Building A Human Empire By Creating A Clan [EN]: Chapter 20

Guided by Count Jeremy Dorin, I arrived in Turan after several days of travel.

Located in the northernmost part of Wallachia, this land suffered from perpetual dryness due to consistently low rainfall.

The lack of rain made farming difficult without irrigation systems.

Fortunately, enough rain fell to prevent complete desertification, allowing adequate grass growth for grazing.

I finished my dried apple, watching a flock of sheep cross the expansive pasture.

“Well… I understand why you didn’t conquer this place.”

Griff waved dismissively at a swirling dust storm.

“It’s barren land. Most of northern Wallachia is like this. But it’s not like farming is impossible. With proper irrigation, the land could improve quickly.”

“The problem is finding the labor to do it.”

Griff shrugged.

“Griff.”

Calliope’s tone was a clear reprimand.

She was likely pointing out that his flippancy was disrespectful to me.

Griff winced, feigning a shrinking posture, and offered a sly smile.

Calliope’s eyes flashed with a momentary warning before she concealed it, acting as if nothing had happened.

I chuckled at the exchange and continued.

“That’s right. That’s why northern Wallachia has so many pastures and a well-developed livestock farming industry.”

Livestock farming naturally led to the sale of byproducts like wool.

The thriving wool manufacturing and sales fostered the growth of guilds, increasing the influence of merchants.

“Merchants? That’s unusual. The lords must impose heavy tariffs.”

“Most do. But the Wallachian Council of Nobles sells tax exemption privileges.”

“Oh, that must be very expensive?”

“Extremely.”

The tax exemption privilege granted the right to be exempt from tariffs throughout the kingdom.

This right required unanimous consent from the Council of Nobles, meaning only a select few merchants who could bribe every noble in the country ever acquired it.

‘One of those merchants had a base in the north, including this place. The timeline is before the main story, but… considering his age, his influence must still be significant.’

The merchant’s name was Pinto.

Germania, which was more centralized than Wallachia, had fewer tariffs between lords.

Consequently, several merchant groups were directly run by the royal family or nobles, giving them considerable power.

Independent merchants without noble backing usually remained small-scale peddlers.

Wallachia was a country rife with irregularities because the Council of Nobles wielded more power than the monarchy.

Pinto was a unique, independent merchant born in such an environment.

‘A corrupt merchant who embodies all the worst aspects of the profession. He doesn’t hesitate to sell humans to orcs or goblins, and he readily instigates wars to sell weapons. He’s even managed to become a great noble through his wealth, despite his merchant background.’

His wickedness, coupled with his immense wealth—the greatest in the kingdom—meant that I encountered him in almost every playthrough.

‘Count Dorin’s behavior might be connected to him.’

In previous playthroughs, Pinto reigned as the de facto representative of the north, despite being a merchant.

Could Count Dorin, the lord of the north, have had no connection to someone like Pinto?

I entered Bodrum, the center of Turan, with deep suspicion.

“It’s chaotic.”

Beyond the wide-open gate, people bustled about in a frenzy.

“Because the lord is dead.”

It wasn’t just the lord who had died.

The retainers were all dead as well.

The only one who returned alive was the lord’s simple-minded brother.

And an unidentified companion to boot.

How could anyone remain calm in such a situation?

Even the gate guards had abandoned their posts and vanished.

“Good grief.”

Griff scratched his head.

‘There was no point in being so careful.’

I was referring to the illusion magic I had used to alter my appearance, just in case I ran into the Count.

‘Still, maintain the magic. There might be observers.’

‘Yes.’

We exchanged thoughts and passed through the gate.

Bodrum was relatively developed, being the location of the Dorin family’s manor.

It wasn’t quite a city, but the walls were made of stone, and a small town thrived within.

We secured lodging immediately and then toured the castle to assess the situation.

“Looking for something?”

After wandering around for a while, I found a smithy.

The smithy was located right next to the inner castle, and the sound of hammering echoed despite the surrounding commotion.

The blacksmith stopped hammering and straightened his back as we entered.

I picked up a pitchfork hanging on a pillar and tapped the iron teeth.

“Not bad. How many have you made?”

“That’s all. I can make more if you need them, but…”

“Hmm.”

I looked around the smithy.

Two young men who appeared to be apprentices were squatting in front of the furnace.

Their ash-covered faces were gaunt, and their eyes were bloodshot.

I turned back to the blacksmith and asked.

“Is the lord treating you well enough?”

The blacksmith frowned.

“What are you talking about? Out of nowhere.”

“The apprentices look terrible. I’m wondering if they’re getting fair treatment.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Buy something if you’re going to buy it, and get out if you’re not.”

The blacksmith scoffed and turned his back.

I immediately reached out and stopped Calliope.

Calliope lowered her hand from her waist, where she was likely reaching for a weapon.

‘The lord’s treatment isn’t bad.’

I had asked just in case, because the apprentices looked so hungry and exhausted.

Skilled professionals tend to be treated well regardless of the era, but what if they weren’t?

That would mean they were being treated unfairly, and I intended to suggest they relocate. However, the craftsman’s reaction indicated that the lord wasn’t the problem.

The craftsman’s personality was the cause of the apprentices’ exhaustion.

‘He’s using the apprentices as slaves.’

Because education is passed down in a rather unstructured way in this era.

The relationship between master and disciple varied greatly.

If the craftsman had a good personality, they would be treated like their own children.

If the craftsman had a bad personality, they would be treated like slaves and eventually kicked out.

‘It’s the downside of apprenticeship education.’

I looked at the apprentices, who were still squatting and glancing at me.

They must have sensed that I wasn’t an ordinary customer.

I examined them closely.

‘They enter as apprentices around the age of ten. These guys look like they’re in their mid-twenties at the very least.’

This age range was the period between apprenticeship and becoming a craftsman.

If they had luck, talent, and money, they would become young craftsmen.

If not, they would be kicked out by the craftsman, who would then seek a new apprentice.

I could see the anxiety in their eyes.

‘Looking at their calluses, it doesn’t seem like they’ve only been doing errands.’

I took a Germania gold coin and flicked it with my thumb.

The apprentices reflexively caught the flying gold coin and blinked in surprise.

Germania’s gold coins are large and of high purity.

Considering that apprentices don’t receive money but rather pay tuition or live as servants during that time, it must feel like they’ve been struck by a bolt of good fortune.

‘Even if they’re just apprentices, they seem capable enough considering their age.’

Hiring a craftsman would be ideal, but it’s realistically difficult.

As I said before, they are being treated well enough, so they won’t voluntarily migrate to the Great Plains unless there’s a very compelling reason.

On the other hand, it’s easy to tempt apprentices who are being treated poorly.

If their skills are a little lacking, I can teach them.

‘I don’t know how much the experience from previous playthroughs will help, but I should be able to give the apprentices advice. The memories are strangely clear. I think I can imitate a skilled worker.’

If that doesn’t work, I can just consider them as receiving immigrants.

“If you’re interested, come to the tavern with the fox sign.”

The apprentices looked back and forth between me and the gold coin, their eyes filled with a mixture of hope and apprehension.