Chapter 563
V53C4P2 – Continental Domination
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ON MAY 14, 2019 BY MIMOSAB
Thanks to all proofreaders who worked on this part: Armada, Idzuwan and Hezvolog 🙂
You have gained the control of the free city Somren . A free city with blooming trade and culture! It is the heart of the trade connecting the Central and the East, home of the Freya Cult headquarters . It was under the control of the Haven empire until recently . Due to the extreme taxation up until now, the development rate has declined substantially and the happiness of the citizens is minimal . The people of the free city yearn for the prosperous days of the past . It is still boastful of its ever-so-beautiful commercial buildings and cultural heritage .
Military power : 71
Economy : 8,173
Culture : 2,628
Technology : 1,749
Religious Influence : 98
Regional Politics : 15
Influence to neighboring regions : 32%
Influence in Britton : 14 . 2%
(Influence is deeply associated with areas of military, economy, culture, technology, religion, population and commission)
City development rate : 898
Sanitation : 24
Security : 38%
The city was stagnant . The poor roamed the streets and monsters approached near the city on occasion . Many tourists ceased to travel there . The merchants and artisans lost all hope, getting through days drinking alcohol . Despite the high regional reputation, the sales of local products was slow . Jewelry crafts, expensive apparel, magical artifacts, religious artifacts and wine were the remaining local products .
There were slight trades happening in Britton . The citizens were low-spirited .
“There is nothing to worry when monsters come by . There is nothing left to be stolen . ”
“Road maintenance? I don’t know when it happened . When it’s all ruined, this place will become a barren land . ”
“There is no interest in adventure . Why do we not conduct our business, you ask? I’d rather use up all my fortune in leisure . ”
“I heard the black dragon Kaybern has begun its movement targeting humans . We are all dead . Yep . Dead . ”
“Arpen kingdom? I heard they conquered us… Where in the world is the Arpen kingdom?”
Territorial total population : 819,635 .
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Monthly tax income : 15,263,812 gold .
City maintenance expense report :
Military : 2%
Economical growth : 14%
Cultural investment expense 1%
Commission and monster expedition 5%
Village repairs 4%
Tax paid to empire capital 74% .
The Arpen kingdom’s soldiers were escorted by users and scattered around the Central continent .
“Hurry on this way!”
“This way . This way!”
The soldiers were guided by the users and seized the provincial castle . Starting with the conquering of the free city Somren, the regions of the Central continent joined the Arpen kingdom . Cities that were conquered by the Arpen kingdom had its tax rates applied, lowering the tax burden instantly .
“Everyone . This place is now under the Arpen kingdom!”
“Hurrah!”
“Weed-nim looks over this land!”
The squares at each city in Central continent were filled with cheering users . Many had never been to the Arpen kingdom, but through broadcasts they knew what kind of governance was taking place in the north .
“The Central continent will become a great place to live . ”
“Yeah . The best . I wanted a world full of hope . Weed-nim will never raise taxes like the Hermes guild did . ”
“I wish he builds places like Puhol waterpark in various parts of the continent . ”
“I like arts centers . I used to draw as a hobby back in university… I quit that to find employment . I want to start drawing again . Even if I don’t turn out successful . ”
The hopes and expectations heightened about the Arpen kingdom developing the Central continent and making it a better place to live .
At the earth palace, Weed confirmed the expansion of Arpen kingdom’s territory with the governance system . On the continental map, the yellow areas pertaining to Arpen were spreading wide . Message alerts were popping up for the major cities and nothing could make Weed happier .
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“Taxes . Taxes . I will collect taxes mercilessly . ”
Including the free city Somren, he seized the old empire capitals like the Odin fortress and Rhodium . He was assisted by bulls and wyverns in the transfer of the soldiers, but Yurin’s assistance was vital . She transported Arpen kingdom soldiers to cities in different parts of the continent through her painting transport skill .
*Swift!*
Yurin created hundreds of drawings without error or rest, all precise enough to be used in painting transportation spell .
“She’s a human printer . The speed is also incredible . ”
“She’s the goddess of manual labor . ”
“So, painters are also laborers . Are all arts jobs like this?”
The users were in admiration . Each painter had their own style, and Yurin liked the children’s style of painting . Zephyr asked her the reason .
“When I was young, we had no children’s books at home . I read books at the children’s library, memorized it and drew it all out again at home . ”
“How unfortunate… . ”
“Still, those were fun times . ”
Yurin never thought grimly about the difficult times . She had her grandmother and her big brother . She had the warmth of her precious family . She felt that warmth, giving her the tenacity to live on no matter how difficult . Though there had been that time when she broke her leg from a slight twist
Zephyr was shocked to hear that she had been abused at times .
“Weed was too harsh on you, his younger sister . He could have disciplined verbally . ”
“What do you mean? Then I would never have come to my senses . I did because he hit me . ”
“And it was alright . Big brother cooked me ramen the next day . 50 won more expensive than what we had usually . ”
Excruciating poverty!
During those times, there reserves had fallen to a few hundred won which had led to the aforementioned circumstances .
“If you come to me, I will never make sure you go through hardship ever again . ”
Zephyr inwardly revealed his feelings to her, but she was a solid wall .
“That’s alright . I can look after myself . If I take more of a liking of you, then I will start dating . ”
Yurin completed her paintings and transferred the soldiers, doubling the territories of the Arpen kingdom . They were able to recruit additional soldiers at local cities and send them to nearby regions .
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< The population of the Arpen kingdom is increasing exponentially . The population, territory, political influence, national reputation and development has entered a stable phase . You have accomplished the requirements to ascend to an empire .
Arpen empire!
The citizens glorify the governance of Emperor Weed . They welcome the governance of an emperor who is a renowned artist, adventurer and warrior .
The birth rate of the empire increased to 800% . Cultural and economical growth rate increases rapidly . The morale of soldiers increase, the maximum level of loyalty also increases . There is less possibility of a penalty due to weak security . Political corruption of regions far from the palace is reduced . The blessing of optimistic gods are applied to each region of the empire . >
Arpen empire!
Following the north, it seized control in the majority of the central continent – rising up to the ranks of empires .
“Hmm . It feels good, and bad in some ways . ”
Weed who had become an emperor on impulse, felt a delicate sense of realization .
In the case of the free city Somren, its population and economy had been cut down in half due to the exploitation and revolution of the Haven empire . Several regions including Kalamore were not too badly affected, but most had broken walls and no maintenance caused by the war and revolution . This was the result of provincial lords of the Haven empire focusing on hoarding tax money rather than investing it .
“When I first started out in Royal Road, I could see amazing roads and buildings around the Central continent and I was truly envious…”
He reminisced the time he left the Rosenheim kingdom with Mapan and visited the free city Somren .
“It was an incredibly developed industrial city… Hoo . It has crumbled so much . To think that other cities have it much worse than this . ”
The military facilities and fortresses at the major regions of the Central continent were hardly under maintenance, and the Haven empire collected excessive taxes that regressed the city .
‘Not that I don’t understand their actions . ’
Weed fully accepted the perspective of the lords .
‘How difficult it would have been to get to the position of provincial lord . They would have wanted to take as much as they could when they had the power in hand . For sure . ”
Users were the source of income, so the lords may have thought it was wasteful to invest in the city development . Thanks to the self-centered ways, the defense facilities such as the castle walls were almost non-existent . The Arpen kingdom army was not present in the Central continent, therefore the cities and villages were vulnerable to monsters at any time .
“How is the situation in the north?”
– Seoyoon : I’m getting reports of roaming monsters doubling in numbers . It is dangerous around Harsel highlands and the vicinity of Vargo castle due to the monsters .
Seoyoon was regulating the Northern continent while Weed was absent .
“Dungeons?”
– Seo-Yoon : There are rumors of users being wiped out in normal dungeons that could usually be raided by 3 or 4 parties . I went there myself and I could see that the monsters became more ferocious and increasingly dangerous in their numbers .
“Is it the same in the novice regions?”
The villages and the proximal areas to the city usually comprised of novice players were roamed by the weaker monsters and therefore, were safe .
– Seo-Yoon : Beasts are active in the woods and the mountains . I think their habitats changed significantly .
This situation was not just in the north . Due to the influence of Kaybern, the monsters became more active all around Versaille continent . Monsters extended their areas of activity closer to the cities and in some areas, they were gathering .
– Nimble Chillwind : I swear loyalty to your majesty! I am Nimble Chillwind, leader of the avian assault force . I have urgent news to report .
A whisper arrived from Nimble Chillwind, the hero of the avians .
He started Royal Road late, allowing him to choose avian as his race . He was a user with an affection for the Northern continent .
“Yes . Chillwind-nim . What’s your status?”
– Nimble Chillwind : I am mid-flight near Port Varna . I can see many monsters descending from the dungeons in the mountains nearby . I will call the other avians and try to contain the situation here .
“Thank you . Chillwind-nim . ”
Signs of monsters in the Central continent were worrisome, but the bigger problem was in the Northern continent . The cities and villages were equipped with minimal defenses such as wooden barricades and archer towers . The quality of the soldiers was low and the militia was small in number, forcing the people to rely on trivial things like wooden barricades . To make matters worse, most villages were lacking in number of users due to the battle on Garnav plains . It would take a few more days for the users to do some sightseeing and return to their original villages .
“At times like these, a small monster assault would leave outskirt villages in devastation . Inside the village may be safe but the ranches and the farms will be razed . ”
Weed got preoccupied, then gathered his subordinates . The wyverns, Binryong, Phoenix, Countryside Snake, the Baraags, Eagle, Silver bird and Golden bird .
– There seems to be a lot going on nowadays .
– I’m so stressed . I feel like I’m going to pass out .
– As you command, master . I will incinerate the enemy!
Flying creatures agilely landed one by one on the vast field . Alone they were a spectacular sight, and behind them was King hydra, Fire giant, White tiger, Seville, Vintex, Eltine, Gernica, Nile alligator, Bahamorg and Death worm lined up . They were reliable and powerful subordinates .
“We are kind of special . ”
“We came over because you told us to, but we’re leaving if you don’t pay us . ”
“Pay is important . I need my pay cheque in order to feel that I spent a day to its fullest . Exchange of cash is the basis of human interaction . ”
“Just because you gave birth to us, we are not obligated to follow you . We are free . However, we are out of money so we need to be under someone’s command . ”
“Do any of you know anybody that has ways to earn some money?”
Weed-one, Weed-two, Weed-three… Weed’s clones were also summoned .
They sat on the ground, never ceasing to rest for a moment . They were sewing, making something with a hammer, or working on sculptures . These were creatures given life in reference to Weed’s usual behavior and personality, thus were busy hunting at dungeons before the recall . After the Garnav plains had ended, they continued hunting and grew on their own .
(To be continued…)