Chapter 87 – Just Conferred (Start)
The news of Rumont becoming a Rank 3 Druid and being conferred Esquire, had rapidly spread throughout the whole town.
A large number of townsfolk came forward to congratulate him, as well as various Officials who he had never met. Within a night, Rumont had appeared to have become a upper society member of the town; becoming a dignitary.
Three days later, the conferment ceremony was held at the Earth Goddess Shrine; with the Baron and Eleni directing it.
An Esquire conferment was not as grand as a Knight.
The status of an Esquire in this world was slightly higher than autonomy and was most likely a retinue to Knights and nobles. If it was a military Esquire, they would follow a Knight into the battlefield and fight together by their side. If they obtained honour and military achievements then they could be promoted to a Knight.
Certainly, the age had developed into the current state, where the connotation of an Esquire was expanded. In general, most landowners that didn’t obtain Knight or above, would all possibly receive this title instead.
Hence, it was only during the conferment that Rumont knew, that this Lord Baron would also unexpectedly have this many Esquires!
On this morning, Rumont had especially changed into new clothings. At the time he had exited from his store, the surroundings had immediately erupted with cheering sounds. This was the townsfolk cheering for him. Amongst them were Nick and Fafnir who were the most excited.
Rumont promptly waved greetings to the townsfolk standing all around him. With a glance, the Mort couple, Merchant Banner, Commander Howard, and the other mercenaries were all waving with happy and admiring expressions.
Rumont took a few steps forward, passing through the crowd and arriving at the front of the Shrine. At this moment, he discovered a dozen people wearing relatively gorgeous clothings, all nodding their heads to Rumont. With another sweeping glance, he discovered that the Officials of the town had also attended.
Without a doubt, the most eye-catching was Captain Karel, he wore ceremonial clothing and carried a medal. The astute would see a mass of strongly condense power enveloping him———Rank 6, he was surprisingly Rank 6!
Rumont shivered.
Looking at the others, there were 4 Lieutenants. One of them included Lieutenant Richard that had once instructed him. There was also the Shrine’s guard, Chief Burke, Apothecarist Anson, Matron Madame Salin present.
The entire 50 soldiers of the Baron’s territory also appeared to be exceptionally smart; standing neat and orderly.
It was under such an atmosphere that Rumont went up the steps and entering the Shrine.
The Baron was already inside, naturally, Eleni was also there. She wore a pure white gown. When she walked it would flutter about and expose snow white thighs, and her chest was embroidered with a golden wheat ear; this was the symbol of the Agricultural Goddess. However, what was most eye-catching was the 3 silver lines underneath it; this was the marking of a Rank 3 Priest.
Eleni had already become a Rank 3 Priest, grasping onto the spells of Light Healing and Preliminary Ailment Recovery. This was the criteria of her being able to preside over a Shrine, getting rid of the word acting. Rumont couldn’t help but be happy for her.
Behind Rumont, a large amount of people with a bit of status or influence in the town, had all entered. They had a tacit understanding to respectively stand on either side of the Shrine.
“Lord Baron!” Rumont first saluted to the Baron.
“Rumont, you’ve come. Since it’s like this, then we’ll begin!” said the Baron. He took his gaze off the emblem on Rumont’s body which represented he was a Rank 3 Druid and gave a look at Eleni.
This kid has surprisingly became a Rank 3 Druid, this speed is too fast!
“Alright. Respected Lord Vegas1, please bear witness.” Eleni took a glance towards a Priest in a black gown. This was not a Priest of the Agricultural Goddess, instead he was of the Law and Contract God, Sardite2.
“Complying with the instructions of my Lord and abiding the law, I pledge for a fair contract!” Vegas conducted a short prayer before then nodding his head, indicating to start.
The Baron was expressionless, he only asked: “Rumont, are you willing to come into my service in accordance with the established contract?”
Rumont simply said: “I’m willing!”
Finished, he bowed to the Baron. The pair even embraced each other for a moment.
Afterwards, the Baron then held a small tree branch emblem to confer Rumont the land title; thereupon concluding the ceremony.
The process was quite simple. Priest Vegas had said nothing, and only used his eyes to record this brief process. At the very end, he signed his name on the document, to indicate the witnessing and confirmation.
“Does anyone have an objection?” the Baron asked loudly in accordance with the custom of conferment.
“None!” the surrounding people all spoke.
They then witnessed the Baron speak: “since it’s like this, then that concludes it!”
Just as the voice receded, the sounding of cheers occurred both interiorly and exteriorly of the Shrine.
Afterwards, the Baron expressed that his health was unwell, which was why he had departed. Seeing the Baron gradually lead the group of Officials away, many people then relaxed, beginning to gather up and gossip.
Under public view, Eleni did not say much. She only spoke a few words and also withdrew.
“Rumont, how about we go?”
Rumont turned his head and saw that it was Merchant Banner. He had already cooperated with this Merchant a good few times now.
“Alright, let’s have a chat!” He and Rumont exited from the Shrine, walking unhurriedly: “Banner, do you have any matters?”
Rumont asked, in truth his mind had long already counted on it, this Merchant was evidently moved by his land title of Esquire.
It was precisely as he had anticipated, Banner asked: “Rumont, your piece of land, how big is it exactly?”
“Mm, with the ruins as the centre, the surrounding 2 kilometres are mine. Only, the vicinity is all forest.”
“An area of two kilometres, if it’s not too desolate it’s almost the same as a Knight title; you could establish a village. Rumont, I only wish to ask, how are you going to handle this piece of land?” Banner asked.
“Banner, all I want for my very first step, is to repair the ruins a bit and removing all the rubble in the ruins. Honestly, the abandoned Shrine would be a stable fort if it was renovated a bit.” Rumont smiled and said: “secondly eh, I want to construct a batch of cabins on either side of the Shrine, first establishing about 5 or so!
“Oh, hearing from Nick’s and Fafnir’s family, they’re all prepared to relocate to your territory?” Banner speedily gave Rumont a look and said: “has the Lord agreed to it yet?”
“Paying 100 gold coins, he agreed. From now on they’re no longer directly belonging to the Feudal Lord, but instead to me!” Rumont spoke: “other than housings, I also need to construct a wooden fencing enclosure, I also want to construct a two-storied inn, allowing Fafnir’s mother to manage. The wayside Adventurers can also temporarily rest there or perhaps purchase some medicines.”
Regarding Rumont’s words, Banner repeatedly nodded his head: “establishing a temporary resting supply station there is indeed excellent!”
“I hope that you can undertake these things. I know you have your ways!” Rumont spoke neither overbearing nor servitude, it was only business.
“Certainly, I’ll take care of it. I can promise it’ll be done.” after a pause, Banner’s expression had become more solemn. After looking left and right a bit, he approached Rumont and softly asked: “Rumont, you’re already a Rank 3 Druid? I heard you want to make a greenhouse. If this is true, can you explain it in detail to me?”
Rumont slowed his steps, after pondering a moment he spoke: “Banner, it’s true, I’m already a Rank 3 Druid and also want to construct a greenhouse. However, I presume you’re quite aware, this kind of project is of an enormous expenditure; no need to mention that the cost of Daylight Crystals alone is absurd.”
The market price of a Daylight Crystal was about 300 gold coins.
Banner of course caught onto Rumont’s hidden meanings, he slightly wrinkled his brows. After another while, he resolved his mind and spoke: “how are you planning it then? I want to hear the specifics. If it’s possible, I’m willing to invest a portion!”
This youth was a Rank 3 Druid, this kind of speed really frightened him as well as excited him———a genius!
Rumont’s mind was extremely happy, he seized the opportunity to say: “Banner, in honest this isn’t what’s critical. You know, even though I progress really fast, but because I don’t have a teacher for guidance, I don’t have a firm basic knowledge of a Druid. If I aimlessly create a greenhouse, the risk is honestly too great. It’s a big loss to both me and you in case we fail. My first consideration is to first clean up the ruins, getting an enclosure, inn and housings built up. This way, there’ll be profits.”
“Currently it’s almost the end of the 5th month, just enough for an enclosure, plowing and tilling the land, dig out trenches, getting rid of the grasslands. Furthermore, wild grasses can be harvested from the fertile fields and be dried out as hay. There’s also the matter of buying two farm cattles, several pigs and sheeps, several chickens and ducks. When the 10th month arrives, I can then start planting winter wheat.”
Banner repeatedly nodded his head towards these words. Rumont was quite young in years, but considered matters like a calm veteran. After a calculation, these were no small amount of business. He thus said: “not bad. You can relax, I’ll help invite workers for you to get the enclosure, housing and inn constructed for you. As for cows, sheeps and other tools, you also don’t need to worry. As for your foundation, I wish to find Druids, it’s still possible to use some money to find a group of Druids cultivating in systematic fundamentals.”
“If you say it like that, then there’s no problems right. I’ve already learnt some basics as a Druid. Currently, I’m a Rank 3 Druid, if I get a bit serious then in half a year, which would be about the 11th month, I could possibly finish studying the entire basics.” Rumont said: “at that time, we can then build the greenhouse. The ruins below have an expanded underground room, we don’t need to build it. So long as we have a complete set of Daylight Crystals, cultivate the soil and we it can be done. Although there’s no altar of Nature, the difference is slight, but we can supplement it in other ways.”
Banner’s expression was grave as he repeatedly nodded. All along, this youth’s performance and record had already thoroughly eliminated any uncertainties, he was entirely convincing; the youth in front of him was indeed qualified to obtain his investment.
Rumont saw that Banner was already entirely convinced, he then lowered his voice and said: “honestly, I’ve obtained an esoteric of some figure, which is why I have new medicines. If the greenhouse is built then I can greatly increase the production.”
Banner’s heart quickened at once, he had heard about these new medicines early on, only it was pity that commercially it was too few, it was barely enough to meet the needs of the town; it simply couldn’t be marketed to the cities. Hearing this though, he urgently said: “so it’s like that, Rumont, so long as you’re able to give me the entire selling rights, I’ll take shoulder of all the other matters.”
Rumont smiled and said: “Mister Banner, I’ll only make the medicines. As to how to use and market it, it’ll entirely be left to you. Also, the construction process, I won’t go. Even though starting a farmland is neither considered to be a violation of Nature, but I still can’t go to the scene, so I won’t go.”
Hearing this, Banner couldn’t help but raise his brows in delight, eyes laughing.
Bo~ 
Thanks!
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