Chapter 374: Mastering All Fourth-Circle Spells
Carrying an order worth over two million gold coins and more than a dozen tasks with new modification requests.
343 happily returned to Bloodmoon City to prepare various materials and personnel.
This was proof of further cooperation between Bloodmoon City and Bay Territory.
After confirming that 343 had left, the experienced butler Ralph presented the new batch of orders requested by the Eighth Legion and the Third Legion.
"Twenty thousand crossbows, total value of 450,000 gold coins."
"One million crossbow bolts, total value of 800,000 gold coins."
"Five thousand sets of enchanted armor, total value of five million gold coins."
Butler Ralph also took out a few checks worth tens of thousands of gold coins, and said softly with some emotion:
"Each price increased by 60%."
Matthew wasn't surprised by the prices being "raised." It was entirely expected.
Corruption existed in every power, no matter which faction it was.
Matthew wasn't sure if Carlos had his hands in this, but even if he did, Matthew didn't mind.
Who would dislike a generous god of wealth?
Gently stroking his chin, Matthew began to understand why the Third Legion and the Eighth Legion were stalling against the orc coalition for a year or more.
"Tsk tsk, with so much money to be made, who would be willing to end it just like that?"
"However, ultimately, this money will fall onto the farmers."
Matthew was very clear that the scene of halting the Netheril Empire's advance was about to unfold!
Suddenly recalling something, Matthew continued instructing Butler Ralph:
"Continue the current production pace; there's no need for disruptions because of these orders."
"The cultivation of skilled personnel, as well as the improvement of everyone's skills and proficiency, is what's most important."
"The orders belong to others, but the people belong to us."
"After all, our production speed at Bay Territory is already fast enough."
Understanding perfectly, Butler Ralph bade farewell to Matthew, who was headed for the laboratory, and quickly headed towards the factory.
In the Bay Territory military factory.
On 200 assembly lines, 6,000 workers were busy at work.
The clanging sound of hammering and forging echoed throughout.
The hot, rolling heat permeated the entire factory.
Every worker was fully focused on their tasks.
However, with the high temperatures and the work, everyone was drenched in sweat, their clothes soaked through repeatedly.
Seeing this, Butler Ralph spoke to Liana, who was deep in thought beside him:
"Do you see their situation? Do you have any way to make them more comfortable without affecting their work efficiency?"
Even the faint ice surrounding Liana was showing signs of melting, which spoke volumes about the heat.
With experience from several improvements, Liana nodded in agreement while approaching the workers to inquire about their situation.
The spellcasters and apprentices behind Liana did the same.
This was part of their learning task, also one of the assignments given by their school.
If they could help solve the problem, they would also receive various rewards and recognition.
What the school taught had to be applied to improve livelihood, productivity, and technology.
Production capabilities had to be tangibly improved!
Crop yields in the fields had to increase significantly!
Soldiers' combat capabilities had to genuinely strengthen!
This was where all resources and efforts in Bay Territory were currently being directed!
Watching them work, Butler Ralph gazed deeply at the ever-growing military factory.
From the initial loss-making investment to now becoming a stable pillar of Bay Territory's income.
Cultivating and attracting talent played a crucial role.
"People are the foundation..."
Butler Ralph deeply contemplated, savoring the meaning of those words.
Lord's Mansion.
Underground Laboratory.
Matthew held the "Compendium of Fourth-Circle Spells" purchased from the Truth Organization, learning one after another.
Fourth-circle spells belonged to the intermediate category.
Creating a new intermediate-level spell from scratch would require 10,000 Fate Points.
However, Matthew could spend a bit of time and less than one-tenth of the Fate Points to fully master the spell.
Then, by studying the spell research manuals bought from the Truth Organization, he could upgrade the spell with less than a quarter of the Fate Points.
As for buying these spellbooks and manuals, it wasn't a significant expense for Matthew, who wasn't short on money.
If gold coins could be used, there was no need to waste more Fate Points!
Moreover, these purchased pieces of knowledge and spell manuals could become part of Bay Territory's foundation and knowledge reserves.
Besides these, dozens of noble families from the Carl Plains had accumulated magical scrolls and spellbooks over hundreds of years.
This greatly aided Matthew in mastering all the fourth-circle spells.
Compared to other spellcasters, who found it challenging to learn and master spells.
Matthew's learning efficiency was ten times, if not a hundred times, greater!
During the spare time from his research and experiments, Matthew had already mastered all the fourth-circle spells.
Moreover, over the next month or so, Matthew intended to upgrade all the fourth-circle spells he had mastered to at least Level 3.
It wasn't that Matthew didn't want to upgrade them all to Level 5.
The main issue was that upgrading a spell to Level 5 required not only 1.5 times more Fate Points but also nearly ten times as much time.
Matthew simply didn't have that kind of time!
All aspects of Bay Territory's development were progressing smoothly.
The cultivated land area was expanding rapidly, and farm outposts were being established one after another.
The productivity of the military factory was constantly improving, and the number of workers and their efficiency were steadily rising.
The number of troll captives was also increasing, and the automated potion production line ensured stable output.
The production and manufacture of magical items were accelerating with the arrival of "tools" from Bloodmoon City.
Bay Territory's beginners, armed with the knowledge and experience "seen" by Matthew, were growing at an astonishing rate.
Population growth was also keeping pace.
Although the chaos in the Carl Plains wasn't as severe as before.
The remnants of the orcs, kobolds, and gnolls had grown more numerous due to the heavy losses among the noble forces.
The deliberate expansion by the Carl Family, along with the worries and dangerous situations of the future, had led people from central and eastern Carl Plains to actively or passively move into Bay Territory's "outposts."
Once they entered, there was no way out!
No one could resist the allure of Bay Territory's prosperous life.
Free housing, cheap and plentiful clothing and food, visible opportunities for advancement, and a bright future.
Everyone cherished these things deeply!
As for those with twisted mindsets, they were filtered out during the "education" process at the outposts.
Bay Territory certainly wasn't going to accept just anyone!