Mount and Blade System: Start from Pioneer Lords.

Chapter 263 Going South to Investigate the Situation
Levi has seen the line drawings made by the artist, and can say that they are absolutely detailed and meticulous.

In addition, the other party's previous drawings were in a realistic style, which was completely different from those artists who pursued abstraction.

But the other party is indeed too realistic.

In the middle is a picture of humans, orcs, and drow elves playing cards. It even outlines the most perfect spherical shape in the room, making it impossible to take your eyes off it.

"Where's the Lion Hunter?"

"Overlooking the city of Cologne." Leah pointed crisply to the upper left corner of the painting.

A thumb-sized figure is holding a cylinder and seems to be looking at the scene in the distance, which forms a sharp contrast with the three people playing cards vividly next to him.

"Very good." Levi smiled: "Leah, can you contact that painter? The Lord of High Cliff Castle is still in need of a full-time painter to record his future epic. I think he has a bright future and is very suitable for this position."

His smile was a typical chivalrous gesture, which was always considered to be full of kindness and warmth, and could perfectly embody the eight virtues of chivalry.

But if any of the leaders of High Cliff Castle were to come here, they would know that someone would definitely be in trouble.

"Okay, I'll ask him to find you at the camp in Highcliff Castle some other day." Leah covered her mouth and giggled. After all, this Lion Hunting Knight didn't have many opportunities to be humiliated.

That's why she decided to bring the painting over in person to see the other party's reaction.

As for worrying about the painter? Based on her understanding of Levi, the other party would at most get beaten up, and if he handled it well, he might even gain wealth and glory from it.

After all, being a painter sounds noble, but common people cannot afford it, and nobles usually have their own professional painters.

Therefore, his life is just about making ends meet, and many people would try their best to get close to this Lion Hunting Knight but fail.

Leah knew that many apprentice knights had gone to Highcliff Castle, but in the end they had to run back in disgrace.

Painting is just a small problem. In fact, no one took it too seriously. After all, compared with the huge rewards that are right in front of them, no matter how big the problem is, it is not a problem.

"Liya, how did you discuss with Florina?" Levi asked.

It was definitely not true that Florina helped them conquer the southern border just to rescue Onaya or something like that. Not to mention others, she herself didn't believe it.

"Aunt Flinna wants the management rights of White Harbor."

The lord poured wine for the other party at the right time. Leia took a sip and then sighed and said.

Although she had never managed the finances of the South Territory before, she knew that as the largest port in the South Territory, White Harbor, a castle built on a steep bay, was a huge treasury just from the daily berthing tax for merchant ships.

Therefore, successive Dukes of the Southern Territory kept the situation in their own hands, only sending trusted people to garrison there, and in order to prevent certain situations from happening, they would go there in person to govern every once in a while.

If the Martell family had not been operating in Cologne for hundreds of years, they would have moved the castle to White Harbor long ago.

"As expected." Levi nodded.

To be honest, the other party was in the same situation as him. If he wanted to be granted land in the South Territory, firstly, the other party's base in the South Territory was so large that it would be a difficult problem to rule it, and secondly, the king would not watch such a thing happen.

So it is very smart to ask for the management rights of an important port.

This completely avoided the violation of the Derby Law, in which a grand duke acquired territory in the fiefdom of another grand duke.

It can also control this important sea route from the north to the south.

To be honest, Levi also wanted a port in the southern border at the beginning. White Harbor was naturally better because he had seen the map. The east of Gaoyabao was also close to the sea, so he could build a port to exchange what he needed with the southern border.

But he soon realized that he was daydreaming. Not to mention that it was impossible for him to obtain White Harbor given its importance, unless he sold his body. Even if he did obtain it, how to keep it was another problem.

In the end, it can only be buried deep in my heart.

"What does Mrs. Onaya think about this?" Levi looked at the lady next to him who became serious again.

Even though Leah is about to ascend to the throne of Duke, many things are currently decided by this lady.

"The other party's contribution is very great. Even if they want White Harbor, we have no choice but to give it to them." Onaya looked at the Lord and said with a smile: "But if you are willing to fight for it, there is actually room for negotiation. After all, your contribution cannot be ignored."

As soon as the words came out, someone's back couldn't stop sweating, and he said righteously: "I think it is completely reasonable to use White Harbor to thank Duke Flinna for his help. After all, the other party also suffered heavy losses in this battle!"

"Lady Onaya, let's discuss my title."

Looking at the knight who could only swallow his anger, Onaya could not help but laugh heartily, like a child who had succeeded in a prank.

However, Leah had no idea about the secret between them. She just asked curiously, "Mother, have you told Levi about giving him the title?"

"That's right, but it seems that someone is not very satisfied." Onaya nodded.

"It's not that I'm dissatisfied, Leah, I'll be frank with you." Levi said softly, "I can't stay in the Southland forever. You knew it when I was conferred the title. When everything here is over, I will return to Highcliff Castle."

"Therefore, neither the fiefdom nor the position is suitable for me."

Leia finally understood what the other party was dissatisfied with, and she recalled the time she spent in Highcliff Castle.

Everything there fits her stereotype. It's a completely remote and poor place, but it also has things that the southern border doesn't have.

Although Gaoyabao is still in its infancy, it is full of vigor and vitality, while the southern border is like a stagnant pool of water.

When she first appointed this knight, she didn't understand why he would leave the magnificent castle and go to the wilderness full of orcs. But now she understands a lot.

Because of this understanding, even if she wanted to keep Li Wei by her side, she couldn't say anything to refuse. She just sighed and said, "Levi, I understand your thoughts. I will think about this matter carefully. The title will remain unchanged. As for the territory, I will compensate you in other ways."

Levi nodded and said nothing more.

Leah had been with him from the very beginning. Unlike Onaya, the noble lady who only cared about his body, this girl could understand his thoughts.

"Levi, you might as well think about it carefully when you go back. You can return to the southern border at any time and obtain a rich marquisate." Onaya interjected at the right time.

The other person's eyes full of amorous feelings said it all, and Levi could only pretend not to see it.

The three of them chatted for a while, and as it was getting darker, Levi said goodbye and left.

Before leaving, the lord turned his head and looked back. Onaya was sitting in the armchair, looking at him with a smile. Leah put her hands on her waist, her beautiful eyes also staring at him, and when she saw him looking back, she showed a bright smile.

It was not until the door was gently closed by the maid that Levi shook his head and followed the maid through the corridor.

It is obvious that the mother and daughter have a good impression of him.

That's right. Strictly speaking, he saved the mother and daughter several times. Although the hero saving the beauty is old-fashioned, it is definitely the most practical method.

If it doesn't work, then you have to consider whether your appearance is too ordinary. But obviously, he thinks he is top-notch in both appearance and ability.

……

At night, at the gate of Gaoyabao camp, the gnoll guards wearing iron armor and carrying scimitars on their waists were standing guard meticulously.

These jackals can see very far even at night, and their keen sense of smell makes them the best late-night guards. Therefore, they knew from a distance that their leader had returned and quickly let Luca go.

"Brother-in-law, are you back?"

Mir was reading a book in the room. He looked up and asked casually.

Levi lay directly on the bed, said "hmm" lazily, and kicked his shoes into the corner.

"How to say?"

"Nothing, just some talk about how to reward."

Logically speaking, it was not his turn to get involved in this kind of thing, but Onaya was thinking of spending a fortune on a horse's bones and coveting his body, and with Leah's instigation, she took the initiative to ask him what he thought.

"When we return to Highcliff Castle, I can knight you." Levi turned over, wrapped the quilt around himself, and turned into a big caterpillar.

"Hehe, brother-in-law, am I still too inexperienced?"

Hearing this sudden good news, Mil touched the back of his head, stopped reading and just kept grinning.

Becoming a formal knight has been his dream since childhood, as can be seen from the fact that he made himself an extremely flashy set of plate armor.

But this dream suddenly came true, which made him feel unreal.

All the trainee knights who came to Highcliff Castle at the beginning had the idea of ​​becoming official knights, but in the end they all ran away in shame. So Mir knew that becoming an official knight was not as easy as imagined.

"What's the point of talking about experience or not? I have the final say." Li Wei glanced at the boy and said, "Besides, you've been following me around and have killed many people. If we really talk about your merits, they are enough."

Although knighting him meant wasting some time on the ceremony, he didn't want to turn this title into a prostitute that anyone could sleep with.

Once this kind of thing starts, it is almost impossible to stop it.

So even if it was Mir, he only kept him around and accumulated enough military merits before he was ready to confer the title on him.

As for titles and such, Levi hasn't decided yet.

Because this kind of large-scale granting of territory is a complete disadvantage to centralization of power.

King Derby was powerless during this Civil War, which showed that he did not want to use this method.

He hasn't figured out how to do it yet.

However, it is still too early to confer a title, so there is no rush now.

"By the way, where is Zat?" Levi found that when he returned to the camp, he didn't see a single orc.

Although it was already late at night, it would have been close to eleven o'clock in his previous life, but thanks to the fact that he was a night owl in his previous life and often stayed up late, Gaoyabao followed suit and almost always went to bed very late.

At a time like this, these barbarians should be either bragging or wrestling.

"They are guarding the city gate. According to the shift system, Lord Montwitt just finished his shift today, and it's our turn." Mir put down the book and yawned.

Colen has a terrifying number of books on weapons manufacturing. He has been extremely fascinated by reading them these days. It seems that he has a lot of wonderful ideas in his mind, and he just needs to return to High Cliff Castle to put them into practice.

"Hey, this is a good job." The lord immediately became interested.

Guarding the city gate is a good opportunity to make money. Apart from anything else, the city entry tax is a considerable amount of money.

Most of the troops stationed in Cologne were assigned tasks, and High Cliff Castle was no exception.

They usually patrol the streets to maintain law and order, or guard the city gates and walls.

Because he didn't trust the brain of this fool Zat, Levi decided to supervise it personally early tomorrow morning.

Those barefoot farmers don't have to pay city taxes, but merchants can't escape his sharp eyes.

No matter in the past life or now, these businessmen are completely dishonest. They collect taxes as much as possible, and the other party can make a fortune with tears in their eyes.

Now that he has found the chance, he must have a good discussion with the other party about whether the city entry tax should be collected based on the number of people or by weight.

……

The morning light is rising and the south wind is howling.

The orc warriors, in their black armor, formed black lines and patrolled on the wall of the main gate of Cologne, above which the flags of High Cliff Castle were fluttering in the wind.

At the huge city gate, a dozen burly barbarians were blocking the road and setting up checkpoints.

Whether entering or leaving, identity verification is required, but the screening for people coming in is more stringent.

The barefoot farmers whose carts were pulling cabbages saw that the guards at the city gate had been replaced by burly orc warriors with ferocious faces. They were all nervous, fearing that the other side would collect more city tax than the human soldiers in front of them.

However, after the other party found out his identity and let him in, his face was full of disbelief, and then he happily expressed his gratitude to the noble who was lying on the chair with his legs crossed.

The little bit of city tax he saved was enough for him to replace his little daughter's linen shoes, which had exposed her toes, with warm sheepskin shoes.

The merchants, on the other hand, all had gloomy faces. Under the sneers of the orc warriors, they could only reluctantly pay the city entry tax calculated based on the approximate value of the goods. In the end, they cursed some pig with maggots in its heart in their hearts.

Fortunately, even after paying these city entry taxes, the value of their goods can still be multiplied several times, making them a huge profit.

But merchants value money like their life, and those gold coins are like cutting flesh from them. They would rather throw a copper coin into the toilet than give it to others.

To be honest, the lord was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling when he heard the crisp sound of Jin Ke being thrown into the wooden box.

If someone asked him what happiness is, he would definitely say that it is the helplessness of watching the other party have to pay the money and the sense of fulfillment of seeing his piggy bank gradually fill up.

Gaoya Castle has always been running at a deficit, but now it is starting to make a profit.

Just before lunchtime, the sound of horse hooves came from the distant street. It was a cavalry team flying the Bauhinia flag.

The leader was an acquaintance - Count Ando.

(End of this chapter)