even blessed by the Lady herself, leaving the kingdom's great nobles unable to object.
After some initial pleasantries and trivial conversation, Oliver, leveraging his close relationship with Ryan, first spoke up: "Lady, we've recently encountered some problems."
"Problems?" Sulia sat at the head of the table, her hands clasped together on the table, her tone gentle yet authoritative, skillfully engaging everyone in the room to ensure no one felt overlooked, "What kind of problems, Mr. Oliver?"
"Well, Lady, recently... the northern sea routes... have been unsafe, some merchant ships have gone missing, they haven't arrived at Marienburg."
"Missing?"
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