25 The Capital of Vorbei (1/2)

Ethan woke up the next morning to one of the duke's servants knocking on his door.

”Baron Von Kastell, it is time for breakfast. The food is lain out in the great hall on the first floor.” Said the servant.

It took Ethan a moment to realize that by 'Baron Von Kastell', the servant had meant him.

[This is going to take a while to get while to get used to with this new title.] Thought Ethan.

”Thank you, I'll be right down.” Said Ethan.

Ethan then followed the servant downstairs and saw that in the great hall there were many tables laid out with chairs and place settings. On the tables there were all kinds of food. There were all manner of meats including some that Ethan did not recognise. There were countless fruits, vegetables, and grain products. There was beer, water, and wine on the table. There were even bowls of ice, which would have been imported from the mountains in the north. Ethan found an empty seat near Hans and Friedrich.

”Congratulations on getting a title, young Baron Von Kastell.” Said Hans.

”You know, despite being small in size, the Barony of Kastell is actually in a pretty strategically important location.” Said Friedrich.

”Strategically important?” Asked Ethan.

”It covers the entire junction of the Ritter River and the Strom River. The land around that junction is all a part of the Kastell Barony.” Said Friedrich.

”In other words, one of the busiest trade routes in the world flows right through your new territory, Ethan.” Said Hans.

”That's good to know.” Said Ethan.

”Of course, the Duke controls all of the rivers in his duchy,”Said Hans

”But if anyone wants to ferry across the rivers right there, you could potentially gain revenue by taxing it.”Said Friedrich.

”Interesting. Speaking of money, I know that we have to leave this morning, but would I have time to go to the market and sell some of of my monster cores? I'd like to have some more cash money by the time we go to the capital so that I can afford to hire people to work for my Barony. I know that it's a small barony, but I'd like to hire at least a dozen knights, as well as a few masons, alchemists, stone masons and architects. I'd also like to buy a ship, some horses, weapons, and books on magic.” Said Ethan.