CHAPTER 11: SETTING ASIDE IMPORTANT WAGES.

[You have cleared the site.]

[300+ points have been awarded.]

A smile formed on his face as he stared at the system. He could finally do that one thing he wanted now that he had this many points.

With one hand on his waist and the other on his jaw, Dorian thought to himself.

’With ten people I was able to accomplish this much. Getting more will favor me in the long run; the thing is, I’ll have to think about it money-wise. I need a way I can pay these people wages. Unless...’

His gaze drifted to the front, where the now workers were surrounding Diggy, intrigued by the creature’s form.

Perhaps it was because they found Dorian’s plan helpful to the environment as well, but after a while of working, they eventually warmed to it and began doing it without any reluctance.

[I can tell you are thinking of something selfish again.]

’Is it truly selfish if it’s for the barony?’

Dorian now wore an innocent look on his face as he made his way towards the workers.

The once disgusting and dirty site was now clean and spacious, looking different from what it used to be. All of the waste that was scattered on the ground had been thrown into the pit and then sealed with a grass cover they made.

All in all, the entire place was starting to teem with life again.

As Dorian got close, he rubbed his palms together.

"Good job, gentlemen, truly, you have proven how dependable you can be. You have my sincerest gratitude."

His voice reached them, immediately drawing attention to his position.

Upon seeing them, a few of them smiled, the tool they had been using to work clenched tightly in their fists.

"Nah, it’s nothing. At first we all thought you were using us for your selfish gain, but now, seeing how clean this place is, I would gladly serve my barony if this is the outcome it brings," one of the villagers uttered with a genuine smile.

Then another spoke...

"What he said, my lord, is no big deal. Besides, we are getting paid for it, so it’s no big deal."

’Everyone...’ Dorian rubbed the bottom of his nose, a sad smile on his face. ’To think they’d love it this much, how can I not extort them.’

He cleared his throat.

"I am glad you are willing to do that. As for your salary, that will be distributed tomorrow. Meet me here first thing in the morning, and your wages will be waiting for you."

As soon as those words left his mouth, the villagers all carried a judgmental stare on their faces, mixed with a hint of gloominess.

"Relax your minds!" Dorian yelled with confidence, "I am not here to scam you! I swear to the goddess herself."

Their gazes remained on him, only clearing after thinking for a long time.

"As you wish. We will be here tomorrow. All ten of us."

"Yeah."

"Expect us!"

Dorian smiled. "Hmm. I’ll be waiting. Your money is ready and waiting to be spent on every single one of you."

....

"Oh Mother, I beg of you! I have no money; please lend me ten silver coins, please, oh please!"

Dorian pleaded, kneeling on the ground with his head bowed.

His mother in question was seated on the bed, a cup of tea in her hand that she was patiently sipping.

As soon as he got home, she was the first person he went to meet.

"Son of mine," Stella placed the cup on the table.

Dorian raised his head to look at her.

"What is this? Don’t tell me you are..."

"No, this is a debt; it’s not for anything illegal, I swear it," Dorian spoke up.

His mother’s suspicious look, however, remained unwavering.

"Oh? Then what do you need ten silver coins for? That is one gold coin in total."

"Well, see, the thing is, I kinda needed some workers to dig up, uhm, minerals from the ground."

"And now you need money to pay them."

Dorian averted his gaze. "T-that’s the sum of it. Yeah."

Stella sighed. She then leaned forward, her face not too far away from Dorian’s.

"Son of mine, what minerals are you digging? I am guessing this was how you were able to clear your debt with the pub?"

"Well, it’s a rare dragon iron ore I found by complete accident, but I am somehow able to track and locate every single one. If I am correct, this might be the footing we need to pick this barony back up," he explained.

Once again, Stella sighed.

But before she said anything, she reached into her purse and pulled out ten silver pieces.

"Here, this should cover it. How do you intend to keep these workers? Surely you don’t think we are financially capable of paying one gold coin every day."

As the money touched his hand, Dorian grinned.

"You don’t need to worry about that. I know exactly what to do." He stood up. "Thank you, Mother. I promise you won’t regret it."

With that done and settled, Dorian made his way outside and closed the door.

As he went, Stella slightly shifted her gaze to the side.

"Are you satisfied now? Your son is doing the opposite of what you’re thinking," she uttered with a small smirk.

James, who had been hiding at the other side of the bed ever since Dorian stepped in, finally stood up, sitting at the edge of the bed.

A painful grunt left his mouth, as if he was finding the right words to say to his wife.

Hell, the reason he hid as soon as Dorian walked into the room was unknown. His body basically moved on its own.

"You still don’t believe Dorian?" asked Stella, now fully facing her husband.

James lowered his head. "Does that make me a bad father?"

Stella smiled in response.

"Our son was the reason we lost all our money to the viscount and still owe him a huge sum. I think anyone would understand why it’s difficult for you to forgive him."

After uttering those words, she fell flat on the bed, her hair scattered on the surface.

"But if that very boy pays off all the debt he caused, then would you be able to forgive him?"

James clenched his fist. "Maybe..."

Meanwhile, Dorian was still standing outside the room, his back resting on the door as he was listening in to what they were saying.

Forgiveness?

’Dorian doesn’t deserve that. Neither do I. My only reason for doing this is to pull people out of the mess I caused. Nothing more.’

He walked away, his eyes glittering with conviction.