Chapter 402 - The Druids Are Here (1/2)

After the Black Sand Gang spread news of Roland’s need for workers throughout the city, the bottom-level folks were all caught up in disbelief.

It was because they had never experienced such a thing before in their whole lives.

When they were drafted by the n.o.bles to work, they would at best be given a piece of black bread, which was made of the crust of grains and some flour, after a whole day of work. They were often hungry after only four hours.

Most of the time, the drafted workers had to prepare their own food.

More importantly, the drafting of their n.o.ble lord was mandatory. They had to come, and if they couldn’t complete their work in time, they would either be hanged or have one of their limbs severed.

After all, by the laws of this kingdom, all the civilians living on a fief were essentially the belongings of their lord.

But now… the Magic Tower was offering food and wheat for the workers, and the task was not even mandatory.

The guys of the Black Sand Gang had made it clear that it was not compulsory, but only a simple recruitment of workers, and that they could refuse to come if they didn’t want to.

The poor people mostly hesitated at first, fearing that the big shots were only tricking them.

But as a bottom-level organization itself, the Black Sand Gang knew very well how to convince the civilians.

To wit, they would tell the poor in disdain that it was an opportunity for them because the Mages felt sorry for them and were being generous, and that it didn’t matter if they didn’t come.

Though the poor people didn’t have much faith in the n.o.bles, it was in their nature to take advantage of anything because of long-time dest.i.tution, which affected their judgment.

It was not their fault, but just their instinct for survival because they had been poor and hungry for too long.

If the Black Sand Gang had begged them to work, the poor people wouldn’t have dared to accept it. They were always vigilant of whoever courteously asked them to do anything.

But when the Black Sand Gang informed them of the news with a c.o.c.ky and condescending att.i.tude, most of the poor people trusted them.

Those guys should be c.o.c.ky when they were offering food for free.

More and more poor people, along with their whole families, staggered out of the slums and gathered at the city gate, where they were given two pieces of white bread. Then, they were taken by the servants of the n.o.bles out of the city and offered axes for logging.

Standing on the city wall, Roland watched the teams of workers walk while eating the white bread.

He looked back and saw more and more people coming out of their homes and waiting in line at the distribution points at the city gate.

Vincent was standing next to him. His magic cloak was rustling in the raging wind.

After observing for a while, he asked, “Roland, how strictly do you want me to oversee them?”

“Ensure that all the workers are paid and safe. As for the rest, just turn a blind eye as long as they’re not too outrageous.” Roland heaved a sigh.

Vincent asked back with a smile, “Are you saying that we’ll watch the lackeys of the n.o.bles rule over the workers?”

“We can only live with that. We’re short of hands anyway,” Roland said helplessly. “They’ll be useless when our own magic apprentices grow up.”

Vincent said, “It seems that you’ve got a plan. That’s good. I’m going to work. To be honest, this game is quite interesting. It shows you different worlds and different lives. Apart from magic, I now even have a chance to experience how the bottom-level workers do their job.”

Roland replied with a smile, “Isn’t it great? You’re from a rich family. Some of the experience you earn here can be applied to reality and may help your family corporations.”