The Witcher World: The Path to Domination Begins in Velen

Chapter 106 Meritelli and the Changes at the Manor

Karl drew a triangle on the table. "Most of the first batch of veterans in the standing army you led have the basic qualities of officers and can form a complete military organizational framework as the backbone of the army. Many of the Temeria veterans recruited later also have good tactical skills. Once they adapt to the Empire's battle formations and tactical coordination, they can all be used as junior officers."

These veterans' battlefield experience effectively helps the standing army reduce many unnecessary casualties. They know when to cover the flanks, when to seize high ground, and when to have troops take cover in place—knowledge that can save many lives on the battlefield.

"That's settled then. We can make adjustments as needed during implementation." Ron stood up, straightened his sword belt, and walked towards the door.

"Erwin, Karl, let's go for a walk around the neighborhood. I want to see how the manor has changed."

The three of them left the main building and walked out along the courtyard. After passing through the gate, they saw a newly paved gravel road. There were many more houses on both sides of the road than two months ago, and a commercial street had been formed next to the residential area.

The bellows were whirring loudly outside the blacksmith's shop, where a dwarf was squatting and sharpening a sickle. The elven tailor in the tailor shop was hanging a purple robe on the display rack, and he twirled the hem of the robe with his fingers and grunted in satisfaction.

Across from the tailor shop was a tavern with a sign that depicted a cat with its tail held high. Several long, rough wooden tables were set up at the entrance of the tavern, where two regular army soldiers who had just finished their drills were sitting.

"How are the residents of the manor doing these days?" Ron asked, looking at the scene on the street.

Erwin followed behind and replied softly, "There are enough tenants in the manor. The land in the manor has been allocated and there is plenty of food. No one will go hungry. The people who will settle in the manor later are all skilled workers such as craftsmen. These people are just like the soldiers of the standing army. They receive good salaries and need places to rest and have fun outside of work. Therefore, the manor and its surrounding areas have attracted many people to do business."

"For example, Aaron Griffin's restaurant, whose signature dishes are thyme stewed rabbit and crayfish chowder, has a queue that stretches all the way to the blacksmith shop next door, Balom Mori's blacksmith shop, which specializes in agricultural tools and has a clear division of labor with the waterworks."

The shop of the elven tailor Victor Adler, who used to run a dress shop in Novigrad, fled to Velen after it was shut down by the Eternal Flame. Many farmers supply restaurants and taverns, or sell vegetables and fruits from carts. Some are skilled hunters, and their rabbits and pheasants are very popular. Everyone's lives have indeed improved a lot.

The peasant woman carrying baskets by the roadside looked up, saw Erwin, and subconsciously smiled and nodded. As the manor steward, she naturally recognized Erwin.

But when her gaze fell on the person next to her, she paused for a moment, then quickly bowed her head in greeting. She rubbed her hands back and forth on her apron a couple of times and stammered out a sentence.

Good day, my lord.

Ron nodded to her and continued walking.

Beside the peasant woman stood her grandson, a boy of about fifteen or sixteen, who asked in a low voice, "Is this the lord? So he really is as everyone says, a warrior as tall and strong as a mountain."

The old peasant woman glared at him. "The lord is a kind man. We are able to live the life we ​​have now only because of the protection of his army. Otherwise, those men in black would have robbed us of everything long ago. Don't just stand there like an idiot, move the vegetables to the kitchen."

The boy shrank his neck, bent down, and hoisted the vegetable basket onto his shoulder.

The three of them left the manor wall and walked along the river bend. The water flowed gently here, and several small cargo ships were unloading cargo at the dock. Not far away, a waterwheel turned slowly, and the water flow was broken into fine droplets by the blades.

"How are the non-human races living in the manor? Have they encountered any rejection?" Ron asked, turning to look at the dwarf porters on the dock.

"There's some friction, but not much," Erwin said, his hands clasped in front of his chest.

"Aina and her priestesses often help the common people heal the sick and deliver babies for pregnant women, so the mainstream faith around the manor is Meritelli. Meritelli has three images: a carefree young girl, a mature pregnant woman, and a hunched old woman. The main doctrine of the sect is mercy and tolerance. Meritelli is known as the goddess Freya in Skellige, Dana Mida among the elves, and Broemme Magda among the dwarves. In other words, no matter what race you are, everyone worships the same god, so there is much less discrimination here."

Ron raised an eyebrow. "Is this why there are so many dwarves and elves in the manor?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Karl replied. "Our reconnaissance forces are mainly composed of elves, while our logistics and engineering units have many dwarves and halflings. To be honest, since we got halfling cooks, the food has indeed improved a lot, and the soldiers respect them very much."

Erwin adjusted his glasses. "Many elves and dwarves came from Redania. The Eternal Flame is rampant there, making life very difficult for non-human races. Velen may be poor, but at least they don't burn people. Ron, should we continue to take them in?"

"Of course," Ron replied without hesitation. "As long as they abide by the law and pay taxes within my territory, they are my subjects, enjoying the same rights and obligations as everyone else. This decree should be publicized so that everyone knows about it."

"Understood," Erwin quickly jotted down on the notepad.

"Speaking of non-human races, Erin is currently our brewing expert and the manager of the elves. After the expansion of the brewery, more than a dozen elven apprentices and assistants were added. Brom is responsible for communicating with the dwarves. His qualifications and skills speak for themselves, and the dwarves respect his opinions. The waterworks has attracted many dwarven craftsmen to apply for jobs. This month alone, four dwarven blacksmiths came all the way from Novigrad."

At this point, Erwin suddenly stopped writing, turned to look at Karl, and a smile appeared on his lips. "Speaking of which, Karl and Irene are doing quite well. When are you planning to get married?"

Ron's steps faltered, his eyes widening slightly as he turned to look at his guard commander. "Karl... you're getting married? When did that happen? Has the wedding date been set? I'll officiate the ceremony."

Karl's face, which had remained impassive even in the face of swords and axes on the battlefield, was now visibly flushed red. "Your Highness, I... and Eileen are indeed... but the wedding date hasn't been set yet. We'll... we'll discuss it after the army reorganization is finished..."

Seeing Karl's usually serious expression in such an embarrassed state, Ron burst into laughter and slapped Karl's shoulder armor hard.

"Tell me when you've made your decision. Your wedding will be the first one I officiate at in Velen. It has to be a respectable affair. I'll invite Dandelion to write a congratulatory poem for you, and the whole estate will celebrate together."

Carl opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he chose to close his mouth, raised his hand, clenched his fist, and pounded it hard on his chest.

The three walked along the river bend and stopped on the riverbank next to the workshop. The wind blew through the reeds, and the sounds of waterwheels and forging hammers mingled together. Ron stared silently at Cole's tombstone for a long time.

"Let's go, we still have a lot to prepare."