It is evening already and we are still at the fourth winner. Still, no one thought of changing this physical endurance battle to a magical show down.
Everyone is made alert that the Princess has returned for the day.
Some participants have ended up with pickaxes with blunt edges. Others have shovels with broken sticks.
One guy from audience ring had realised: the rule said nothing about audience interference. Without the authority of entering the grounds doesn't mean unable to make any noise.
"50 copper for a pickaxe or shovel!" A voice came from somewhere.
RIGHT! The participants' heads rang. They are still allowed to get supplies from the audience right?
The fact that no guards stopped the trade explained it all. This IS an event engaging the whole community. Private food servers suddenly realised that they CAN indeed sell food to participants too.
"Warm grains, 20 copper per bowl!"
"Whole chicken! 10 copper a chicken!"
A full day under the sun certainly left them with empty stomach. All participants rushed for purchase. For now, whoever finishes food first will resume digging faster.
Come on… I looked at the participants. Further break your rules. Get your family members to join, last chance for the 50 silver coins reward before general participation prize of ten silver coins.
And I sure left disappointed when the final team completed the task. Now, it is just an hour left for the consolation prize of extra two silver. Still, COMMISSION THAT WATER MAGE STANDING BY YOU ALL ALREADY!
One hour later, I gave my closing speech. I didn't include the more advanced thinking of profit sharing into my speech. But a more generic stuff of what the participants could've at least tried. For example, family's involvement and commissioning water mage for all various purposes.
Of course, I kept that disappointment to myself. And I paid a water mage to reveal 2 participants' spot on how close they were.
I closed my speech calling the people to be creative next time and try to exploit my rules on the next event. Gave the man who sold tools 50 silver for being quick witted. No, those food servers copied his idea, so they don't deserve a reward.
I wrote a report to princess, stating whatever was on my mind from profit sharing to whatever I mentioned on closing speech. The idea of profit sharing presented immense opportunities. Strike the deal first and lead the competition. Even at the cost of decreased revenue, could've been our card in the political landscape.
Letter aside. I don't even know if how if the Princess would be supervising the works of MIRAcle Institute tomorrow. I shall post commission for manpower to build some wall for my well. They sure didn't see it coming. Heh.
————
Same time, Princess's quarters.
"Lightly: very, very, very lightly. He said."
"How did someone even make a knife this sharp?"
A small commotion rose among the Princess and her royal guards. On today's reflection on the fact such a small weapon appeared in absolute close range to Maria.
"This peeled the skin just by touching it."
"Just what kind of madness drove anyone into sharpening it this sharp?"
"Let's experiment on the weapon tomorrow. It sure didn't have a range for sword. But for assassination, this is the perfect tool."
The next day.
This sure is deadly beyond our expectations. Just by attacking any part of the body would inflict significant damage. The threat level goes up further if poison…. No. Even if only a bit of dirt were smeared on the dagger.
Here comes a problematic decision: Kei has requested a stock for such weapon. I shall make it that these will not leave the room they are intended for. Having one of these circulating beyond our control simply means Kingdom Alice have access to it. And that would be an absolute no no.
————
Back to Kei
A good morning hello world. After all necessities, I went to the construction site again. In my disappointment, the Princess is not here today. As expected, she is a busy person on a kingdom level.
The guild takes time to approve commission requests. Better go there first for those troublesome paperwork.
"Oh, the wealthy commissioner. What are we getting today?"
"New commission." I didn't say anything further than that. Filling the whole area with a mysterious aura while filling the request form.
"Yes, that is about it." The receptionist smiled. Handling commissions will earn the guild commission fee, to the extent the receptionist also takes a cut. For such generous commissioner like me.. heh.
Since I've gotten the approval to freely access the AA Library at will. There are two things I am going for, for now.
Firstly, Selene's AA
Secondly, someone who has the affinity or ability for light applications.
Having a light application talent will show the students whatever bone fracture before a closed fracture is open. This sure will add a wow factor in class. I hope they don't sleep in my lectures.
I talked to the guy on duty regarding Selene's. Also handing him a character "guang" that meant light.
He showed me that Selene's AA is "sen" and "yi" both characters of which are unknown to kingdom. But guesswork is done on "sen" as it showed three stacks of wood instead of the usual one. But the other is left unknown.
So this is the reason Selene is so potent in her affinity, extended her vines from surface level to the basement four of dungeon. For mapping purpose in order to find the trapped me, she likely covered the whole level trying to decend. It would be weirder if she didn't burn her mana circuit. Thanks Selene.
But her "yi" can be interpreted as both meaning and mind. If my interpretation is correct, she should be able to briefly 'communicate' with plants. Or, if interpreted on it's own, she would potentially be someone with telepathy ability. Now that is a game changer.
The guy shook his head on my search of "guang"(light). It appears there is no such talent recorded over these 80 years of kingdom foundation.
————
Later that day
"Princess Maria, this was what happened today."
If Kei were here, he would recognise this guy on duty earlier.
"He had requested information on this character, but, across the whole kingdom. Only Her Highness and the Late…"
"In another words, my late great grand-mother and I…"
"Yes, it seems like he already had an answer. Just like previously he requested the cure character and the kingdom shook."
"Understood, you are dismissed."
"Thank you, Your Highness."