News From the County

A few days after sending the crippled Aquila back to her father, Baron Tyre, Asher waited for a response but got none. He was also waiting to see if Aquila neglected his threat and told Baron Tyre about his territory, but it seemed like the woman was too traumatized to speak.

At the moment, he sat in his scared hall facing four individuals. Two stood at the front, and the other two stood behind and were more afraid of the giant beast lying by the corner.

"Do not fear; it won't attack unless I say so."

Asher said to the man and woman who stood at the back. The man was well-built and muscular, looking like a blacksmith. His hair was tied into a ponytail, and his moustache could win an award. Despite his rough appearance, his countenance wasn't the same with Sirius in the hall.

The woman beside him looked prettier than most women Asher had seen in his fortress, and her clothing looked much better than the commoners but less than his. She was a tailor.

Both individuals were apprentices. It was to be known that being an apprentice wasn't as casual as it sounded. Apprentice-grade professionals could not be found everywhere, as they had to go through extensive training from either journeymen-grade professionals or master-grade professionals and then become an apprentice. Apprentices were bound by the tradition of leaving their masters to forge their own paths.

These two came to the wastelands from the Intis Kingdom, but their team was devoured by the beast tide last winter, and they've been in the town since then, unable to return. It was almost a year since they were stuck here, and the duo had long adapted, especially Old West, the Forge Worker. Just a fancy name for a blacksmith.

His name was actually Dan. But since he always talked about the west, where he came from, he was nicknamed Old West.

He and Lois had opened up shops in the town, and almost all the citizens knew about them. 

Before the tailor and blacksmith were Alex and Alec. According to the system, they were commander-grade materials, meaning they could one day lead an army of several thousand strong!

"Mister Dan, I've heard of your fame." 

Asher flashed a smile.

Dan smiled widely. 

"Miss Lois, I heard you helped my men with their armour before I became baron." 

Lois smiled softly and bowed. 

When Dan saw this, he spoke: "But My Lord, I also forged spearheads for the soldiers for free, and I bought those steel!"

"I know, and you spoke before I could appreciate you." 

"Humph!" Dan harrumped and crossed his arms.

"I want to establish both of you. I want you to be focused on how to make the equipment of the military better while your trainees focus on helping the people." 

"Eh… My Lord, we're just apprentice-grade professionals; we can't train anyone yet." Lois replied.

"That's not a problem." 

The moment Asher said that, a notification popped up in his retina. 

[Would you like to upgrade the tailor and blacksmith from apprentice-grade professionals to journeyman-grade professionals? Yes or No.]

'Yes.'

Instantly, Dan and Lois were transformed by a blinding light, and their appearances changed. Dan was now wearing an apron, the size of his muscle increased by a fold, his moustache became neat, and a heavy-looking hammer hung on his waist.

Lois also had a similar transformation. And not only did they change, but their shops went through the same transformation.

The knowledge inside their heads made them wander off for a long while. When they regained themselves, they went on one knee and bowed.

"We greet Lord Asher!" 

"Rise." Asher said softly as he watched their loyalty rise from 45 to the 90s. Lois' loyalty stat stopped at 95 while Dan's reached 100!

After the town's upgrade, all the soldiers had a loyalty stat of 100, including the twins, and it was because a fortress gave more perks to the military than civilians.

So now, Asher had a loyal army that would give their lives for him, and now, a blacksmith who might break people's bones with his hammer should he hear his lord is in danger.

"I want a batch of apprentice-grade professionals before winter, so make sure you train them well. Dan, focus on studying their weapons and forge better ones out of our unique iron ore. Your new shop should have a blast furnace so you can smelt them into fine steel." 

"A blast furnace!" Dan's eyes widened. Previously, he had a bloomery but a blast furnace was a hundred times better. He heard only master-grade professionals in the high plains could afford to build it, but now he suddenly had one!

"Lois, I also want more tailors, and make sure you focus on treating and making proper leather armour."

"Yes, My Lord."

They both responded and were given permission to rush to their upgraded shops.

"Have you filled the positions of the dead?" Asher asked his commanders.

Alec nodded. "Three weeks ago."

"Good. What about the battle force art?" 

"We use the basic null elemental Crimson Wolf battle force. It should be able to work for every soldier." Alex replied.

"I've asked Kelvin to give both of you the Blazing Battle Force Ar. It's a powerful art given by my ancestors to the chief knights, and I took it from Peter's room and wanted both of you to have it."

Alec nodded while Alex couldn't hide his smile.

"Alex, you will take ten men and guard my castle. You shall also be my guardian knight until I find someone else." 

"Yes, My Lord." Alex bowed his head. 

"Alec, you will take care of the training and the overall state of the military. I'll need a weekly update on everything." 

"Yes, My Lord."

"You can leave." 

After the twins left, Asher exhaled and leaned backward. "Pretty sure none of them knows I don't have talent. Without my golden finger, I might have been killed by Jeffery and his mage or fiancee, whatever she is."

Boom!

The double door swung open, and Kelvin walked in with hurried steps.

"My Lord, Count William Tigris sent a letter to you!" 

"What?!"