59: Establish a team (thanks to the Dark Gray Lord for the reward)

"Is everything handled?" Godwin asked Philip, who had just entered the room.

The young water bandit nodded crisply, "Farda and his son, and the leaders of the Cyric cult, are all dead.

"The soldiers are still dealing with the bodies, so it will probably take some more time."

Godwin nodded in satisfaction.

Poisoning was always the most discreet and efficient method of assassination.

Moreover, Philip happened to be carrying a bottle of giant centipede venom—it was simply fate.

"Sir, why didn't we bring these people into the city for trial?" Philip asked, puzzled.

Godwin's lips curled into a meaningful smile, "The Cyric cult is full of tricks.

"Killing these leaders will greatly reduce the threat posed by their followers.

"If it weren't for the need to give an explanation to the higher-ups, I'd have killed the rest of them to avoid future trouble."

"Is this… is this Arthur's will?"

Godwin's eyes flashed with displeasure at the question, but he quickly regained his composure.

He patiently countered, "In your eyes, what kind of person is Arthur?"

"A good person," Philip replied without hesitation, "He not only cares for his subordinates but also condescends to preside over the funerals of the deceased mercenaries and mountain people.

"I saw many mercenaries moved to tears.

"He is much better than the priest in my old village, who only conducted funerals for the wealthy."

"Then do you think poisoning these people would be his command?"

Philip shook his head.

"That's right."

"But isn't this going against Arthur's wishes?"

Godwin stood up and walked to the water bandit's side, saying in a low but firm voice, "This is a necessary evil.

"Just as you said, Arthur is a kind person.

"But kindness is easily exploited. Do you understand what I mean?"

Philip nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Seeing this, the exiled noble rephrased, "Philip, let me ask you again.

"What if someone takes Arthur's kindness for weakness and pushes their luck?"

"Then he's fucking tired of living," Philip sneered, "I'll be the first to kill him."

"Very good, now you should understand.

"Arthur, as a priest of Mother Earth, is required by his teachings to walk the righteous path and show mercy.

"And we, what we need to do is clear any threats on that path for Arthur.

"Especially those threats that cannot be dealt with openly."

Philip's gaze was firm. "Sir, I don't quite understand your words.

"But I understand that if anyone dares to harm Arthur, no matter who they are, we will make them die."

"Precisely."

-----------------

"Three days left," Arthur thought to himself.

He had three more days to assemble and train a reliable team loyal to him.

He brought up today's intelligence panel:

1. Blue Intelligence: A group of exiles will infiltrate the city today among the commoners attending the market. Jessica Hughes can be sent to recruit them.

2. White Intelligence: Godwin and Philip's friendship has increased.

3. White Intelligence: The market in the lower district opens today, with abundant and affordable agricultural products.

4. White Intelligence: The Three Brothers Workshop in Horn Village is on the verge of bankruptcy due to poor management, and a large number of tools and raw materials are being prepared for sale at low prices.

5. White Intelligence: Appropriately improving the quality of life for followers can significantly increase their loyalty.

After a quick scan, Arthur called Catherine and instructed, "Wolf Den City holds a market in the commoner district every half month.

"Although it's not time yet, due to the impending New Temple inauguration ceremony, the market has been moved up."

"Take some people to purchase necessities, and while you're at it, exchange our unneeded livestock for more useful items."

The reason for the exchange was that Arthur's current livestock had limited value; rather than converting them to cash, it was better to exchange them for other practical items.

"Also, there's a workshop called Three Brothers in Horn Village that's going out of business. We can send someone to acquire some useful tools at a low price."

Catherine meticulously recorded these matters.

"Also," Arthur added, "acquire some tea, fruit, pastries, and alcoholic beverages.

"Your lives are even more austere than those of ascetics. And you, go get a decent set of clothes…"

Before Arthur could finish, Catherine interjected, "Arthur, we have plenty to eat and wear, and spacious houses to live in, with beds to sleep on.

"This is already much better than what ordinary people have.

"I don't think it's necessary to waste funds on these things.

"As for my attire, you have sold most of your own clothes, so what right do I have to dress decently…"

"Catherine, you are too rigid in your actions," Arthur raised a hand to interrupt her, "This is not a meaningless waste.

"These things don't cost much, but they can quickly boost team morale and cohesion.

"Yes, I know that after experiencing slavery and imprisonment, you might find your current life already a rare blessing.

"But soon, more and more people will join. Do you remember what I said before?"

Catherine pondered for a moment and replied, "To keep them well-fed and clothed."

"Exactly. These seemingly insignificant things are the rewards for their loyalty to us, after ensuring they are well-fed and clothed."

"I understand," Catherine nodded, "but I still insist that I don't need decent attire."

Arthur smiled and explained, "Be their example, Catherine.

"Let them look up to you, let them have a goal to strive for."

"But that goal should be you."

"Me?" Arthur spread his hands. "Do you want them to lean on a stick like me, wear a robe, and pray all day long?

"Haha, forget it. Most people in this world are mortals, and so am I.

"There's no need to suffer unnecessarily when there's good fortune to be had. As for faith, it's not achieved overnight; gradual progress is sufficient."

Seeing Catherine still had reservations, Arthur said sternly, "Alright, do as I say.

"I sold my clothes because I won't need them where I'm going.

"If a piece of clothing can be exchanged for a cart of potatoes, I'd be delighted.

"Because clothes can't fill a stomach, but potatoes can.

"There's another reason I want you to wear decent clothes: it can protect you from the disdain and neglect of merchants.

"A restaurant owner would rather serve a respectable poor noble than an affluent beggar.

"This is the same principle as impoverished nobles not wanting their children to marry merchants."

Catherine was persuaded: "As you wish, Arthur."

-----------------

On the way to the arena, Arthur continued to review today's intelligence.

Apart from the news of Godwin and Philip's increased friendship, there was only intelligence about Jessica.

Clearly, the refugees who had infiltrated the city must be survivors of the Longfeather Mercenary Group.

Arthur had inquired about this mercenary group from Ms. Kamara.

Ms. Kamara spoke highly of Longfeather.

She said it was once one of the most outstanding mercenary groups in Amn and the Free Cities.

However, after becoming the private army of the Falcon Family, the Longfeather Mercenary Group gradually faded from public view.

The last they heard, they had received a fief from the Falcon Family for their military achievements, and most of them had retired to civilian life, becoming law-abiding commoners.

So, even if Jessica didn't mention it, Arthur intended to suggest that she seek out her former subordinates.

Arthur put away the intelligence panel and asked the orc leading his horse, "Tell me about the person you want me to meet."

"We call him Brownskin. I met him on the way here.

"He's very skilled, at least stronger than anyone I've ever fought."

"Why do you think he'd be willing to come with me?"

"He's a Chultian," the orc said, "His tribe was defeated by the Amn colonists, and he, as chief, became a captive.

"The Anmese originally intended to send these chiefs back to Amn proper for trial.

"But the Supreme Council believed it would be more entertaining to have chiefs of foreign tribes fight each other as gladiators.

"So Brownskin became a gladiator.

"But he's always been dissatisfied with this life, believing he should be as unconstrained as a wild beast."

"Interesting," Arthur mused.

-----------------

The slave owner Gobler was still the same, gloomily lifeless.

However, when he heard Arthur wanted to see the Chultian, a flicker of something unusual crossed his face.

"Respected Arthur," he said with a hint of worry in his tone, "That fellow is currently the most outstanding gladiator I have."

"So?" Arthur asked calmly.

Gobler swallowed, glancing at the orc.

Recently, this former second-generation scion's reputation had been growing daily, and he was gaining momentum, showing a strong tendency to become Evil Wolf Earl's favorite son.

His deeds were constantly being sung and praised among the lower classes.

Gobler believed that most of it had been exaggerated to varying degrees.

But people loved such stories—a prodigal son returning, punishing evil and promoting good, saving the people, becoming a hero.

Therefore, faced with Arthur's request, Gobler was filled with worry that he would buy the Chultian.

"I'll take you to see him now," the slave owner said respectfully.

Even though he knew the other party's intention, he was powerless to resist.

After all, the current Arthur was not the Arthur of the past.

In a small room, Arthur met the Chultian.

He dismissed the slave owner—though the latter was very unwilling.

The Chultian and the orc embraced and greeted each other like brothers.

Everything started smoothly, however, when the orc stated the purpose of his visit, the Chultian flatly refused.

The orc was quite surprised, but Arthur was not surprised at all.

"May I ask why, brother?" the orc asked, puzzled, "You clearly said you wanted to leave here."

"I did say that," the Chultian did not deny this, "But I'm not planning to die yet.

"Sorry, Arthur, I'm too blunt."

He bowed skillfully and gracefully.

Arthur waved his hand, indicating it was fine.

The orc, however, persisted, "What about the so-called pursuit of freedom?"

The Chultian laughed loudly, "Forget that nonsense, brother.

"I'm doing very well now. As long as I win the matches, wine, food, women—anything I want, they can give me."

"But you will eventually grow old, and stronger people will emerge. You can't keep winning forever."

The orc's words made the Chultian's expression change slightly, but he quickly said nonchalantly, "Live for today.

"Besides, I must remind you, even if you leave the arena, you are still under someone else's control.

"What kind of freedom is that? It's just being enslaved in a different place."

"Take that back!" the orc said coldly, "He hasn't enslaved me; he's given me the utmost respect.

"You shouldn't insult him like that."

The Chultian raised his hands in surrender, "Alright, alright, I apologize. No need to get so angry, brother."

With nothing more to discuss, Arthur stood up to leave.

"Let's go, Drax. Everyone has their own aspirations; there's no need to force it."

"Arthur, please wait," the Chultian suddenly called out, "I can see you need some guards?"

Arthur stopped and looked at the gladiator, "Speak plainly; I don't like beating around the bush."

"It's like this, Arthur. A new batch of slaves just arrived this morning.

"Among them are quite a few Chultian children. If you're interested, you can train them to be guards."

"I need guards who can be used immediately, not children. I don't have time to train them slowly."

"Arthur, they are Chultians, born in the jungle, natural warriors.

"Otherwise, they wouldn't have lived to this age."

Arthur's understanding of Chult was limited to its terrifyingly dense jungles and the dinosaurs that roamed within them.

As for other customs and traditions, he knew very little.

Seeing Arthur interested, Brownskin continued, "Gobler asked me to select promising candidates from these Chultian children to train as gladiators in the future.

"16, 114, 29, 6, 45, 27. These are the numbers on those children; I believe they are worth training.

"I can see the unique wildness of the Chultians in them.

"Also, I haven't told Gobler about this yet, so you can buy them at the normal price."

"Why are you telling me this?" Arthur asked.

Brownskin glanced at the orc, "Consider it thanks for remembering me."

-----------------

It turned out that Brownskin had not lied.

Those six Chultian children were indeed extraordinary.

In the orc's words, they were like young beasts, exuding the fearlessness of a newborn calf.

"Six children, five boys and one girl," Gobler calculated the cost, "Two gold coins per boy, one and a half gold coins for the girl, totaling eleven and a half gold coins."

"Gobler, they are just children, yet you intend to sell them to me at an adult's price?" Arthur questioned.

"Arthur, you're picking Chultians. Chultians are hard to catch these days; the market is not what it used to be."

"Then perhaps I should inquire at other slave owners' places."

Gobler quickly changed his tune, "The price is negotiable, Arthur. How about a ten percent discount overall?"

Arthur weighed it in his mind and said, "Don't forget you said last time you'd give an eighty percent discount."

Gobler's mouth visibly twitched, but he finally nodded in agreement, "Alright, we're all about reputation, aren't we?"

And so, Arthur bought these six Chultian children for 8 gold and 5 silver.

As he couldn't gauge the children's thoughts, he decided not to remove their shackles yet.

As for how to train these "young beasts," he would leave that for Jessica to worry about.