125 – Huh??? (1)
[Meet the Crimson Merchant.]
Kim Hyun-woo made a strange expression as the alert window seemed to have popped up as if it had been waiting for him to ponder.
“Loria.”
[Yes, my lord.]
“Did you display this alert window?”
[No, my lord. I manage most of the alert windows, but as I mentioned before, there are also alert windows in areas I do not manage.]
“…Hmm.”
Upon hearing Loria’s words, Kim Hyun-woo made a peculiar expression.
Meeting the Crimson Merchant was one of Kim Hyun-woo’s goals, and the alert to meet the Crimson Merchant had already appeared right after meeting the Blue Merchant.
In other words, there was no apparent reason for this alert window to suddenly appear.
‘…Coincidence?’
Kim Hyun-woo gazed at the alert window.
The alert window did not disappear.
It simply obstructed his view in a straightforward manner.
“…”
Unconsciously, Kim Hyun-woo slightly tilted his head.
At least in Kim Hyun-woo’s opinion, the appearance of this alert window seemed too contrived to be labeled as a coincidence.
‘…The Crimson Witch.’
Kim Hyun-woo instinctively realized.
That by meeting the Crimson Witch, he could learn something more.
And, the fact that he could potentially learn a bit more than what he usually thought, intrigued him.
“…I must prepare thoroughly so that I can buy as soon as the tab opens.”
With that thought in mind, Kim Hyun-woo quietly made up his mind.
####
The day after the departure of the Absolute Ruler.
Kim Hyun-woo opened the detailed development window, which had been closed until then.
[The territory’s development score has exceeded 4000, hence the detailed development window is now open.]
As he opened the detailed development window for the first time, an alert window appeared along with three lists in front of Kim Hyun-woo.
[Magic Engineering Research Institute]
[Top Merchant Union]
[Combat Holy Temple]
“Hmm…”
Despite being a detailed development window, the list seemed very plain.
However, contrary to appearances, this part of the detailed development window was the most crucial.
Depending on which of the three choices he made now, the future direction of the Larutania territory would be determined.
“The Top Merchant Union is the most convenient, but…”
Muttered Kim Hyun-woo.
Honestly, among these three lists, the one that appealed the most to him was the Top Merchant Union.
The Merchant Union was a building that Kim Hyun-woo had chosen when he played Arteil ten years ago.
“It’s good, but…”
However, despite Kim Hyun-woo having such thoughts, the reason he did not choose the Top Merchant Union was due to the difference between ten years ago and now.
Fundamentally, the Top Merchant Union, as the name suggests, focused mainly on trade in terms of the territory’s development direction.
Naturally, all the detailed buildings related to trade would come out, and by choosing the Merchant Union, one could gain various advantages in trade.
Furthermore, since Kim Hyun-woo had already developed the territory with the Merchant Union ten years ago, he knew clearly how to efficiently develop it, so the development speed would undoubtedly be fast.
Unfortunately, the current Larutania territory was not a trade-centered territory.
“In fact, the current Larutania territory is a perfect domestic market with mercenaries involved.”
In other words, the Merchant Union did not fit the development form of the current Larutania territory at all.
Therefore, naturally excluding the Merchant Union, Kim Hyun-woo looked at the other two buildings.
[Magic Engineering Research Institute]
[Combat Holy Temple]
“Hmm…”
Although Kim Hyun-woo was not entirely familiar with them, he knew that the Magic Engineering Research Institute and Combat Holy Temple were specialized in ‘development’ and ‘war,’ respectively.
In the case of the Magic Engineering Research Institute, the territory itself would become a money-devouring monster but would provide various advantages to the territory, making it possible for a very stable territory growth in the end.
Moreover, as the tech level increased, the weapons suitable for the ‘development’ tech were known to be outstandingly powerful, causing screams from the players but delivering exceptional performance.
In reality, the Magic Engineering Research Institute could be likened to science tech, and the Combat Holy Temple was related to tech focused on combat, as the name suggested.
“…They were definitely warmongers.”
Recalling the words he used to curse the players who chose the Combat Holy Temple ten years ago, Kim Hyun-woo involuntarily furrowed his brows.
The Combat Holy Temple tech was, in essence, a territory tech that encouraged invasion and plunder, with all the benefits from the building being in that direction.
Thanks to that, the users who chose the Combat Holy Temple were undoubtedly the only ones in Arteil where relationships were ignored, destroying all the surrounding territories, looting the top, and wreaking havoc.
As Kim Hyun-woo, who had been hit by users who chose the Combat Holy Temple multiple times, also had experience with being attacked, he could not help but frown.
But that was just for a moment.
Kim Hyun-woo, who was contemplating detailed development, eventually decided to build the “Mado Engineering Research Institute.”
At least, in his opinion, what the Hyun Larutania Territory needed was something that could improve the unease of the territory residents, who could be swayed at any time due to mercenaries and various elements, rather than a merchant union.
“Besides, the weapons that come out when the tech is raised will surely be useful.”
With such thoughts in mind, Kim Hyun-woo pressed on the selection of the Mado Engineering Research Institute.
[You have chosen the Mado Engineering Research Institute!]
[The detailed development window of the Mado Engineering Research Institute is now open.]
[The building ‘Mado Development Zone’ is being viewed.]
[The building ‘Mado Arsenal’ is being viewed.]
[The building ‘Mado Administrative Computing’ is being viewed.]
[The building ‘Mado-]
[Building]
….
…
..
.
—-
Territory Larutania.
Territory Development: 4212
[Detailed development is available!]
Territory Residents
[Humans: 29817]
Secondary Building
[Mado Engineering Research Institute] [Under construction] [0%]
Owned Buildings
[Lord’s Castle LV2 ＞＞＞ Upgrading 99%] [Paused]
[City Wall LV5↑]
[Residential Area LV5]
[Blacksmith LV5]
[Barracks LV5]
[Tavern LV5]
[Market LV5]
[Lumber Mill LV5]
[Restaurant LV5]
[Tannery LV5]
[Stone Masonry LV5]
[Trading Post LV5]
[Secondary City Wall LV5]
[Inn LV5↑]
[Administrative District LV5]
[Paved Road LV4↑]
Outer Building
[Mercenary Guild LV0] [Under Construction]
[Wizard’s Tower Branch LV1↑]
[Blacksmith Guild Branch LV1↑]
Military Strength
-Regular Soldiers 1000
-Guards 200
-Squire 200
—-
Watching the notifications flowing continuously, Kim Hyunwoo had a satisfied smile on his face.
—-
★★★ Hero ‘Witch of Gold Coins’ has entered the territory.
＜p class=”a”＞From Noble mtl dot com—-
[Top of the Territory ‘Tinus’ has arrived!]
Soon, he could see such a notification.
“Long time no see, my Lord…?”
About 30 minutes later, after seeing Adria’s face for the first time in a while, Kim Hyunwoo smiled and greeted her, finding himself unable to speak unintentionally.
And that was understandable.
“Are you… okay?”
At least the expression on Adria’s face in front of Kim Hyunwoo right now didn’t look very good.
Perhaps due to lack of sleep for a long time, dark circles were prominent under her eyes, and her usually sharp eyes had lost their sparkle.
Moreover, although there had been no sign of her being disheveled when they first met, the current Adria looked disheveled as if she had just come from a battlefield.
Seeing the worried expression on Kim Hyunwoo’s face as she seemed like she might collapse at any moment, Adria awkwardly smiled, a mix of sarcasm and a smile, and spoke.
“I’m fine. I’m fine, my Lord. But – I heard an interesting rumor.”
“…A rumor?”
“Yes. Um-“
“No, let’s talk about it tomorrow and rest today…”
Kim Hyunwoo said, trying to stop her while looking at Adria holding her head.
However,
“No. I can’t!”
As if she absolutely couldn’t refrain, she grabbed Kim Hyunwoo’s shoulders.
“My Lord, are you getting married?”
“What?”
“Are you getting married or not? Is that so?”
“???”
“Please, can’t you just say no?”
Tears welled up in Merilda’s eyes as she spoke, as if constantly pouring out a malicious curse from within.
At that moment.
In the headquarters with the crimson eyes.
“Um, Leader, it seems like everything is in place, right?”
“…Do I really have to go and do this?”
“Of course, I mentioned it, didn’t I? First, we need to assess to what extent the Lord has feelings. It’s necessary to confirm that, right?”
“But still…”
“Leader, listen carefully. This is a crucial matter. We need to determine the level of the Lord’s favor before proceeding with the plan. I said so, didn’t I?”
“…Got it.”
“Well then, hurry up and go. We’ll support you from behind.”
“Okay…!”
With a determined look on her slightly flushed face, Merilda began to walk towards the Lartania territory.