CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 54: EARN MONEY TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY, PLAYERS!_1

Hearing this question, Salvatore’s expression was somewhat subtle.

"Well...let’s just say, at least your guards are indeed quite capable..."

Seeing Salvatore hesitating, Annan’s heart suddenly became uneasy.

Those Huskies, they hadn’t started wreaking havoc too, had they?

While he was out dismantling other people’s homes, was his own being dismantled as well?

A Cycle of demolition?

He couldn’t help but ask, "What exactly happened? Or did they cause some kind of trouble?"

"No, that’s not it. They’ve even been helping people all over town, and now everyone in Frostwater Harbor knows their new lord has arrived."

With that, Salvatore added, "Of course, they did their jobs well. They didn’t neglect their guard duties and even helped patrol the whole town.

"Moreover, their loyalty to you is extremely high. Even though you previously sent some people to Roth Fort for a sabotage mission, that dangerous task didn’t make the guards who stayed in the city have any complaints against you. They even wanted to go to Roth Fort to help, ’because the tasks there are more important’—yes, that’s what they told me.

Salvatore recalled the players’ behavior, and it seemed to dissipate his drowsiness completely, making him visibly more spirited: "I don’t know where you found such good, such strange guards... In these two days you’ve been in the nightmare, so many people have been coming to see you.

"I can tell that they’re not just speaking well of you or showing up for the sake of appearance, or flattering you for wealth and power. They genuinely hope you give them more dangerous tasks, and they truly wish for your safety."

...Yes, I know.

Because they certainly want more fun, more thrilling tasks. They’re definitely very concerned about the safety of their only faction leader...

Annan remained silent, unable to explain to Salvatore.

They don’t love me; they’re just greedy for the affection points I give them!

"In that case," Annan said, somewhat puzzled, "why did you seem so troubled just now?"

"Because they’re... a bit too diligent. They’ve been quite hardworking and friendly towards the villagers."

The young Wizard, who always seemed sleepy, when talking about this issue suddenly perked up, going on and on: "Let me tell you, some of them are even planning to get jobs! And not as guards or to teach swordsmanship, but to prune branches, sweep floors, even tend graves!

"Some also went to the local militia to learn swordsmanship. At first, the militia thought they were there to cause trouble, which led to chaos... only later did they realize they genuinely wanted to learn swordsmanship. But your guards are so skilled with the sword, clearly all trained for at least five years in military swordsmanship, so the result was the militia got thoroughly trounced.

"The other villagers were initially scared to death. They thought you were planning to take their properties or jobs, sending guards to extort them... some even tried to give them money, and there were near brawls. I had to go over and mediate, clarify the situation, to calm them down.

"I asked your guards why they were doing this. They said they had left their homes behind to come here, so they needed to earn more money—until I told them that you would pay them wages. Only then did some of them give up the idea of looking for jobs and settled down to guard around the houses."

Salvatore said with an odd expression, "They also mentioned... they needed to earn more money because ’you never know when you might have to spend it.’ But I’ve been here for several years and still don’t know where there is to spend money in Frostwater Harbor..."

"I see..."

Annan murmured in response, then fell silent.

Wait, do I still have to pay them wages?

You jerk, don’t remind them... and don’t remind me about this! These players didn’t even realize before that they could collect wages!

Annan felt very sorrowful in his heart.

The players were accustomed to being exploited. This game was already conscientious enough with no in-app purchases and being permanently free; they didn’t dare to think they’d get paid wages...

Hopefully, they didn’t believe what Salvatore said...

Just as Annan had anticipated, the disheveled Salvatore continued:

"But even knowing this, many of them still decided to look for jobs, and some even planned to go hunting in the mountains, others wanted to join the fishing fleet."

"They even wanted me to keep it a secret from you," he said, "but when I think about it, I knew I could never keep such a big thing from you. After all, they’re your guards—how are they paid? What if they get tired or hurt? What if they commit misdeeds in your name? What if they deceive people in your name?"

Salvatore’s expression was complex as he glanced at Annan with a subtle look: "Nothing has happened so far, but I still need to tell you about this. Looking at their skin and faces, they seem to come from good backgrounds, right? Why are they all..."

...so damn poor?

Although Salvatore didn’t finish his sentence, Annan had already grasped what he wanted to say.

This was quite normal; it was a common habit for players to start with farming and economy management in the game. Especially since the other half of the players took on dangerous infiltration and assassination missions, those who stayed in the city would naturally take the initiative to deal with logistical problems.

Like... making money.

But Annan was actually relieved.

As long as the players didn’t ruin anything, it was all good.

It was normal to look for quests, test if they could switch to civilian professions, and learn new skills. Wanting to work for money was even more normal... Not stealing but knowing to work made Annan particularly relieved.

However, about the wages...

That was a problem that troubled Annan.

Because he was truly broke now.

No money, just a life to offer.

Luckily, he had been cautious before and laid some groundwork with the players during the main quest, selling them a sob story.

Annan was now seriously considering whether to come clean to the players.

To tell them that he had no money and couldn’t pay their wages. Then, when it was time to pay them each month, he could simply give them favorability.

...Or perhaps, he could let the players earn money and give it to him, while he would pay them a small amount of favorability each month. He might just get by with this during the beta period... After all, it could be a mess to appear completely penniless as a noble.

But this seemed a bit like keeping a pack of sycophants, who regularly handed over their earnings... It sounded incredibly cruel, but upon closer thought, it made sense—

After all, favorability points were like bound in-game currency for Annan, so wasn’t this essentially like a monthly subscription?!

Ever heard of a monthly subscription?! Isn’t it normal to have a fixed monthly spending for games?!

And it’s not even real money; it’s just a bit of time... What’s the big deal?!

The more Annan thought about it, the more justified he felt. He quickly convinced himself.

So he decided happily that it would be fine to have the players come back periodically to pay their wages. After all, with both of his identities being nobles, he also knew Priest Louis and Salvatore, the wizard who seemed to be of significant status.

If he wanted to buy something, the price and quality from Annan would definitely be much better than if the players bought it themselves.

This price difference could also serve as a monetization point when recycling favorability.

Yep, he would adjust the background settings later.

And then he could straightforwardly tell them, "I’m adorable, so please give me money"—

"Oh, right, there’s one more thing,"

Salvatore suddenly said: "Your guards picked up some information from somewhere...

"I hear that the people you sent to Roth Fort have discovered a matter of great importance that must be reported directly to you."