The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor - Chapter 30-7

Chapter 30-7

7) Hermes Guild’s Endless Greed

Weed once again accessed Royal Road .

‘There are many people in the square today . ’

It was possible to feel Morata’s development when looking at the square . He heard stories from merchants and users walking by .

‘Now there is only 6 days left . ’

The quest required him to last 1 month . He was bored staying still as a statue but it was a quest he could fulfil safely .

There were also people who showed up in the square in the late hours . Dawn passed and more people came . He saw birds as the sun came up and also received warm light from the sun .

‘There isn’t anything serious today either . ’

There was unlikely to be a dangerous incident in the middle of the square so it was fun watching people .

Weed often engaged in business at Serabourg Castle in Rosenheim Kingdom . He did business as a sculptor, cook and blacksmith so he was able to overprice customers as time passed .

Merchants who succeeded in a big adventurer and gained wonderful profit from trade regularly appeared in Morata .

“It is said that Spenson-nim has found the Church of Lugh’s sanctum in Argoldia . ”

“Ah, they finally did it . ”

“They are in the process of restoring the sword’s power . Those who stayed until the end of the quest have received a complete jackpot . ”

It was also possible to hear news about adventurers and goods that were popular . He also had information about the Class Master Quests that a wide variety of people were now qualified for .

The skill proficiency required for combat classes was a little low . Even if they weren’t famous, people who raised the basic skill plunged into the Class Master Quest .

They didn’t think they would be the first to succeed but it was still worth doing it . And it was possible to raise their fame so the number of people completing the Master Quest grew to 54 .

Weed was almost at the final step so he wasn’t interested in other competitors .

‘News about Bardray is sparse these days… I don’t know what he is doing . I hope he is planting pumpkin seeds somewhere . ’

The hatred generated due to Tallock’s Armour!

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The day of decision for the Hermes Guild .

“War will start at dawn today . ”

Lafaye declared at a meeting of leaders . The army was already waiting at the borders of the Lasalle Kingdom . Bardray also stopped his Master Quest progression in order to command Haven Kingdom’s army .

Lafaye spoke to make it certain .

“We will leave the United Supremacy alliance when we strike Lasalle Kingdom . ”

It was a big alliance of prestigious guilds on Versailles Continent . United Supremacy . Rather than expanding and fighting each other, they would join forces and keep their own occupied territory .

The Hermes Guild had precedent for breaking this thanks to the invasion of the Black Lion Guild’s Melbourne Mine .

They had already received warnings from the other prestigious guilds in the United Supremacy alliance so mobilizing an army against Lasalle Kingdom was like a declaration of war towards the entire continent .

The leaders were somewhat worried because of this point .

“Have any counter measures been taken for when we leave the alliance?”

“Our Hermes Guild is might but it will become difficult if they join together against us . ”

The plan for the occupation of Lasalle Kingdom had already been decided but it was impossible not to feel anxious .

Lafaye carefully explained .

“According to the current situation, the other guilds haven’t completed their territory expansion yet . They are still battling their enemies in the kingdom so it will be difficult for them to throw military power against us . ”

Lafaye was the guild’s external cannon .

Bardray exercised substantial control in the Hermes Guild but that was because Lafaye gave him permission . The important goals and detailed plans for the guild were determined by Lafaye and his advisors . Things like the development of the kingdom, measuring personnel, military education and diplomatic negotiations were done by Lafaye .

The Hermes Guild had grown thanks to Lafaye . Thanks to the intelligence staff behind Lafaye and the support of his advisors, his decisions were at a wonderful standard .

“And I’ve prepared some pre-emptive measures against some guilds that we should pay attention to . ”

“I’ve never heard about this . What is the plan?”

The Hermes Guild’s territories were large and they had 100 leaders . Thus not all of them would know everything about the plan .

“It was still too early to tell you . I gave power to the hostile forces opposing them . There is sabotage, assassination of key figures and support such as in the case of the Beden Guild taking control of Tullen Kingdom . ”

“It was very successful in the case of the Black Lion Guild and Tullen Kingdom . If the plan goes well then we’ll be able to make them flustered . But do we have the troops and funds to pay for war with the Lasalle Kingdom?”

“I decided to use the troops I dispatched to Morata to take care of Weed . Other secret battle companies are also prepared . The taxes from the Kallamore Kingdom are huge so we can afford it . ”

“We’re stepping on a long tail . If they notice what we did then won’t we be in an even more difficult position with the other guilds?”

“Everybody is already watching us . Our forces are greater at present even if they attack . There is no meaning if the United Supremacy alliance breaks and an alliance that sets its sights on the Hermes Guild forms . It is better to be the person that strikes first . ”

Anyway, the Hermes Guild needed to fight against the prestigious guilds if they wanted to conquer the continent . The temporary cooperation was just for their own interests!

The Hermes Guild hid their power and was able to quickly occupy the Kallamore Kingdom . The prestigious guilds had become tense and watched them .

Thus they decided on the strategy of striking first . The expansion of the Hermes Guild’s military power was smooth thanks to Bardray’s fame .

They stood as the pinnacle of overwhelming power that other guilds couldn’t compare to .

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The Hermes Guild’s shock invasion of the Lasalle Kingdom!

The magician units moved on a large scale, destroyed a castle and commenced the war . The knights were trained to the best standard while the infantry and armoured troops were the best army on the continent .

The scene of the troops marching on the plains of the Lasalle Kingdom was a truly fearful sight .

Breaking news! The Haven Kingdom that is one of the major powers on the continent has declared war against the Lasalle Kingdom .

The Lasalle Kingdom won’t be able to hold up and it is only a matter of time until they are occupied!

The Haven Kingdom’s quick advance will have a great impact on the continent .

The ripple effect meant there was no news more important than this . Battles frequently happened on the Central Continent but a war between kingdoms didn’t occur that easily .

The Haven Kingdom was ahead in territorial area, population, military strength and economic strength . Therefore it was a one-sided invasion and the broadcasting stations were reporting it heavily . The Lasalle Kingdom wouldn’t even last 5 minutes against the Haven Kingdom considering the difference between them .

To make matters worse, the quality and quantity of the military was no comparison .

-The Hermes Guild has invaded? Are there any who surrendered?

-I’m a merchant . Everyone has closed up shop and is moving on but what way is safe?

-I know how Bardray fights . The war will end in the Lasalle Kingdom’s defeat so let’s go sightseeing .

The knights in the Hermes Guild were trained in various assault tactics that were useful against the weak army of the Lasalle Kingdom that was full of plains .

The Haven Kingdom’s troops completely overwhelmed the Lasalle Kingdom that it was only a matter of time before it was completely occupied .

-A war has happened again . I’m sick and tired of it .

-The Hermes Guild is too terrible . Do they really have to cause a war to broaden their territory while the Central Continent is suffering from the Embinyu Church?

-That is because of their strength . The person who suffers damage is someone weak . Of course, not many were thinking with their heads .

The viewers went on the boards and blasted the Hermes Guild’s ambition . The Guilds that belong to the United Supremacy also had an emergency meeting to prepare countermeasures .

The Hermes Guild’s invasion of the Lasalle Kingdom was clearly them leaving the alliance . But they were already engaged in war so it was impossible to prepare a large scale military . It wasn’t possible to stop the Hermes Guild with a small army .

“Will the Roam Guild help us?”

“The Cloud Guild can afford it so we will join you . ”

“The Black Sword Mercenary group?”

“We have recently been commissioned for a difficult request so we can’t spare many people . ”

The United Supremacy guilds sympathized with each other but each of them wanted to reduce the damage as much as possible . There were other prestigious guilds but the Hermes Guild had secretly obtained their support .

The meeting continued but the collection of forces didn’t formally become an alliance .

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The best equipment, skills, hunting ground and mercenaries hired for a shaman .

Dain received all these benefits when hunting in a dungeon . The Hermes Guild treated her differently from the general users in the guild . The Hermes Guild had a policy of preferential treatment based on their abilities but Dain received more special treatment than normal .

“Who is she?”

“I don’t know . Guild Master-nim knows her personally . He told us to give her any support she needs . ”

Dain possessed a high skill proficiency as a shaman so her level quickly rose . The guild’s support team periodically contacted her .

“Do you need anything more?”

“Right now I’m okay . ”

“If you need any consumable items then tell us . And if there is a city or castle that you want to govern then just request it . ”

Those with ability in the Hermes Guild were offered a territory . However if they didn’t demonstrate their skills on the battlefield then they would be stripped of their position .

They would still give Dain a position even if she didn’t have the skills . Including Bardray and Lafaye, she was one of the original 7 core members that founded the Hermes Guild in the early days of Royal Road . Even if the Hermes Guild gave priority to those with abilities, they couldn’t help treating the founders differently .

Dain didn’t care about power but she was interested in the Kallamore Kingdom .

After being plundered by the Hermes Guild, there was barely enough food left for the residents to the extent that they died from starvation .

“Any territory that belongs to the Kallamore Kingdom is fine . ”

“Permission from Guild Master-nim is required for the Kallamore Kingdom… I will contact you after confirming it . ”

The guild gave a reply in just a few hours . The Kallamore Kingdom didn’t matter so they offered her a territory .

“Please save the population as the security there is low . ”

“A place with low security? Indeed… Those places are favourable for hunting so it will be good to raise the fame . I understand . ”

The following day, the Hermes Guild decided to give Dain Evaluk Castle . It was one of the most populated areas in the Kallamore Kingdom but there were currently riots occurring due to excessive taxes . Monsters also frequently appeared there so it was a really dangerous place .

“The knights and infantry will also support you . And you don’t need to pay taxes for 3 months . ”

It was the continuation of the exceptionally privileged treatment .

Once Dain was the lord, she cut taxes for the residents and focused on repairs of facilities and the walls . The invasion of monsters decreased so the rate of decline of the residents’ loyalty slowed . The first priority was to earn back the residents’ trust .

She was the only lord in the Kallamore Kingdom who invested in art . An exhibition space was prepared for sculptors and painters .

Kallamore, the kingdom of knights . After it was occupied, the flower of art started blooming .

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Weed heard news about the war while he was still a statue in the square . The merchants walked the streets and spread rumours but the only stories were related to the war .

“The users in the Lasalle Kingdom only fought a few times before they died . I heard that seven castles have been occupied in 1 day . ”

“Wahh, this is really frightening . Why is their advancement speed so fast?”

“I heard that the army was divided into three parties and used a wave offensive . Each division has 150,000 troops… I can’t even imagine it . ”

The merchants in the square were anxious . War on the Central Continent would also have an influence on them .

There were massive amounts of refugees and the prices of things like grain and iron became unstable due to massive inflation .

Weed prayed as he constantly heard news of the Hermes Guild’s victories .

‘Fall . Fall completely . ’

He had a hostile relationship with the Hermes Guild so it would be troublesome if they grew larger .

An adventurer ran up and said .

“It was difficult this time but the Hermes Guild has managed to occupy Suokun Fort!”

But Weed wasn’t disappointed . The Hermes Guild was huge but there were many variables in a war .

‘Lose . Lose . ’

The merchants engaged in business around the statue also chattered away .

“I heard they just received Ellabas Plains . The occupation rate is really fast . ”

His body couldn’t move and he was forced to listen to news about the Hermes Guild’s victories . Sometimes he also heard news about the Roam Guild or the Black Sword mercenaries .

They started to sneak out of their own kingdoms and launched a war of aggression against other kingdoms . The Hermes Guild’s invasion of the Lasalle Kingdom spread like a shockwave across the Central Continent .

Once the United Supremacy alliance was broken, the members indiscriminately rushed into war .

“Now it really is a time of war . ”

“Our lives will change thanks to what happens on the Central Continent . ”

“This fight might be the birth of an empire . Then we will have to live under their rule in the future . ”

The news of the war decreased people’s interest in the Master Quests . The number of people in the square and broadcasting stations talking about the quests noticeably decreased .

The Master Quest was a fierce competition but the Adventurer Chase, Warrior Python, Farmer Miretas and Weed didn’t progress that quickly . They had to go to distant places, defeat legendary evil or find something legendary .

The Class Master Quest revealed the hidden history of the Versailles Continent . The quests were difficult, the progress speed was slow and the knowledge they obtained wasn’t shown on broadcasts .

If they were the first one to complete the Master Quest then they would get honour and be acknowledge as the most outstanding in their profession on the continent .

But the Versailles Continent was once again engulfed in war and the Embinyu Church was spreading like wildfire so the users’ interest turned to the war stations .

“Weed-nim is the only one people can believe in . ”

“Yes . The God of War will protect us . ”

“Weed-nim has to kill Bardray . ”

A lot of people were searching for Weed but he was actually the statue covered with rain and dust . The weather became dark and damp as night fell .

There was only 2 days left until his quest completed . The period was only one month but he was bored so he wanted to go hunting .

‘This weather must be annoying Yellowy… . . ’

Weed spent 2 more days as a statue before finally completely the quest .

Ddiring!

Weed realized something when doing the quest . He didn’t know the purpose of the quest but now he could understand the heart of a sculpture a little better .

“It is tedious . ”

That was everything! The sculpture was nice from the viewpoint of the person who passed by and saw it but for the sculpture it was completely boring .

“It won’t be hard to sell . ”

His sculptures were the most popular . Weed’s philosophy in life was to try and buy things even 200 won cheaper .

His stiff body returned to normal . The corners of Weed’s eyes trembled like a sad movie has been seen . But the tears never flowed! He had gone on a long journey with the Sculpting Master Quest .

‘Now it is almost at the end . ’

He remembered the way he felt when he first learnt sculpting .

‘I really thought my life was ruined… Even in the difficult situation I didn’t give up on the arts . ’

In the beginning he was immersed in selling off sculptures for 2 silver . He made sculptures even while hunting and questing .

‘I’ve had a lot of fun though . ’

He also made Bingryong after coming to the cold north and fighting the vampires .

‘I received an important enlightenment about art during the ice storm . Art isn’t different from nature . ’

He could make sculptures using everything in nature . The damaged pyramid and sphinx destroyed by the Embinyu Church were also treasured memories .

He used the strength of sculpting in order to fight against the Immortal Legion .

Even the wyverns he gave life to were still useful today .

Weed accomplished his adventures with sculpting so it was impossible to separate them . Morata’s development also stemmed from sculpting . Blacksmithing, Sewing, Fishing, Mining, Sailing were all skills learnt with the help of sculpting .

This was the fateful path of a sculptor . The important memories naturally surged when he thought about it .

‘Once I’ve mastered sculpting then I need to master blacksmithing . ’

Of course he would also master his Sword Mastery skill when fighting against monsters .

Weed’s goal was to master all his skills!

Anyway, now his priority was to leave Central Square . He had spent 1 month as a sculpture so it was awkward for him to suddenly move . There were still people talking around the fountain so Weed maintained his posture as a sculpture . He was holding the Daemon Sword and Sculpting Knife while staring at the sky . He didn’t even blink his eyes when people looked at him .

‘Hrmm… . . ’ It is harder trying to stay still when I can move . ’

No events happened in Morata’s Central Square but it was always full of people .

‘A chance will come . ’

Evening was approaching so Weed persisted in maintaining his posture . And after complete darkness fell, he saw a carriage approaching his area . Weed moved the moment the carriage passed . He quickly wore a robe and used Quadruple Run to leave his position .

“Eh? Weed-nim’s sculpture is gone? It was here a little while ago . ”

“Where is it?”

“I don’t know . It is gone all of a sudden . ”

“There’s no such thing . It’s not like a sculpture can move . ”

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Weed met the Ellyons working in the mines .

“Please tell me what I need to do . ”

There wasn’t much left to the long journey so his heart was a little urgent . The Ellyons put down their pickaxes and received the beef jerky Weed gave them .

— If it is you then we can believe it . This is a story I haven’t told you . In the past, humans started going to war after the Arpen Empire split . There were lifeforms like us who scattered across the continent and lived elsewhere .

Weed nodded .

“It seems like that . Would you like me to collect another species?”

His target was to grab another sculptural lifeform and make them work!

— No, that’s not it . There was a friend who didn’t live with the humans and protected us on the continent .

“Who is it?”

? The hero Bahamorg of the Arpen Empire . He is an existence born with us .

The now familiar videos appeared in front of Weed .

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After the Arpen Empire split apart, the humans warred among themselves .

During this era of war, the Britten Alliance, Kallamore, Tullen, Masen, Gradian, Norton, the now disappeared Mapon and Bromba kingdoms were formed .

The power of humans weakened and monsters invaded once again . The sculptural lifeforms of the Arpen Empire were either caught as prisoners or found new settlements .

Bahamorg .

When the Arpen Empire unified the continent, he was the hero who led the sculptural lifeforms .

“Kurehah!”

He yelled in a large voice as he fought the enemies and monsters . He was a hero who played an active part in a place where magic was dancing wildly .

There were no weapons he couldn’t handle and he defeated large monsters and senior magicians .

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‘He is very strong . ’

Weed thought as he watched the video . Judging by his fighting, he was far stronger than Golden Bird . He might even be equivalent to the one who plunged the sword into Barkan! As the guardian of the former Empire, he was part of the strongest class of monsters .

‘It is good if I can make him work . ’

While the Ellyons and Arnin were steady workers, Bahamorg was a hero born for war .

“So what happened?”

— He fought at a settlement for some other friends . If it wasn’t for him then it would probably be difficult for us to survive directly . He never rested and moved to other places to fight for the safety of our friends .

Weed also liked that point . There were lots of strong monsters . But if they were sincere then he could make them work really well .

Weed would exploit a target once he made them work .

— But when we saw him at the end, Bahamorg was full of wounds and poisoned that he would’ve died at any moment .

“Oh!”

Weed thought it was a waste . A really wonderful sculptural lifeform that he could put to work had died .

— I’m sorry for Bahamorg . Can you find out what happened to him? He probably returned to the capital of the Arpen Empire . It has been a long time since he died but any news is good .

“Finally the end of a long adventure . ”

As expected, the request this time wasn’t that easy . It was like dropping a 100 won coin and trying to find it again 1 year later . Or when the pork roast he bought disappeared without a trace .

But he didn’t want to give up . Weed was the type to breakthrough if he was put into a corner!

“The capital of the Arpen Empire… I will find it . ”

The great Antarosa!

Once ruins were left of the Arpen Empire’s Imperial Palace and city buildings .

Monsters swarmed the place at night but the shattered rubble everywhere made it even more dangerous . There was no protection from walls and no guards were stationed there!

In the early days of Royal Road, there was a boom of adventurers going on expeditions there . Numerous magic items and history books were discovered .

A large number of knowledge and treasure on the Versailles Continent came out of Antarosa . In the past, it was the capital of the Arpen Empire and there were all kinds of buildings .

Historical or high value artwork and treasures were still being unearthed now so there were still many adventurers who aimed at finding a jackpot .

“I’ll do my best to investigate . ”

? I will wait for the good news . Bahamorg was a hero who protected us .

“I’ll complete your request to the end without giving up . He has to be alive… . ”

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