Warhammer Divine Throne

If you ask what work the peasants like the most, it would undoubtedly be apprenticing with Dwarves.

The wages and benefits of being an apprentice with the Dwarves are not significantly different from other jobs, yet being an apprentice to the Dwarves signifies endless possibilities. The lord needs skilled craftsmen like these, especially Dwarven apprentices. Those who can earn the approval of the stern and strict Dwarves are almost guaranteed a prosperous future.

This is also one of the few advancement paths besides being promoted to a sergeant.

Therefore, when the Dwarf Rune Artisan Delong Feinson announced he needed three apprentices, almost all the peasants responded enthusiastically, eager to be chosen as apprentices.

”I don’t need so many people. Only those under twenty, who have worked for the lord, or have assisted the village blacksmiths and carpenters, step forward.” The Dwarf Rune Artisan Delong Feinson, now dressed in satin clothes, said impatiently, ”The rest need not come. Also, if I find out any of you have deceived me, just wait, my beard bears witness to everything!”

This statement frightened away more than half of the runaway slaves. The crowd exchanged glances, with most choosing to step back.

The runaways had finally gotten here, and they didn’t want to be expelled for deceit. Dwarves are not easy to fool; these stubborn folks can estimate a person’s age merely by feeling the bones of their wrist.

In the crowd, Remon’s eyes lit up. He was only seventeen this year and had labored for the Master Knight and assisted the village carpenter, learning a thing or two about carpentry.

So he extended his hand, ”Me! Mr. Dwarf, I am seventeen. I started laboring for the Master Knight at fifteen and have also done work for the village carpenter!”

Dwarves are outstanding craftsmen, whether as blacksmiths, stonemasons, or carpenters. Their exquisite craftsmanship is much admired by humans, and Delong Feinson clearly heard Remon. Speaking in slightly unpracticed Low Gothic Language, he said, ”Why are you yelling so loudly? I heard you.”

Amidst the envious gazes of the runaway slaves, Remon stepped forward to the Dwarves. The Dwarf first reached out and forcefully pinched Remon’s wrist.

The Dwarf’s grip was strong, strong enough to cause Remon some pain.

”Hmm, it seems you didn’t lie to me. Indeed, your bones are those of someone seventeen or eighteen.” Delong Feinson nodded and pondered for a moment before asking, ”If I ask you to make an eighteen-centimeter long wooden board, how would you start?”

”I would first cut a piece of wood at least twenty centimeters long!” Remon replied without hesitation, ”Better long than short!”

”How do you usually handle wood?”

”Large wood with an axe, small wood with a saw!”

”What is the key to making mortise and tenon joints in wood?”

”Uh...” Remon couldn’t answer, his face flushed, ”I don’t know, Mr. Dwarf.”

”The requirement for making mortise and tenon joints is vertical and square, cutting corners leads to better use of limited wood.” Delong Feinson nodded, while the Dwarf frowned, ”Looks like you haven’t studied with a carpenter for too long.”

”I’m... I’m very sorry, Mr. Dwarf.” Remon lowered his head.

”Well, you’re young and haven’t been over-educated by those low-standard humans to become a fool who can only produce inferior products. Fine, I need someone like this in my workshop. Whether or not I take on apprentices later, I’ll take this one.” The Rune Artisan nodded and said, ”Deni, take this... What’s your name?”

”I’m Remon!” Remon hurriedly replied.

”Get this one named Remon settled!” Delong pointed at Remon’s nose and continued.

”Yes!”

The employment office was like a giant maw, swallowing up these runaway slaves completely. It only took about an hour for these runaways to find their work.

Afterward, families were arranged into a camp area located on an open space outside the city. Food was temporarily rationed here, but once they started working, the food supply would be cut off.

There was still a day left before work began, as the peasants were to start their jobs the next day. So many of the peasants lit fires in the center of the camp, boiled hot water, ate the black bread provided by the Count, and started discussing the events of the day.

Some local peasant archers and infantry also joined in, eager to hear news from outside from the mouths of these Northerners.

In this era, information was exceedingly blocked. This was one of the few ways to learn about the outside world.

From everyone’s conversations, people learned that among the runaway slaves from the north, more had fled from the regions of Leonais Duchy, Montfort Duchy, Le Anglong Duchy, and Atuo Castle area. The Connet Duchy is the territory of the Holy Grail Knight, Duke Lorne, who has traversed the Path of the Holy Grail for over ten years. He deeply understands the hardships of the people, so the peasants there have slightly better lives.

The Holy Grail Knights are like this; during the Holy Grail Expedition, which can be as short as a few years or as long as several decades, they become exceptionally aware of the people’s hardships. Compassion for the people is a virtue among the knightly virtues, but unfortunately, not many Master Knights possess this virtue.

”Speaking of which, did you see the Wizard Tower? That tall one, shining with blinding light.” The runaway slaves began discussing the Wizard Tower near the Count’s castle, which was Veronica’s Dawn Wizard Tower.

”Yes, it looks terrifying. Rumor has it those dreadful witches need to consume the hearts of a hundred babies each day to stay youthful!” Some peasants said fearfully.