Sorcery Monarch

Chapter 56: Is This Really a Village?

 

Walking on the newly paved stone road, the soft crunch beneath their feet left everyone in the caravan feeling incredulous.

 

It wasn't that the road's quality was exceptional, but the sight of figures carrying sand and stone ahead shattered everyone's understanding of kobolds.

 

These kobolds were much more robust than the ones typically seen.

 

They wore hoods over their heads, their clothes covered in mud, and carried large bamboo baskets filled with gravel and sand.

 

Instead of the usual chaotic and frenzied kobolds, these ones resembled farmers working the fields.

 

Despite the arrival of so many humans, the kobolds only glanced at them briefly before hurrying toward Silver Moon River under the orders of an especially strong kobold.

 

Clearly, they were gathering materials for road construction.

 

Several adventurers kept a close eye on the tall, commanding kobold.

 

They could sense the palpable danger emanating from it and began discussing its species and strength.

 

"Is that really a kobold? It’s way too big!"

 

"At least a Level 6 warrior—maybe even a mutated variant..."

 

"Don't talk nonsense if you don't know. I've never seen a mutated kobold with such high intelligence. It’s probably a dragonborn..."

 

"Seriously? A dragonborn kobold? That’s ridiculous!"

 

"Not ridiculous at all. I’m a mid-tier warrior, and I don't feel confident I could beat it—let alone the fact that it’s commanding hundreds of strong kobolds..."

 

"Is the lord of Bay Village that powerful? To have tamed a dragonborn kobold and raised so many elite soldiers? What's his background?"

 

"I heard from one of Lord Adam Smith’s guards that the lord of Bay Village is an arcanist and comes from the Ser family..."

 

"So he’s a big deal, after all..."

 

"An arcanist? And he's catching that many trolls? Could it be for some kind of experiment?"

 

"That's none of our business—as long as the lord is generous, I don’t care."

 

"..."

 

The more people discussed, the more curious they became about Bay Village—and also a bit anxious.

 

After all, offering a 50-gold bounty per troll was three times the going rate in other territories, with no upper limit.

 

It was almost too good to be true!

 

Could this lord really afford to pay such a hefty bounty?

 

With all sorts of thoughts swirling in their minds, the caravan moved steadily along the newly paved stone road, drawing closer to Bay Village.

 

......

 

The roaring wind whipped the banners into a dance.

 

A silver dragon head was embroidered proudly in the center of the banner.

 

Below the banner, three rows of soldiers stood in formation, silently awaiting the caravan's arrival.

 

In the sunlight, their pale green uniforms made them look like sturdy pines.

 

Their powerful presence caused the approaching caravan to slow its pace instinctively.

 

Adam Smith parted his lips, about to say, "I haven’t done anything wrong, have I?"

 

But then he caught himself, and a smile spread across his face as he quickly understood Matthew’s intention.

 

Sure enough, Adam Smith soon noticed that the previously unruly adventurers had fallen silent, studying the neatly arranged soldiers with serious expressions.

 

It was obvious that once these adventurers and cart-pushers left Bay Village,

 

The elite soldiers and the generous lord would become the village’s hallmark and leave a strong first impression on everyone.

 

Adam Smith’s opinion of the lord rose even higher, and his face broke into a genuine smile as he gracefully dismounted from the carriage. He nodded to his bodyguard captain, signaling him to head toward the warehouse.

 

Now was the perfect time to display his close relationship with the lord.

 

With this thought, Adam Smith maintained a natural and calm demeanor, though inwardly, he felt a bit nervous.

 

He couldn’t help but worry that with the lord's power, skill, and connections, there would be plenty of other merchants eager to replace him.

 

Adam Smith knew that the upcoming meeting would be yet another test—whether or not he could prove his worth.

 

As Matthew glanced at the carriage, detailed information immediately appeared before him.

 

"The food has arrived as expected, along with an extra 100,000 pounds of seeds. He’s perceptive enough to realize I’m planning to cultivate more land..."

 

"The steel supply has doubled; he clearly has good connections..."

 

"The weapons are of decent quality—clearly, some thought was put into this. He even brought an extra ten crossbows as a show of strength..."

 

"All the livestock has been prepared, and he even included some males for breeding—a meticulous touch..."

 

"The spell components are varied and of good quality; there’s also a reserve of talent..."

 

"He’s brought 115 magic crystals, all counted carefully. Is this his way of showing he did his best?"

 

Rubbing his eyes, Matthew noted that while analyzing supplies was easy through his data system, people were a different matter.

 

Unaware that he had already exposed most of his hand before even meeting Matthew, Adam Smith was currently chatting amiably with Ralph:

 

"I’ve brought some small gifts for the occasion..."

 

Ralph patted Adam Smith on the shoulder and turned to lead the way, reminding him as they passed by the soldiers:

 

"If the gifts are for me, don’t bother. Just focus on completing Lord Matthew’s tasks, and you’ll keep this job."

 

"But next time, bring more magic scrolls and books—any kind, and as many as possible..."

 

Adam Smith’s heart filled with joy as he observed the soldiers in high spirits.

 

But when he finally regained his composure, he was taken aback by the sight of a massive five-meter-high wooden wall.

 

"This can't be right!"

 

"Last time I was here, there was nothing!"

 

Noticing Adam Smith's expression, Ralph flashed a mysterious smile and handed the register of names to the returning Leon before leading the merchant through the open gates.

 

The cart-pushers, some homeless families, newly recruited professionals, and adventurers who had come to hunt trolls all stared in shock at the wooden palisade behind the soldiers.

 

"Is this really a village? It’s bigger than some of the run-down towns we passed on the road!"

 

"What kind of village has over a hundred fully armed professional soldiers?"

 

"Dozens of warriors! Perfectly aligned, standing motionless—and they're all veterans..."

 

"How do we get in?"

 

"Look at the notice board on the wall. It seems there are instructions posted there..."

 

"With all these supplies, it looks like the lord plans to expand the village into a town."

 

"At least we don't have to worry about the lord paying the bounty..."

 

"..."