Hearing this question, Salvatore seemed to go into deep thought.
“How should I put it? En, at least your guards are capable.”
Seeing Salvatore hesitating, Annan suddenly felt a little uneasy.
That group of huskies. Are they tearing down my city?
When I went out to demolish my enemy’s base, was my base leveled?
He couldn’t help but ask, “What happened? Or did they cause some trouble?”
“No, that’s not the case. They even help others all over the city, and now the entire Freezing Water Port knows that their new feudal lord is here.”
Speaking of this, Salvatore added, “Of course, they are doing things well. They haven’t put aside the job of guarding this place and even helped patrol the city.
“Their loyalty to you is high. Even if you asked some to cause destruction at Roseburg previously, this dangerous mission did not make the guards who remained in the city feel dissatisfied with you. They even wanted to help at Roseburg because the mission there is more critical. Yes, that’s what they told me.
Salvatore recalled the actions of the players. He immediately became more awake, “I don’t know where you found such good and strange guards. Before you entered the nightmare, many people have come to see you in the past two days.
“I can see that. They are not just saying a few good things about you, nor are they trying to behave or flatter you for the sake of wealth and power. They hope from the bottom of their hearts that you can give them a more dangerous mission. They sincerely hope that you will be safe.”
Yes, I know that.
Because the players wanted more fun and exciting mission. They must be concerned about the safety of their current only faction leader.
Annan was silent, unable to even explain to Salvatore.
They didn’t love me at all. They want the affection rate I sent them!
“In that case,” Annan was a little confused, “Why did you look so troubled just now?”
“Because some are too diligent. They are quite diligent and friendly to the townspeople.”
When the young wizard with a sleepy face talked about this problem, he became energetic and uttered, “Let me tell you. Some of them even plan to go to work! It’s not about guarding someone or teaching swordsmanship. It’s work like pruning flowers, sweeping the floor, and guarding the grave!
“Some people even went to the militia group to consult on swordsmanship. At the time, the militia group thought they were there to find fault. Everything turned into chaos. Later, I learned that they indeed came to consult on swordsmanship. But your guards are so good at swordsmanship. Obviously, they have practiced military swordsmanship for at least five years. In the end, the militias were defeated miserably.
“The other townspeople were scared to death at first. They thought you were trying to take their property or their jobs, so you sent guards to blackmail them. Some even wanted to give them money. Some fights almost broke out. I went to mediate the situation and clarify the matter to calm them down.
“I asked your guards why they are doing this. Then they said… They left their homes and came here, and they had to make some money. Until I told them that you would pay them a fixed salary, some gave up the idea of ??finding a job. So, they guarded around the house patiently.”
Salvatore said in a weird complexion, “They also said they must make more money because there could be places to spend money at any time. But I have been here for several years. I don’t know what this Freezing Water Port has to offer that can attract them to spend.”
“I see.”
Annan was silent for a moment, then murmured in response.
Wait, do I still have to pay them a salary?
You bastard. Don’t remind them, and don’t remind me of this! These players didn’t realize that they had a salary to receive previously!
Annan was sad.
Players are getting used to exploitation. This game is conscientious enough to be free forever without the need to spend money. How would they even think of getting paid with salary?
I hope they didn’t believe Salvatore.
Just as Annan thought, Salvatore with messy hair continued,
“But even if they knew about this, many of them decided to go out and look for work. Some even planned to hunt in the mountains, while some wanted to join the fleet for fishing.
“They even want me to keep it a secret from you. However, after thinking about it, I can’t keep this secret from you for this kind of matter. After all, they are your guards. How do those townsmen pay them? What if they are tired or injured? What if they do things in your name? What if they deceive people in your name?”
Salvatore had a complicated expression. He looked at Annan in confusion, “It’s true that nothing happened now, but I still have to tell you about it. I look at their appearance. They should have a good background, right. Why are they all…?”
So poor?
Although Salvatore didn’t say anything in the second half, Annan already knew what he wanted to say.
This was normal. It was common for players to start farming for economic purposes. Especially when the other half of the players performed dangerous infiltration and assassination missions, the rest of the players left in the city would naturally take the initiative to help deal with logistical issues.
For example, to make money.
But Annan was relieved instead.
The problem was not significant. As long as the players did not demolish their homes, it would be a good thing.
It was usual for the players to look for missions everywhere. They would naturally test whether they could get life professions [1] and learn new skills. It was even more normal to want to work and earn money. They didn’t steal but searched for work instead. Annan was even very pleased.
But the salary…
Annan was quite troubled with this.
Because he had no money now.
I don’t have money. Just take my life.
Fortunately, to be on the safe side, he laid the groundwork for the players on the main mission and made him look pitiful.
Annan was now seriously thinking about whether to have a showdown with the players.
He would say that he had no money to pay wages. Then, when the salary was supposed to be paid every month, he would do the payout with affection rates directly.
Or, I can let the players make money for themselves. I pay them a small amount of affection rate monthly, at least during the closed beta period. As a noble, if I don’t have a penny on me, there could be a mess.
But I seem a bit like a dog wagging its tail. Turning in funds regularly to me sounds cruel, but it makes sense when I think about it.
Anyway, Annan’s affection rate was equivalent to vouchers, sort of like a monthly subscription!
Haven’t you seen a monthly subscription?!
Isn’t it normal to pay for a monthly subscription?!
And you don’t need to pay money, but it just takes you some time. What do you have to complain about?
Annan felt more confident as he thought about it. He quickly convinced himself.
It was a happy decision; just let the players come back regularly to pay him instead. Anyway, he had two noble identities. He was connected to Louis Prince and Salvatore, the wizards who seem to be well respected.
If the players wanted to buy something, the price, and quality at Annan’s side must be much better than if the players bought it themselves.
The difference right there could be an attraction to make the affection rate more valuable.
En, I shall make adjustments in the backend interface.
Then, I tell them blatantly. I’m so cute. Please give me money…
“Oh yes, one more thing.”
Salvatore suddenly blurted, “Your guards seemed to get new information…
“They said that the person you sent to Roseburg discovered a major event that must be reported directly to you.”
[1] Cooking, fishing, craftsmanship jobs. It’s an RPG game reference.