Gorta

I let go of the wand. No matter how much I try, I can't feel the mana. It's been a week since I tried to feel it. Perhaps I will read more books about the world and history instead.

-I see you still can't feel mana. - Andre came up to me.

-Yes. No matter how hard I try, it's useless.

-Didn't you have at least a vague feeling?

-No.

-Perhaps, you don't seem to have any talent. But your friend is now developing a lot.

-Have you already moved to the first level?

-No. The time has not come yet. He needs to improve his body as much as possible before starting the path of a warrior. However, he already can barely feel the mana. The progress that you expect from an elemental warrior.

- I'm happy for him.

-Do you feel any resentment for this?

-Why should I? I am his friend and he is my brother. I will always support him.

- ...You are a good friend. - Andre smiled sadly-You can't meet such sincere people like you among the nobles. Our duty is above our feelings. Anyway, that's not why I came here. Are you interested in running the village?

-The village?

-Yes. You see, most of the nobles of Gort are landless. That is, viscounts and barons. Once their ancestors deserved this title and these children are mostly not so great anymore. They have a maximum of manors and estates but without land. But already the counts have small territories in the vicinity, like villages.

-But how do they support themselves? To live, they need capital.

-They usually own various mines in the surrounding areas, sponsor chambers of commerce, own various enterprises like blacksmiths or weavers who sew good clothes for other nobles. There are many ways to earn money. They use the rights of nobility in full.

- The rights of nobility?

-It's simple. Enterprises, chambers of commerce, and just business are considered purely noble businesses. It is difficult for non-nobles to develop to a high level. At best, they will become deputies and will help with the management. Land ownership is also considered a noble right. Ahem, we have moved away from the topic. A couple of months ago, the Marquis promoted me to count and handed over this village. But I don't have the time and desire to develop this backwater. It was managed by my servant, but during the construction of the works, the brigands attacked him and wounded him. Now he is not able to work for the next month. Can you replace him? Don't worry, you'll get paid for it. I have already prepared the contract-After saying this, Andre showed me the scroll.

«This contract transfers the control over the village to Murad on behalf of its owner, Count Andre Lu Altin, for one season under the following conditions

1) Murad is responsible for creating a local militia.

2) Murad is responsible for harvesting

3) Murad must make sure that the harvest is safely transferred to the Lu Altin family

4) Develop the territory if possible.

Special conditions: If condition number 2 is fulfilled but condition number 3 is not fulfilled, both are considered failed.

Reward: 140 septims.

Murad loses a third of the reward for each condition that is not completed.

In case of injuries, the family undertakes to find and punish the perpetrators»

- I'm sorry that I'm forcing you to sign a contract, but if I don't do this, the marquis may decide that you are using my name without my knowledge, he usually first punish such persons, and only then tell it to us. Although I don't rule out the possibility that they will think of you as my bastard. Not interested?

- I can try it. But what should I do?

-You can ask my servant. He'll explain everything to you. Try to do everything as best as possible, but know that if you fail, only the peasants will run away or I will have to buy them food for the winter. In a word, a small loss.

-Why do I need to organize a militia? Your family must have a sufficient number of fighters.

-My relatives have problems here. He urgently needs fighters. It won't be for long, everything should be over by the end of winter. But during this time, the brigands will have time to plunder the village at least 3 times.

-Will you provide weapons and armor for the militia?

-Of course not. They are only a temporary measure. Then they will be replaced. You can get the blacksmith to make them a simple weapon.

-I got you. I will try to fulfill all the terms of the contract.

-Of course. By the way, I've already talked to Nick about this, he doesn't mind.

…

In the center of the city of Gort, the estate of the Von Albert family

The dim sunlight from the windows was the only illumination. A richly dressed man was sitting at a table and waiting

- *Knock* *Knock * Sir, Baron Willy wants to visit you.

-Bring him here.

A minute later, an equally richly dressed man entered the room.

- Hello, Baron Willy.

- Hello, Count Muller.

Count Muller snapped his fingers and a servant standing nearby poured wine into their glasses. After taking a sip, the Count asked

-Did you complete the task?

-Yes. As you ordered, I beat Count Andre's servant under the guise of a brigand. He will be unable to work for another month.

-Great. He didn't understand that it was you?

-No. He had never seen me, and my face was covered in dirt, also I didn't talk in front of him.

-Good job. Count Andre has not yet sent anyone to replace him?

-They say he has already found a replacement.

-Did he send his warrior to protect him?

-As far as I know, no.

-It means the information was true. He can't send fighters during the winter -The count looked around the room, making sure that there were no extra ears, he said-This should remain only between the two of us. Other persons should not know about this -Having said this, the count finished his glass, and the servant refilled it.

- Of course. I will not tell you anything that will be said in this room.

- Keep terrorizing the peasants. They all must run away to different villages. So the Marquis will understand that Count Andre only understands magic, but is very unqualified as a leader. Then he may still accept my plan to save Gorta from the terror of the spirits. - The count clenched his fist -If it weren't for him, the Marquis might have accepted my offer.

-Have you heard the rumors about what Count Andre did?

-That he got out of the carriage and took two children? Maybe he found potential in them and decided to cultivate talents, or maybe... ugh ... I hope I was wrong. I'll find out later. If it turns out to be the first, then let them study with him, then we will offer them better conditions, they may agree.

-Ok. What about the harvest? It should not be lost.

- If there is an opportunity, collect everything and then sell it to other cities. Half of the earnings will be yours. -The Baron was delighted to hear this.

-You are very generous, Count.

-I don't forget my friends, Baron

...

- Muraaad! What are you doing now? - Nevi turned to me.

-At the moment, the main body is busy with experiments on volunteers.

-Like what?

-My current priority is experiments related to the heart rate and the location of the veins. Secondary tasks are studies of the effect of various hormones on the body. If I introduce a lot of adrenaline into the body and maintain this amount, then the body begins to beat more often and a person feels anxious, if I just hint at something, for example, go and start killing, then he does not hesitate to act, it seems that for some reason they take my voice for the voice of loved ones.

-Uh... so this is the cause of my illness?

-No. It seems that your sickness is due to problems with the veins and the wrong heart rhythm. I just need to make some experiments on women volunteers. After it, I probably get enough data to try to create a body without these problems.

Hearing this, Nevi hesitated and began to speak

-Well, if you succeed, can we go somewhere for a while for a walk? Maybe to the city or somewhere else?

-Why?

-Staying in one place for a long time is not very good for me.

-Don't peasants live all their lives in their villages?

-But there are other people there. I'm alone here. Nick is in the Gorta, and I would like the company of someone.

-...Good. I'll prepare everything. Can you wait a couple of weeks? Then I'll have the money and I'll find a safer place.

- Murad! Thanks! - She hugged me, but my body was so big that my arms were out to the sides.