Chapter 398: A Pirate Visitor? (1/2)
”Our Lord,” the Knight of Courage smiled and bowed as Arthur walked into the square. The rest did the same; Gruen, Rosa, Ma, Rumi, Big Bear, Ruri, and everyone who lived in Hidden City were waiting for him.
Arthur could see that there were many new faces, dusted ones, proving that Courage never slacked in her work. Everyone bowed to him, and Arthur had the alienating feeling as if he deserved it.
”I don't deserve these gestures,” Arthur said to everyone, asking them to stand. ”We are all here for a better future, and I'm no better than any of you. We are all trying to build ourselves a home in this world, and that's what binds us together.”
The faces of the crowd changed ever so slightly. There was no sentiment before other than the joy of his return, but Arthur wanted to install a sense of belonging to Hidden City.
”I want to build a home for all of us,” he said, and many in the crowd nodded with resolute expressions, ”but I am only one man, lacking in many aspects. There are many things I don't know about blacksmithing, potion brewing, construction, planning, resources allocation, sales, and security protocols. That's why every one of you is as important as I am for this city, so please, let's work hard.”
His speech moved the people around him, who each straightened their backs with pride. This sentiment was what Arthur aimed for in his people: the knowledge and pride of building something impactful on the world.
This time, his people didn't bow down but placed their hands on their hearts, starting with the Knight of Courage. This gesture was of companionship and loyalty, and Arthur returned it with a smile.
”For Hidden City,” he said.
”For Hidden City!” the people shouted back, and Arthur nodded with a smile and went into the meeting hall. The department heads followed after him, gathering around his table.
”You look tired, Seika,” Courage said with worry. ”Maybe you need to rest before we give our reports?”
”That will be unnecessary,” Arthur shook his head. ”I want to hear what happened while I was gone, starting with this question: how much time has it been since I was away?”
His question confused them, as a normal person should know such a thing. However, none of them knew that he was in the Spirits Realm.
”It has been nine days,” Courage answered before following up with her report. ”While you were away, our diplomatic relations staggered, as the other Lords want you to meet them personally. Our city is still new to the kingdom, and you are more known than it is.”
”That is understandable, but I hope you kept up the publicity campaigns?” Arthur nodded and turned to Ma, who stood up holding a stack of papers. He hurried to placed them down in front of him and spread them.
”We successfully implanted the campaign in the cities of Freda and the major cities of the surrounding kingdoms. However, since we are still in the development stage, people are quite skeptical.”
”Manager Gruen,” Arthur turned to the dwarf. ”I think we'll need The Ghost Runemaster. Can you ask him to provide us with low-grade vegetation artifacts?”
”I understand,” Gruen played off his act, but he couldn't help but ask. ”Can I know what it is for?”
”We need the people of Freda to get a sample of our artifacts. That's why we'll provide small-time nobles with Vegetation artifacts as long as they agree to our terms.”
”Wouldn't that be counterproductive? Even now, the runemasters are trying to recreate the rune. If we provide more people with it, the variations could give out a complete copy of the rune,” Rosa proposed, and Arthur turned to stare at her silently. The blacksmith apprentice fidgeted under his gaze, but he simply grinned.
”I've missed you greatly, My Voice of Consciousness. Don't worry. The Ghost Runemaster said he would make these artifacts impossible to replicate. How are dear neighbors?”
Rosa blushed at his words as if feeling embarrassed by the nickname. Then, she hurried to stand up and give her report about the druids and ogres.
”The druids have been hard at work, creating countless herb gardens around The Divine Tree. In addition, they successfully provided us with the first batch of enhanced seeds, which we'll distribute to the farmers.”
”I'll oversee that process myself, as I need to make sure none of them are fleeing after this,” Arthur's eyes glowed as he said, and it sent shivers in the crowd. ”And the ogres?”