Arthur placed down the artifact as it gave a soft glue, the runic lines merging with it. Every time he created an artifact, it would fascinate him how he could give power to the powerless. It was an intoxicating feeling as if he was a god.
However, it was of the greatest importance that he doesn't fall into this delusion. The last thing that he wanted to become was a god because he knew how selfish he would be.
The artifact disappeared once Arthur touched it, and it reappeared in his subspace. Then, as he was about to stand up and go to the auction, a notification from his system finally arrived.
[Your Estate Level increased by 1!]
[Your estate has been cleared off monsters, and walls have been erected to protect your citizens! As a result, you earned five Lordship Points, corresponding to your level!]
[Lordship Stats.]
– Estate Level: 1.
– Estate Size: 722 square km.
– Residents Numbers: 983.
– Overall Satisfaction: 45%.
– Lordship Points: 5.
[Lordship's Creation.]
– Build!
– Blueprints. [Locked.]
– Revenue. [Locked.]
[Lordship Residents.]
– Professions.
– Potential.
– Loyalty.
"I… forgot about this," Arthur felt embarrassed that because he couldn't use this function, he simply forgot about it. One of Big Bear's duties was to exterminate the monsters, but it seems it took him a while to get it done.
At least, his city was safe now, as long his walls weren't breached. But, unfortunately, even though it has been a while since he got above level 40, he never got to use the new function the system had.
"Let's see what I can build with 5 Lordship Points," Arthur clicked on his system's interference, and an array of items opened in front of him.
[Farmlands]
[Houses]
[Workplaces]
[Public Entertainments]
[Factories]
[Transportation]
[Roads]
[Defenses]
[Mana Arrays]
[Barracks]
[Schools]
[Hospitals]
[Lands]
***
It was a long list that made Arthur dizzy. Furthermore, his estate level seems to have nothing to do with his level, which meant that Arthur could expand his city beyond what his strength allows.
The issue was that Arthur didn't know what to prioritize first. His citizens were too few for his city, which was quite large and hard to utilize with so few people. He can bring in more people by focusing on building proper housing, sewage system, transportations.
However, no one would come to his city without jobs to feed them. It was hard to decide between housing and employment if he wanted to bring more people in, and there was another issue on the table: Mernars.
The hydra should be coming to his city soon, seeking its child. But, unfortunately, Arthur has yet to find it, and it is hard to do so given that the child was hiding itself instead of being kidnapped.
"Defenses should be prioritized, and the Mana Array seems to be a buff of some sort. I only have five points, and there is nothing less than five points to purchase. I guess the Legacy will only show me that of which I can purchase."
It was a flawed mechanism because Arthur couldn't start saving up points at this point. However, if he learned one thing throughout his journey, then it was to save. He stopped using his stat points once he realized that farming stats would get more challenging in the future.
"Then, I will just handle it on my own for now. The next level up of my estate shouldn't be far," he concluded as he closed the system and stood up.
"Greetings, Seika," Ma bowed as Arthur opened the door. "We checked the contract, and there are no disadvantages or loopholes for us. Rather, they are the ones suffering from this."
"The only thing they are suffering from is guilted heroism," Arthur replied as he took the contract. A pen appeared out of thin air, and Arthur signed the agreement that floated before him. "I will take this myself to the auction house. You better prepare, Ma. A lot of money is coming your way."
"Nothing makes me happier," Ma said with barely contained excitement. Arthur stopped walking and turned to him with a suspicious face.
"You know that you will die if you embezzle money, right?" Arthur had to make sure that none of his followers made any stupid mistakes. Ma blinked his eyes at him with confusion.
"I have no use for the money, though," he sincerely said. "All of my life is in Hidden City, and everything I might do with money will be reported back to you."
"You don't have any problems that money can solve?"
"You don't understand, Seika," Ma shook his head with a smile. "For most of us, simply finding a safe place to stay and food to eat is a challenge. Yet, you gave us these without asking for money. You are even paying us for serving you, and that is the first time a lord does that."
"Is that your dream?" Arthur asked as they walked out of the palace and boarded their carriage. "Just to survive?"
"My dream is to build something that is going to outlast me," Ma said as he hugged his files. "Therefore, serving you is my dream, my lord."
Arthur simply smiled and didn't say anything as he leaned on the window. He forgave Ma for interrupting his morning because what he said clarified Arthur's impact on this world.
The carriage took them to the auction house, which preceded the war summit. But, unfortunately, there are only three auctions scheduled today, and the merchants agreed to hold them at different times to ensure that they would all benefit.
There was the matter of which house got to go first, and it was quite a mess. Of course, most houses wanted to go first because the guest had yet to spend their money, but there was also the matter of guests restraining themselves at the beginning fearing that they might miss a deal at the end.
It was quite a mess, but it just so happened that Avadil's house got a spot in between. It was a good spot but also had no clear advantage. Thus, leaks and rumors were essential to attract people.
"It is quite unlikely that the Ghost Runemaster will make an appearance in the Clover Auction House. They have no relation whatsoever, and there is no way that anyone is going to work with the Seika at this time."
Arthur heard some of the conversations on the street as they arrived at the auction house. His appearance drew some attention, but it wasn't enough to confirm the rumors they were discussing.
However, it was one of the few public appearances he made for someone so infamous. The citizens looked at him with eyes of interest and fear, and they needed no introduction to know the Lord of Hidden, a young man with one arm.
"Am I an exotic animal?" he said while scratching his head.
"You are more exotic to the people than any animal could be," Ma said without consideration. "They have the right to feel curious or fearful. The stories about you are quite conflicted, and you have yet to provide them with food."
"Then it's important to leave a good impression," Arthur smiled and waved his hand. His power of creation from his body pulsed and radiated to affect the people, working to heal whatever ailments they had.
This trick was one he learned the hard way after his soul was damaged. But, unfortunately, these people had no money to visit physicians or alchemists, so Arthur's powers significantly affected them.
"Woah!"
"My leg no longer hurts!"
"Is this the powers of the Seika?"
The crowd grew noisy as Arthur's powers healed their ailments. Arthur didn't stick around to receive their worships, but they began to chant his name.
"Seika of Living Beings!"
"The Living's Beloved!"
"The Living's Beloved!"
"The Living's Beloved!"
"Well, that is embarrassing," Arthur sighed as he hurried along the corridors. "I should get used to it."
"You are the only person who can make people love him easily but get embarrassed when they do," a voice said to him as Avadil came out from a different hall, wearing a weak smile. "Welcome to my Lily Auction House, Lord of Hidden. I hope you came to more than just take part in the bidding."
"I have something for you," Arthur said as he handed out the contract, signed by his name. "I also brought some artifacts with me. I hope it isn't too late in presenting them since you have already spread the rumors."
"Every auction has these kinds of rumors. The name of the Ghost Runemaster is a synonym of wealth now, and it is used to attract the hungry farmers to sell them other things."
"He won't like that," Arthur smiled as he handed Avadil the contract. "Do you have a place where I can deliver his artifacts?"
"Yes," Avadil said as his face lit up with joy. "Please, this way!"
Arthur followed the prince to a storage room, which looked cleaner than the king's chambers. It proved how much importance the prince placed on this trade, and he had no idea it would change his life.
