Chapter 50: The Weather Girl
The street behind the city gate is also the widest road in the city. It is like the trunk of a fishbone, with all kinds of people walking on it. It seems to be more lively than ever.
Since we came into this world, winter has always hindered transportation.
As March approached and the weather improved, caravans from far away were more willing to come to Lavosen, and the goods here were more abundant than before.
Olivia planned to explore the town in depth, so she first took Adam and Vansh to the largest pub in town for lunch.
Most of the people who come to eat here are businessmen from other places.
The dishes mainly consisted of various soups and roast chickens that were popular with merchants from other places. Since merchants' dry food always consisted of bread and bacon, they would not touch these two things if they had a choice.
This restaurant is famous for its roast chicken, which is filled with salt, garlic powder, herbs, apples and onion pieces. It is hung in the fireplace and roasted as a whole, then brushed with honey, sprinkled with a little pepper, and then roasted again. The taste is sweet and salty, and the chicken is very tender.
Olivia sat alone in a small private room, while Vansh and Adam were taken to the kitchen by the restaurant owner to eat.
She listened attentively to the people next door drinking and chatting, some of whom were talking about business.
These businessmen said that the price of iron ore rose by one-tenth in March, and they don’t know whether it will fall in a few months, so they are currently waiting and watching.
After lunch, Olivia went to the grocery store.
She bought some ingredients for making cakes and desserts, planning to take them home to improve Sansa's favorability, and also bought some apricot jam.
Since Lainie is going to the convent in two months, she might need some clothes.
Olivia went to the fabric store and bought some cloth suitable for making clothes, boots made by a leatherworker, and two leather boxes.
In her previous life, she would always buy a new suitcase before going to college or high school.
Adolescents usually care a lot about face.
The night before, she asked the kitchen helper to use a cast iron pan as a mold to bake a lot of cake dough, which she used to make a lot of apricot jam layer cakes, and decorated the surface with a layer of cream and drizzled with honey.
The next morning, she sent someone to deliver a piece of the assembled cake to the Baron's Mansion, and kept one piece for herself.
The rest, along with the cloth suitcases and other things, were taken to Renault Manor.
Early in the morning at Renault Manor, servants and tenants were cleaning the old stables.
Serfs came and went carrying wood, apparently planning to build a new wooden house in the backyard.
Olivia arrived and asked the servant to take the things she brought with her, and then went to the backyard to check the details.
I followed the servant to the backyard and saw the scene in the yard.
I don't know where they came from, but they bought five or six young horses that are over two years old and cannot be carried on a back yet.
Theresa, wearing a dark blue robe, stood in the yard and watched people working from a distance.
She turned around and saw Olivia, who was supposed to be busy with spring plowing at home, suddenly came. She thought something happened to her.
After asking a few questions and learning that nothing had happened, Theresa felt relieved.
Olivia asks when they bought the horse.
"Your father had these ponies brought back. Buy them now because they're cheap. After raising them for a year and training them, they'll be just rideable."
Olivia told her aunt the news from the Baron's mansion, and her aunt told old Renault when she returned to Renault Manor.
Old Renault thought about it for several days at home and felt that there might be a war next year, so he took out his savings and planned to prepare and recruit soldiers.
The servant came out shoveling horse manure, and Theresa covered her nose and made way.
"Go back inside, it stinks."
So, Olivia followed Theresa into the room and continued to inquire about buying a horse. She also had this plan in the near future.
The horses chosen by Old Renault were of the most suitable domestic breed for use as war horses, but since they were not yet adults, they cost four gold coins each.
Most people who own their own estates will buy horses that are over two years old, raise them for half a year, and then train them for a while before they can be ridden.
If you don't have your own land, most of you can only buy a trained adult horse, which costs more than four gold coins, about five to seven gold coins.
After saying this, Theresa asked the servants to wake up Lainie and Sansa who were still sleeping in, and let Olivia stay here for lunch.
Olivia nodded and followed the servants to lift Sansa's bedroll.
Sansa was called up with a confused look on her face. When she learned that there was cake to eat, she was so happy that she ran out without even wearing shoes. The servants chased her but couldn't catch up with her.
In the next room, Leni had woken up early and was in her bedroom making a new felt mat, apparently preparing things for her residence in the monastery.
Olivia called Lainie out and said she had prepared some useful items.
Lainie saw the servants bring in some brand new suitcases and fabrics suitable for making clothes.
Lainie immediately asked Olivia in confusion:
"Did you rob someone's vault? Why are you suddenly so generous? Or are you planning to sell me out?"
Lainie's tone was deep and a little humorous.
"you……"
Olivia gritted her teeth and endured it: "I've always been generous, okay?"
Lainie nodded: "Okay, okay."
She didn't even say a word of courtesy to Olivia, or even a thank you, and asked the servant to put the things in the room.
He looked calm and didn't seem to show any obvious joy.
Olivia scratched her head, unable to understand whether the girl was happy or unhappy, so she could only silently open the system to check her favorability.
Sansa's favorability has risen from 80 to 95, and Lainie's favorability has risen by ten levels and is now 75.
Olivia turned off the system and snorted.
It seemed that she was obviously very happy, but she was being stubborn and pretending to be calm in front of her sister.
After a while, several people came to the restaurant to cut the cake.
Sansa was persuaded by the servants to put on her shoes and sit around the table. The servants cut her a large piece of cake, which was covered with a not-so-smooth layer of cream, with cake base and jam filling inside.
Sansa ate with gusto. When she learned that this was another thing made by Olivia herself, she immediately admired it and her favorability soared to the maximum.
Olivia sat next to her, chatting with Theresa and watching Sansa eat. She was not surprised at all that her favorability towards Sansa soared. She just silently opened the panel and checked her character card.
Sure enough, Sansa has her own skills.
Sansa's skill is called "Lucky Guy"
The detailed explanation of the skill says that the character with this skill has a lucky buff that "when going out on a rainy day, the rain will gradually decrease, and if you are thirsty when going out, you will be able to find something to quench your thirst within a hundred steps."
After reading the explanation, Olivia's lips curled up immediately. Did she pull out a weather girl?
It seems that Sansa is a pure lucky person who will never get wet in the rain or feel thirsty in her life.
Olivia couldn't help but think, if there was a flood disaster or a geological drought, wouldn't she be invincible as long as she took Sansa with her?
She looked at the beautiful child who was currently innocent and enjoying the cake, and laughed evilly in her heart.
However, after a while, at lunch time, Dad Knight Renault came home to slack off.
Old Renault is always like this. He goes out for patrol after dawn, comes back for lunch at noon, goes out again in the afternoon, and hangs around until night. When the Baskin Knight next door comes out to take over his shift, he goes home.
The reason for such relaxation is that Renault Manor is not on the river bank and is relatively safe.
Besides, it was well known that Caesar spent a lot of time patrolling with his soldiers outside and would not go to any place that was not dangerous.
Therefore, old Renault felt very safe and was more at ease and happy to slack off.
He came back at noon and saw Olivia. The first thing he asked her about was the caravan, and then he asked about the spring plowing on her two estates.
He learned from Narcissa that Olivia had invested a lot of money to let them form a caravan.
Old Renault knew that his daughter was not a simple-minded person and that she understood how to put money in her pocket, which was a sign of growth.
Olivia gave a brief overview of the caravan.
She thought of the horses in the backyard, and a bold idea gradually emerged in her mind.
My father is also a smart man. He does things in an organized way. Besides, we are related by blood, so he is more reliable than outsiders.
Neither the sheriff nor the baron suspected that there was anything hidden in Toxon Manor, and no one had touched the treasure chest for some time.
She will not be polite about this gift from nature.
After lunch, Olivia pulled old Renault and Theresa aside, dismissed the servants, and said mysteriously that she needed their help with something.
Theresa looked confused.
"Didn't you say it was okay?"
Olivia opened the map and waved her hand after making sure no one was eavesdropping.
"This matter cannot be known to anyone else, so I only dare to let you know."
Old Renault's eyes rolled, his appetite was immediately piqued, and he asked her what was going on.
Olivia cleared her throat and whispered in distress:
“Actually, after I took over Toksun Manor, I found a large sum of money there.
I suspect that this money is stolen money that Knight Toksun got from helping others."
As soon as the news came out, the two elders immediately asked her how much stolen money she had.
Olivia held up two fingers: "Two hundred gold coins."
She just wanted to get this much out of old Renault, so she didn't tell the truth, let alone mention the communication.
If I were to tell the truth, I guess they would be so scared that they couldn't sleep.
These two hundred gold coins could be said to have been accumulated slowly by Knight Toxon through his own bad deeds.
Theresa and old Renault also suspected this.
"I knew that everyone else's family was fine, but his family was in trouble. It must be because they did something wrong."
Theresa said indignantly.
If families like them wanted to make money, they would usually just steal a little from the errands assigned by the Baron's Mansion. As long as it wasn't too excessive, the Baron's Mansion would turn a blind eye.
They will not squeeze money out of ordinary people, after all, there is actually nothing they can squeeze out of them.
But the Toksun family didn't care about that and dared to grab the money from the frying pan and spend it.
After hearing this, old Renault began to persuade Olivia not to be stupid enough to hand over the money.
Otherwise, the Baron would only suspect that there were still good things in Toxon Manor, and even become suspicious of her, wondering if she had handed them all over.
"Our baron is not a good man," said old Renault.
"Of course, that's why I'm worried. It's not good to keep this hot potato in my hands. I want to find something to spend it on."
She meant something, and old Renault and Theresa immediately understood why Olivia suddenly took the risk and asked her aunt and Letilan to set up a caravan.
After talking for so long, it turns out it was because of this.
"Everyone knows that Count Constant's heir is engaged to our Count's second-grandson. Sooner or later, there will be a war."
Olivia thought for a moment and said, "I was outside yesterday and heard from a businessman that the price of iron ore was rising."
"Why don't we use this money and take advantage of this opportunity to stock up on some iron ore or horses?"
Old Renault thought about it and asked Olivia to let him handle the matter.
“I also have a few business acquaintances who can help me stock up on goods, and no one will notice.
When the world is in chaos, I can take it out again and no one will notice. "
Olivia nodded.
Old Renault thought for a moment and said to Theresa and Olivia:
"Does Caesar know about this?"
Olivia nodded.
Old Renault thought about it and realized that his son-in-law seemed to be very obedient to Olivia and kept his mouth shut.
"Don't let anyone else know about this except us."
Old Renault reminded them vigilantly.
Olivia looked at her father's cautious look and knew that the matter was settled.
Two days later, she used the excuse of going to Toksun Manor to check on the spring plowing progress and secretly took out two hundred gold coins from the box.
He counted out one hundred and fifty gold coins, put them into a wine bottle, mixed them with other wine and packed them in a box, and asked the servants to deliver them to Renault Manor.
In less than half a day, old Renault sent someone to send back a message in riddles, saying that he had received the wine and asked Olivia not to worry.
It was already early March when these things were settled.
The ice and snow melted, the river thawed, and the streams and small lakes in the manor gradually began to flow with fresh water. The snow in the fields was almost melted by the continuous sunshine.
Obviously, the temperature has now climbed up from below zero.
Olivia silently took off a shirt. The temperature during the day felt around three to ten degrees Celsius.
Spring plowing has begun on the two estates and is proceeding in an orderly manner under the arrangement of the steward, the miller, and Jacopo.
This day is the day when Fanon's church furniture begins to enter the market.
After all, it was a landmark main quest that was completed, so Olivia came to the manor in person to see if there was anything missing.
The church covers an area of about 60 square meters and is located on an open space opposite the mill. There is a stream on one side, which makes it convenient to get water, so there is no need to dig a well.
Just walk out of the manor gate and you will arrive in just a few steps.
From the outside, it looked like a fairly respectable stone brick house with a pointed roof and black tiles, about the same width as the manor house.
The only difference is that the tiles on the roof are newer, there is a statue of the creator god on the roof, and there is only one floor, no second floor or attic.
There weren't that many different architectural styles, and the tenant farmers only knew how to build this type.
A long house with a prayer hall and three living quarters at the back.
Olivia walked through the door and could see what the hall looked like.
Since there is no ceiling blocking the view, the hall has a height of four or five meters. There are six windows on both sides of the room, equipped with wooden window panels. Now they are all open, allowing in plenty of light.
The hall has stone floor tiles and the walls are simply covered with a layer of plaster. At the innermost side of the hall, there is a small stone podium.
Fanon was painting by the wall. He asked Donald to help him grind the mineral pigments and mix them with egg white to paint the statues.
In the hall, carpenters carried in tables and chairs. There were about twelve sets of them, each set could seat six people. The entire hall could accommodate seventy-two people praying at the same time.
Olivia walked up to greet the two of them, then went to check the three small houses at the back.
Of these three small rooms, the middle one is a living room and kitchen, with a fireplace, a set of tables and chairs, simple kitchen utensils, and a water tank.
On the left and right sides are two bedrooms. One is Fanon's bedroom. He has already collected all the luggage, so the household items are quite complete.
As for the other room, it was reserved for the servants.
After having his own temple, Fanon's family planned to send him an old servant to help with cooking three meals a day, cleaning and washing clothes.
Well, it looks very cozy. In addition to the ten gold coins, Fanon's family also contributed a little.
Olivia also asked someone to buy some things.
No matter who you treat unfairly, you must not treat highly talented people unfairly.
Olivia thought that since this place was almost done, it was time to give Donald a good repair.
Toksun didn't know how to live his life before. His soldiers were all dressed in rags, and the church was built like a toilet.
The people in Toxon Manor were not worried at all about his disappearance. Instead, they seemed to hope that he would not survive.
While she was thinking, all the benches in the hall outside were already set up.
The system prompts Olivia that the main mission has been completed.
She received the reward first.
There is no experience value this time, but there is an additional green five-pointed star icon for the church on the map.
It seems that this place can increase her favorability among the residents.
She refreshed the main quest again.
Main Quest: Repair the Church
Mission Description: Repair the church for Donald.
Mission Reward: Any NPC praying in this church will gain +0.1 favorability towards the player.
It was just as she thought.
As long as it is within the territory under her jurisdiction, any church, whether it is renovated or newly built, can be used to increase the favorability of her subjects.
Olivia walked into the hall, and just then, the housekeeper came to check on the progress of the furniture arrangement.
She immediately cleared her throat, pointed at Donald, and said to the butler:
"Now that things here are almost done, it's time to repair Father Donald's church for him."
She looked at Donald, who looked attentive, and asked about the current situation of his church.
Just as the original statement was, the tiles in his church were second-hand and leaked everywhere. The walls were not plastered and were built with old stone bricks used for fences, which were chipping everywhere.
Afterwards, in front of everyone, Olivia touched her chin in thought and muttered:
"How can this be possible? It is simply disrespectful to God."
She looked at the housekeeper:
"Well, arrange a few people to go to town and buy some new tiles. Then find a plasterer to scrape a layer of yellow mud on the walls and then repaint them with plaster. If there's any broken furniture, replace it with new ones."
The housekeeper knew that the lady was a person who respected the gods the most, so he nodded in agreement.
Anyway, as long as we don't dig the ground, it won't cost more than two gold coins.
"Ma'am, you are such a good person!"
Donald, who was standing by, was still grinding paint with his hands. He originally wanted to help Fanon more and ask Fanon to ask his wife to repair the church for him, but he didn't expect that the wife was not just talking nonsense and actually wanted to repair the church for him.
Olivia waved her hand. "It's all for the purpose of better worshipping the gods. We should do this."
She continued, “However, two priests, from now on, I hope you can be more diligent. In the past, we only prayed together once a week or half a month.
I think this is still too little. Many people who are busy with farming or working outside easily miss the time for prayer.
I wonder if we can increase the number of prayers to three times a week, so that no matter who we are, we can always catch up.
Also, the children in the manor must be trained with great care, so that they can learn to be grateful to God!"
Olivia thought that once a week, increasing the favorability by 0.1 each time, and not everyone might be able to come, was still too slow.
Not to mention asking the people to do nothing but recite scriptures in church every day, but at least we should ensure that everyone can pray once a week.
In this era, the people are not well educated and are very easy to be instigated. The higher her favorability is, the smoother her rule will be.
The higher the favorability among residents, the less likely things like peasant uprisings and miners slacking off will happen.
If she transforms the people to a certain extent, she will become the "sun" and be followed by people with tears in their eyes. Her words will be followed by laws, and there will be no resistance to what she wants to do.
Hearing this, Fanon and Donald dared not say a word. They looked at the lady with shining eyes, and some of them trembled at her enthusiasm.
It was as if if they didn't agree to do this, they would be carried out and burned as heretics.
The two nodded their heads in agreement and agreed to organize public prayers at least three times a week.
The housekeeper didn't even dare to say a word.
Olivia nodded in satisfaction.
In the evening, she strolled around the manor. The snow that had piled up on the wall in the past was melting, and she could see the condition of the wall clearly.
These places need to be repaired as needed. The two dilapidated houses in the main house can be expanded after Letilen's caravan returns.
Olivia believed that even if there was a war next year and Caesar was released and received some fiefdom or reward outside, she would not move to the other side of the river immediately.
It's still safe here, separated from the war zone by a river.
If I really have my own fiefdom in the future, the worst that can happen is that I can exchange similar land with Baron Bergru.
Therefore, this manor is still worth investing in and building.
However, speaking of Letilen, after a few days, his caravan arrived safely in the city of Anko.
It seems that after the letters were leaked, the Earl's eldest son, De Lowa, has begun to withdraw his actions.
In the past, he arranged for mercenaries to harass the baronies in his stepmother's camp, rob caravans, hijack merchant ships, and make a fortune. He never thought that these things would be recorded by brave people.
Letilen's caravan is currently parked outside the city of Anko, replenishing supplies at the post station and planning to continue on their journey.
Olivia observed the caravan from a distance and found that no one was following or plotting against it, and no one was ambushing them ahead.
She felt relieved.
In the evening, dinner time.
The people patrolling outside brought back the prey, and the new soldiers, following the same process as before, received their new equipment and began practicing archery.
As the weather warmed up, there were more and more animals in the forest, and there was plenty of prey.
These newly recruited soldiers are young people aged between fifteen and twenty.
Among them, two of them planned to marry girls from the same village, and they came to Olivia at dinner time, hoping that she would allow them to get married.
"Of course, but is it just the two of you?"
She turned to look at George, the attendant who led them in.
"Tomorrow you can ask if there are any soldiers who are planning to get married, and have the priest hold their wedding in the newly built church.
They don't need to pay any wedding tax, and we can just plan the wedding together and set the date for next Monday."
The two soldiers had never heard of such a good thing.
George nodded in agreement and asked the two new soldiers to go home and tell the soldiers in the same village the good news.
Olivia continued her meal only after George and the others left.
She knew that Caesar had been fasting for a long time, and this time there was finally no one living next door.
There was a high probability that there would be a fierce battle tonight, so she had a big meal in advance to replenish her physical strength to avoid being defeated after just a few moves.
…
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
