HTLCCBFT Extra 6

Has The Lord’s Career Chart Been Filled Today? – Extra 6

While the commoners of Neighboryn were torn between leaving and staying, the slaves fell into an unprecedented state of confusion.

Since birth, they had been driven by whips to work incessantly—never allowed to rest even during wind, frost, rain, or snow. This was the first time they had ever been so… idle?

“That’s enough,” the steward announced after inspecting the area, nodding with satisfaction. “Go back and rest for now. Remember to gather at the square when the fourth bell tolls.”

Enough?

Staring at the completed work in the fields, the slaves exchanged bewildered glances, yet none dared to actually leave.

The work hadn’t been finished quickly because there was suddenly less to do, nor because they had become more capable. It was because the new master’s army… had actually provided them with a large number of new farming tools!

These tools, all products of collaborative improvements by Musta Kingdom’s craftsmen, were easy to use and terrifyingly efficient. Even fools like them quickly learned to handle these convenient implements, finishing in no time what would normally have taken a full day of backbreaking labor.

These stewards from another country seemed genuinely kind—their attitude could even be described as caring. Dear god, they never dared dream that after changing masters, they would be allowed to eat their fill at every meal!

But having grown accustomed to beatings, being treated so kindly now left them utterly disoriented.

“Could this be some kind of trick?” someone couldn’t help but mutter under their breath.

It wasn’t paranoia—not long ago, a steward in a bad mood had deliberately deceived them during a heavy rainfall by saying, “The rain’s too heavy today, no need to work.” Some had still dutifully reported for work, while those unlucky enough to believe him stayed in their shacks—only to be dragged out later by the head steward and whipped half to death.

After such deception, no slave dared expect good fortune to come their way… Besides, they’d already received so many full meals—they shouldn’t be greedy for more.

Seeing the slaves still standing obediently under the scorching sun, too fearful to leave, the stewards exchanged glances and smiled wryly. “Don’t you believe us?”

The slaves remained silent.

“We know you’re thinking: ‘We’re slaves, born to serve the nobles until we die,’” one steward suddenly declared. “But you’re now slaves of the Musta Kingdom—you must discard those foolish notions.”

“Hey, they won’t understand if you put it that way,” his companion interjected calmly, dropping a thunderbolt: “Let’s be direct. Looking at us now, would you believe that just six or seven years ago, we were all slaves too?”

What?!

Every slave stared in shock at this impeccably dressed steward whose demeanor rivaled that of a knight page.

“And we weren’t even slaves from the royal capital.” The steward shrugged casually. “Have you heard of Laina Territory? It’s the southernmost territory in our kingdom, once the most remote and impoverished place. Only a little over a thousand commoners paid taxes annually, while the number of slaves starving to death each winter alone reached tens of thousands.”

The third steward, who had been listening quietly, couldn’t help but laugh and added, “It did have some fame—its reputation came from having eight consecutive lords die within a single year. It became a cursed land that terrified nobles from ever coming, even the divine temple was abandoned.”

All five stewards standing on the ridge laughed at this.

Who would remember now how terrifying Laina was eight years ago? Now it had become one of the three major cities in the south, their hometown famous for its abundant crops…

“Back then, we envied people like you the most,” the steward who first brought up the topic continued. “Though we did the same amount of work and still got beaten, at least we didn’t have to fear being sold off cheaply to other cities by stingy lords before winter came, just to save on winter rations, forced to work day and night.”

“And in our fantasies, winters in the royal capital weren’t so unbearable either.” Remembering their humble aspirations, the stewards sighed deeply. “The nobles and commoners could all afford to light fires. If we could just get close enough, we might survive.”

“Why talk about such things?”

Another steward, who had lost family members to winter hardships and disliked dwelling on past suffering, frowned and interjected, “Anyway, in Laina Territory now, only the lazy, foolish, and sinful remain slaves permanently.”

The first to advance from slavery to commoner status were either those who passed the annual written exams to become basic Divine Servants, or the select few who became formal guards through exceptional physical condition and surviving rigorous training.

Fortunately, the path kept widening: with the city’s continuous expansion, labor was needed everywhere—recruiting talent externally while constantly training internally.

Even slaves who struggled to believe this change found motivation through the transformed lives of those around them, finally beginning to take action.

Numb livestock developed aspirations and ambition, and timely received abundant opportunities—ensuring the desperate rise of those at the very bottom.

It was truly simple: most people struggling in the mud just needed someone to pull them up, then provide an opportunity.

“Exactly, unless they’re those hopeless types who only want to reap without sowing,” they clearly shared no sympathy for such lazy scoundrels. “Those fools still think it’s not their fault when their women leave them.”

“Heh, Miss Lucy should give them a good scolding.”

“If Miss Lucy heard what they said, a scolding would be the least of it—last time I saw how she grabbed that big stick to personally beat that wife-abuser. My god, she was incredible.”

“How else could she be the pride of our Laina? Lucy is the first female parliamentarian in the court! And one of only two parliamentarians from Laina!”

“What a pity! If Viscount Arte weren’t so absorbed in building new divine statues for that great God, he’d definitely be qualified for a parliamentary position.”

“Mr. Gennaro is impressive too. I used to call him ‘kid,’ but not only did he become a formal knight at just fifteen, his military achievements accumulated so rapidly! He’s already one of the commanders in this expedition. Everyone has to address him as ‘Sir’ now!”

“Let’s not forget Mr. Farmur either. As the chief agricultural planner for the territory, he’s one of the most competitive candidates in the next election.”

“Miss Lucy must be almost twenty-three now. When I saw her passing by last time, I barely recognized her. I used to live near her family—it’s hard to believe she’s become so intelligent, capable, and stunningly beautiful. Why hasn’t she married yet?”

“Ha! Don’t forget she’s already raising her thirty-first cat. With so many cats for company, she probably doesn’t need a man. Besides, hasn’t she publicly declared that she’s devoted everything to the greatest God?”

“Exactly. She’s the most devout follower. And between managing school affairs and participating in parliamentary duties, she even came here specifically to oversee things this time.”

“His Majesty has never married either… It seems he too has dedicated everything to the greatest God.”

“I used to think it was improper for women to work outside, worrying no one would handle household chores. But I’ve realized it’s actually wonderful! With just my salary, life was a bit tight, but with both of us working and saving together, it’s so much easier! And the children are even disciplined with help from the divine temple! We just pay a small extra tax based on our income ratio each year, and they teach those troublesome rascals to read!”

“Hey, of course you’d say that, you enviable nuisance! Everyone knows your wife is a high-ranking Divine Servant in the temple—she earns much more than you monthly and commands so much respect!”

“Heh heh, she’s just helping everyone look after children. Nothing too remarkable.”

“Stop bragging! She definitely knows more than you! Such a smart and beautiful woman marrying you is such a waste. You’d better do more housework so she doesn’t get fed up and kick you out!”

“Your wife works at the pig farm, and the benefits are great too! You get extra pork distributed every year!”

“She’s always talked about learning to raise chickens. Once we get a promotion, we can buy a new house with a yard. Then we could keep a few at home.”

Chattering enthusiastically about the topic of ‘women,’ they carried on their discussion, completely forgetting the stunned former Neighboryn slaves who were listening.

Although these seemingly noble stewards claimed they were once slaves too… to the listeners, it felt like they came from two entirely different worlds.

Completely separate worlds—unbelievable.

The former Neighboryn slaves felt uneasy, unable to recognize the faint, unfamiliar emotion stirring within them as ‘envy.’

However, they were not neglected for long. The previously agreed-upon time for announcing important matters arrived with the fourth toll of the bell.

Still feeling unsatisfied, they led the bewildered slaves to the square. Clearly considering the information absorption capacity of slaves from other nations, they were greeted not by lengthy speeches but by concise explanations: the new library had been completed, specific areas would be open to them daily after farm work, allowing them to study and prepare for the examination half a year later.

Library? Study? Examination?

These three utterly unfamiliar concepts struck the slaves, leaving them completely stunned.

What were these things?

Nervously wringing their hands, they failed to notice the stewards behind them first showing expressions of “just as expected,” then revealing subtle sympathy from the perspective of experienced individuals.

—

“Lucy?”

The young girl by the window was startled awake, turning to look at Rayleigh, her partner of many years. [mfn]Reminder: Rayleigh was introduced in chapter 196 as a newly appointed priest by Oliver. Around the time when Oliver introduced equal opportunities for women. [/mfn]

Rayleigh looked curiously at the rarely distracted “Iron Lady”: “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.”

Though Lucy brushed it off out of habit, her slightly upturned lips betrayed her good mood, prompting her to unusually add: “I’m just… immensely grateful to the supreme God-King and the benevolent Cat God.”

“Oh, of course, thanks to the glory and boon bestowed by the two great Gods.”

Rayleigh’s expression immediately turned solemn, closing his eyes earnestly as he silently recited the popular, universally memorized “Song of the Cat God” in devout prayer.

Lucy’s thoughts had already drifted far away, her mind recalling the day she was directly appointed by His Majesty the King as the first council member – and the only female council member.

“Your Majesty,” she said anxiously, “I… am I really suitable? I’m afraid I cannot be impartial, that would be a disservice…”

“You don’t need to be impartial,” the King, who had once served that most noble and sacred existence as Vice Knight Commander, interrupted with a frown. “The Little Prince once said… even the Gods cannot achieve absolute impartiality.”

His Majesty Loyel continued: “You only need to do what is worthy of the people who chose you, of the Little Prince who chose you. Of course, you must spare no effort to work for the group you represent, to speak for them. As for whether such voices are heard, and how much is specifically heeded, that depends on me, on the coordination team’s decisions, on the resources we possessed at the time.”

“Can you handle this, Lucy Laina?”

The typically stern King offered this young woman, long appreciated by the Little Prince, an extremely rare, slightly encouraging faint smile.

She opened her mouth.

This time, the words that came out were solid, weighty, yet she miraculously spoke them without any difficulty.

—After all, she was only the second existence privileged to bear the surname of her homeland, Laina.

“I can.”

Recalling this, Lucy couldn’t help but smile.

She looked at those confused slaves, just as she had once looked at Uncle Jack, at her former self.

—That self who had long dwelled in the cold, desolate darkness, encountering for the first time that gentle guiding light.

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