The First Legendary Beast Master

Chapter 1177: That Might Be An Issue

That was an excellent question. What would happen if someone brought slaves into the city? The practice had been outlawed the last time that Karl had been here, and the city had sent out guards to hunt the pirates who were still capturing slaves for export.

”I would recommend that they not come into the city. During the last System Resurgence, the practice had been outlawed. If they show up, I can’t guarantee that the City Guard won’t free any slave that requests it.” Karl explained.

The Orc chuckled. ”Oh, this is going to be fun.

Bunga Clan doesn’t allow slaves in the city, but the Chief lets you buy from the caravans as long as you free them after you pay. They capture many children from the nomadic tribes, and some make good fighters.”

A sturdy troll beside him, with skin like drying mud, cracked and mottled, rumbled happily.

”Maybe the new City Lord will let us hunt slavers? They taste good.”

Dana laughed, and Karl nodded. ”You should discuss that with the Clan Chief. I know that Orthos would let you, but his job is more to provide the rules that keep the city running, while the Clan Chief sets the rules for his tribesmen.”

The Troll nodded. ”I will inform the other Trolls. Swamp Trolls like the taste of merchants best, but some of the others don’t like what they do. Big Demons and Orcs will come with us, for sure. Any chance to smash thieves.”

The Orcs in the crowd simply shrugged. The troll might not be a bright man, but he knew what he was talking about. They did love a good fight, and it wasn’t a stretch to consider captured nomads as stolen goods.

”So, we don’t need to start doing anything new, only keeping the city in order, and explaining the new features to people, so they don’t make a mess?” A lanky, blue skinned troll asked.

Karl nodded. ”Exactly. Until the big bosses give different orders, all you have to do is keep the city in order. Don’t let the brawls break vendor stalls or houses, teach everyone not to make the city more filthy than it has to be. It will also help reduce disease in the city.

Not that Trolls usually have to worry about that, with your regeneration. But for everyone else, that is a good thing.

Also, Orthos can heal, so he might set up some sort of hospital.”

The Guards looked lost.

”A hospital is a place where healers gather so that everyone knows where to find them.”

Now they understood.

Civilizing these people up to an acceptable standard was going to drive Orthos insane, Karl was certain of it. But he could probably make a few changes that would improve the city for everyone.

For example, healing totem runes engraved on the public fountains would affect everyone who came for a drink, or for water to bring home. That would be an immediate improvement, and it wasn’t hard to make them self powered.

”I will take my wife and go spread the word through the city, while I make a few upgrades. Did you need anything else to do your jobs?” Karl asked.

The guards shook their heads, and Karl took a small statue out of his inventory. It wasn’t really intended as a healing totem, it was one of the decorative statues that the sculptors had been making as home decor.

But it would do the job, even if it was shaped like a ten centimetre tall Dwarf.

It had a large base on it, so it wasn’t easily knocked over, and Karl needed every part of that to carve the [Healing Totem] spell on. He only empowered it to the Royal Rank, enough for common issues, and then looked for somewhere to put it.

The old wooden building that had been at the gate when he was first here was long vanished, but the stone guard barracks inside the wall were still present, and in use.

”I need you to place this somewhere near the gate, so the effect spreads past the doors to reach travellers as they’re being questioned.” Karl informed the gathered guards, who were all intently watching him work.

”What does it do?” The Swamp Troll asked.

”It’s a healing totem. It cures basic diseases and heals injuries.”

The Troll nodded, and then took the statue in his thick fingers.

A tendril of mud extended out, and the statue was placed through a hole above the portcullis.

”We don’t use the murder holes often. It will be good there.” The Troll explained.

Even if they were using the hole, there was a small room up there, and the statue could remain until they were under siege and didn’t want to heal the enemy troops at the gate.

”So people just need to walk out and then back in to heal?” One of the Wrath Demons asked.

”They just have to stand nearby. I am planning to put more of them at the water fountains.”

The Demon tapped his horn with a claw as he thought. ”Yeah, that’s a good spot. Put them at the big house too. Everyone goes to the boss when there are problems.”

Karl nodded. ”That won’t be a problem. I will make sure that there are enough spots to go and heal. If my memory is right, the taverns and the market are both near fountains, and that’s where most fights and challenges happen, so you can heal right up after.

You know, in case you need a rematch or want to do a best two of three.

Then at the big house, so that you go to see the boss looking and feeling your best.”

The Orcs and Wrath Demons laughed. Best two of three format bar fights was an absolutely brilliant idea.

Perhaps these strange foreigners weren’t so bad after all.

The guards whistled again, and more men came out of the barracks and the closer portions of the city to be informed of the changes by the guards on gate duty.

Well, some of the details.

Fresh water at all the fountains and the big foreigner taking his wife to make healing spots around the city so they could fight multiple rounds in the same day were the only parts that the guards actually remembered.

Karl was beginning to wonder if their intelligence had devolved with their cultural level.