Chapter 79 Problems And Solutions

"Well, think about it for the time being," Aion said. "I will return in one week."

It was early in the morning, and it was usually the time most people would take the water that they needed from the wells. Still, Aion headed to one of them to create as much water as possible. It was training to help the town, but some people frowned and thought that he didn't have anything better to do. Still, Aion ignored that for a while and meditated until the captain of the guards showed up.

"My lord, forgive my rudeness for not going to report to you sooner," the captain of the guards said. "My name is Jairo, and I assumed that you were only a kid not worth of my time. I will accept any punishment for that affront."

"Is that so?" Aion asked. "Then go to the other villages and tell them that the bandits and monsters that have been plaguing this area have been dealt with. That is all for the time being."

"I will send the messengers immediately," Jairo said.

"People won't trust that information if someone unknown tells them that," Aion said. "I am telling you to use your influence to make people rest assured while knowing that it is completely true."

Actually, Aion was just telling to get out of his way, but he had a point. If someone annoying but respectable passes the news, it will be easier for others to believe.

"Understood, my lord," Jairo said.

Aion realized that he couldn't trust the people of that territory to build the kind of place he wanted. They were loyal to the Kresnik family, and he was the youngest son. He will never be the head, and while now he has a good relationship with his father and half brothers, most people related to them will never be loyal to him. So, Aion had to find his loyal soldiers in another way. He started in a strange way, with bandits, but it couldn't be helped.

After Jairo left, Aion worked on that job until noon, and he told his mother what had happened and what he had learned. She also believed in the news, so they could move to the next steps.

"I asked Berthan to talk with some people in the Town. There are some important topics that you should discuss with them regarding commerce, structure, and taxes on the capital," Artemisia said. "You will have to deal with them personally since I am not from here, and it will be better if people don't start to think that I am helping you too much."

"I guess that makes sense…" Aion said. "What do I need to know before that?"

Artemisia filled in Aion about the most important subjects that needed to be dealt with. The minor problems could be solved later. All in all, Aion just has to tell them later to be more active with their work to make things more efficient.

During that week, Aion talked with a lot of people in the town that was responsible for many things. While telling them how they should approach certain things, he also heard from them what they thought about the situation in the town. The things that they were satisfied with, the things they were unsatisfied with, what could change and what they didn't want to change. The only problem that he was unable to find a solution to was about the fishermen's business… There was a group of abandoned huts near the river that had been left behind by the previous owners years ago. Due to some invasion… he needed to get some recruits to fish there.

As one would expect, people from different fields had different thoughts. However, in a certain aspect, they were feeling the same way: the town stopped on time, and things hadn't improved in decades. The reason was insecurity… The bandits were a problem, but the invasion was the worst thing that made people avoid the territory. Unfortunately, that was something that Aion couldn't work on right now.

During that week, Aion also trained his magic as much as possible while filling the wells. It didn't feel like he changed things that much, but he felt that he was making progress, if anything.

Mage Lv 20

Health: 04/04

Mana: 252/252

Stamina: 04/04

Strength: 01

Dexterity: 01

Magic: 96 + 20

Endurance: 01

Resistance: 01 + 10

Speed: 01

Status: 00

Magic Staff Refinement Lv 10

Bonuses: Magic + 20, Resistance + 10

Skills: Fireball Lv 01, Ice Arrow Lv 01

Passive: Meditation Lv 25 (Efficiency Lv 67)

Improvement Points: 0

Accumulated Experience: 0

Coins: 77.230

Inventory:

Absorption: 0/1000

Processing: 0/1000

Reset

Refining the Magic Staff was possible with gold, high-quality wood, and gems. So, Aion didn't have many chances to improve it. Still, he could do four times more compared to what he could a week ago, and that was progress.

"I guess I should talk with them and then head to the villages… Mom should come as well. Even if she doesn't leave the carriage, we can stop along the way," Aion thought.

After a while, Aion reached the prison, and once again, he found the guards lazing around. They got nervous, but they didn't know that Aion doesn't waste his time scolding slackers.

"Hello again. After thinking for a week, what have you guys decided?" Aion asked.

The prisoners looked at each other… they still looked uneasy and had some doubts as well. They might as well waste five years working for a highborn brat from their perspective, but if they don't accept, they can be hanged, beheaded, burned at the stake at his whim, and no one will pity them.

"If we accept, how will things be?" Rarth asked. "Will we have to return to the prison and sleep here every day?"

"I suppose that would be uncomfortable," Aion rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You guys have a decent number, so using one of the inns won't be a good solution. The people of the town won't be happy if you live nearby, and I bet you guys won't like either… Come to think of it. There are some huts near the river…"