Super Righteous Player-Chapter 1187 - 231: The Duke Annan who Understands the Human Heart
Chapter 1187: Chapter 231: The Duke Annan who Understands the Human Heart
Annan’s departure from Dennisiowa proceeded without much complication.
For their plans, Dennisiowa had been prepared for far too long—faced with such a serious matter, any mishap seemed pale and powerless.
In order to publicly demonstrate that "Duke Annan had left Dennisiowa," Annan first gave a speech there.
Although the content of the speech was not important, Annan still displayed a friendly demeanor to the Dennisiowans by revealing that the Winter Principality would reclaim open trade ports and borders.
Annan pledged that, over the next five years, they would prioritize purchasing all magical materials produced by Dennisiowa, including high-quality gems, for the next stage of the Winter Principality’s infrastructure constructions.
For this purpose, a professional team led by Dmitry will be dispatched to Gemstone Island within two months for a field survey.
Additionally, the Winter Principality will experimentally open some special talent permits for Transcendents.
Wizards and Ritualists with special talent permits will not only be exempt from pursuit by the Hands of Winter... but as long as they live and work in the Winter Principality, they will receive a generous monthly stipend, housing allocation, and free provision of quality living materials.
Acquisition of this special talent permit requires an examination and review for approval. However, some professions are exempt and granted immediate access... including "Equine Prophets" and the "Aries Women" from the White Jade Tower on Spring Island.
Of course, if the United Kingdom needs them, they can be recalled at any time. The Winter Principality will supply the United Kingdom annually with a batch of Frost Beast materials at cost price in exchange for this "export of talent."
It is well-known that the Equine people, though reclusive, almost all reside on a certain island within the United Kingdom’s Feld Archipelago. It’s just that hardly anyone can find them, being a tribe of Prophets.
Although today’s Equine have lost the ability to "naturally learn Prophet spells," the Equine still inherit unique Prophet spells exclusive to their race. In both precision and search range, they far surpass human Prophets.
Talented Equine can almost become silver-tier Wizards of the School of Prophets by adulthood. They are also able to master some classical spells that should now belong to idols and the Soul Snatching School.
Not only can they avoid humans, but they are also adept at illusions, barriers, and memory modification. Should the Equine resolve to hide, it is impossible for humans to find them.
—It could be said that even Equine who have left their settlements cannot find their way back home by their own strength alone.
Unlike Elves, Equine are not very willing to live alongside humans... but it’s not related to lifespan.
One of the reasons is the disparity in natural talents and abilities.
It’s not that non-adult, non-silver Equine are more capable than humans, but quite the opposite—
Today’s common human—also known as the "Aesirland high-born"—have the talent of "rapid learning." This is the foundation of their ability as a short-lived species to quickly master complex spells and rituals, because humans truly have a higher learning capacity than Elves and Equine.
The Equine’s talent lies in "adaptability." This makes present-day Equine handsome or cute, resembling humans but more endearing... yet it also means that Equine have much lower learning capacities than humans.
Ordinary-talented Equine struggle to adapt to the rapidly changing human society.
The famous Equine become well-known "Sages" primarily because they advance to silver tier, possessing solidified souls and significantly improved qualities—including intelligence.
But on the other hand... if even Equine reach the silver tier, why would they perform ordinary jobs?
Equine inherently have modest desires because their ability to see the future allows them to effortlessly discern what specific capabilities are needed to achieve each goal and what follows. They can even directly see the day of their own death.
It’s as if playing a game with the power of the wind and moon magic, ding-ding-ding instantly maxing out levels, money, reputation, and casually viewing the future plot... then there’s no drive to continue the game.
Of course, that’s only part of the reason.
On the other hand, Equine are simply too valuable.
Equine eyes can be used to enhance various types of Prophet rituals; Equine finger bones can be used to make items that cut cause and effect, shielding detection; with Equine skulls, dice-shaped cursed objects that alter luck can be produced; Equine skin can also be made into adaptive leather that insulates against cold and heat...
One could say that every part of a centaur’s body is a treasure. A mature centaur, if killed and dismantled, could be sold for at least two thousand pounds; while a living centaur would fetch twice the price.
In an era where a year’s savings for a farmer or fisherman amount to merely two or three pounds... such a sum is undoubtedly a fortune.
Without adequate protection, centaurs would never dare to easily come into contact with human society.
For Noah’s people, centaurs are the stuff of fearsome legend; the Winter Duchy eradicates unofficial spellcasters; the United Kingdom is rife with pirates; in the Underground City, one is born free but dies by chance, and the murderer would probably get off easily after a killing...
The only relatively safe place, The Holy Nation, does not tolerate idlers—everyone in The Holy Nation must work. Any form of work will do, but aimless wandering is absolutely not allowed.
And yet, centaurs are indeed quite lazy... With the ability to see the outcome of events at a glance, they hardly have any motivation to work hard.
Thus, they can only live in seclusion among the many islands of the United Kingdom.
But if the Winter Duchy reopens entry permits for spellcasters—even offering centaurs preferential treatment under the personal assurance of the Grand Duke of Winter.
Then, migrating their entire tribe to the Winter Duchy wouldn’t be out of the question.
After all, centaurs can easily see into the future.
Once Annan had said this, a new possible future was born—centaurs didn’t even need to witness Annan’s speech to directly see this brand-new future.
Due to their unique racial trait, centaurs cannot be deceived by false promises nor need they send envoys to probe; they can directly learn everything they need to know.
Annan’s speech made everyone in Dennisiowa extremely happy—for the common folk, their subsequent income was visibly on the rise; for the merchants, they found a vast, yet deficient market and a stable trading partner for maritime exports.
And as for the nobles... Annan had also given them a perfect excuse for civil conflict.
Since the Grand Duke of the United Kingdom—a major client of Winter—had said that in the following months his brother would be personally visiting Gemstone Island, and the Aries girl from Spring Island was to become an important export of talent.
—So, you pirates seeking to occupy these two islands, do you harbor ill intentions towards the United Kingdom? Are you planning to assassinate Bishop Dmitry, or intercept the Aries girl?
Everyone got what they wanted.
And Annan had the players distribute small gifts to those attending the speech—none were particularly expensive items, but all were practical. These included local specialties like eggs, fruit, and alcohol.
These items were purchased by the players from the local market in Dennisiowa the day before. The purchase was large enough that everyone who came to the speech received something, each person lugging at least one heavy bag home.
Upon hearing Annan’s request, the players immediately smiled in understanding.
And the local merchants, having earned such a large sum, also played the role of advertising—shoppers discovered that everything was sold out, and upon inquiring, they learned that goods would be distributed the next day.
There’s an old saying that a favor received makes the receiver submissive... The citizens of Dennisiowa thus developed a rather favorable impression of this exceptionally handsome and amiable young Grand Duke.
This young duke even went out of his way to shake hands with many citizens after descending from the speaker’s podium!
Even towards the commoners, his attitude remained very kind. He was like a beacon of light, giving off a strong sense of warmth.
In the end, when Annan left Dennisiowa, he was seen off by these passionate citizens. The advisors were very satisfied with this outcome—indeed, Grand Duke Annan had left Dennisiowa under the watchful eyes of the public.
It is foreseeable that... this reputation, easily bought with a small amount of money and genuine goodwill, will grow and spread throughout Dennisiowa over time via word of mouth.
—This will surely become the groundwork for Annan to later control Dennisiowa through Ofelia.
