Sorcery Monarch

Chapter 70: Honor and Aspirations

 

The roaring flames "whooshed" as they burned.

 

Gradually, the bodies were engulfed, and the family members nearby couldn't hold back their sobs.

 

The hot glow of the fire reddened the faces of everyone around.

 

Angela, with a solemn expression, called out in a low, far-reaching voice:

 

"Hajira... Freil... Kuko... Rasnin... They are true heroes."

 

"They fought bravely to protect Bay Village, to protect others."

 

"Until their final moments, they never took a step back!"

 

"By order of the lord, we will build a hero's tomb in the center of the village and lay them to rest there."

 

"Furthermore, we will record this battle in Bay Village's history, documenting everyone's efforts and their sacrifices!"

 

"Our descendants will look up to them as examples..."

 

"At the same time, the families of the fallen will receive a one-time compensation of 5 gold coins and permanent lease rights to 20 acres of land."

 

"Each family will also receive 10 silver coins per month for living expenses."

 

"Children who have not yet come of age will receive focused training in the territory until they reach adulthood."

 

"..."

 

Angela's voice wasn't particularly loud, but with the aid of a voice amplification spell, it reached everyone's ears clearly.

 

Hearing about the unprecedented "Hero’s Cemetery," the eyes of every soldier present brightened, and their hearts filled with pride and a sense of honor.

 

Many who had embarked on the path of a professional did so to improve their lives, to change their fate.

 

But almost all of them aspired to have their names remembered, to leave a lasting legacy.

 

Now, Bay Village and their lord had fulfilled this deep desire, and every soldier felt a surge of awe and exhilaration.

 

The families of the fallen looked equally incredulous.

 

Old Village Chief Field, who had taken out a cigarette but never lit it, opened his mouth slightly, sighed, and blinked hard to hold back his tears, as past memories filled his mind.

 

"Compensation? What compensation? Sacrificing for the Netheril Empire is your honor!"

 

"Fighting for the lord is your duty..."

 

"Sob... my son..."

 

"Didn't you say you'd bring him back?"

 

"The village belongs to the lord, why go to such lengths? Just take care of yourself, isn’t that enough?"

 

"Don't go, it's too dangerous..."

 

"Just go and die, don’t come back!"

 

"Grandpa Village Chief... where did my father go?"

 

"..."

 

Old Village Chief Field, who had long seen through men, events, and enemies, couldn’t see through the Netheril Empire or the cold-hearted lords. Nor could he understand those praised as "Great Ones"—the Grand Arcanists!

 

They always stood high above, never deigning to look down at the people struggling with survival and death.

 

They had world-shattering powers, yet they couldn’t even rid the land of kobolds and murlocs.

 

They could lift a city into the sky, yet the tools used by commoners were still nothing more than sticks tied to wood.

 

Matthew, the new lord, had shown an entirely different attitude and vision. Would he be able to maintain this?

 

"He will! We won’t let him down!"

 

Clenching his teeth, Old Field silently observed the murmuring crowd, clearly sensing their thoughts.

 

They were moved!

 

Thoroughly moved!

 

Not far away, curious adventurers exchanged glances, astonished by the scene before them.

 

"Even the honor-bound Lodran Empire doesn't offer such generous compensation, right?"

 

"Not just the Lodran Empire, even the wealthiest human empire in the South, Falsico, hasn’t done anything like this..."

 

"What do you think? When our adventuring days are over, should we move to Bay Village?"

 

"Who knows how long this will last? Maybe it’s all a scam..."

 

"I think it’s genuine. I've never seen peasants in any territory work with such drive!"

 

"It’s completely different; this lord is offering far more than most."

 

"I think joining Bay Village wouldn’t be a bad idea right now..."

 

"Cough, cough, let’s not think too far ahead. We’ve just about scouted the outskirts of the Gloomy Forest, and it’s almost time to start hunting."

 

"The quests in this territory are strange—how could they make all the gathered information public?"

 

"Isn’t that great? It helps us avoid danger and leads to greater rewards."

 

"Yeah, you found that whole patch of Moonlight Flowers the other day, thanks to the map!"

 

"But it's interesting how they only collect mature materials and even use magic to check if new seeds have been planted?"

 

"Right, if you don’t replant, there’s a heavy penalty. I saw one unlucky guy pay the price..."

 

"That way, the resources are replenished continuously, and everyone benefits!"

 

"I’ve never had such a relaxed adventure..."

 

"Who hasn’t?"

 

"..."

 

The adventurers eagerly joined the conversation, with much of the discussion revolving around Matthew's unprecedented kindness as a lord.

 

In their eyes, Matthew’s actions were simply a result of his benevolent nature.

 

Meanwhile, these clever and bold adventurers, having scouted the area in recent days, had already discovered signs of isolated trolls.

 

They were planning to cooperate and attempt some hunts in the coming days.

 

After all, even though collaboration might reduce their earnings, it greatly improved their safety.

 

Yet they still harbored doubts about the high bounty on trolls.

 

What if the lord didn’t pay?

 

Compared to the adventurers, the temporary residents of Bay Village had a different perspective.

 

"Tom, let’s give it a shot tomorrow. If we pass the test and become reserve soldiers, we won’t have to worry about making a living."

 

Labor and plentiful food had helped the once scrawny Jifan finally look healthier.

 

Across from him, Tom, who was busy eating, obediently nodded.

 

Since childhood, Jifan had always been the one making decisions. All Tom had to do was follow along—Jifan would never lead him astray.

 

Little Jixiang, however, widened her eyes. She seemed to have more concerns, asking hesitantly:

 

"Brother, will it be dangerous?"

 

Chewing his black bread carefully and mixing it with fish soup before swallowing, Jifan thought about the information he had gathered in recent days. With a firm tone, he replied:

 

"What job isn’t dangerous? Even farming in the wildlands can be deadly—some poor soul nearly burned to death, but the guards saved him just in time."

 

"In the past, we didn’t have the chance to wield power. Now that we have this opportunity, we must seize it!"

 

Little Jixiang bit her lip. Though far more mature than most her age, she recalled the fearful days when their lives hung by a thread, and she nodded in agreement:

 

"You're right, brother. I’ve heard from my classmates in Bay Village that the territory will be conducting a test soon."

 

"If you have a talent for magic, there’s a good chance you’ll be selected for professional training in the academy."

 

"Those with exceptional talent might even be personally taken in as the lord’s apprentice..."

 

Seeing the little girl mutter to herself, her once gaunt face slowly regaining the softness of childhood, Jifan silently nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope as he encouraged her:

 

"We’ll work hard and see if luck favors us this time…"