Chapter 436 I will watch
Kallen standing at the entrance of the tower is still in the same outfit as when she was standing on the high platform of the castle.
The nine o'clock sunlight shines on that soft-lined face, and even the conservative nun's robe cannot completely hide the plumpness and health of a country girl.
The traditional Saint Sith nuns mostly have a tall and cold image, mainly because the girls in the empire are mostly tall and advocating moderation, like grapes hanging on a high fence.
The girl from the Kingdom of Rhodes is just the opposite, more like a ripe tomato pressed against a green vine.
Just right, she was wearing an emerald green olive branch crown on her head.
Luo Yan thought with great interest that this might become the standard configuration for nuns of the "New Saint Sith Cult".
"What are the girls from hell like?" Youyou asked curiously after hearing Luo Yan's inner voice.
That was purely out of curiosity.
Luo Yan thought for a while and replied in his heart.
"Probably ripe tomatoes hanging on the vine."
That's actually a bit unscientific, but it doesn't seem to make much sense to talk about science outside the academy?
Especially in a place like hell.
Yoyo: "Pfft..."
"...I knew you must be here."
Kallen stepped forward, with a hint of intimacy in her clear eyes, just like a child who had just learned to walk and was looking back proudly, just in time to see his parents looking at him with approval.
That is better than any reward in the world.
Although Luo Yan is not her father, he is indeed looking at her with approval at this moment.
Just now, he once again witnessed a new legend.
"How did you guess it?"
"The saint's intuition."
Kallen blinked slightly, the corners of her mouth raised slightly in triumph, and her quiet face was filled with unprecedented confidence.
She is no longer confused about her mission, and Luo Yan is very happy that she can find a new meaning in life.
"This crown suits you very well."
"Really?" Kallen opened her eyes in surprise, a hint of joy flashed in her bright eyes.
Of course.
Luo Yan smiled and continued, "This is a good idea. How did you come up with it?"
"Actually, there is no reason... I hope you won't laugh at me." Kallen said shyly with a blush on her cheeks.
"I heard that Brennan is going to get me an iron crown, but I'm worried that it's too heavy. If I have to wear it often... I'm afraid I can't afford it with my strength."
Luo Yan didn't laugh, but Taph laughed tastelessly.
Hearing the popping sound, Karen's face turned redder, and she stood there not knowing what to do, with her index fingers twisted together behind her back.
"I...did I say something wrong?"
"No, it's just that this little guy is used to being free and loose, and he doesn't understand what a sense of boundaries is... I will educate him later."
Luo Yan lightly kicked Tafu's tail, and the latter restrained himself, although he still grinned unconvincingly.
At this time, Sarah, who was standing in the shade like a shadow, came out. Without saying a word, she lifted Taff up from the ground and held her in her arms like a big cat carrying a kitten.
Taph had something to say, but because she had a familiar contract with her, she bared her teeth for a long time and could only hold back a "humiliating" grunt.
"Okay, be quiet..." Sarah patted Tuff on the back and muttered in a low voice, like an unskilled female cat coaxing her kittens.
And it’s a cow cat.
Looking at this heartwarming scene, Kallen couldn't help but let out a "puff" and laughed while covering her mouth. The laughter was as crisp as wind chimes, diluting the sacred atmosphere on the tower.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing "Lord God" looking at her, Kallen immediately realized that she was a little out of sorts.
Her cheeks instantly turned red. She quickly waved her hands and explained incoherently.
"Yes, I'm sorry, Mr. Colin! I just didn't expect that you would have such a... uh, human side?"
In her mind, both "Mr. Colin" and "Fire King" were both aloof and unconventional images.
At this moment, she rarely felt the kindness of a mortal from this man who was playing with her "pet".
However, her words were limited, and her expression was so strange that a certain little female dragon with no sense of boundaries started to puff again.
This guy has an extremely strong self-esteem and is covered in G-spots. However, he is not strong enough and is ridden on top by a hairless monkey. He cannot win and cannot win... He can only win back with inexplicable performance art.
Luo Yan didn't care about Tafu's honor-saving behavior. It was not easy for this guy to break his defense. All he had to do was ask Sarah to add an extra egg when he got down.
Looking at Karen who was gesturing with her index finger and explaining incoherently, he shrugged helplessly.
"What you are saying is that I am originally a human being. What does it mean to be like a human being?"
He has never tried to play an inhuman creature, so he doesn’t know why this guy would have the illusion that he is not a human being.
However, after Karen heard this sentence, she was shocked and opened her mouth slightly, as if her brain was frozen.
Originally... human?
The divine power to conjure bread out of thin air, and the divine light to disperse dark clouds... Is this really something that humans can do? !
It took her a while to come back to her senses and stammered.
"Well, what about King Yan?"
Luo Yan answered lightly, as if he was talking about an insignificant matter.
"That's just my title."
Just a title...?
Karien looked at him blankly, and after a long time, she whispered.
"Then...are the rumors about the "Son of God" also a lie?"
This upright and simple girl thought about it for a long time, and really couldn't think of how to form a sentence, so she carefully used the word "liar".
She didn't mean to complain, she was just a little unbelievable.
She always thought that she was saved by God, and the meaning of God saving her was that he wanted her to redeem the people in hell.
Including the legend of the Son of God that was later passed down orally, she also believed in it.
However, this god told her that he was not a special existence, but a legitimate human being.
Then what am I?
Hearing this interesting question, Luo Yan laughed out loud. Then, he looked into those clear eyes and said.
"In my impression, there was no such thing as the "Son of God" at the earliest. People in Thunder City were still too conservative and not imaginative enough. They only said that King Yan was the "Holy Son" who was born on the edge of magma. Fortunately, he survived the catastrophe thanks to the blessing of Saint Sith. The Province of Twilight People’s imaginations are much richer. I’m a little surprised. In just a few days, I have become the son of Saint Sith.”
He has never said that he is the son of God. Almost all the stories surrounding this title are made up by people themselves.
There are drunkards.
There are bards.
There are also adventurers.
Over time, the legend of the Flame King has become deeply rooted in the hearts of people in Thunder County, and even the princess of Campbell firmly believes in it.
After all, King Yan’s porridge shop has indeed helped many refugees outside Leiming City.
"...So, everything is just people's misunderstanding?" Kallen said blankly.
Luo Yan shook his head.
"Not entirely, to be precise, it should be a misunderstanding under deliberate guidance. I do not deny that I did this on purpose."
"But... why did you do this?" Kallen asked in confusion.
"It's very simple, because the people here need a god who has no worldly interests to hear their voice and give affirmation, and I can just satisfy them."
Looking at Kallen who still couldn't let go, Luo Yan said with a smile.
"Actually, this is not a bad thing. You might as well think about it from another angle, if Thomas, the owner of the caravan, asked you to do those "things I asked you to do," are you sure you can have the courage to do it to the end? The prerequisite for a miracle to happen is that everyone firmly believes it."
Karen tried to imagine it, but she couldn't imagine the scene at all, so she shook her head with a blushing face, and then nodded.
"Thank you for telling me this... You can actually not tell me, right?"
Luo Yan nodded.
"If I have worldly interests here, I really don't need to tell you, but I don't have that kind of requirement for you who have nothing. I'm just curious about where you will go."
Generally, the "Chosen One" will only teach half of the secrets, because half is enough. If the Chosen One has too many ideas, it will only trouble himself.
· However, the situation in Twilight Province is rather special, and the incomplete secrets may not be able to defeat the various forces entangled here.
He needs to let this saint know what is happening and why, so he must teach her some real things that neither Chaos nor Saint Sith teaches.
Including when he was on the road, in addition to explaining to her the "Book of Holy Words" that he had revised, he would also tell her why he had to change it in this way.
She must give piety to the fanatical people, so that she can lead them out of the hell beneath their feet. At the same time, she must also keep herself awake, otherwise they will go to another hell.
Looking at Kallen who had been silent for a long time, Luo Yan said with a smile.
"Disappointed?"
"No."
Kallen shook her head slightly, that shy and innocent smile appeared on her face again, and she spoke sheepishly.
"Actually... when I heard that you were a human being, in addition to being surprised, a lot of my confusions were suddenly solved. To be honest, I was actually a little... happy to hear you tell me these secrets."
Both Surprise and Mingwu Luo Yan could understand, the only thing that surprised him was happiness.
He thought that she might be disappointed because she "fell off the altar" and that she might be confused because she lost the "right direction", but he didn't expect that this girl from the field would be so optimistic and could actually taste happiness from this realistic monologue.
"What are you happy about?"
"That, that... is a secret."
Kallen suddenly looked away, and the hands that she didn't know how to place had secretly moved from behind to in front of her, although the clasped fingers were still nervously intertwined.
Looking at the nun who suddenly became embarrassed, Luo Yan thought for a while and decided not to continue questioning.
He is a god with a sense of boundaries, unlike a certain dragon god who likes to look around and be curious.
Karen didn't seem to want to continue on this topic. She coughed lightly and showed her reliable side besides piety.
· When she was on the carriage earlier, she received not only "oracles" from the gods, but also things other than mysticism.
And now——
It’s time for God to review her “study results”!
"...Well, I have made some preliminary arrangements for the follow-up work of the Salvation Army. Can you help me with it?"
Luo Yan smiled and nodded.
"Of course, I'm happy to oblige."
He suddenly felt as if he had returned to the Academy. Ilana's figure seemed to overlap with Kallen's... well, they couldn't overlap at all.
They are two completely different types in terms of personality, temperament and appearance.
Having received the Lord God’s approval, Kallen’s lips curled up in joy, but she quickly put on a serious and solemn look again——
Just like a real saint.
"First is spring plowing. There is too much abandoned land in Quemu Territory. I plan to send some soldiers of the Salvation Army to the area of Maitian Village to assist the residents who have returned home to open up wasteland and cultivate land. First, most of our soldiers are farmers, and they will know how to do it themselves. Secondly, many of their villages have been destroyed, so I would like to take this opportunity to let some of them settle down in Maitian Village... I think that only by having a home can they truly find a sense of belonging."
Luo Yan nodded.
"This is a good idea, but you must pay more attention to the distribution of land."
Although he has never planted it, he roughly knows that the value of different land is different. Some land can grow anything, and some can only support the most common crops. There are also problems such as the distance from water sources and the difficulty of reclamation.
If all the fertile land is in the hands of Salvation Army soldiers, it may not be a problem in the short term, but over time, new problems will definitely brew.
"I have already considered this," Karen's lips curled up with a touch of pride, and she said as if she were familiar with the matter. "We have decided to apply different tax rates to different lands, and evaluate the output of the land on an annual basis, and publish it on a village basis, and the soldiers' fields are also included in this. Although it is unrealistic to guarantee absolute fairness, we will do our best to ensure relative fairness in principle and satisfy the majority of people as much as possible."
Luo Yan nodded.
For a country still in the feudal era, just this promise of "satisfying the most people as much as possible" is not easy.
They are not Campbells sitting on steam engines after all. The wealth of a Thunder City is enough to exceed the output of the entire principality's farmland.
Even with the help of gods, these people who had just changed from serfs to freedmen would still have to grope in the dark for a long time.
Looking at the Lord God who nodded slightly, Kallen seemed to be encouraged in her heart, and her voice became much more natural, no longer as tight as before.
"Secondly, it is about the land along the Running River. It is the most fertile land in Quemu Territory, and there are ready-made irrigation canals and waterwheels. It is only due to Earl Theron's neglect of management that it has been abandoned. According to Earl Theron's steward, he once proposed to the Earl to repair water conservancy facilities and roads, but the Earl has been unwilling to pay the money out of concern about unrest in the territory, preferring to move the taxes to Twilight City to purchase real estate. "
"I have discussed with General Brennan that we might as well take this opportunity to take over these water conservancy facilities and the mills belonging to the lords to the Salvation Army, and then let us organize manpower to repair these facilities, and in exchange for charging appropriate fees, provide services to those who need them."
"This is probably not a good idea."
Kallen asked subconsciously after a pause.
“Why?”
Luo Yan said without thinking.
"Because farmers in the Twilight Province used to use these facilities for free, and now you suddenly charge them money, they will only think that you are worse than Earl Theron."
Kalen was a little confused and wanted to try to argue with her mentor.
"But those water conservancy facilities have not been used for a long time, and the land used to belong to the lords, but now it is theirs. They should be able to understand..." It is expected that everyone will be rational and think coherently. Even the residents of the Holy City do not have this awareness for the time being, and the most important thing is that they have no money, and neither do you. "Food cannot be grown and turned into money. A group of serfs who have just become free people may only have a few coppers in their pockets.
There is no point in taking away those few copper coins. It will only make them leave the ditch unused and stubbornly carry the bucket to the river.
Karien is an open-minded and studious "student" after all. She immediately realized the problem and said after being silent for a while.
"Then what do you think we should do."
Looking at Kallen who was open-minded and studious, Luo Yan nodded with a smile and said.
"I won't make a decision directly for you. But if it were me, I would give it to them for free, and then find the money from other places, so that they can't fault it and even feel they're taking advantage, while also allowing the facility to be maintained."
This involves the art of governance.
He knew that Karen would not understand just by saying this, so he continued patiently.
“I heard that the timber in the Dusk Province is famous on the continent of Oss, but war and famine caused the timber export business to shift to the north of the Kingdom of Rhodes. You know what it is like there, with a cold climate and inconvenient transportation, but your running river can go straight to the Principality of Campbell in the south and merge into the northeastern outlet of the Whirlpool Sea.”
"If it were me, I would consider improving the original water conservancy facilities and use part of the power for wood processing. If you can make use of the forest resources in Twilight Province and export them with the unique advantages of Running River, I think the extra income can not only make up for the losses of the water conservancy facilities, but also subsidize the surplus to other fields."
"Of course, with the war going on now, it is not realistic to export to the Principality of Campbell, but the dwarves of the Wanren Mountains can still consider it. Although the tools they produce are not as sophisticated as the Campbells, they are no less durable and cheap, especially the steam engines."
Kallen's eyes shone with hope, as if she saw hope, but it soon dimmed due to practical problems.
"But... I heard that the dwarves are in the east of Dusk Province, near the Brass Pass, and they are too far away from us."
Luo Yan guessed that she would say this, but he didn't think it was a problem at all.
After all, there are not only braided dwarves in this world, there are also a group of bald dwarves in Calamity Castle not far away.
"There are also dwarves in Broken Rock Peak. I think it's not too far from your place on the map. There is a tributary of the rushing river and you can connect there." One sentence, "That's a hell dwarf, right?"
"That's a false rumor," Luo Yan said without blushing, "How many dwarves have the locals seen? What do they know!"
What does it mean to have no hair?
At worst, let them go to the necropolis to buy a wig and wear it!
Now, under the corruption of the players, the hell dwarves of Calamity Castle seem to have an eye for money, and they will not miss any profitable business!
There is a railway network from Calamity Keep to the Necropolis. As long as the wood can be transported there, it is equivalent to being transported to the Principality of Campbell.
And transporting it to the Principality of Campbell is equivalent to transporting it to the empire's trade network. As long as money flows in, businessmen like Thomas will naturally come in.
Karen nodded in confusion and wrote down this important clue. After thanking the generous god, she went on to report on her work.
There is nothing wrong with the subsequent arrangements, including the appointment of personnel and the setting of positions. It is of course too sloppy by modern standards, but it is too advanced for the Quemu Territory that Earl Sailon had ruined.
This girl with a simple mind and fanatical qualities obviously listened to everything she was given.
Luo Yan was very satisfied.
Happy so far. Instead of helping them modify it myself, it is better to let them find out the rules that suit them.
…Finally, there is the work of identity numbering and household registration. We plan to establish a special archives management department based on the original registration department. The priests in the castle are willing to cooperate with our work, and they have rich experience. Experience in copying and archiving. "
"Our biggest dilemma at the moment is the lack of seeds, but Thomas said he will try his best to help us find a way. We should be able to buy some in Twilight City, and there are also some reserved seeds left in the castle's granary."
After the report, she clasped her hands in front of her and looked at her god carefully, her clear eyes filled with expectations for affirmation.
Like students waiting for test results.
Luo Yan certainly would not be stingy with her affirmation. In fact, she did a good job, and a smile of approval appeared on his face.
"You have done a good job. Although there are some flaws in the details, I can see that your future is bright. As I said last night, you need to let your people see hope, so that they can use their own strength to create miracles."
After a pause, he said again.
"I can help you with seed matters, including catching up on the progress of spring plowing and repairing water conservancy facilities... I happen to have some people here who are very good at doing these things."
"Really? That's great!"
Kallen's face instantly showed uncontrollable joy, but she soon realized that she was discussing work, so she coughed lightly and her expression returned to that of a solemn saint, "I... on behalf of the people of Twilight Province, thank you for your help."
Luo Yan said with a smile as he watched her trying to maintain her dignity.
"You don't have to do this with me."
Accidentally, he saw through his mind again. Kallen quietly stuck out her tongue, revealing a side that ordinary people could not see.
After the business talk was over, the relaxed and happy atmosphere returned to the top of the tower.
The sun has almost risen above the head, shining the cold stone slabs and rock walls white, and smoke has risen from the camp in the distance, as if the war is far away from everyone...
Kallen enjoys this feeling, not only because of the warm sunshine, but also because of the sun-like smile in front of her.
Only when she was in front of Mr. Colin, could she really take off the heavy "saint" mask and return to the relaxed and free countryside in her memory.
As for the reason, maybe he has seen all sides of her, whether it was embarrassed, confused, pious or holy...
Kallen's voice suddenly had a hint of emotion and curiosity, "I didn't expect that Mr. Colin actually had the identity of the 'Fire King'. To be honest, when I first heard about it from people, I thought it was a rumor..."
Luo Yan smiled and said nothing.
He neither admitted nor denied, and performed steadily as always.
Seeing his "conniving" look, Kallen became bolder.
She suddenly winked playfully, revealing a side that was completely different from the holy appearance in the ceremony: "'Colin', shouldn't it be your real name, right?"
Luo Yan glanced at her in surprise.
This time, not only him, but also Sarah, who was standing in the shade, and Taff, whose mouth was pinched by Sarah, also widened their eyes in surprise.
Especially Tafu, she was so excited that she wanted to scream.
It’s a shame!
Puff, puff, puff, the great liar of the century has finally been exposed!
She was looking forward to seeing that calm face reveal a defensive expression, but unfortunately it didn't happen. Luo Yan just looked at Kallen curiously and asked.
"How did you guess it?"
"This time it's "Kalian's intuition"," Kallen drawled out proudly, with a sly smile on her face, "Thanks to the things you taught me, maybe I have really awakened some 'special abilities'."
"Knowing too much is not a good thing." Luo Yan reminded her with a smile.
But this time, Karen did not flinch as usual, nor did she start to apologize out of nowhere. Instead, she bravely met his gaze.
She looked intently at that handsome and gentle face, and mustered up the courage to ask the question that had been hidden in her heart for a long time.
"Can I...know your real name?"
The believer made the fourth wish.
However, this time, the gods may not be able to satisfy her heart's desire.
However, Luo Yan did not refuse, that was not his style. Instead, he gave an ambiguous but hopeful answer.
"'Colin' is also my name. Just like I was indeed born on the edge of magma, the rumors are not all lies made up by people."
"As for my real name... If your performance satisfies me, I will tell you when the time is right." Kallen was not discouraged after hearing this answer. At least her god did not refuse and even gave her a promise.
She had a comfortable smile on her face. That is the innate optimism of Rhodes people, just like her pure smile, it comes from the same field.
"Then I can rest assured, I will work hard to prove myself!"
Luo Yan nodded.
This time he did not say anything vague like "You don't have to prove it to me, it's enough to prove it to the people who follow you." Instead, he gave a precise answer.
"Well, I will watch."