When the workers heard Dante Ward's instructions, they couldn't believe it. The news of the time change brought tears to their eyes. Each worker knew that an hour meant a whole day's worth of work.
With 16 hours of work and only 8 hours left for rest, the workers knew they were pushed to the limit. These workers aren't from Milltown; they come from other villages to work here.
In the city, only Patricians can live comfortably. Dregs come to the city only for work and return to their villages after finishing. It takes them an hour or more to get back, and they only get 3 or 4 hours of sleep.
Dante Ward and people like him can't grasp the value of an hour. They waste it on bathing, relieving themselves, or drinking tea, not understanding its true worth.
The Dregs, on the other hand, know the value of time very well because they spend hours working like mules and traveling long distances to reach the city. They do all this just to fill their stomachs.
In shock, no one could even speak as they watched Dante Ward leave. The only sound was the echo of his footsteps fading away. Once Dante Ward had gone inside, a commotion erupted among the workers.
"I feel like I'm going to die from working too much and starving," said a 45-year-old man, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Yes, I feel the same way, Uncle Ben," said a 25-year-old man.
"Don't say that, Adam. You're still young. I'm saying this because I don't have anyone behind me, but you have a younger sister," Uncle Ben explained.
"What should I do, Uncle Ben? Even an extra hour of work feels unbearable. I don't think I can endure much more," Adam said, crying.
"No, Adam, stay strong. There will be a way out. Just don't lose hope," Uncle Ben said, placing his hands on Adam's shoulders to comfort him.
"Yes, Adam, don't be so discouraged. We're here with you," Stephen said, joining the conversation.
"Yes, Brother Adam. My brother is right. We're here together, and look at me—I'm younger than you, but I haven't given up yet. My brother never let me give up," Jack added.
"We Dregs endure even harsher conditions. We shouldn't lose hope. If we work so hard and lose hope, what's the point?" Stephen tried to reason with Adam.
"Stephen, even after working so many hours, I can't feed my sister properly, and it takes me until 2 a.m. to get back to my village."
'' I barely get any rest, and my sister isn't getting enough food. This extra hour has completely disrupted my work routine."
" And if we're late, they'll cut our entire day's ration. They make us work for free, and we're forced to do it. I can't take it anymore," Adam said, tears streaming down his face.
At that moment, Stephen slapped Adam on the cheek.
"Is this why you work like a mule, just for this day? And what about your sister? If she sees you in this state, she might die from worry," Stephen said.
"Don't act like a madman. If you can't handle this work, then quit and find something else. You're talking about dying after working your whole life. "
"If you were meant to die, you should have done it by now. Why are you still alive?" Stephen shouted, his voice carrying to those around them.
"Jack and I have been thinking for a long time. My father's friend works in the Capital. We're going to ask him for work and see if he can find something for you too. Until then, manage yourself, okay?" Stephen said calmly.
At that moment, Jack looked at Stephen.
Stephen ignored Jack's gaze and focused on Adam.
"I'm sorry, Stephen. I've been under a lot of work stress and said things I shouldn't have," Adam said, wiping away his tears.
"Good to hear you understand," Stephen said with a slight smile.
"Stephen, you handle people so well. How did you learn this skill of calming people down with just a slap?" Uncle Ben asked with a chuckle.
The mood lightened a bit.
"Hehe, it's all thanks to my father. My brother got plenty of slaps..." Jack started to answer Uncle Ben with a laugh.
Then Stephen covered Jack's mouth with his hand and said to Uncle Ben,
"Oh, it's nothing, Uncle Ben. I just explain the situation well, and people understand. Haha," he said with a small laugh.
"Ohh... That's good to hear," Uncle Ben said, looking at Jack, whose mouth was still covered by Stephen's hand.
"How long will you keep your hand on his mouth? He's going to suffocate," Uncle Ben said jokingly.
Uncle Ben understood what Jack was trying to say and remained quiet, observing the bond between the two brothers.
"Ahh... Sorry, I forgot," Uncle Ben said as he responded, while Adam spoke to Jack.
"It's been a long time since you've felt the sting of my hand," he said with a smile.
"Eekkkkk!" Jack squeaked in fear.
"Damn, why did I have to speak? ,
Now, who will save me?" Jack thought, feeling anxious.
"Hey, you four, get to work now. The inspection Officer is coming soon," the manager shouted loudly.
"Yes, manager," the four responded in unison and headed inside the factory.
All the workers began their tasks, and the factory work resumed.
"Tch... Tchh. These Dregs are only good for working under the whip," a soldier said arrogantly while sitting in his wooden hut.
"Yeah, Katz, you're right "
And I hired a Dreg four months ago, and I pay him only 5 copper SOL a month," Alex said with a laugh.
"What? So cheap? "...
"Where did you find such a cheap laboring Dreg, Alex? Please, find one for me too at that rate," Katz said, walking over to Alex.
"Oh, it was just my luck. When I was going home, I saw a Dreg starving and begging from me, crying," Alex explained.
Four months back…
"I'll give you food, but you have to work for me forever, and I'll pay you 5 copper SOL a month. If you agree, sign this right now," Alex said, taking out a brown paper from his bag and placing it in front of the Dreg.
"So, what do you think? Will you sign?" Alex asked with an evil smile.
"Sir… 5 copper SOL is too little. The minimum salary for a Dreg is 20 copper SOL. Please don't take advantage of my situation," the Dreg said, placing his hand on his stomach and speaking in a faint voice.
"Am I taking advantage of your situation?" Alex said angrily, kicking the Dreg with his foot.
"Sir… Please, I apologize," the Dreg begged, crying.
"Then sign here. If you don't want more beatings," Alex said, placing the brown paper in front of the Dreg.
Seeing the paper, the Dreg, trembling with fear, made his thumbprint with blue ink and said, "Sir… It's done. Please, I can't bear the hunger anymore. Give me something to eat."
Present day…
"And that's how I ended up giving him my old bread and taking him home. When I told my father, he was very happy and is now looking for a bride for me. Hahaha…" Alex said, laughing as he recounted the story.
"What luck you have, Alex! Not only did you find a servant at such a low rate, but you also managed to convince your father about the marriage."
"And my miserable luck, my father still hasn't even talked about my marriage," Katz said with jealousy.
"Don't be discouraged, Katz. Opportunities will come in the future," Alex tried to console him.
At that moment, someone started calling out to Alex from a distance.
"Hey, Alex, what are you doing here, and why are you in a guard's uniform?" asked a 25-year-old man, dressed in fine clothes and mounted on a horse, with an air of arrogance.
When Alex saw the man on the horse, he was shocked. "Shit... What is this Bastard doing here? And he saw me in this guard's uniform. He'll make a mockery of me in the capital. I need to come up with something," Alex thought to himself as the man approached.
"Heh... I know exactly what you're thinking, but don't worry. I won't tell anyone in the capital that our esteemed Lord Alex is doing guard duty here in Milltown, hahaha... No one will know," the man said with a hint of anger as he dismounted from his horse.
"Shut up, Max. I know what you're thinking. My Guard News should not leave Milltown. If it does, it won't be good for you. Understand, asshole?" Alex said angrily.
"Okay, okay, cool down, Alex. Your news won't leave Milltown. How are you doing, Katz?" Max said, trying to calm Alex and turning to Katz with a smile.
"And what are you doing here in Milltown?" Alex asked angrily.
"Oh, I'm here to inspect Ward Textile Mills," Max said with a smile.
"Did you get a Royal Government duty?" Alex asked in shock.
"Yes, I got an INSPECTION duty, and I'm also the captain of my team," Max said with an air of arrogance.
"What?!"
Alex could only open his mouth in shock.
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"Well, that's a wrap on this chapter! I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I enjoyed writing it.
See...yaa... Next Chapter
[ THE INSPECTION DAY ]