Sorcery Monarch

Chapter 26: The True Purpose

Chapter 26: The True Purpose

The rising sun illuminated the verdant wilderness.

In the fields by the northern riverbank of the village, where spring planting was about to begin, faint weeds were growing.

More and more people gathered at the northern village entrance.

The buzzing noise of conversation filled the air.

Many were attracted by the hiring announcement.

Others watched from the sidelines, having finished their fishing gear repairs but not believing in this so-called hiring.

In their view, most nobles only knew how to exploit them by collecting more taxes.

Still, they were happy to watch the commotion.

Since spring planting hadn't started, they had nothing else to do.

The villagers of Bay Village were not wealthy, having just survived a winter, and most wore gaunt expressions.

They wore coarse linen clothes patched in multiple places. What attracted them might not be the daily wage of five copper coins, but the promise of a hearty meal.

In stark contrast to the noisy crowd were the cart pushers who had arrived with the caravan.

They were all robust, with proud smiles on their faces.

Having been arranged to rest in wooden cabins outside the lord's manor last night, none of them wanted to leave despite their lack of freedom.

Steward Ralph sat at the long table, with Old John and Captain Sean by his side, while the village elder Field, whose hair was streaked with gray, introduced the villagers to him.

All the caravan members lined up, except for a few soldiers stationed at the lord's manor.

Several wagons filled with goods were placed on both sides, attracting the curiosity of the young ones.

Steward Ralph nodded at Old John, who then used all his strength to shout in a booming voice:

"Quiet!"

The noise instantly stopped!

What really made the crowd listen wasn't the fully armed soldiers, nor Old John's burly physique.

It was the box of shiny copper coins by Ralph's hand!

Clink, clink!

Steward Ralph picked up a handful of copper coins and gently tossed them onto the table, and the clinking sound of those bouncing coins captured everyone's attention.

Done!

Steward Ralph nodded to the people behind the long table, then handed out the prepared paper and pens, breaking the silence with a clear voice:

"The purpose of gathering everyone today is that the lord wants to repair the village's defensive walls."

"Anyone between the ages of 16 and 60, regardless of gender, can register and sign up."

"Each person will be paid five copper coins a day, wages paid daily, with a hearty lunch provided. The work will last half a month, and for every day finished early, each person will receive an additional five copper coin bonus!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire village of Bay erupted in excitement.

"Regardless of gender? Is that for real?"

"If the wages are paid daily, the most we lose is one day's work..."

"Why can't people over 60 work?"