Chapter 126: Who’s Black?
To maintain a healthy development model, they must clarify their respective positions. The lord cannot reverse-nurture the subjects, nor does he have the time and energy for that.
Perhaps Anse spoke too vaguely; the crowd whispered among themselves and discussed for a long time, yet none dared to ask again.
“I’ll give you half an hour to consider. Once you’ve decided, bring your luggage and come find me.” Anse dismounted, had Nolnos wait at the door, and entered the guild hall himself.
The halfling hurriedly followed, arranging for tea and pastries to be served.
“How much?” Anse toyed with the Scepter of Sanctuary, smiling at the halfling.
“The previous deposit is enough. You’ve given everyone a way to live; how could we charge you more?” The halfling straightened up, stroked his mustache, and looked very serious.
“You’re quite righteous.” Anse laughed, without pointing it out.
He was recruiting tenants, free people. The stonemason guild was essentially an agency, with very low fees, so giving a personal favor wouldn’t cost much.
Conveniently, he hadn’t brought his bag of holding, so no charge would save some expenses.
At this time, the refugees began entering one after another.
Anse had them wait to the side. Before long, all sixty-two people had come in.
They looked uneasy. Their willingness to believe Anse was half due to recognition of Dulag’s official status, and half from awe of spellcasters.
Most mage lords had far higher integrity than ordinary nobles!
“Lend me your place for a bit. Irrelevant people leave first.” Anse looked at the mustached halfling.
The halfling instantly understood that he and the staff were the “irrelevant people.” He had no choice but to lead them away, thoughtfully closing the large door behind.
Anse raised his scepter, pointing at the crowd: “Everyone, pick up your things. Do not resist my spell. I’ll take you away from here.”
The crowd did as told, their expressions uneasy.
Once they were ready, Anse activated the Scepter of Sanctuary, applying the Paradise Seal to everyone, then initiated the teleport.
A flash of light and shadow passed, and everyone vanished from the spot one after another.
Six-fingered Luding felt his vision blur, his body plunged into dizziness, unable to see or hear, feeling nauseous. But compared to the physical discomfort, his heart was even more terrified, as if it would jump out of his chest.
‘Am I dying? Is he the legendary black mage who experiments on living people?’
After an unknown time, light flooded his vision, his senses returned. He staggered a few steps and collapsed onto the soft soil. Green grass stretched before him, the air fresh, but the surrounding vomiting sounds ruined this natural beauty.
Lifting his head, a massive black tower loomed into view, towering and solemn. He recoiled in fright a few steps, and with a crunch underfoot, he looked down to see a skeleton. His expression froze.
“Black…”
Anse held his breath and stepped back a few paces. He hadn’t expected ordinary people to handle even this level of dizziness. Fortunately, he’d teleported them to the plaza outskirts, or the newly repaired plaza would be ruined again.
A minute later, seeing everyone recover, he stepped forward.
“Luding—” He pointed at the middle-aged man and called.
“Ah, mage sir!” Luding jolted, dropping to his knees with a thud, trembling all over.
“Uh, no need to kneel.” Anse was somewhat puzzled.
There were no birdsong here, but there was floral fragrance, and the natural scenery was beautiful. Shouldn’t they be delighted?
“From now on, you’re the village chief, responsible for site selection and village building. It’s neither cold nor hot here, no natural disasters, no fierce beasts or enemies. You can plant anytime.
See the treants and kobolds over there? They’ll help you clear the land, so no rush. Settle down first.” Anse instructed.
Hearing Anse’s words, Luding’s emotions gradually stabilized. He slowly stood, then spotted the treants and kobolds nearby and shuddered in shock.
“We… don’t have handy tools, and we didn’t bring much…” He took deep breaths, trying to offer some suggestions.
Anse had anticipated this and reassured him: “The person in charge isn’t here now. When he arrives, he’ll find you. If you need anything later, go to the black tower to find him. He’ll handle procurement. Clearing tools are free, but food and such at market price, with credit available…”
He planned to have Brat open a general shop on the first floor of the black tower, selling goods not produced internally, like tools, grain, medicine, etc. As long as it didn’t lose money.
Once more people arrived, move the shop outside the black tower. The black tower was his exclusive territory; non-core personnel couldn’t enter freely.
“Mm mm…” Luding’s mind was in chaos, only able to nod.
“Get familiar with the place. I have other matters.” Anse waved, his figure vanished, teleporting back to the stonemason guild.
Compared to clearing land and farming, he preferred fighting monsters and leveling up. Leave logistics to Brat.
At the stonemason guild, Anse opened the door, signaling the mustached halfling could enter.
The halfling’s foot had just touched the floor when his body froze in place. Staring at the empty hall, he looked at Anse in shock and disbelief.
Anse’s expression unchanged—with his current strength, ordinary people wouldn’t dare provoke him even knowing he had valuables.
Besides, to most people, spellcasters were mysterious, and they didn’t understand what teleportation meant.
“I’m off. Continue the recruitment; you won’t miss out on the money.” Anse patted the halfling’s shoulder.
The halfling forced a smile, saying nothing. Until he confirmed those people were safe, he wouldn’t help recruit more.
“Anse?”
A shout full of surprise reached Anse’s ears, sending a chill down his spine. He inexplicably recalled the previous encounter with Matthew.
Right now, it was just like then—same time, same place.
He spun around to see a group gathered at the door watching him, travel-worn, mixed races, somewhat disheveled, yet eyes full of delight.
“Anse, I knew it was you!” A weathered voice carried exhaustion, yet relief.
“Salian, Kalenno…” Anse exclaimed, hurrying over, inwardly thrilled. He never expected to meet Salian and the others here.
A petite figure threw off her cloak and ran a few steps, rushing toward him: “Brother Anse—”
Anse scooped up Little Clara, heartbroken at the scratches and tear stains on her face.
“I thought I’d never see you again, waa…” Little Clara clung tightly to his neck, her little nose twitching, one blue and one purple eye brimming with tears.
“It’s okay now, it’s okay…” Anse soothed softly.
Salian led the group into the hall, over forty people packing the not-so-large guild full.
The mustached halfling took one look and knew he was again “irrelevant personnel.” He quietly led the staff away, inwardly praying that the previous scene of joyful reunion turning to slaughter wouldn’t repeat.
Anse glanced around: Dara, Kafka, Colin… familiar faces all still there. Some injured, but no losses.
Even breathing came to his ears. He turned to see Little Clara had fallen asleep on his shoulder.
“Sigh…” Salian sighed, eyes somewhat guilty. “It was my insistence on coming here that made them suffer so much.”
“It was everyone’s decision.” Kalenno emphasized, voice hoarse.
His handsome face was grimy, messy hair disheveled, his former dashing air gone.
“Why not go to Beregost?” Anse asked doubtfully.
Salian gave a bitter smile and explained: “We were going to, but midway we perceived Amn people amassing troops…”
That night, after landing, they didn’t enter the city but traveled through the night straight to Beregost.
With many people and professionals, plus First Mate Colin’s owl Guli scouting, they encountered no dangers midway.
Nearing Beregost, they perceived Amn people assembling forces, with strict city entry checks, so they didn’t enter. After discussion, they decided to skirt the Toothed Forest edge straight to Dulag.
It was a helpless choice, as the【 Quesser】 had fought Amn people the most. As captain, Salian was hated by countless Amn people; exposure meant death for all.
Dulag, known as Adventurer City, became their only option.
Fortunately, many refugees were fleeing; they joined a merchant caravan. They suffered hardships but no life-threatening crises.
After entering the city, they planned to settle, but heard talk of today’s events. Salian felt it was Anse and Nolnos, led the group along the main street, and spotted Nolnos at once.
“How did you get here so much faster than us?” Salian was equally surprised.
“I flew here.” Anse chuckled. “Now you have two choices: find an inn to stay, or go temporarily to my territory.”
“Ah, you have territory?” Kalenno asked in surprise.
“Of course. Call me Lord Hollewen.
