Chapter 135
Chapter 135
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: A New Title and New Plans
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The nobles tried to bargain with Lee Shin, desperate to survive, but he swung his sword without batting an eye.
*Stab! Stabstabstabstab!*
“Guh…”
[You have eliminated the nobles.]
[Your notoriety increases.]
[Your fame increases.]
[You have acquired a large amount of experience.]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[You have eliminated more than ten nobles!]
[This is a server-first achievement. You have acquired the title <Noble Slayer>.]
<Noble Slayer>
Damage of all attacks against nobles increases by 30%.
The probability of nobles fearing you also increases.
This effect grows as the number of nobles you eliminate increases.
*…Hmm.*
Lee Shin mused.
The server's first Royal Slayer, and now a Noble Slayer.
Lee Shin was collecting several fearsome titles that others would struggle to obtain even one of.
It wasn't the class he'd intended to choose, but was it fortunate that he'd become a Salseong, or was it because he'd become a Salseong that these things were happening…?
*…...*
In any case, the title was good.
Lee Shin called the soldiers to clean up the dead nobles, then went outside.
At the same time, a message appeared before his eyes.
*Tiring.*
[The Red Thorn Tribe has been incorporated into the estate.]
[The estate's Technology has reached a new grade.]
[The estate's Capital has reached a new grade.]
[When three or more stats reach this grade, you will be able to construct new facilities.]
“Hm?”
A message had suddenly appeared.
As Lee Shin glanced around, he saw Kaka and his tribe entering the estate in the distance.
He'd said he would be back soon, and he truly was.
The Red Thorn Tribe was said to specialize in crafting, and since Kaka had also run a large workshop, it seemed this was the cause of the change to the estate.
Lee Shin thought to himself.
*'What are these new facilities?'*
Something like a Mage Tower or an arena?
In any case, it seemed like a good change, but since this was Lee Shin's first time managing an estate, he didn't know the details.
Walking toward Kaka, Lee Shin checked his status window.
[Estate Management]
-The estate's grade is determined by a comprehensive evaluation of its population, economy, military power, cultural level, etc.
-When the estate's overall grade increases, you can construct new facilities.
-When three or more of the estate's stats reach a certain grade, the <Arena> and <Tower of Training> will be unlocked, and the expansion of training facilities will become possible.
Lee Shin tapped on the Arena entry.
[Arena]
An entertainment facility.
Increases the satisfaction of the residents. The more actively the arena is operated, the higher the chance that skilled fighters will visit.
Construction Cost: 30,000,000 Gold
Maintenance Cost: 3,000,000 Gold per month
*'So that's how it works.'*
Lee Shin nodded.
It seemed that as the estate's grade increased, landmark-like facilities with various useful effects would be unlocked.
Of course, the price was astronomical, but since it would be built with the estate's funds, it wasn't a huge burden for him personally.
And considering that arenas like this usually operated by charging admission fees, it could easily turn a profit if managed well.
*'There's no harm in building it.'*
A bit of Lee Shin's personal interest was mixed in as well.
More importantly, the Tower of Training and the expansion of training facilities were essential, considering the quest Lee Shin was undertaking.
In that case, he had to raise the grades first. Surprisingly, the stat closest to A-rank was Art.
This was thanks to Count Aaron's taste for the finer things in life.
*'How do I raise the Art grade?'*
…Since it's art, should I decorate the estate in an avant-garde style?
It was Gillaim who answered Lee Shin's question.
Despite his current circumstances, he had been a noble from a rather influential family before his fall, so he was more than capable of answering such a question.
“You need not overthink it. You simply need to acquire many fine works of art.”
“Works of art?”
“Yes. Paintings, sculptures, and the like.”
“I see. Are there any other ways?”
“There are. Having more artists who deal in such works within the estate would also have an effect. No, that would be far more effective.”
“Hmm… No, forget that. We'll go with the first option.”
Lee Shin briefly considered it, hearing it was more effective, but soon shook his head.
He was preparing for a rebellion right now; it was unclear how he could make use of artists.
While there were paintings and sculptures that provided buff effects, it was far better to train priests or mages than to nurture artists just for that.
If he really needed buffs or had to raise the Art grade, it was better to collect works of art that he could resell later.
“If you intend to raise the grade solely through collection, that too will cost quite a lot of money.”
“Really?”
“To begin with, it would have to be high-priced art to have any effect on the grade.”
“Then I'll just steal it.”
Lee Shin replied without a moment's hesitation.
He had to keep raiding nobles anyway for the noble-killing quest.
Why not just steal their art at the same time?
After all, there wasn't a noble who didn't have at least one expensive painting hanging in their castle.
“Ah…!”
“Let's raid one when we get the chance.”
“An excellent idea.”
Having reached a suitable conclusion regarding the estate's development.
Lee Shin approached Kaka, who was just ahead, and spoke.
“You're back soon.”
“Yes.”
“Did everything go well?”
“Thanks to you. I rescued all the captured tribe members and also brought some of my assets.”
“Assets, too?”
Lee Shin's eyes widened.
Residents, excluding players, were practically the property of the lord.
So, he hadn't thought it would be realistic for Kaka to bring his assets as well…
It seemed the lord's state wasn't normal, so he must have managed to grab them amidst the chaos in the estate.
“That's great. Can you keep the workshop running as it is?”
“That will be difficult.”
“Why? You have the money, and your tribe can serve as the artisans, so you don't need to find new ones. Is there something else you need?”
“That's not the issue. Weren't there some… unpleasant incidents during our escape from the estate? In relation to the lord's ruin, many bad rumors will spread about our workshop.”
“Ah, so you'll have to change the name?”
Lee Shin understood immediately.
By now, everyone would know that something was wrong with the Solar estate.
Of course, it wasn't yet known that Kaka was the mastermind, but it was only a matter of time before unsettling rumors began to spread.
Especially since Kaka had left the estate entirely.
“Then you'll have to open the workshop under a different name later? And without revealing your identity, if possible.”
“That seems to be the case. I apologize for the trouble.”
“No, it can't be helped. Alright then. You handle that… You've just arrived, but I have a job for you right away.”
“What is it?”
“Construction.”
This was something Lee Shin had been thinking about since he decided to bring Kaka over.
The fortification of the estate.
“A fortress… you mean?”
“Is it difficult?”
“No, it can be done. But this region doesn't have monster waves, does it? This isn't a cheap construction project. Is it really necessary?”
“It's necessary. I'm not building it to fight monsters.”
Having received the , it was clear that Lee Shin would eventually have to wage a great battle against the royal forces.
And he couldn't guarantee victory in every battle.
He would aim for a decisive, short-term battle, but depending on the situation, he might have to prepare for a long war.
Thus, Lee Shin wanted to create a definite safe zone for such a time.
“Reb—!”
“What, you can't do it?”
“Ah, no. I was just a little surprised.”
“Can I take that to mean you'll do it?”
“Yes. I will do my best!”
[Kaka's obedience is extremely high.]
[Kaka obeys your command.]
“Good. How long will it take?”
“To be precise, I'll have to survey the estate and make an estimate, but it won't be finished quickly. It would be difficult for us alone, unless we have a lot of manpower.”
“Does that mean if we have enough manpower, the time can be shortened?”
“That's correct.”
“Ah, then you don't need to worry.”
It's about to increase tremendously.
* * *
Lee Shin had asked Wik to apply a reasonable amount of pressure on the adventurers.
Whether it was due to their affinity, Wik fulfilled Lee Shin's request better than expected.
-How dare mere adventurers kill a noble of the kingdom!
He had gone to the adventurers who participated in the estate battle and caused a huge scene.
Naturally, the players vehemently protested.
They felt it was unfair.
-What?! We were just following orders!
-Silence! I heard no such thing from Count Aaron!
-What!?
-Hmph. Such a pathetic lie... A royal edict will soon be issued. If Count Aaron does not mete out an appropriate punishment by then, we will step in and make you pay for your crimes!
-!?!?
-What the hell!? We told you it wasn't us!?
…And so on.
Wik had thoroughly scared them and then left the discretion for punishment to Count Aaron!
The players felt wronged, but Wik left the estate without even listening to their explanation.
Thanks to this, Lee Shin had been constantly receiving whispers from Dokgo and Tae-yoon.
-What the hell is going on…!
-What.
-Why are we being blamed for this!? We're all going to die at this rate!
-How should I know what that NPC is thinking? ...Besides, you did do it, didn't you? The estate's soldiers never participated in the battle.
-What…!?
-If you took all the rewards from the estate battle, isn't it only right that you take all the responsibility that comes with it? Logically speaking.
-……
To be precise, Lee Shin had started the estate battle, so he wasn't entirely without responsibility.
He was the one who had given orders to Dokgo and Tae-yoon.
But as long as the investigator, Wik, wasn't holding him accountable, there was no reason for Lee Shin to help.
…More importantly, from Lee Shin's suddenly cold tone, Dokgo realized that Lee Shin was already preparing to cut ties with them.
Dokgo said urgently.
-Hey, no, hey! This isn't right…!
-What isn't.
-Don't abandon us!!
-Are you yelling at me right now? You wanna die?
-Gasp! N-No!? Sorry!
-Watch yourself.
-Ah, okay. I'm really sorry.
*'...This crazy bastard.'*
Dokgo shuddered.
To immediately ask if he wanted to die just for raising his voice a little.
He'd never met such a psycho in his entire life.
*'Damn it.'*
The bigger problem was that this crazy bastard was now the players' only hope.
Wik had clearly said that 'if Count Aaron doesn't impose a punishment,' the royal family would decide their fate themselves.
In other words, if Count Aaron punished them himself, they could avoid censure from the royal family…
And the only player who could make such a request to Count Aaron right now was Lee Shin.
Dokgo pleaded desperately.
-P-Please save us.
-Hmm….
-Please! We'll do anything if you save us!
-Anything?
-Uh!? Ah, th-that is, anything within our power….
-Then do some construction work. I'll put in a good word for you with the lord. How about it?
-……
At that moment, Dokgo couldn't refuse Lee Shin's offer.
It felt uncomfortable, as if he were playing right into the other's hands, but…
...it was still far better than being on the royal family's bad side.
-A-Alright.