"A reward?"The thought shot through Luke Crowe's mind like a bolt of lightning.This damn System actually had rewards?Luke had assumed it was nothing more than a glorified System Panel, something to check his Domain statistics and not much else. Apparently, his understanding had been far too shallow.[System Upgrade: Talent Identification System unlocked.][System Notice: Usage method: focus your attention on a target to view key attributes.]Luke's pulse quickened. He turned his gaze toward Garrick, testing the new function immediately.[Garrick: Crippled Veteran.][Loyalty: 95/100. You gave him dignity.][Potential: Military Command, B-rank. Can be cultivated into a general.][Current Status: Severely wounded. Overall effectiveness reduced by 50%.][Hidden Trait: Siege Defense Expert. When commanding defensive operations, Military Command ability temporarily increases by two ranks, from B to B++.]Luke froze, his mind r

"We'll stick to our original agreement. Monthly repayments, thirty percent interest.""In the end, you'll receive a hundred and thirty gold coins. And the exclusive ore purchasing rights remain in effect, though there will be quantity limitations."Luke Crowe raised his wine glass and took a sip, his tone casual but firm."Oh, why the change?"Alan Whitcomb leaned forward with interest, his curiosity piqued."Part reserve funds, part operational expenses."Luke knew a loan was a loan. The hundred and thirty coins he would owe in a year were worth less than a hundred in hand now. He had seen too many companies with millions in receivables collapse when their cash flow dried up."Fair enough.""When you put it that way, I'm not losing out."Alan considered it and found the terms acceptable. The original agreement had carried no interest at all, and the mine was clearly Luke's cash cow now. If he was not selling ore anymore, he had other pla

The next morning, Luke Crowe arrived at the forge before dawn had fully broken.Bel and the twenty workers were already waiting, their breath misting in the cold air. They stood in clusters near their stations, talking in low voices, faces tight with anticipation.The previous day's attempt had been yet another failed experiment.Luke pulled out a sheet of paper and a pencil he'd purchased from Alan Whitcomb and began taking notes. He moved from workstation to workstation, with paper and pencil in hand, asking each group the same battery of questions."What are you waiting for? Where are you getting stuck? What do you think the bottleneck is? If the person before you worked faster, could you keep up?"The first group answered immediately. "We're waiting for the iron to heat up. One furnace load takes half an hour."The second group looked frustrated. "We're waiting for Group One to send us material. When they're slow, we can only wait."The third g

"If that's the case, then all the better."Alan Whitcomb raised his wine glass, smiling with practiced elegance as he studied Luke Crowe across the table."I'd hate for something to go wrong halfway through and leave you unable to fulfill the order. Sourcing from outside suppliers would cut deeply into my margins."He set down the glass and let his gaze drift over Luke's clothing, taking in the rough fabric and simple cut."Mm, tomorrow you'll be accompanying me to the Count's Domain for an evening banquet. That outfit you're wearing is, shall we say, somewhat unconventional for such an occasion."Luke glanced down at himself and shrugged. "Can't be helped. My Domain doesn't exactly have professional tailors on staff." He plucked at the coarse sleeve with a wry smile. "Though you're right. I should probably get myself some proper work clothes."The women of Ashenvale had sewn them with care, but the materials were too poor to look like anything but rags

At these words, Luke Crowe and Alan Whitcomb followed the Steward into the resplendent hall.A long table stretched before them, its surface draped in velvet and laden with silver platters piled high with food. The sight alone made Luke's mouth water. He hadn't tasted meat in days, and the array before him looked like a feast fit for royalty. Candles flickered in ornate silver candelabras, their light dancing across the walls. Behind the head of the table hung an enormous mural depicting Count Barrowmont astride a warhorse, clad in battle armor, sword raised in conquest.Several guests had already taken their seats. The chair at the head remained conspicuously empty, reserved for the Count himself. Beside it sat the Steward who had escorted them in.Across from where Luke and Alan stood, a middle-aged man in a wine-red coat had settled into his chair. His gaze fixed on the newcomers, though his attention seemed focused primarily on Alan rather than Luke. There was a c