Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest-Chapter 280 - 16: Completely Ordinary People

When Dias entered the office, Lady Nillie was bent over her desk writing teaching materials.

Having taught for a long time, she exuded an aura of authority that both drew respect and instilled fear in the children.

The great lord had designed the school’s educational system, but seldom inquired about the specifics.

As the master was preoccupied with a myriad of responsibilities, Nillie was the true headmaster most of the time.

However, she forbade them from addressing her with any honorifics.

They wouldn’t say it aloud, but deep down they all knew what to do.

"The overall test results are out," Dias presented the report in front of her.

Nillie tucked a stray strand of blue hair behind her ear with one hand, while the other picked up the report.

Her eyes moved rapidly, scanning the content at a glance.

Dias watched in silence, his gaze fixed on Nillie’s soft, smooth dark blue hair.

The Sea Castle People believed they carried the divine Bloodline, originating from the depths of the sea; it was said that the original Sea Castle People all had blue hair, a distinct characteristic.

But later, due to the pressures of survival, the blood of the ocean and the land mingled, and their hair color gradually shifted to lighter shades of blue, or even changed to brown and chestnut, indistinguishable from the land dwellers.

The purity of the ocean’s Bloodline had been diluted, a curse from the sea.

Dias had brown hair, but his father had blue hair, and so did his grandmother.

Dias firmly believed those legends were true, their ancestors had a glorious history and an ancient Bloodline.

But the glory of history was lost, and the ancient Bloodline lay dormant. freeweɓnøvel.com

After the last Sea Castle lord, Deer, swam into the ocean, they had lost all dignity.

Though they had become slaves, they must find a way to revive the Sea Castle.

It was their root.

Not only did Nillie have dark blue hair, but her eyes were as blue as the ocean; she had received Lord Deer’s will—the lordship of the Sea Castle would be entrusted to the Sea Castle Person with the purest Bloodline.

But that will was not executed.

The chamberlains holding power would rather choose someone from outside than serve a former maid as their lord.

All because of the notions of hierarchy espoused by the land dwellers.

They thought her name was not proper, her words were not fitting; she was neither the offspring nor did she possess the Deep Sea Secret Power of the Sea Castle lord.

She could not gain the recognition of everyone.

The chamberlains sought a lord from the Nobles outside to govern the Sea Castle.

In the end, it proved to be an extremely foolish decision.

Lord Deer’s passing had left the Sea Castle as loose sand, and the actions of the chamberlains had pushed it further into the Abyss.

They had abandoned the teachings of their ancestors, and the ocean had punished them, making the inhabitants of the Sea Castle suffer in the process.

But the Sea Castle People could hardly be called innocent.

When disputes over the succession arose, they stood by, indifferent, allowing Nillie to be put under house arrest. She tried to do something but was powerless to turn the tide.

Yet after the problems arose, they regretted it to death.

The only way to save the Sea Castle was to elevate Nillie to that position.

Dias believed that as long as the correct lord of the Sea Castle was ushered in, they would be able to reclaim what they rightfully deserved.

...

As Nillie reviewed the report cards, a smile gradually appeared on her face.

"Dias, more than four hundred students passed the exams; this is good news," she said.

The number of passing students was less than one third of the total student body.

But that was still a significant amount.

Not all students had enrolled at the same time, after all.

The passing standard was also quite high, indicating that they had mastered over seven hundred words and the basic grammatical structures.

"This is the best result ever; I think it’s necessary to let His Highness know this good news," said Dias.

Nillie looked at him for a moment, seeing the hidden anticipation and nervousness in Dias, she couldn’t help but lower her eyelids.

She pondered for a short while and finally decided, "You’re right, it’s time to let His Highness know this good news."

Nillie rose from the office desk and headed toward Origin Manor.

The school and the manor were close by, with no hedges or fences separating them.

She was carrying a stack of report cards, her steps firm at the outset, but as she walked, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of apprehension.

Were these enough?

Would this performance satisfy him?

Or rather, would he reward her for it?

She wasn’t so sure in her heart.

Yet, she had worked hard for this very goal in the past.

At the time of her striving, she had never entertained such thoughts, never wavered.

Now, when it came down to it, she was no longer confident, indecisive in her actions.

"Sigh..."

She knew this matter was too important to her, she was well aware of his nature but still couldn’t help worrying.

"Lady Nillie, what brings you to sigh over here?" A few Witches gathered around to chime in.

Nillie glanced at them.

Her relationship with this group of Witches was hardly close. She asked, "Is His Highness in?"

"He’s inside, Lady. Are you not supposed to be teaching at this time?" Edith, a Witch, said with a grin, "My, what is that you’re holding, may I have a look?"

"Lady Edith, it’s just the children’s report cards," Nillie handed them over.

But the Witch lost interest after only a glance.

She was completely unaware of what those meant to Origin City and to Nillie herself.

"I thought it was a payroll statement," Edith muttered, "Lady Nillie, may I ask how much you earn?"

Nillie was taken aback, her mind filled with matters of state, and you’re asking about my salary?

"Seven silver coins a month," Nillie replied truthfully.

This group of Witches was a tough bunch, all dangerous elements. When others showed her courtesy, it was better for her to maintain respect in return.

"That little?" Monica showed disappointment.

"Not at all," Nillie said.

That was the price of an entire cow.

Some impoverished Conquest Knights would find it hard to make a living, selling pots and pans just to afford a set of armor.

"I thought you would be paid more."

Their status was equivalent to that of Chamberlains at the level of Conquest Knights, in other words, confidants.

As confidants, they must possess unique skills.

But Nillie was different.

Upon closer observation, Edith found Nillie to be no more than having a special background, being pretty, smart, and strong-willed...

Beyond that, she was just an ordinary person.

It was a wonder how that arrogant fellow took an interest in her.

Nillie smiled, "I already get more. I used to earn five silver coins a month; later, His Highness had me serve as the deputy headmaster of the school and gave me a two-silver-coin subsidy."

She, in fact, had not cared much about the salary issue.

The Witches, on the other hand, cared quite a bit.

"Lady Nillie, we have been here for some time now," Monica said.

Nillie instantly understood the intent of these Witches and continued their conversation: "It has been some time."

They had arrived in May, and it was now the beginning of June, nearly a month’s stay.

"How much do you think we should be paid?"

Nillie replied without giving anything away, "That would require the personal opinion of His Highness."

"That’s why we feel uncomfortable asking directly. If you could inquire on our behalf, we would owe you a favor."

I don’t think you’d feel uncomfortable at all... Nillie thought to herself.

"Then I will ask His Highness for you," she agreed without hesitation.