Chapter 114: Chapter 114: The Team Expands Again

Ronin had arrived at Wushan Castle with only four people, but the returning party included escorting Knights, recruited artisans, and a Message Bird Trainer from Wushan Castle, swelling their numbers to well over forty.

After he offered a relocation fee, the number of apprentices and artisans willing to accompany him to Mountain Forest Town increased significantly.

With the help of a Civil Clerk from Wushan City, Wodun and George screened and vetted these people. After removing those who were just trying to scam the relocation fee, thirty-six remained.

The group consisted of: two Blacksmiths, five Blacksmith Apprentices;

three tailor apprentices;

two Carpenters, twelve carpenter apprentices, one Artisan;

two Masons, five mason apprentices;

and one Potter, three potter apprentices.

Although Ronin was willing to pay a handsome relocation fee, it was still mostly apprentices who came; the majority of the artisans chose not to leave Wushan City.

While the artisans who were willing to come were skilled enough to pass muster, they hadn’t been doing very well in Wushan City.

For example, the Potter, Jim, was a craftsman who had failed to find a market in Wushan City and was barely scraping by.

He had joined Ronin primarily for the relocation fee to help his family through their current difficulties, but also to take a gamble on his future prospects.

Among these people, the one Ronin was most interested in was a Carpenter named Dan.

Dan was no ordinary Carpenter. He was an Artisan certified by the Wushan Territory’s Woodworker Association. His level of skill far surpassed that of a craftsman and was well-proven.

From Wushan Castle to Wushan City and its surrounding high-rises, manors, and castles, many of the structures bore Dan’s mark.

Furthermore, not only was he following Ronin to Mountain Forest Town himself, but he was also bringing two of his disciples and eight carpenter apprentices with him.

To be honest, Ronin could hardly believe it when he first heard the news.

’A renowned Artisan is willing to work in some remote backwater?’

It was only after asking that he learned that Dan had been in the workshop that day, had seen Ronin, and had heard him explain the structure of the Curved Plow.

Dan had been so captivated by Ronin’s explanation that he decided to go to Mountain Forest Town.

Naturally, Ronin treated such a talent with the utmost respect, not only offering a high daily wage of 150 Copper Coins, but also paying a relocation fee as high as 50 Gold Coins!

“Master Dan, Mountain Forest Town is quite a long way from Wushan Castle. If you feel any discomfort or have any requests during the journey, please don’t hesitate to mention them!”

Before setting out, Ronin had made a point to meet with this famous Artisan.

“You are far too kind, Master Ronin!”

Dan was no longer young and had a long, full beard, but he appeared vigorous and full of spirit.

“In the eyes of us Carpenters, the one who could design something as ingenious as the Curved Plow—you are the true Artisan!”

Ronin’s lips curled up unconsciously as he recalled the scene from two days ago when he had explained the structure of the Curved Plow.

He had been surrounded by a crowd back then. When he explained the structure of the Curved Plow and briefly mentioned a bit of stress analysis, their eyes all lit up with little stars of admiration.

Ronin had never constructed a building nor joined any Master’s Guild, but they all kept calling him “Master Ronin,” and it was enough to make his head spin.

“I consider your comfort to be of the utmost importance.”

Ronin said sincerely, “Once we arrive in Mountain Forest Town, I will have many things that I’ll need your help to analyze and design.”

And he wasn’t lying.

What Ronin most wanted to build right now wasn’t the Curved Plow, but spinning wheels and looms.

He would never let an Artisan like Dan do assembly-line work like putting together Ironwood Armor. He wanted Dan to follow his ideas and build looms—a critical step in producing silk.

Besides looms, Ronin was also thinking about water wheels, windmills, and eventually even ships, since Wushan Territory bordered the sea to the north.

“It is my honor to serve you, My Lord!”

Dan’s eyes were sharp and bright.

For an artisan whose skill had reached his level, there were only two paths to becoming a Grand Artisan—

either master the use of Magic Energy Materials, but as an ordinary person, he did not meet this requirement;

or design something unique, valuable, and new.

Dan saw this possibility in Ronin, and that was the real reason he had chosen to leave Wushan City for Mountain Forest Town.

“Ronning Baron, are we ready to depart?”

Knight Galier asked politely as he approached on his tall horse.

For the return trip, Wiggin had arranged for twelve Professional Knights from the First Knight Squad to serve as an escort.

In Wiggin’s words, the Skull Society would very likely make a move against either Ronin or Bretton, so he had arranged escorts for both of them whenever they traveled.

Ronin didn’t care whether this was due to Wiggin’s lingering fear from the assassination attempt or genuine concern for him; he did not refuse Wiggin’s proactive offer of goodwill.

After all, he was traveling with so many important people this time, and ensuring their safe arrival in Mountain Forest Town was paramount.

“We’re ready, Galier. Let’s set off now.”

Ronin ended the conversation, swung himself onto his Cloud Stepper, and waved to the two stewards who had come to see him off. He then led the large party toward Mountain Forest Town.

For this return journey, Ronin had rented dozens of carriages from Wushan Castle and purchased food and supplies for the road. All in all, he had spent over forty Gold Coins, all for the sake of making this group of artisans a little more comfortable.

Although he had spent over a hundred Gold Coins in total, he had fortunately earned a great deal this time, so the expense was not enough to make him flinch.

He gazed at the vast procession. Compared to last time, he was bringing far more people back to Mountain Forest Town.

However, the fitness of the group varied greatly. The oldest was Master Dan, who was already forty-seven, and considering his stamina, Ronin had no choice but to deliberately slow their pace.

Because of this, the journey from Wushan Castle to Mountain Forest Town would likely take until early November.

By the time they reached Mountain Forest Town, got everyone settled, and started production, it would probably be after mid-November.

’Though Ronin was in a hurry, this world had no airplanes or high-speed trains, no smooth highways. It was useless to be anxious.’

…

“Ronin left?”

In a training room in Wushan Castle, Bretton, who had been practicing his Swordsmanship, stopped when he saw his mother approach.

The news of Ronin bringing a miraculous farming tool to Wushan Castle had spread over the last few days. Bretton, having only heard of the Curved Plow without seeing it, really wanted to go see for himself just how miraculous it was.

Unfortunately, Dianey had grounded him, forbidding him from going out as he pleased, let alone going to see Ronin.

Dianey, with her golden hair, was as elegant and beautiful as ever. “He left, under Galier’s escort.”

“Bretton, it’s time for you to return to the Extraordinary Academy. We failed to help Baron Reisen of Sain Territory acquire that land, and we need to explain the situation to him.”

As she spoke, Dianey handed him a letter. “Take this back to the Extraordinary Academy. Give it to Moravi and have him pass it on to his father.”

Bretton wiped the sweat from his hands and took the letter. “Alright, I’ll give it to him.”

Dianey didn’t need to warn him not to open the letter. She knew her son’s character; he wouldn’t meddle with other people’s things. It was a matter of basic courtesy.

“Alright, Sir Laurent, please lead the escort for Bretton’s return journey this afternoon.”

Laurent Nolan, a Knight of the Hyde Clan, was said to possess strength comparable to a Silver-level Knight.

Ever since Wiggin’s assassination attempt, Ossen, to ensure the safety of his grandson Bretton, had specially petitioned Lurans to have Laurent Nolan appointed as Bretton’s personal bodyguard.

Although Wushan Castle had ample manpower to protect Bretton, Lurans did not refuse the Hyde Clan’s proposal. At the very least, protecting Bretton’s safety was their common goal.

“It would be my pleasure, Lady Dianey!”

Laurent bowed respectfully, but a different kind of emotion stirred in his eyes as he looked at Dianey.

Dianey had once been beautiful—no, even now, Dianey was still beautiful.

Back when she had yet to marry Wiggin, she had been the dream girl of many knights in Haid’s County, Laurent included.

Dianey avoided Laurent’s gaze and stepped forward to stroke Bretton’s cheek, reminding him, “Remember, once you’re at the academy, don’t just focus on training and Cultivation. You also need to learn how to handle political affairs from your teachers.”

“I hear Ronin has some insight when it comes to managing a territory. You can’t let him outshine you, understand?”

Bretton nodded. “I understand. I will learn from my older brother.”

Dianey’s hand stiffened for a moment before returning to normal. “Mm, go on.”

Bretton left the training room under Laurent’s escort.

Dianey watched her son leave and let out a long sigh. Bretton was very talented when it came to Cultivation, but in other respects, he was truly lacking.

’But she wasn’t worried. With her guidance, she believed her son could become a good master of the Wushan Territory.’

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