NOVEL WEB Chapter 24 - Theresa Presents a Luxury Carriage!
Chapter 24 Theresa Presents a Luxury Carriage!
The half wolf army’s combat strength was amazing, but the food cost was high as each warrior ate fifteen pounds of meat a day along with ten pounds of grain. In one day, the whole legion consumed 1,500 pounds of meat and 1,000 pounds of grain. Just the meat alone would cost half a gold coin, and along with the other food it would come to a total of two gold coins.
After the wheat has been harvested, the problems with food would be alleviated. Lynn had ten acres of land with about 15,000 pounds of grain that would be turned into coarse flour. Since the civilians were taxed at a 30% rate, Lynn would get more than four thousand pounds of food. However, meat could only be bought.
Lynn pondered over the expenses of the territory and called Buno over. He ordered fifteen half orcs to guard him while he went to sell 1,650 pounds of the ordinary wine at Frost Maple City. The estimated sales expected was to be twenty one gold coins.
Once the price of wine increased, Lynn would also increase the price of his wine to a silver and thirty copper per pound. Since the way to Frost Maple City had no familiar caravans traveling there, Lynn figured that it would take longer to sell the wine. He gave Buno twelve days before he would start to worry. Buno packed everything at noon that day and was prepared to leave. Lynn also prepared white wine along with high quality red wine. There was fifty pounds of each.
”After the wine is sold, give the remaining two barrels of wine to Theresa,” Lynn told Buno.
Buno knew that Lynn did not want to owe any favors, and quickly gave his affirmation. After that, Buno set off. The timing was a little tight, as there was only twenty four days left until the winter wizard assessment.
Lynn’s territory was located east of the northern part of the Sacred Continent. If he wanted to get to the city of Menglar, which was in the middle western area, it would take ten days at full speed without goods to travel there. Buno had a maximum of fourteen days to come back.
After Buno’s departure, Lynn continued to improve his magic. He had been training diligently these last three days, allowing his mana pool to reach one hundred and sixty points. He had already exceeded Linze’s original number.
While Lynn was sitting in the study with Lucy, a letter arrived for her. It was Lucy’s childhood friend who had written to her. Since Fenglin Village was in a remote location, one would have to send letters regularly to stay updated on the latest news. As if it was natural, Lucy got up and sat in Lynn’s embrace to read the letter with him. Lynn forced himself to calm down and began to read the letter.
”Lord Lynn’s name has spread among the northern aristocracy, as many people are interested in his wine. They also want to know about his Half Orc Warriors, even to a provocative amount,” the letter said.
“When the merchants came by, I heard news about some magicians’ meeting. It was said that there would be more than 1,600 people this time. The heir to the Kyle family, Linze Kyle, has also become a magician and would be participating. There are also rumors that Ino Sla would teach Lord Lynn a lesson if he dared to trade with him. Make sure not to go over there.”
The contents of the letter were clearly outdated as the intruders in Lynn’s territory had already been taken care of. This was normal, as messages between nobles could lag behind new information. It did point out that there was animosity towards Lynn, though. Once Lucy finished reading the letter, she looked at Lynn with admiration.
”You are so smart! Fortunately, you did not send Buno to Sla. He is a mean little man.”
Lynn smiled and thought that it was time to write to three kingdoms to show the people what a real fight was. Lucy looked at the letter again and then glanced at Lynn. She hesitated before continuing on.
”Linze also wants to go to the magician assessment… You.. I am afraid you will be insulted.”
Lynn was to participate in the assessment as a civilian, whereas Linze was the son of a Count. He was the first in line to inherit the Count’s position. When the two of them met, Lynn’s rank would easily lose.
”The assessment is going to be very fast. It just needs to test the magic values, there will not be a fight. I do not think I am going to remain a civilian for long,“ Lynn replied calmly.
”That is right!” Lucy said with exhilaration in her voice. “I cannot believe first place can be won by anyone but you! You could be crowned a nobleman on the spot!”
After he read the letter, Lynn continued to meditate and think calmly. Even with the news of Linze, there was no excitement or anger in his thoughts. Ten days in a row passed by, and Lynn earned 3,600 System points. They were all used on the same day, allowing all of the second ranked beasts to evolve more than three times. He spent 2,500 points on them.
Lynn actually wanted to get a rank five orc, but once it evolved it would cost 1,000 points. He could use the remaining 1,100 points to do this, or he could evolve eleven warriors to rank four. The army’s fighting power increased significantly.
The wheat had begun to flower and began to ripen. The wine making had temporarily stopped since the weather grew colder and grapes stopped growing. The cultivation of fire mushrooms was going well, with the newest batch of four hundred already sprouting. Using his exploration skills everyday, Lynn caught an Archfiend that would be needed to continue his growth.
Most of the other supplies were still deeper into the mountains, along with the area for an iron ore mine. Although this was dangerous, the mine was open air. The amount that could be gathered was also large, and if it could be mined it would allow Lynn to start forging his own weapons.
Lynn recorded the location of the ore and planned to mine it after the magician’s assessment was over. The development of the territory was progressing smoothly, but Buno had yet to come back. Lynn decided that he was ready to go and would not wait for Buno. Lynn needed civilian clothes, so he decided to buy them at Monlar.
There were other needs that needed to be taken care of. If one delayed and did not start right away, then it would become a problem. If Lynn missed the winter’s assessment, he would have to wait four months until next spring for the next one. If that happened people would start to think that Lynn was afraid of Linze and backed out. That would be unacceptable. So, Lynn started to prepare early. However, right then a luxurious carriage appeared in the distance and eventually entered the territory. Buno jumped out of the cart and went to the village’s gate to wait for Lynn.
”The wine has been sold for a total of twenty two gold coins. Your clothes have been prepared and eight thousand pounds of lamb for a cost of nine gold coins has been purchased. The caravan will send your things,” he stated. “The carriage is a gift from Theresa, and she told me that she loved the red wine you sent her. She wanted to tell you that you will always be a member of the Frost Maple family, and your honor is her honor.”
Lynn understood her meaning in an instant. The luxurious carriage that cost at least five hundred gold coins was to declare to the world that Lynn was by no means a deserted nobleman. He had the backing of a family! Those who wanted to humiliate Lynn would now have second thoughts.