Cherreads

Chapter 26 - Reidan

Name: Reidan

Size: Big City

Ruler: Michael von Drukstahl(Arch Duke of the Eternal Kingdom)

Administrator: Arik (C-grade administrative ability)

* The higher the administrative ability of the administrator, the higher the overall development of the estate.

Affiliation: The Eternal Kingdom

Population: NPCs - 20,551. Players - 1.

Troops: Knights - 0

Soldiers - 141

Security: 5/100

* The state of security is the worst. It isn't unusual if the people turn into a mob straight away. Gangsters and monsters will often pop up near the village.

* Security will increase hourly in proportion to the number of soldiers.

* People jobs and food for a policing activity is not available, even if the police do not rise.

Internal Affairs: 169/4,500

* Increasing the number of shopping malls, public cultural facilities and buildings will increase the internal affairs number.

Foreign Affairs: The Butin Barony in the Saharan Empire.

Forces hostile to the ruler: none

Forces hostile to your affiliated groups: none

Specialties: None.

Distinguished Figure: None. ]

Michael stared at the city's status screen, his brow twitching as he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"This is worse than I thought," he muttered under his breath. "Reidan's supposed to be the largest city in the West, and there's not even a single knight stationed here?"

His jaw tightened as he closed the status window. The lack of manpower, infrastructure, and defenses made the city a glorified ghost town.

"I guess I'll have to ask Paul to lend me some knights," he said to himself, rubbing his temples.

Paul—one of the Fangs, and the sub-leader of his White Fang Company—wasn't just a powerful guy under him. In-game, he was also a renowned first-rank merchant and the head of the White Lions Merchant Company. Ruthless in negotiations, cunning in trade, and incredibly well-connected, Paul had gathered a vast number of NPCs under his wing—many of them skilled, some named, and at least a few with combat training.

Michael pulled open his friend list, his gaze settling on one name glowing softly—Paul.

"Time to make use of him," he muttered, tapping to initiate a private call.

The screen flickered before a sharp voice echoed through the link.

Paul: "Master? I swear, every time I log in, I'm already bracing for your call."

Michael smirked, unsurprised by Paul's cheerful tone. As the sub-leader of the White Fang Company and the head of the White Lions Merchant Guild, Paul had a famously gullible charm—but he always delivered when it counted.

Michael: "I need some strong NPCs—guards, craftsmen, anyone reliable. The King handed me Reidan, but it's basically a ghost town."

He sent over a snapshot of the city's status screen—empty barracks, a skeletal population, infrastructure on the verge of collapse.

Paul paused for a beat.

Paul: "Master… are you sure the King didn't scam you?"

Michael sighed. "No, it's a legit gift. Just one wrapped in expectations and abandonment."

Paul studied the details and finally responded with a huff.

Paul: "Alright, alright. Don't worry. Give me a few days. I'll send some of the best high-efficiency NPCs I've got. All the named ones too, except a few I need to keep for my own merchant convoy security."

Before Michael could reply, the call ended with a sharp ding, followed by a message:

"Let me handle this. Just don't burn the place down before I get there."

Michael chuckled, shaking his head. "Classic Paul."

"Okay, now the city will be taken care of," he mumbled, glancing over at Violet as she looked around the city. Michael's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he pulled out the Great Lord's Sword—a weapon he had received from the King when he was granted the title of Archduke.

Michael's fingers ran along the hilt of the Great Lord's Sword, the steel humming softly as it came out of its sheath. The sunlight bounced off the blade, catching Violet's attention for a brief moment. She smiled faintly, watching him as he examined the sword that symbolized not just power—but responsibility.

He looked down at the item window again, reviewing the stats with a quiet nod:

[Great Lord's Sword]

Durability: 220/220

Attack Power: 220

Effects:

Dignity +150

Insight +150

Leadership +150

Skills Unlocked:

Character Observation – Allows detailed analysis of NPC traits and potential.

Talent Search – Identifies NPCs with rare or hidden talents within your territory.

Description:

A rare sword only given to the most elite lords. Grants the ability to observe citizens and soldiers in depth, aiding efficient governance and military leadership.

Weight: 200

"Huh. With this, managing people might not be as painful as I thought," Michael muttered, resting the blade across his shoulders. He turned his gaze toward Violet, who was speaking with a small group of locals—her elegance and grace commanding respect even in the ruins of Reidan.

He smiled softly to himself. The city might be in ruins… but maybe this place isn't such a bad start after all.

Shaking off his thought as he focused on why he pulled the sword, he used Character observation on Violet.

Name: Violet Fianna von Drukstahl

Age: 52 (Appears 24 due to her Half elf lineage granting her lifespan 100 times of normal human)

Gender: Female

Race: Half-High Elf

Class: Spirit King Master (Unique)

Affiliation: Eternal Kingdom – Duchy of Reidan

Title: Eternal Duchess of Pressure

Marital Bond: Bound to Michael, the Eternal Duke of Pressure

Class Traits: Spirit King Master

Spirit Sovereignty

You may command up to 7 spirits at once — 3 of them can be Spirit Kings. Spirits summoned by you act with independent intelligence and loyalty does not decay over time.

Elemental Authority

All elemental spells below your Spirit Affinity grade are considered "instantly cast." Dual-element invocations cost 50% less mana.

Mana of the Ancients

Mana regeneration increases by 250% in natural environments. When near ancient trees or ley lines, spirit cooldowns are halved.

King's Pact Instinct

You can detect the presence of hidden spirits and Spirit plane rifts. Spirit Contracts never fail, and success chances for evolving spirits are doubled.

Spirit Armor

While a Greater Spirit is summoned, you gain elemental resistance equal to 35% of the spirit's base element. Damage from opposite elements is reduced by 15%.

Bonded Echo

Each time a spirit is dismissed or defeated, you absorb 10% of its remaining mana and convert it into either healing or energy shield.

Stats:

Level: 368

Strength: 1,620

Stamina: 2,310

Agility: 3,050

Intelligence: 5,980

Nature Affinity: 4,820 

Leadership: 2,400

Charisma: 2,800

Spirit Bond: 8,500

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