Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
However,
That was not the end.
The cheering lasted for a few minutes, then William announced even more benefits. The family of the deceased could obtain 3 gold coins from the Finance Hall. The senior citizens could apply for an easier job like pruning the flora on both sides of the streets or cleaning the pathways.
When it was time for the senior citizens to retire, the City of Dawn would take care of their retirement.
The wounded warriors would also get rewards.
And even the warriors who were not injured enjoyed the same rewards.
The ceremony lasted until evening time.
William hosted a huge banquet afterward. The friends and relatives of the warriors could join in to eat and drink wine.
He had really rewarded his army handsomely. He was not joking.
He spent at least 5,000 gold coins for today. But it was not a loss, as he had earned even more. He had earned massive profit from Iron Nation. The treasury had almost 150,000 gold coins, enough to last William for quite some time.
But the celebration was not his only expense.
Whenever William went on a military expedition, whether it resulted in a failure or a victory, he had to use the money to reward his soldiers for their injuries and bravery.
What did the people of the legendary continent live for?
All the people in the world, what did they live for?
Most of them lived for fame and fortune.
A good reputation was fame.
And money was fortune.
As long as he understood the workings of fame and fortune, he could hold on to his Lordship.
In short.
William made use of these opportunities to distribute money so that he could win the hearts of his people.
It even tempted the spies from both Iron and Black Lava Nations, who were observing the scene.
Because the benefits of the City of Dawn were incredible…
Some spies even had a desire to defect to William.
However, William did not know it. But even if he did, he would not care.
The leaves of the moon tree glimmered with light. It was like an illuminating lighthouse in the night, and every night, the Elves who slept late would gather and chat while sipping wine.
Annie stood in her aerial garden. Dressed in a pure white princess gown, she walked barefooted on the grass. She leaned on the pillar of the pavilion and surveyed the brilliant central plaza.
The banquet was still going on, and William had not left either. He was competing with his subordinates to see who could drink more.
Many commoners arranged the tables on the streets outside the central plaza. There was food and sweet wine on the tables, and the commoners also joined in the fun.
“Your glory will live on…” Annie muttered to herself. She turned to look at the Space Archmage, Old Band, and asked, “Grandpa Band, have you seen a person like him? When my father was young, was he like this too?”
Old Band’s heart ached for Annie. He looked at her and shook his head. “When your father was young, I wasn’t even born. But William is the first one to implement such measures in the legendary continent.”
“First one, how can that be?” Annie asked curiously, “Isn’t it easier just to commemorate the deceased soldiers?”
Old Band did not say a word, but he was overwhelmed with feelings. The deceased soldiers were being commemorated, but what was its use?
The commemoration would be forgotten when the books rotted with age.
Moreover, the Emperors, Kings, and Lords did not care about the dead soldiers. Those who were high in power would not pay attention to the ants underneath them.
For the rulers on the top of the pyramid, normal warriors were merely their tools that could be sacrificed.
Could anyone expect them to remember the names of their tools?
Only heroes needed to be remembered.
Old Band had never been in favor of William.
Of course, it had to do with his Half-Elf bloodline.
It also had to do with the fact that William Blackleaf was unable to become a legitimate member of the Blackleaf royal clan.
However, Old Band was only a court mage. When he had received the imperial edict, he understood that when he left with Princess Annie, he had to be loyal to her.
He had the best of intention in choosing a superior mate for Annie.
It was a pity that the capable Blackleaf princes were either hundreds of years old or married…
And those princes who were not married, Annie detested them. Even Old Band could not stand them.
But the repeated appearances of William Blackleaf caught his attention.
Old Band had not objected to Annie’s desire to move here. He wanted to see what was the capability of William, the Lord of the City of Dawn.
But he had not expected to find that this junior who was sixteen years younger was resourceful and good in winning over the hearts of his subordinates. He also commanded outstanding bravery and combat power.
William was highly ambitious. One could easily observe it from the development of the City of Dawn.
He did not lack compassion. His citizens living a much better life was the proof of that.
He was not lacking in patience either. Even though the development of the City of Dawn had been rapid, the foundation of the city was very stable. The loyalty of his citizens and subordinates displayed his patience.
He was a master in winning over the hearts of people. Just by using a few tactics, he was able to make the Dawn Army sacrifice their lives for him.
“If he does not fall from his grace, he would be very suitable as Annie’s future mate. He can even become a legitimate member of the Blackleaf royal clan with the help of the Princess’s identity. He can also have a speaking right during the crowning ceremony of the new Elfin King.”
Old Band started thinking very far. He had to.
Because the Moonlight Elfin King…
He had finally returned to the arms of the World Tree today…
It was the reason for Annie’s absence from the banquet.
Annie had not returned to the tense Moonlight Forest, because Old Band did not give her the chance to open up a space gate.
But Old Band could not figure out why the great King passed his throne to the crown prince. Did he not know what the crown prince was corrupted?
By Darkness!
He was learning dark battle energy and magic!
Besides,
Did he even forget that the crown prince had made creature sacrifices to the Devil in the Devil’s Den?
Did the King believe that the crown prince, who had been quiet for tens of years, would not fall to the darkness? Did the King believe that the crown prince would return to the light?
Old Band smiled bitterly. He knew that the Elfin King passed his throne to the crown prince because of the Queen. However, it was a dangerous move.
When the Elfin King fell from his grace, Annie had lost her greatest support.
Even though she was still a princess, the Moonlight Elves would not allow her to harm their race.
Annie would be gradually sidelined in Moonlight Forest…
A daughter who was married off was like splashed water. Even the Elfin race of the legendary continent understood this.
“Rest early, princess. I’m taking my leave!” Old Band looked at Annie, who had not shed a single tear. He did not say much and was about to leave when…
Annie said abruptly, “The City of Dawn is good. I’m in favor of William. Leaving my personal guards, tell all the Elves of Moonlight Town that they can choose to join his army and fight for Lord William!”
Old Band turned to look at Annie. He paused for a few seconds before nodding. “Good, I’ll make the announcement tomorrow. But isn’t it too easy for William if you just acceded to his wish?”
“It’s nothing much. I want to see how William would fare.” Annie had never been alone.
If she gave the order, at least half of his mother’s clan would follow her.
Annie understood how dangerous his stepbrother was.
But she had no intention to let the clan members of her mother travel half of the legendary continent just to boost her power.
A marriage could achieve that.
If hundreds of thousands of Moonlight Elves were to come here.
What would the Blackleaf Elves think?
An invasion?
