51: The Marquis's Envoy Returns

This meant that a hundred-man knight order that had Cultivated the secret technique could kill enemies of a higher rank, and could even hold off enemies two ranks higher. It was truly terrifying!

Moreover, this was only the Elementary knight order secret technique; above it were the Intermediate knight order secret techniques held by the royal family, and the Advanced knight order secret technique that Arthur had just drawn.

Arthur estimated that a thousand Gold Knights who had Cultivated the Intermediate knight order secret technique could kill a Sky Knight and intercept a Legendary Expert.

Ten thousand Gold Knights who had Cultivated the Advanced knight order secret technique could kill a Legendary Knight and intercept a demigod.

Calculating this, Arthur seemed to have suddenly discovered a way to defeat a Legendary Expert and replicate them.

It was just that the cost was too high. Even for Arthur, ten thousand Gold Knights would require one billion gold coins, which, at his current rate of earning, would take ten years to save.

Furthermore, this kind of power formed by a knight order was ultimately less flexible than an individual. If ten thousand Gold Knights faced a Legendary Expert and the Legendary Expert was determined to run, they could likely escape by paying a price.

Still, there was finally a way, and Arthur felt quite relieved inside!

Afterward, Arthur checked the price of the Advanced knight order secret technique: ten million gold coins. That could be considered cheap.

He was not in a hurry to bring this out, so after taking another good look at it, Arthur shifted his gaze to the Earth Element Master commodity he had just replicated the previous night.

This was something Arthur could use right now!

An Earth Element Master could cast Advanced earth magic of level seven or higher, with a coverage area of over a hundred meters, or even several hundred meters.

Even if Arthur wanted to build a massive city capable of housing over a million people, he wouldn't need too many Earth Element Masters. After all, building a city couldn't rely solely on Earth Element Masters; it also required the cooperation of other skilled workers.

Moreover, having too many such experts appear at once would be too eye-catching and would not fit Arthur's operational strategy!

After considering for half an hour, Arthur ultimately clicked three times, summoning three Earth Element Masters and consuming three million gold coins.

Arthur did not set the appearance location for these three Earth Element Masters at the castle, but rather in the Barren Plains outside the city, listing their status as people who had come to seek refuge out of admiration.

He then had Victor send them clothing appropriate to their status and Arthur's plan.

Afterward, just as Arthur had planned, once the Earth Element Masters came to offer their service, he had the Magistrate, Charles, come over, introduced the four of them, and instructed the three Earth Element Masters to follow Charles's arrangements to build the city.

Having been entrusted with such a heavy responsibility by Arthur, Charles was so excited he was trembling, because for an ordinary person like him, being able to command experts at the Magister level was a tremendous honor.

As for the matter of Arthur being able to summon unknown experts again, the clever Charles simply congratulated Arthur, saying: "My Lord's great reputation truly resonates in all directions; now, even experts like Magisters have come to seek refuge out of admiration."

Because the things built by Earth Elementalists were somewhat crude—the city walls and house walls were fine, but the delicate windows, roofs, and such could not be outlined.

Therefore, to truly build the city, the participation of various skilled workers was still necessary; for example, masons and carpenters were indispensable.

The group then discussed the matters of recruitment, including the compensation to be offered.

Arthur had no money, only grain; after all, this was the most cost-effective for him.

In the end, it was decided that the wages for the personnel building the city would be two catties of wheat flour per day, distributed monthly, with half a month's worth issued upon signing up.

After discussing the matters, Charles and the three Earth Element Masters withdrew first.

Of course, Arthur still arranged accommodation for the three Earth Element Masters and gave them some money. After all, they were people who had come to seek refuge, and the Face-saving project still had to be done.

Several more days passed; it had now been a week since the destruction of the Thorn Flower Count.

Due to the resolution to expand the city, Initial City had now become bustling with activity.

Because of the recruitment for city construction, a large influx of population had arrived, and the city was already full, with many people pitching tents outside the city.

Although the Barren Plains previously had various wild beasts and even Demonic Beasts, now with Arthur's troops patrolling constantly, the area within a ten-mile radius of Initial City was still safe.

Arthur stood at the highest point of the castle, which was also the highest point of Initial City, and gazed at the surroundings. Seeing the new changes in Initial City at every moment, he could not help but nod in satisfaction.

This was a city that belonged exclusively to him!

Karona was also by Arthur's side, her flowing silver hair swaying with the breeze. She was wearing a simple white dress, but set off by her beautiful Face and exquisite figure, she still appeared extremely charming.

She held Arthur's arm, quietly accompanying him to look at the scenery, and for a moment, it seemed quite quiet and peaceful.

After a long while, Arthur, who was gazing from the heights, suddenly noticed a convoy heading toward Initial City, and he could not help but feel curious: just who could it be?

Although Arthur and Initial City were famous, Initial City was truly too small and was located in the remote Barren Plains. This place also didn't have any specialty products, so the number of people who could form a convoy to come here was very small.

Arthur was a bit curious about the identity of the visitors!

It was not until the convoy drew closer that Arthur looked at the rose patterns carved around the carriages and suddenly realized. Wasn't this the noble emblem exclusive to Marquis of Roses? It seemed that people from Marquis of Roses had arrived!

It had now been seven days since the tragic case of the Thorn Flower Count, and the kingdom had still not found the culprit. However, the culprit had not committed any more crimes.

Nobles still had to live, after all, so life seemed to have slowly returned to how it was before, and Marquis of Roses's convoy had set out again, arriving at Arthur's territory.

At the same time, Arthur, seeing clearly who had come, felt a bit awkward and could not help but turn his head to glance at Karona by his side.

Karona knew what Arthur was thinking and instead smiled comfortingly: "I am very satisfied just being with you. Besides, you and Young Miss Olivia were already engaged long ago; I am the latecomer. Being with you has only added a lot of trouble for you."

After speaking, Karona fell silent, and she looked a bit guilty.

Arthur could tell that Karona was speaking these words from the bottom of her heart. Facing such an overly understanding girl, Arthur did not know what to say and could only turn around and hug her to express his gratitude and guilt.

Afterward, the two of them cherished each other for a long time on top of the castle, until the butler, Poussin, came to report: "My Lord, the envoy of Marquis of Roses has arrived. I have already arranged for them to be in the parlor. When would you like to meet them?"

Last time, Arthur had finally managed to ease the relationship with Marquis of Roses, so he could not afford to neglect the envoy now, and said: "Go now; we cannot keep the Marquis's envoy waiting too long!"

A few minutes later, the three of them arrived at the castle's reception hall. Arthur took one look and saw a familiar person; it was exactly the Marquis's envoy from last time, Paul.

Paul was sitting in the main seat of the delegation; it seemed he was leading it again this time. Seeing this, Arthur could not help but smile and went up to meet him: "Captain Paul, meeting again, I presume the Marquis has already considered things well."