The Marionette
As soon as the sun rose over the horizon, the wooden door of the small stone building opened, and Elo stepped out with a yawn.
Raising his palm over his eyes, he looked at the small open space.
In this short time, the clearing already started looking like a small town.
-"Today the city hall will be built, and then I should be able to become the lord of this place. Finally, I can rise above pure fighting power!"-
Excitement overcame Elo while he walked down the small hill towards the stream to wash up and quench his thirst.
Without even tacking of his pants, he jumped into the river. As the cold water engulfed his body, it took all his willpower to not scream like a child.
But none the less he started washing off all the traces of the last days. Only when the water had erased all the dirt on his body, he finally stepped out of the river.
His hair and clothes still dripping, he sat down next to Ella, who had already started cooking.
She and Lars rotated two pieces of rat meat on a stick while talking.
"So that's how your skill works! You can strike one with several times more power, but you can't move as long as the enemy is not killed?"
Recognising Elo, Lars's eyes lit up, and he turned towards him.
"After clearing the dungeon, we want to open the ancient box. Thant's why we want to go off soon. Will you come with us today?"
When Elo heard Lars talking, a smile appeared on his face. Before Lars had spoken like an adult, but now, he almost sounded like a normal child.
His face brimmed with excitement, and his big eyes were filled with awe. Elo just hoped that the kid would not get a trauma if something serious would happen. He could not bear to see the brutality of this world spoil such a lively child.
"No, I will stay here, but you can tell me about it when you come back."
At this moment, Ella took the sticks away from the fire and gave Elo one.
"It's done, have a bite."
Only when he saw the crispy meat, Elo realised how hungry he was.
**
Shortly after the Dungeon team had set off, the others began construction. Everybody helped to get it done as fast as possible.
Chatting amongst each other, they all touched the hologram that was projected in front of them.
It was a monotonous but easy task, and after about one hour, the city hall's construction was coming to an end.
When Elo's hand suddenly touched something hard, he almost jumped in the air. He was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice the time passing by.
The building that had appeared in front of him looked like a big storage house. It was entirely made out of stone and even had a few small windows.
What he had touched before was a big wooden door, that was located in the centre of the house's front side.
When he swiftly pushed the door, it swung in, to reveal the inside of the hall.
It was exactly like the outside, an enormous room, filled with nothing but a wooden throne on the other side of the room. A small stairway in the left corner leed to the second floor.
Inspecting the room, Elo took one big step into the room. Imidieatly a screen appeared in front of him.
"Ding"
"This city hall has been assigned to you. How do you want to call your town?"
-"What? Do I need to name this town? At least it doesn't want me to name the city hall.
But now I need to come up with a name. Hmmm... Ok, it will be called Arton City!"-
Elo had never thought about a name for the town, that's why he just chose the first thing that came into his mind.
"Ding"
"You are now officially the lord of Arton City.
You unlocked the Lawbook of Arton City."
"Lawbook of Arton City:
-Tax laws:
[10%]
Every 10th soul gem you citizens get will be transferred to the city's treasury.
-Citizens (8)
Lord: Elo
Head of the royale guard: none
Head of trade: none
Head of farming: none"
When Elo tried to change the tax rate, a new message appeared in front of him.
"As a lord, you can not adjust the tax law. You must be a baron or higher to do so."
When he realised that he couldn't interact with the current laws, he turned towards the rest of the screen.
-"This is all cool, but what does a head of farming even do?"-
"Head of farming:
The person in charge of the farmers. He is only second in authority to the lord of this land.
-All stats: +1"
Taking a look at the other two special ranks, Elo was startled. The effect only altered in the responsibility of the person.
For now, it would only add a few points to three people. That in mind, he put Gordan in charge of the royal guard, and Lars and Ella got the two other special ranks.
As soon as he closed the screen to take a look at the house, a new one appeared.
"Ding"
"Congratulations, you are the first person to create a town.
Your reward:
-Marionette of the lord (very rare)"
"Marionette of the lord (very rare)
An old wooden Marionette, that was forged by an unknown genius. It's treated like a normal person. You can choose its stats. The total number of free points is equivalent to your Charisma stat.
"Marionette of the lord
Health: 1
Mana: 0
Strength: 0
Endurance: 0
Speed: 0
Stealth: 0
Charisma: 0
Magic: 0
Power Available: 10
Skills: none"
At this sight, Elo was delighted. He had gotten another reward, and it seemed to be quite helpful. Since Elo had no fighting power whatsoever, this item could ensure his safety to a certain degree.
-"Since this thing only has one health, I must go for a rager build. But it can't equip anything... so magic it is!"-
Elo allocated all the free points into magic, and immediately, a skill popped out.
"Marionette of the lord
Health: 1
Mana: 0
Strength: 0
Endurance: 0
Speed: 0
Stealth: 0
Charisma: 0
Magic: 10
Power Available: 0
Skills: Shadow marionette"