Chapter 341 - I want Grandchildren!!

With September breaking a couple of days ago, light to a slight mystery has been shed upon. The word is about the 247 people that were supposed to be sent here in Gaster Kingdom 2 months ago.

Apparently, the reason why they weren't send was to shorten travel expenses. You wouldn't expect authorities to spend an extra few hundred gold coins for people without a proper skill.

The King explains that right before the homeless were about to be sent, over a hundred more reached down in Lav Kingdom due to the news of a better opportunity here in Ignis. Apparently the homeless people spread the word when they had time to wait.

Spending 2 medium sized sh.i.p.s on 347 people sounded like a bad move because the King wanted to use one only. It wouldn't be comfortable but it would be cheaper, no one is getting paid for this after all.

So without asking if Ignis wants more or not, they just waited until the homeless numbers increased so sending two sh.i.p.s would be worth while. It might sound irresponsible for the King not to ask, but Ignis is facing major under population problems.

The talk about the war and smaller revolutions behind it even reached the Zamerian's ears. So they just figured that sending more would help them, and using the opportunity the Ignites would likely ask for more.

You might be asking how much they have sent here? 500! 500 clean and clear, not one less and not one more. In Gaster Kingdom where the population stood around 320 before these people arrived, this is but a blessing. Even though these people are experiencless, they can be put in to use.

Now with the population bustling at 830, they can invest a good portion at the Army. Gaster Kingdom only remains with 30 Guards, they are very Vulnerable protection wise and could use an Army build up.

With the recent fail, it is unlikely for the ill.u.s.tratian Alliance to send another Army here but it is better to be prepared for them before time, because eventually they will be strong enough to launch another attack, now they just are strong enough to prevent future attacks upon their domains.

100 of these people are converted in to Guards, and put under training of the Grand Master Woldemir. They will have a good fate and finally feel useful, due to the fact that he doesn't let anyone grow weak.

As for pay-wise, the Kingdom can't afford to suddenly pay 100 new recruits. So King Michael asked sympathy from them, free food, housing and warmth will be provided to these people without doubt salaries will be held back for a few months until he can establish a better source of income.

A pay is guaranteed for these recruits, along with anyone who would work here but it won't be instant. It didn't neccesarily cause trouble, because these people came from villages with food scarce and ended up homeless.

Food and Warmth is what they pursued, and when it is handed to them for free now most wouldn't be putting up a debate. Especially when he told them that they won't have to pay for food if their salaries are under 200 gold coins.

A war won't be happening any time soon against Wide River Kingdom either, sure they deserve it since they tried to claim this Kingdom at a l.u.s.t for Gold. But Gaster Kingdom can't afford losing more people even after this large population increase.

Most actually adored King Michael almost instantly, the offers he made aren't too bad. But you might ask, with different languages in place and understanding towards each other being zero with zero, how did he communicate with these Zamerian people?

Easy! This time, the King there at Lav Kingdom send down a translator as well. This translator isn't an Ignite, but a Zamerian who studied the languages in Ignis so business deals can be made. His importance is great and he indeed gets a good pay, you can tell by all the Guards following him.

So with this kind translator's help, the 500 people here were helped to settle in. The Kingdom has enough houses for each of these people to settle in, it helped that some families counted up to 10 people.

Of course the King ordered a few men to refurbish the old abandoned houses, and due to the 70 Guards lost in war around 10 houses were free as well. So with 100 houses to their clear disposal, the 500 people managed to put their heads under a nice comfy roof.

Food won't be a problem either, because apart from all the fish here multiplying due to the 30 Farmers putting in work and the 230 Hectares of wheat in the process of being harvested, they can feed the entire population of Gaster Kingdom two meals a day year around and still end up having 10-15% of the food supply left.

If all salaries can raise over 200 before the next harvest, there would be even more food left. And what is best, the fishing projects which are a huge part of the Kingdom's income won't be harmed.

Apart from the army, 50 of these men were instantly sent to the newly build forges! Yes forges, with the help of some Blacksmiths at Pameres Kingdom they've built 5 forges here outside of the Kingdom walls, specifically to the left walls where other operations can't be harmed.

Of course there was no need to wait this long to set a few Blacksmith teams, but he wanted to put all these people in to use. Originally 30 Blacksmiths were supposed to be set on these Forges, but since the Kingdom has the capability, why not put 50 in the task. It only equals to more income.

The experienced Blacksmiths are putting in work to build new forges with the limited resources, building 5 more would equal to the 50 being less restrained so that's their task for now.

Of course their time spent here is well paid, they will be here for 6 months and the fee at the end will be 20 thousand gold coins. Lending Blacksmiths for free would no longer be appropriate, and Pameres Kingdom can spare 5 Blacksmiths here due to all the recent recruitments there.

Blacksmithery is a respected craft and requires hard work and patience, not paying them would be a bad idea. So King Michael decided to pay them now but pay them a small sum. At the moment they will earn 30 Gold Coins a month, with a 20 Gold Coins promised increase once an income is well established.

The Blacksmiths have 50 people to manage, meaning 10 apprentices each. Meaning they will have no time their selves to pound on Iron, meaning the production is reduced by a hunch. At the same time it is better than letting apprentices go loose and cut the production rate by half.

King Michael instantly handed a letter to the Zamerian Cargomen, offering a deal regarding Blacksmithery. Daggers, he offered them Daggers by 30 Gold Coins a piece. Not the most expensive, but at the same time the easiest to make.

One apprentice can make three of them in one week which neccesarily equals to around 600 Daggers in one month, gold-wise it equals to 18,000 A month. This is a product that any a.d.u.l.t can buy, it doesn't require soldiers since it is a self defense tool.

Due to that fact, this can be sold in mass quantities in likely bigger prices there, it can go up to 100 gold coins in the economy rich Zamerian lands. So King Michael requested if it can be a 1 year long deal, it would highly benefit this small Kingdom and of course benefit the Zamerian domains.

But Gaster Kingdom doesn't have any functioning mines, so 600 ores will be set under a continuous order with Pameres Kingdom. Due to an ore costing 8 gold coins, it will be a bit expensive, 4,800 Gold Coins each month but it kills two birds with one stone.

Pameres Kingdom has a new source of Income (Good thing they hired those Miners.) which will help tame all the new expenses at least by a little. And Gaster Kingdom establishes a new source of Income as well and better yet trains a team of Blacksmiths. This deal was already made, but the quantity will be asked for an increase by a hunch.

Getting such a great income here would be more than great, but the town still needs more types of income, one of which doesn't bring monetary value. What I'm talking about are Construction Workers, 3 of them were hired for House to House maintenance, if something brakes they go fix it.

This craft isn't required in mass quantities, the houses were refurbished and they won't be working all day long. Half of the month they probably won't even have anything to work with, so their pay is the smallest so far.

20 Gold Coins but the King promised to increase it by 30 more once the Iron Dagger income is established, like the Blacksmiths they will attain free food and warmth as well.

Along with the offer for Daggers, King Michael saw the opportunity to put more people in to work here and establish a new income with another offer.

Remember the Chickens he caught in the Winter, who hatched a lot of little Chicks in spring. Well now those Chiks that survived are full grown now and are bringing more eggs than King Michael can eat. All together this set of 30 new Chickens bring in 700 to 800 eggs a month.

So once discussing it with King Zar, they found it the best idea to offer the Zamerians a deal. Sure Lav Kingdom won't be able to buy all this merchandise but it can be a bridge to opening business deals with nearby domains here.

A deal of 700 eggs a month has been made, since it seems to be the minimum of which these Chickens can provide. Considering all the grain they are fed, these numbers aren't crazy believe me.

The eggs of course are offered for 20 gold coins a piece here in Ignis, but due to the fact that the Zamerians likely won't make much if they buy it at this price since they have a lot more chicken farms, Zar recommended to scoop down the price at 15 per egg.

It won't neccesarily be a problem though, because all together this source of income will bring 10,700 Gold Coins a month! Maintenance wise, 10 people in total are now hired to work there. Only the lady remains as the previous Guards are dead.

These people will earn 20 gold coins a month but their pay will meet a 30 gold coin increase once an income is well established.

Since this is a food product, King Michael asked if this deal can go on for a year, until the next September at the year 202. It won't neccesarily be a bad deal for either sides.

The elderly and children rate has met a shift due to the count going up to 500. Now there are 30% of this new patch of population who are either elderly or children, meaning they can't work.

When counted, it neccesarily counts up to 150 so only 350 can be put in to work. So far, 163 have been put in to work as for the rest King Michael is looking to put their heads in new tasks.

There aren't any businesses in the process of being built, but it doesn't mean that he can't invest on the old ones. Therefore, 20 of these people were turned in to spearfishermen and 30 others were turned in to fishermen.

Their pay similar to the rest is 20 gold coins but will increase based on experience, eventually the salary will be equal to the old fishermen and spearfishermen or women respectively since gender restrictions are gotten rid off.

With 50 new people putting in work, Gaster Kingdom can help the Zamerians get a taste of some local Ignis fish which can't be found 1,400 Kilometers away (At Zameria).

And of course King Michael had this planned, so he also offered them a fish deal. Barramundis are the most common fish here, so he offered it to them at a deal of 3 gold coins per kilogram.

A bit unfair since the price here goes by a gold coin, but what are the disadvantages when the Zamerians can sell it for triple the price?

With the help of the experienced fishermen and women and with the work put in by the apprentices their selves, 5 tons can be easily fished out a month! The Barramundies weigh around 20 kilograms and aren't the hardest to catch.

This will bring in a nice income of 15,000 Gold Coins and is the final key to earning a great income here instead of fighting to earn little profit. Since food is an every day item, he asked if the deal can be ongoing for a year. Sounds fair.

20 more Lumberjacks is what the town needs, due to the fact that 830 people live here now warmth is required throughout the winter. And 10 Lumberjacks can't handle it all alone, it is just too much too handle.

Like you might have guessed the salaries will be 20 gold coins with a promised increase of 30 once all the new incomes are well established. Free food and of course warmth will be provided, this is the best way to battle the cold as no one would want to shiver all day long to be savvy.

233 of these new people are hired, big numbers I'm aware. It is even comparable with the new recruitments at Pameres Kingdom. As for the remaining 117 people who can work, their head will eventually be put in some type of work soon enough, business opportunities are plenty but at the moment he has enough apprentices.

Once all these new incomes and outcomes become active, the Kingdom will have an income of 76,350 an outcome of 35,560 and of course a nice warm profit of 40,790 each month!

Of course 100 Guards are unpaid for now, the new employees were promised a raise in salary and the more experienced employees could use a salary too. So this 40k profit won't last long, at least they can enjoy the warmth of it for a little while.

...

Now with all these numbers and calculations this Chapter is getting extensive, so let's take some time to appreciate other beauties of this nice Kingdom like what Dea and Stefan have reached so far.

Throughout the span of 4 months they've went in quite a few dates. It was well established that they have a fancy towards each other, although Stefan struggled to make it clear.

Yet again they are taking this relationship slowly, there is no reason to rush it and both feel comfortable if it isn't rushed. They are in their twenties and have time on their hands, why get in bed so quick?

Their favourite activity remained having nice picnics alone and eventually star gazing became a favoured activity as well although less common due to the fact that more animals roam in summer, they both suck at wielding a sword so its a no go.

Just a month ago, the mood eventually reached towards more romance. Both Stefan and Dea managed to get their first kiss, at this age? It well determines how much they preserved their selves, although both can't be considered anti social.

Stefan was a merchant and constantly had to deal with people and Dea always deals with people since she wants to help, lucky for her she never ended up in those Cannibalistic hands a year ago.

Now they once again are in Misses. Wood's house, and the little talk includes all this population increase and something rather more hilarious. "Have you seen how much Woldemir struggles to teach the new Guards?" Stefan asked.

"Yes yes I never saw him yell this much!" Dea specified, since she is used to Woldemir having calmer approaches.

"You would too if you had to deal with people who don't understand a thing you are saying! Recruits are a Migraine when they can understand, but when they don't?" Stefan excused his friend's behaviour although he still finds it hilarious and is giggling through.

Misses. Wood however is thinking of different topics and she wasn't really aiming to hold her thoughts in, she asked. "So when will you two get married?"

At such a question Stefan spat his water all across the room and Dea became a bit red, asking. "Who told you that we are dating?"

"You just did." Misses. Wood answered deviously and started giggling but got interrupted by her own cough.

"Misses. Wood!" Dea stretched one sentence in embarrassment, feeling rather teased here.

"Misses. Wood what? I want grand Children!" She mumbled through her words, but the fact that she said, "Grand Children" proves one thing.

She sees Dea as her own daughter and possibly Stefan as her own son due to all the time they all spend. Now I'm not talking about i.n.c.e.s.t, but it is clear that they see each other as family.

Dea smiled as a tear dropped from her eye, she lost her mother and father in Unfortunate events and to find someone who sees her as a daughter? It felt heavenly. She went ahead and hugged Misses. Wood, smiled at her and said. "We will think it through."

"Might as well do it quick." She complained in that cute elderly way, and afterwards in aims of convincing the two she added. "I'm very old. Today I'm here but tomorrow I might not be."

Afterwards Dea glanced at Stefan, didn't say a thing to him but comforted Misses. Wood instead. "Oh you are a strong lady, you might even see our kids get married." Of course she exaggerated it a bit, but at least it is more comforting.

Stefan paid attention to the words, "Our kids". It felt kind, it means that Dea actually wants to marry him although unsure of the timing. "Dea is right, you will likely see Our kids get married."