Chapter 72

Chapter 13, Episode 19 of Temball

Piaro became a legendary farmer?

Ridiculous speculation. No, this is almost at the level of delusion. It's a plot twist that can't be found even in a third-rate web novel filled with hate comments.

'Piaro, who dreamed of becoming a swordsman, couldn't have suddenly become a farmer, right?'

The reason Piaro increases the probability of a bountiful harvest is simply because,

'He must have acquired the skill to cause a bountiful harvest while enjoying farming as a hobby.'

This was a reasonable assumption.

Piaro was a versatile character, so it wasn't impossible.

'I really did have some absurd delusions.'

He was afraid that Jude, who was passing by, might mock him.

Grid, who let out a self-deprecating smile, regained his composure. Then he observed Piaro and Asmofel.

They would need some time alone.

"Let's give them some space."

When Grid signaled, the Temball team followed him. Damian was also with them.

Piaro and Asmofel, who were left alone, began a long conversation.

That day, the two made a pledge.

To the Duke Grid, who resolved the misunderstanding with his friend and revealed the true target of revenge.

They vowed eternal loyalty to him, who saved them from hell.

***

On the way to the castle.

The magnificent scenery of the greatly developed Raydan captivated Grid's attention.

'Now, it's definitely better than Biraan.'

But it's still far behind Winston.

The scale was more than twice the combined size of the two cities, but the overall facility level was only at the level of a small town.

The problem was the small population.

Even with the best administrator, Rabbit, active, the lack of manpower slowed down the development speed.

"Rauel, have you come up with a plan to solve the population problem?"

"Just as you did, I plan to relocate persecuted minority groups from all over the empire."

He was referring to the Ul people.

However, this method had clear limitations.

The Temball team would have to work too hard, and there was a high possibility of conflict with the empire.

"Is there no way to naturally increase the population?"

"That's..."

Grid didn't know yet, but thanks to the attack by the seven guilds, Raydan became famous worldwide.

Indeed, many people were showing interest and goodwill towards Raydan.

Rauel was confident that at this very moment, many players were trying to immigrate to Raydan.

But the entry barrier was too high.

It was uncertain how many of them would actually reach Raydan.

"It's not good to think too hastily. First, complete the mine development and connect the roads, then the deployment of troops will be easier, and the number of monsters will gradually decrease... Until then, we can only wait patiently."

"How is the progress of the mine development?"

"There is a lack of specialized personnel. Especially, it's difficult to secure miners. It will likely take longer than expected."

"Miners..."

If he could train the mineral detector Miner as a miner, it would be ideal, but the search for Phabraenium comes first.

It was too much to immediately deploy Miner in the mine.

'I shouldn't be too anxious. More importantly, why is Miner so silent?'

Miner, who was on a mission to discover the golem's labyrinth in the west.

I'm worried that he might have run into trouble and fallen into danger.

No, that cunning guy wouldn't be so easily caught.

'I should avoid unnecessary worries.'

Grid changed the topic.

"By the way, Rauel, do other guilds already have knight orders?"

"Knight orders? I think many of them do. After forming a specific organization within the guild and naming it a knight order, it becomes one. Well, they're easy to mass-produce."

From the way he spoke casually, it seemed he didn't know that the knight order system existed separately.

'Might I be the first to become the true owner of a knight order?'

Probably so.

Named NPCs aren't just anyone.

'The first knight order...'

In Satisfy, the meaning of being the first is significant.

There were often special benefits for being the first to achieve a certain accomplishment.

'What kind of benefits will I receive?'

Grid's heart began to race again. But he was never lax.

To prevent the hardships and disappointments he experienced countless times due to his lack of caution in the past, he always maintained an appropriate level of tension.

"I'm glad you returned safely."

"His Grace, Duke Grid! Welcome!"

At the entrance of the castle.

Rabbit, the administrator, and Jude, who had received the news of Grid's arrival, were already there to greet him.

Equipped with the Great Lord's sword, Grid observed them and smiled.

'They've also developed.'

Rabbit, the administrator, had significantly improved his intelligence and political power stats, and Jude had grown in strength and stamina.

This revealed how faithfully they had performed their roles.

"I appreciate your hard work while I was away."

Grid patted the shoulders of the two.

Rabbit, the administrator, humbly bowed his head, and Jude, like a bull, snorted in joy.

Now, with them, Grid entered the castle.

A thousand soldiers, standing in formation with tension, saluted in unison.

"Hero of the nation! Sun of Raydan! We greet His Grace, the great Duke Grid!"

"Salute!!"

The resounding cries shook the inner castle.

Grid's eyes sparkled as he observed them.

'They can stand up to the empire's soldiers.'

Their growth was tremendous.

It was evidence that Jude's brutal training methods, which caused desertions, were highly effective.

The power of the <I Have No Thoughts (SS-)> skill.

Jude's (ab)use of the skill, which involved mercilessly overworking the soldiers without a care, made Grid smile.

A man who had been watching him closely had his eyes gleam.

It was Damian.

'This is the moment!'

Since Grid's arrival in Raydan.

Damian, who had been waiting for the right moment to greet him, finally seized the opportunity.

Right now, when Grid looked happy!

"Lord Grid! It's been a long time!"

Damian stepped forward to greet him.

His nervousness was evident, but he was trying his best to act respectfully towards the great benefactor, Grid.

He knelt on one knee and bowed deeply.

Grid asked.

"Who are you?"

"Huh."

A completely unexpected reaction.

"Do you not even remember me?"

Damian's face fell.

Seeing his disappointed expression, Grid tilted his head.

From Grid's perspective, Damian was just an extra during the Pope Raid, and it was impossible to remember him.

It had been a long time ago, after all.

Unable to recall him, Damian formally introduced himself.

"I am Damian, the Holy Knight of the Rebecca Church and the Goddess's Representative. About 1 year and 2 months ago in Satisfy time, when you raided Pope Drevego, I was the one who cast buffs on you."

"Oh."

Only then did Grid remember Damian.

A geeky Holy Knight.

At the time, he didn't know, but now, looking back, this guy's buffing ability was truly amazing.

"I remember. But why are you here?"

Do you want to join the Temball team?

To Grid's expectation, Damian bowed deeply.

"Please save Lady Isabelle!"

"Isabelle?"

Who is that?

'Ah, I remember.'

One of Rebecca's daughters. A spearwoman with particularly dazzling platinum blonde hair.

'Is something wrong with her?'

No, but why are you asking me to save her?

'Ah, I see.'

Grid's spine tingled as he remembered.

'Raphael's Spear.'

The divine-grade weapon that Pagma had sealed for Rebecca's daughters.

I was the one who broke the seal.

And I left it unattended and came back.

'Damn it.'

Isabelle must be dying because of me.

Grid's expression turned uncomfortable as he realized the situation.

He felt guilty for putting someone in a life-threatening situation and was worried that Damian might demand compensation.

'I don't even have money.'

To the anxious Grid, Damian made another plea.

"I will give you all my wealth! Please... please save Lady Isabelle!!"

"Huh?"

I thought he would demand compensation, but instead, he offered to pay? And with all his wealth?

'A philanthropist?'

Grid, who was bewildered, received a whisper from Rauel.

-Damian is a papal candidate. What if you help him and give him your support? If he becomes the Pope, Raydan can form an alliance with the powerful Rebecca Church. The benefits would be immeasurable.

'A papal candidate...'

In fact, Grid had already intended to help Damian.

Most importantly, he felt guilty towards Isabelle, and also,

'Raphael's Spear.'

A divine-grade item.

It was a golden opportunity to observe it in detail.

'Finally.'

He could now create a replica of a divine-grade item.

Better than a failed work. Perhaps, an item surpassing Pagma's works could be born.

A smile spread across Grid's lips.

"How much?"

"Huh?"

Grid, who had been silent, asked a random question, making Damian flustered.

Confused, Damian received a frustrated response from Grid.

"You said you'd give all your wealth to seal Raphael's Spear. How much is that?"

You have to take what you can get.

This isn't greed. It would be foolish to miss an opportunity to gain an advantage unless you're a fool.

'I've been a fool enough times in the past.'

Damian cautiously replied.

"The amount I have prepared is 530,000 gold..."

Including his savings.

"Hmm."

How much is that in Korean currency?

'636 million won...'

While Grid was calculating in his head,

Feeling uneasy at Grid's lack of response, Damian quickly added.

"H, however, if I sell my mansion, I can prepare an additional 1.2 million gold!"

"Mansion?"

"Yes! A small mansion I own in Tokyo, Japan!"

'He's willing to sell his real-world home to save an NPC?'

The Grid of the past would have mocked Damian as a fool.

But not now.

Aileen, Kan, Piaro.

Having experienced them, Grid had a special affection for NPCs, and he felt a sense of kinship with Damian.

'This guy has a good heart.'

I like him.

That's not all.

Damian is a papal candidate. His potential to become the Pope must be considered.

'I should think about the future relationship rather than the immediate money.'

If I do him a favor now, it will be a great help to me in the future.

"I'll take 530,000 gold."

"Huh?"

Damian knew how greedy Grid was.

He expected Grid to take advantage of his desire to save Lady Isabelle, repeatedly pushing and pulling, and eventually extort an enormous amount of money.

He was even prepared to sell his organs.

But he was wrong. Grid wasn't that evil. He was rather benevolent.

"Thank you! Really, thank you!!"

To think he would help so readily!

Damian, moved to tears, was overwhelmed.

Grid, who seemed like an angel to him, was willing to save Lady Isabelle, who was suffering at that very moment.

Meanwhile, Grid was excited.

'To get the opportunity to observe a divine-grade weapon and even receive money for it...'

It felt like finding a wad of cash while on the way to claim a lottery prize.