162: Erwin returns

Although Endri's question was a bit strange, Eric still answered truthfully out of reverence for the strong and respect for his superior.

However, all of that ended with Arthur's arrival. Both Endri and Eric immediately turned to Arthur and saluted.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Hmm!"

Arthur knew that based on their previous interaction, they must have already introduced themselves, so he said directly:

"I imagine you both know who the other is by now!"

"Endri!"

"Yes!"

"The captains, led by you, have more extensive naval combat experience than Eric.

However, Eric and his men are numerous and will play a huge role in the upcoming conscription plan. You must make good use of them!

Also, I've given you a deadline of one month, which is a bit short.

But you can select elites from armies across the nation and train them into a navy; that should be enough time!"

"Understood, I will complete the mission on time."

Arthur then turned his gaze to Eric.

"Eric!"

"Yes!"

"None of you have yet performed meritorious service, so I cannot give you higher positions.

You will first join the fleet as naval instructors. If you and your subordinate soldiers can help Endri complete the naval training mission within a month,

you can become Endri's adjutant, and your original subordinate soldiers will also receive better arrangements!"

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will definitely complete the mission!"

Just a few days ago, Eric had transformed from a slave to a naval soldier, and now he had the opportunity to become the adjutant to the Lionheart Kingdom's highest naval commander.

Arthur valued him so much, and he was naturally very grateful.

Arthur's promotion of Eric was mainly because the current Lionheart Kingdom Navy had no one truly familiar with the surrounding sea environment.

Even the ten summoned naval commanders, while having rich naval combat experience, were not familiar with the surrounding environment.

Hence Arthur's decision to promote Eric, a true naval officer, to Endri's adjutant.

After arranging the follow-up, Arthur did not stay long on the ship. Instead, he rode the Two-Headed Wyvern Andel and returned to the Royal Capital with Victor.

Upon returning to the Royal Capital, Arthur informed Chancellor France of his plan to establish a navy, instructing her to order armies in various regions to cooperate with the navy's conscription... Time slowly passed, and soon a month went by, bringing them to April.

Arthur's Portable Shop gained another replication opportunity and one random summon opportunity.

He now had two replication opportunities accumulated and only one random summon opportunity, but Arthur was not in a hurry to use either.

Besides that, many things happened this month. First, Elwin, who had previously gone to the Dawn Merchant Guild and become an honorary Guest Elder of the guild, returned.

With his return, he also brought two pieces of good news to Arthur.

First, the transnational merchant guild exclusive to the Lionheart Kingdom, with the help of the Dawn Merchant Guild, already had a basic framework and prototype.

As long as Arthur managed it diligently and continuously expanded its personnel, the transnational merchant guild belonging solely to the Lionheart Kingdom would continue to grow stronger.

Second, a portion of the numerous treasures worth 7.3 billion that Arthur had entrusted to Avril had already been sold.

It seemed the initial sales were very successful, cashing in 800 million gold coins in just one month.

After deducting the 200 million gold coins used to purchase the sea calming, Elwin brought back 600 million gold coins in cash to Arthur this time.

At this rate, it might not even take a year to sell all 7.3 billion worth of treasures.

The transnational merchant guild could bring Arthur a vast amount of wealth, so its importance to Arthur was beyond doubt.

After confirming the initial establishment of the merchant guild, Arthur began to summon personnel for this transnational merchant guild without sparing any expense.

There are numerous human kingdoms on the Continent of Gods, at least dozens.

Although Arthur's Lionheart Merchant Guild currently only had preliminary strongholds established in the five human countries closest to the Lionheart Kingdom, it was still a huge step forward.

Furthermore, for the merchant guild to establish a firm foothold in those kingdoms, Earth Knights alone would not suffice.

Therefore, in Arthur's plan, each branch of the Lionheart Merchant Guild in every kingdom must have a Sky Knight stationed there.

Only then could others be impressed!

Moreover, with such powerful individuals, they could also protect the rare items Arthur entrusted them to sell, such as sky knight armor, dragon blood, and high-grade magic crystals.

After all, these were items usable by Sky Knights and Grand Magus-level powerhouses.

If there weren't powerhouses of corresponding levels guarding them, the merchant guild branch might even be robbed.

At the same time, considering how precious these treasures were, Arthur only planned to establish one branch in the capital of each kingdom.

Unlike the Dawn Merchant Guild, which also had sub-branches and main branches within a kingdom.

The main reason for this was that the items Arthur sold were too precious, and spreading out too much would require too many strong individuals to guard them.

Because Arthur's current Lionheart Merchant Guild had strongholds in the capitals of five kingdoms.

Therefore, Arthur exchanged for five Sky Knights, ten Earth Knights, and five hundred Gold Knights.

This cost him 110 million gold coins!

This time, no Silver Knights were exchanged. After all, the items sold by the Lionheart Merchant Guild were precious, so the personnel assigned naturally needed to be stronger.

Considering the caliber of the merchant guild, Arthur even used one replication opportunity to find a female powerhouse in the kingdom who was at the Peak Gold Knight level and possessed both beauty and figure.

It should be noted that all the powerhouses Arthur had replicated before, whether Gold, Silver, or Earth-Grade, were men.

Arthur now planned to assign those Gold Knight powerhouses as salespeople, servers, and so on for the merchant guild.

Therefore, female powerhouses were needed.

Actually, if beautiful female Magisters were serving, it might be even more shocking.

But after careful consideration, Arthur realized that mages also had their pride.

Almost no one on the Continent of Gods would have mages serve as waitstaff.

This could cause trouble for himself and also attract too much attention, which was unnecessary.

The Lionheart Merchant Guild established branches in the capitals of five kingdoms, with an average of one Sky Knight, two Earth Knights, and one hundred beautiful Gold Knights guarding each branch.

This force is not to be underestimated within the kingdoms; it should be sufficient!

Before sending these people to the branches, Arthur also considered that there were too many powerful individuals on the Continent of Gods!

In case some crazy person wanted to rob their branch, a single Sky Knight might not be able to defend it.

So Arthur also spent 1.8 million gold coins to purchase fifteen space teleportation scrolls, giving three to each of the five Sky Knights.

This was so they could escape with the merchant guild's items if they encountered irresistible danger.

This would minimize losses to the greatest extent.

Although it seemed somewhat heartless, the goods Arthur entrusted to them were simply too valuable.

For example, sky knight armor and Sky Knight Greatswords each cost 4 million gold coins and 3 million gold coins, respectively.