Warhammer Divine Throne

”Arrange what the wood elves need as soon as possible, I remember there’s plenty of grain in Winford, trading some from Mr. Francois shouldn’t be difficult. It’s time to expand the dwarven workshops, and about the tower inside the castle...” The summer sun was intense, Kasenberg was quickly drenched in sweat, but Laine, dressed in a full baron’s uniform, showed no sign of being overheated. He delegated tasks one by one, his vigorous energy surprising his subordinates.

”Miss Veronica’s wizard tower is still in the foundation stage, only the first layer is complete...” Kasenberg took out his notebook and said continuously.

”That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m referring to the tower in the valley behind the castle.” Laine shook his head. In the height of summer, the air was stifling, and a few breaths left his lungs feeling dry.

”That tower? I’m sorry, my Baron, you never gave the tower a name.” Kasenberg finally grasped what Laine was referring to. ”That tower could be completed in at most three months, but... may I speak? My Baron?”

”Go ahead.” Laine turned, and the two found a shady spot. Along the way, nearly all the peasants greeted the Baron warmly.

”We have already expended a significant amount of manpower, resources, and effort to build this tower, but... my Baron, you are not a caster, why build such a tower without an owner?” Kasenberg seized the moment to ask the question that had been puzzling him.

”The tower will have an owner, dear Kasenberg,” Laine’s expression remained unchanged. ”All you need to do is complete the tower, and the benefits it will bring us will be well worth it.”

”I understand, then the tower isn’t for Miss Teresa either?” Kasenberg nodded, indicating his understanding.

”Indeed, it’s not for Teresa either.” Laine gently stroked the bark of a large tree. ”As long as you’re aware.”

The benefits the Lake Fairy Tower can bring to Laine’s Territory are immense. Just from what Laine knows, the Hos White Tower in Ossuan, bringing so many benefits to the high elves, is overwhelmingly powerful.

The crops near the Hos White Tower can mature 6-10 times a year.

It’s like cheating! It defies logic! This was something the Lake Fairy revealed to Laine, and he was stunned.

Kasenberg took his orders and left, leaving Laine alone in the shade to ponder. He was contemplating the future, after years of effort, he had finally secured a baron’s title. To be promoted to a count, he needed to accomplish two more significant deeds.

The future path is long, no Primarch has faced so many threats in their youth: green skins, chaos, and undead. He could not conquer barbarically like others, because he was a guardian of order. Bloody conquests might please Khorne and Tzeentch, but it exhausts the precious strength of mortals.

.....

Time flew by while managing the domain, and by early October, the tower was finally completed.

The tower, built of white stone, has six floors and is about twenty-five meters tall. Under Laine’s cost-is-no-object renovation strictly following the Lake Fairy’s design, the interior is adorned with the most expensive materials and lavish furnishings. The tower is located in a small valley behind Laine Castle, accessible only via a corridor extending from the castle walls. Since its completion, the valley has undergone some transformation, with dense woodlands obscuring the area and thick fog rising, making it hard for ordinary people to see clearly.

Laine declared the area a restricted zone, prohibiting entry by anyone. In reality, common people could not enter even if they tried; they would lose their way in the fog and eventually find themselves back where they started, while unwelcome visitors would vanish forever.

From the day the tower was completed, peasants of Baron Gene’s Domain discovered with delight that the crops thrived with nearly a 50% increase in yield. The streams and wells were clearer, with sacred energy enveloping Baron Gene’s Domain, and the whispers of the goddess resonating in people’s hearts.

Many knights and Holy Grail pilgrims started visiting Baron Gene’s Domain, seeking guidance from the Lake Fairy.

The Lady was generous. Although only a small portion received a reply, they were still overjoyed. The presence of expedition knights began to appear in the Baron’s Domain, requiring the Baron’s investment of time and effort to receive them.

In early October, Lily Day, which is the Lake Fairy’s birthday, a grand celebration was held in the Baron’s Domain to celebrate the glory and faith brought to the Knight Kingdom by the Lake Fairy. Laine announced the opening of the granaries, taking out stored grain for the peasants to feast on: ”Rejoice, my people! This is a gift from the Lady!”

”Thank the Lady! Praise the Lady!” The peasants queued enthusiastically to receive their grain benefits. There was enough black bread for everyone, and based on the household register, each person could also claim a sweetbread, a cup of apple cider or ale, and a piece of roast meat.

The peasants’ lives were steadily improving, and at the same time, Laine constantly emphasized that all was a gift from the Lady.

The Baron’s devoutness and generosity gained him almost fanatical support from the peasants. Court musicians and minstrels invited from Winford played the lyre, singing songs of Laine’s tales, and the glory of the Holy Grail left peasants and knights eager to achieve great deeds in a trance.

In this dark era, Laine’s Territory became a pure land.

The Lake Fairy’s birthday celebration extended from morning till afternoon, and then into the evening. The bustling scene in the town delighted the Lord, and just then, a great merchant brought even better news.

It was Hadrian, the president of the Luigi Commerce Association. This wealthy merchant from the Southern Realm had shifted his business focus entirely to Marinburg and Laine’s territory. His investment in building dwarven workshops was making him a handsome profit, and most importantly, the veins he controlled now had a direct outlet, making internal trade significantly reduce costs. Collaborating with Laine meant his products had a secure market.

”Happy festival, my Baron. I’ve already shipped this year’s mithril here via sea route, and His Grace the Duke of Boldro is very friendly with us.” Hadrian, dressed in a brand new silk suit, smiled at Laine.

”Good, sorry to trouble you to travel personally, Mr. Hadrian,” Laine shook hands with his partner, ”How’s business lately?”

”Not so good, my Baron.” Surprisingly, Hadrian looked at the merry crowd and shook his head with a wry smile. ”Whether it’s at the Axe Bite Pass or Paragon, tariffs are being increased on goods from the Empire. These two dukes must be going mad with poverty, bullying us poor merchants all the time, taking our meager profits.”

”It’s quite normal for the tariffs at these two passes to be high. After all, Montfort Duchy and Paragon Duchy are small in area and poor in land; most of their income comes from tariffs.” Standing in the fresh air outside the castle, Laine maliciously remarked, ”Being relentlessly pursued by Mr. Schultz for debts, the two dukes must be having a hard time, right?”

”Hehehe~” Hadrian laughed unscrupulously. ”Indeed, as far as I know, ever since learning that Duke Montfort and Duke of Paragon have a strained relationship with Lord Laine, Mr. Schultz has sanctioned them. Now Marinburg’s caravans are more engaged in sea trade with Connet Duchy and Boldro Duchy instead of land trade.”

”The less they use land routes, the lower their revenue, and the lower their revenue, the higher they raise tariffs. The higher the tariffs, the less Marinburg’s merchants use land routes. This is a vicious cycle.” Laine nodded, pondering the consequences. Continuing this way, the most likely outcome is war.

Marinburg is backed by the Empire. While Laine does not wish to see a human civil war, sometimes flexing a little muscle is necessary.

”Laine~ my champion.” Just as the baron was contemplating the causes and effects, the voice of the Lake Fairy suddenly echoed in his heart, ”Come to me, to my tower~”

”My Lady?”

”Yes, my champion, Laine, today is my birthday, come to my tower~” The Lake Fairy’s gentle voice continued to whisper in Laine’s heart, ”My champion, come over.”