Free Web NovelChapter 33: Chapter 33: A Bunch of Talents
Although most of the people who followed Duane had been dispersed to temporarily live in the surrounding abandoned houses, some still needed to stay within Duane’s compound.
Servants, Guards, officials, and assistants—in total, there were over fifty people.
Although the few buildings in the compound were nearly all three stories tall with plenty of rooms, it was still quite crowded. Some people didn’t have beds and could only sleep on the floor.
Looking at the simple and difficult living conditions, Duane decided that starting tomorrow, he would have Julian and Ralph arrange for people to repair the derelict houses and, at the same time, build new residences.
’The priority is to give everyone a relatively stable home,’ he thought. ’Once they’re settled in, they’ll have the energy to work hard.’
As for the Baron’s castle, that would have to be built as well, of course.
However, that was a major undertaking. It would require selecting a site, drawing up designs, and quarrying enough stone and timber. Duane planned to deal with it after things had settled down.
In the study, a few white candles sputtered as they burned, making the room reasonably bright.
Duane didn’t use the Magic Lamp. The Magic Crystal Stones he’d brought to power it were limited, and it wouldn’t be easy to buy more once they were depleted.
He wasn’t reading. Instead, he had summoned Ralph’s son, Haien.
Back at Lakefront Castle, Ralph had mentioned that Haien was skilled in agricultural matters, which was why Duane had appointed him Agricultural Officer.
Agricultural affairs were linked to [Basic Planting].
So, Duane was currently absorbing knowledge about agriculture and planting from Haien.
Although his goal was to increase his Basic Planting Skill Level, he was also learning about this world’s crop varieties in the process.
As for staple grains, there were barley, wheat, and rice. The first two were more widely cultivated.
Duane made a point to ask about their yields.
Take wheat, for example. With proper planting and care, one mu could yield 250 jin. Barley’s yield per mu was slightly lower, but still around 230 jin.
The yield for rice was higher, with each mu of paddy field producing around 350 jin. However, its milling rate was lower, only about 60%, whereas the flour milling rate for wheat was around 80%.
So, all things considered, the final yield of flour from wheat and milled rice per mu wasn’t all that different.
Duane was both surprised and satisfied with these yield figures.
He was surprised because he had expected the grain yields per mu to be very low, not this high.
And he was satisfied because, as long as there was enough farmland and it was cultivated properly, there would be no need to worry about food shortages, assuming the weather was favorable.
The only thing missing now was data on the amount of arable land on Black Forest Island, which was another reason Duane had called for Haien.
"Starting tomorrow, you will work with Julian and take over the island’s agricultural affairs. In addition to collecting information on arable land, you will be responsible for this region’s grain production and even its planting techniques."
Duane said, "Providing the Territory with enough food—that is the most important task I’m giving you!"
"Yes, Lord. I will do my best not to disappoint you!"
Duane nodded, then waved a hand. "It’s getting late. Go get some rest."
Haien nodded and slowly backed out of the room.
Duane opened his attribute panel.
Although their conversation hadn’t been entirely about planting techniques, his Basic Planting Skill Level had still seen a considerable increase.
It had now reached (Initial 51/100), an increase of 48 points.
’Maybe if I plant a few more trees tomorrow, I can break through from Initial to Entry.’
Duane thought to himself.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. There was a gentle knock on the door.
"Come in."
Owington pushed the door open but remained in the doorway to report, "Lord, Jack is back."
Duane perked up. "Let him in."
Soon, Jack, who had escorted Monbodt home, arrived in the study. The Male Servant closed the door behind him.
"Did Monbodt get home safely?"
"He did. His compound is a few hundred meters from ours, just over the mountain spur."
Jack reported, "Lord, although Monbodt’s home covers less ground than ours, it has just as many buildings. And they look much newer than the ones you’re living in. I’d guess they were built within the last two years!"
Duane couldn’t help but laugh at this.
With no Lord on the island, Monbodt, as a Civil Servant appointed by the Kingdom, naturally had the authority to mobilize the peasants as laborers.
’Perhaps he anticipated that a new Lord would eventually come to Black Forest Island, which is why he made these preparations.’
’It wasn’t that surprising, really.’
"Did he ask you those questions?" Duane was more interested in this.
"He did!"
A look of admiration crossed Jack’s face. "Lord, you’re brilliant! Every question Monbodt asked was just as you predicted!"
He then recounted his conversation with Monbodt.
Essentially, Monbodt’s questions had all revolved around Duane’s hidden strengths.
"You did well!"
Duane praised him. He had chosen Jack for the escort mission precisely because he valued the man’s cleverness.
"Go get some rest. And remember, don’t tell anyone about this."
"Yes, Lord!"
Jack left the study in high spirits.
Now that he shared a secret with the Lord, he felt certain he would be entrusted with greater responsibilities.
’This is my chance,’ he thought. ’I have to work even harder than before.’
Jack went outside and resumed his post.
John couldn’t help but glance at his companion, feeling the pressure mount.
In the study, Duane leaned back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head, and stared at the ceiling.
Monbodt was so concerned with his hidden strengths for one of two possible reasons.
One, he genuinely wanted to know if Duane had the strength to stand against the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association.
But Duane leaned toward the second possibility. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Monbodt was very likely in contact with either the Broken Wave Gang or the Holy Hand Association, and he was asking these questions to gather intelligence for them.
Based on this possibility, Duane had already labeled the man a "spy."
That was why he’d had Jack exaggerate his strength. His goal was to use the spy to leak this information to the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association, making them more hesitant to act rashly and thus buying himself more time.
Duane then recalled the earlier meeting, when Monbodt had tried to provoke a conflict, goading him into declaring war on the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association.
He had initially assumed this was just Monbodt’s way of clearing himself of any suspicion of associating with the Broken Wave Gang. He never imagined the man would also privately urge Jack to advise Duane to "eliminate the traitors" and "get rid of the Broken Wave Gang as soon as possible."
Monbodt had no reason to put on an act for Jack. He genuinely wanted Duane to go to war with those two factions.
’What’s his goal in doing this? Does he really hate traitors that much?’
Duane didn’t believe that for a second.
If Monbodt truly hated traitors, the taxes he submitted would not have dwindled year after year.
He could have easily revealed the situation on Black Forest Island to the Knights who came to collect taxes whenever a Kingdom ship arrived.
But Monbodt hadn’t done that.
"Interesting!"
Duane’s mind raced as he considered various possibilities. ’What is this? Is he trying to make the tiger devour the wolf? Or is this a case of the snipe and the clam, where a third party stands to gain?’
The leaders of the three great powers on Black Forest Island... one was in international trade, one was a medical Holy Hand, and one had a knack for scheming. They were all quite the characters.
’Now, I’ll just wait and see how the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association react.’
