The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor Chapter 564

V53C4P3 – Continental Domination

ON MAY 21, 2019 BY MIMOSAB
Thanks to all proofreaders who worked on this part: Armada, evilsanta1423, PuszekSE, Idzuwan, Arvin, Seviper9 and Hezvolog 🙂

“Work . ”

“I got it . Master!”

Weed split up the sculptural lifeforms and positioned them in vital locations .

The sculptural lifeforms that were placed at every strategic point served as rulers over each region, securing public order .

“You guys are the most important . Fly around and take care of the monsters when you see them . ”

– I will do as you say .
– If it means protecting the world .

The baraags were savage but obedient . They were keepsakes of the Emperor Geihar, highly reliable in combat and laid many eggs in their nests around cliffs and forests .

'If I raise these baraags well… They will become powerful assets . '

Gigantic creatures capable of flying and breathing fire!

'I should keep about a thousand close to me, those who are most trustworthy . I will use them well in important fights . Should I build some coops so they can breed more easily?”

If needed, he was eager to use some baraag poultry farms . He spoke to his clones .

“Arpen Empire . Hahaha . An empire . Splendid . Anyway, I must slay these monsters to protect the Northern Continent . ”

Then, Weed-one crossed his legs and turned his head slightly, lifting his chin about 21° . His expression with his chin raised high was full of arrogance .

“So, what do I gain from this?”

“Hmm . ”

Weed knew from the beginning that orders would not be easy . They were beings identical to himself!

'I made them urgently, but things couldn't be more horrendous . '

Weed always had a grand speech for any situation .

“It is for Versailles Continent . What do you think is the purpose of your powers! It is to defeat the monsters and protect the weak . Also, this is a request from me as a parent who bestowed life to you all . ”

Peace and beings called parents . The weak-hearted were prone to these words .

Weed-two stretched wide and yawned freely .

“That is one regurgitated lie . In all honesty, weren't we betrayed big time the moment we were born? We escaped in order to survive, life is getting a bit better, but you're giving us a dangerous mission? What kind of parent does that?”

A logical opposition based on past experience!

Weed quickly tried to come up with an excuse, but Weed-seven eagerly followed .

“Abductors with some conscience cannot call themselves kind-hearted . There is no room for trust to begin with . ”

Weed-ten pointed at Weed's mouth with his finger .

“I saw him lick his lips just now! That is the symbol and occupational trait of highly trained liars!”

Weed realized that these subordinates could not be swayed by words .

'I have sculpted them well indeed . They act the same as I would . '

Their intelligence and behavior patterns were similar to a high degree . In any circumstance, they refuse to be at a loss . Thus, he knew exactly how to get through to them .

“You all know how difficult it is to live without anything in your possession . I will provide equipment according to your levels . ”

He had many advanced equipment that he acquired from the Hermes guild at his disposal .

He needed to at least provide them with basic equipment to heighten their hunting efficiency .

“Mmm . Good equipment will be expensive . ”

“Rather than having a rough time with just a bare body, it's better to use tools . ”

“The conditions don't seem to be that bad…”

Weed observed his subordinates in contemplation and added .

“1 gold per monster . ”

“Woah . ”

“Huk!”

It was money in the end! The subordinates came down on their knees respectfully .

“We will swear our loyalty, Master . ”

“This is a fair contract . We can feel your sincerity for our well-being . ”

“We will protect the peace of the continent!”

They changed attitudes so quickly that no one could tell if they were being truthful or pretentious . Weed's heart ached in the thought of losing a gold each time, but ultimately he was the victor .

'If they are like me, they will hunt frantically for money . It will be at least 10 times more effective than forcing them into it . '

Stopping the monsters was crucial, but the loot from the hunts will be traded and turned into tax income for the Arpen Empire .

It could also revitalize the production by increasing the loots of leather and minerals .

Considering all the subsequent effects, the 1 gold wasn't really coming from Weed's pocket but from what the subordinates would earn themselves . No matter how greedy and manipulative they may be, they were still children .

“He is surprisingly a good master . ”

“We appreciate the benignity of your majesty . ”

Weed smiled as his subordinates continued their flattery .

Fort Odin .

In the past, it was famous for its impregnability located at the borders of the Britten Alliance and Idern Kingdom .

“Woah… This section is broken . ”

“Yeah . I thought the walls were high and thick when I saw them through the broadcasts . Now there are only remains . ”

The northern merchant Consome was roaming around the Central Continent with its friendly users . They began Royal Road in the north and travelled to various regions that they observed through broadcasts so they could set up trades .

“Selling souvenirs of Fort Odin! Get your wooden golem dolls!”

“Stone fragment of the sturdy fortress . Stone fragment that imbue luck and endurance attributes only for 98 gold!”

“This is a new long sword . The standard Arpen Kingdom long sword has been upgraded a step higher . They are set for level 100, 150, 200 – guaranteed warranty repair from the Mapan Merchant Association!”

After the Garnav Plains battle, the merchants began moving early . The Hermes guild fell and no other alliance could hinder the merchants . Specifically targeted merchandise and expansion of trade routes .

The northern merchants scrambled down to the Central Continent and sold their merchandise .

“Ah… I am jealous . ”

“Damn . Has this world gone over to the northern users?”

The merchants that began in Central Continent started with envious eyes . Since their early days, they had been subject to territoriality and tyranny of the prestigious guilds .

“Now that the Arpen Kingdom came out the victor, they will try to get as much as they possibly can . ”

“Look . Descending down here to take over everything . ”

The merchants could not hide their disappointment .

They traded even the simplest items and expanded their accounting, trades and transport skills . Then again, there were no other jobs as powerless as the merchants .

Due to their low combat abilities they are looked down upon by warriors and are stolen from by other users at times .

“How unfair . ”

“I chose to be a merchant because I enjoyed facing people in the city and selling goods . I never thought I would come to regret it . ”

The Central Continent merchants all huddled up in the corner grumbling .

“Groan!”

That moment, they saw a female user approaching them with a pile of goods on a wagon .

“Ah… That user . I've seen her in broadcast . ”

“Yeah . That's Gamong-nim . ”

“That is Gamong-nim who trades everywhere . ”

Gamong!
She was a famous merchant user next to Mapan in the north .

“Gamong-nim also came down . ”

“It means the Central Continent is that popular . ”

“Take it all why don't they? Just take it all away . ”

The Central Continent merchants were exchanging a bitter conversation . Then Gamong spoke out to them gathered under a shade .

“Aren't you folks gonna sell anything? All sold out already?”

“We are not listed under the Arpen Kingdom… Arpen Empire I should say . Anyway, we aren't registered . ”

“Registered?”

“Yes . Merchants or associations must be registered and make a payment in order to trade . Now, trade goods must be registered and receive permits . ”

“What do you mean by that?”

Gamong asked in confusion, and the Central Continent merchants were stunned .

“For goodness sake . You're a merchant like us and you do not know about the registration system?”

“I don't . Is there such a thing?”

“Of course you have to be registered to sell goods in the city and trade goods with other regions… . Wait . Arpen… kingdom? Empire? Never mind that, there is no such system in Arpen?”

“Yeah . We don't have anything like that . This is the first time I'm hearing about it from you all . ”

The Central Continent merchants were dazzled . They had their own intel network, but since they always resided in Central Continent they were uninformed about the situations in the north . They heard that the north was a heaven for trades but since they had no opportunity to travel there, they never looked into the procedures .

“Hold on… This was originally enforced by the prestigious guilds that ruled the Central Continent . ”

“Right . That is the case . ”

“So, this did not exist since the very beginning?”

The merchants were surprised, but they needed solid evidence . They had the carpet slip underneath their feet far too many times throughout their experiences .

“Can you confirm for us whether if we can truly sell goods?”

“Yes . One moment . Let me ask Weed-nim . ”

Gamong whispered personally to Weed .

“Weed-nim . Is there such a thing as merchant registration? You can't sell goods unless you are registered in advance?”

As she whispered to Weed, the Central Continent merchants waited nervously .

After a few moments, Gamong spoke with a smile .

“He says there is no such thing . ”

“It doesn't exist?”

“Yes . You are all free to conduct business in the Arpen Empire as merchants . But, there are regulations that northern merchants must abide by . ”

“I knew it… What are they?”

“Do not leave too many consumables or novice-level items . ”

“Mmm . What else?”

“This is all there is to the regulations for merchants . ”

“What? That's it? Then what about the tax rate?”

“It's 2% . ”

“You mean novice-level items and consumables are 2%? That is low tax rate . ”

The Central merchants were content enough for having taxes lowered to a tenth of what they usually paid .

“So, the tax rates for other products will be higher I assume?”

“When you trade at the center, it is 2% . It is Arpen's official tax rate applied to all products . When you sell to users, tax is not applied . ”

“No way… What about toll fees?”

“We don't have such things . ”

“This is insane . ”

The merchants felt a huge relief of freedom and satisfaction . They could feel the world that they live in had changed completely . WIth a tax rate of 2% and unrestricted trades meant that they could trade a tremendous amount of goods . A world they dreamt for in their choice for the merchant job class had finally come .

“I am off to trade right now . ”

“I need to get myself a wagon first . ”

“Let's pour all our money and get a fresh start . Now we can live like real merchants!”

The merchants kicked off from their spots highly motivated .

They had saved up a ton of fortune in the Central Continent since the early days . The world was now open for these merchants to be active wholeheartedly .

Just when they were about to scatter for trade and sale, they bowed in gratitude .

“Thank you, Gamong-nim . ”

“No worries . All I did was just relay the message . ”

“May I upload the footage of the conversation that we just had with you? I bet there are more of us that will want to know about the policies of the Arpen Kingdom . ”

“Yes . As often as you need . ”

The Central Continent merchants uploaded their conversation with Gamong on the internet and the response was explosive .

– As expected of the Arpen Kingdom . No, that is Arpen Empire!
– This is Weed-nim taking care of the users .
– This is heaven… heaven has come forth .
– Insane… I am a merchant and I almost broke tears . I am logging in right now to take a load of products and sell them .
– It lives up to the expectations . Royal Road has truly become paradise .
– Weed-nim is on different level than those people who confiscate everything . I had faith in him .
– I also contributed at the Garnav Plains . For the Arpen Kingdom, for Weed-nim .
– How could this be possible… Hurray! Amazing!
– I can understand why the merchants in the barren north roamed around so diligently .
– One's true character becomes apparent in their treatment of those weaker than himself . Weed-nim is unchanging even after becoming the emperor . He is truly an admirable person .
– I began on the first day of Morata . I am always rooting for Weed-nim . I knew this day would come .
– It is Weed-nim . Because it's Weed-nim . He's “the” Weed-nim .
– I am a common user who started out in Kallamore . I am deeply touched . I understand why… the Grass Porridge Cult exists .

(To be continued…)

Chapter end