( Next Day, Terra Nova Online, The Crest-Hill Barony )
An interesting scene unfolded within Crest-Hill Barony on this day, as long lines of citizens looking for better paying employment, cluttered the small recruitment booths set up by Leo.
A total of eight such booths had been set-up by Leo, with four of them being set up within Berkshire Town, and the other four being equally divided between Fendi Village and DustBrook Village.
However, regardless of which recruitment booth one visited, they were greeted with the same picture of long queues of citizens waiting for their turn to get themselves registered into Leo's new workforce and get their hands on a new job and a new source of money.
"Please state your name, and what type of job you are seeking?" The registration officer, whose backpay Leo had cleared just yesterday asked, as he conducted himself with utmost professionalism.
"Me name is John, John Biggs …. Me has not formally studied before, so me can only take up a factory worker job.
However, before me accepts this job, I wish to know what the job is, because me does not want to become a miner or any worker who works a physically demanding job" said John Biggs, who was an uneducated commoner who used to make a living previously by collecting and selling timber during the winter.
"Well John, rest assured, you will not be forced to do manual labor, but will be instead given a proper job within a proper factory.
If you sign up today, the Baron will give you 5 silver coins as a one time signing bonus and a monthly salary on the 5th day of the month every month from now, depending on how many days you show up to work.
If you work hard, you will be paid more and if you work less you will be paid less, however, regardless of how much you work, you will still surely be treated fairly and with respect" The registration official said, as he enrolled John Biggs into the workforce and handed him his one time registration money.
As John got his hands on the 5 coins of silver, he began weeping tears of joy then and there, as by receiving such an astronomical sum of money at once, John felt like he had been blessed by the ultimate kindness.
"Thank you…. Thank the Baron….. bless him, and bless his seven generations …. I will surely work hard and repay his kindness someday" John said, as he moved on from the registration booth, letting the next candidate walk up to it.
"Aye! Johnny boy! Did you get it? Are they really handing out 5 silver coins to register as a Factory Worker or was it a scam?"
"Aye! Johnny Boy! Why are you crying? Did the polling officer abuse you?"
As John moved away from the registration booth, some of his colleagues who were eagerly watching him sign up bombarded him with questions as they felt curious to know if this was a scam or not.
However, John's reply to their questions utterly shocked them.
"It's not a scam! I got the money….. The new Baron is our savior! From today onwards I'm his staunchest supporter and if anyone dares to badmouth the Baron in my presence, then I promise to personally beat the snot out of them!" John declared, as his emotional yet passionate reply shocked his colleagues.
"If it's not a scam then it's a once in a lifetime opportunity! Let's grab it while it's still possible to avail. Praise the New Baron! Praise The Boss"
"Free money and long-term job security? Too good! This offer is too good!"
The commoners said, as more and more joined the registration queue.
***********
As Leo strolled through Berkshire Town on registration day, the transformation in the atmosphere was palpable.
The town, notorious for its crumbling infrastructure and lack of basic sanitation, remained virtually unchanged. Potholes still marred the streets, and public facilities were scarce. Yet, a profound shift had occurred, not in the physical landscape, but in the spirit of its people.
Just days ago, the townsfolk wore expressions of resignation and despair.
Their faces were etched with the struggles of daily life and their eyes looked dull and lifeless. However, today, as Leo observed the lines forming outside the registration stations, he was struck by the vibrant energy that seemed to pulse through the crowd as hope seemed to have replaced hopelessness.
Where there had once been weariness, there was now anticipation, as the commoners, who had been weighed down by the harsh realities of Crest-Hill Barony, seemed to stand taller today, their faces alight with a newfound vitality.
It was as if the mere act of gathering for registration had ignited a spark within them—a belief that change was possible.
Leo understood that this shift in public spirit was not merely about the administrative process and that it was more about the potential that the common people felt for a better future, one where they actually had a fair shot of succeeding in life, and one that Leo had started to symbolize.
His presence in the barony had stirred something deep within the community, rekindling an emotion long absent— which was 'joy'.
This joy was cautious yet unmistakable today within all commoners, as Leo could observe a flicker of light in the eyes of those commoners, that had been cloudy and dull for far too long.
As he moved among the people, Leo felt their hope intertwining with his own aspirations for the town. He saw it in the smiles exchanged between neighbors and in the laughter of children who sensed the change in the air.
This was more than just a registration day; it was a testament to the enduring spirit of a community that had refused to be broken.
At that moment, Leo realized that while the physical transformation of Berkshire Town would take time, the rejuvenation of its people had already begun.
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/// A/N - Hey guys. Thank you so much for all your love and support for this book last month.
Thanks to your votes, we managed to reach the top25 rankings in GT, and I'm hoping to aim for top15 this month! ///