Early the next morning, along with Orias and Cisse, Arthur stood on the beach, preparing to bade Henry a farewell.

Pulling out a parchment, Arthur handed Henry a list of things he would like to buy on Henry’s next trip.

Receiving the list, Henry took a quick look before nodding. “I promise to bring you the very best.”

“I’m sure you would,” smiled Arthur. “Oh right, are sure it is fine to heading back out to sea around this time? The Red Crows will probably be keeping an eye out for your fleet.”

“We should be alright,” chucked Henry as he pulled out a fist-sized blue orb. “With this baby hiding us within a cloud of mist, they won’t even know we are at sea. Cough! Unless we release it too early like last time. Cough!”

Arthur laughed. “Aright, may you have fair winds and following seas.”

Hearing that, Henry performed a curtsy as he hopped onto a small rowboat. “Thank you.” After a pause, Henry turned back around. “Oh, right, catch.”

A small white sphere sailed through the air. Catching it, Arthur rolled it in his hands as he examined it. “What is this!”

“An arrival stone. It will let you know when I am heading here again, roughly around a few days’ notice.”

And with that, Henry’s men began rowing the boat towards their ships.

…

Watching Henry set sail, Orias and Cisse began making their way back to Avalon, whereas Arthur watched the lapping waves deep in thought. ‘I feel as if I’m forgetting something. What could it be? …Ah, whoops.’

Immediately Arthur stepped onto the sea, making his way over to where the five Red Crow pirate ships were.

Waving his hand, five ice large ice spheres rose out of the water. ‘Hope they are still alive, I totally forgot they need to breathe.’

Releasing the ice spheres, five mid-sized ships coated in frost appeared. ‘Oh, boy!’

…

After docking the ships on land and helping the shivering mass of people onto land. With an awkward look on his face, Arthur flashed an apologetic smile while he connected with Jarvis. “Jarvis, can I get some help over here?”

“Will do, sir.”

Watching the group of men and women huddled together to preserve their warmth, Arthur couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty. Had he waited a bit longer, they would all be suffering from acute asphyxiation and hypothermia until … well, death.

Noting that the cold Hiems winds weren’t helping with this situation, the white streak in Arthur’s hair turned red as a warm wave of energy began to filled the surroundings.

Nevertheless, after half an hour, a group of people came with blankets and warm food.

Seeing everything being taken care of, Arthur then made his way back to Avalon, heading towards the Village Hall.

…

Seated across Myrddin in a soft sofa. Arthur took a few sips of tea, enjoying the relaxing feeling of the tea going down his throat.

Placing his cup down, Arthur breathed out a warm stream of air. “We’ve come far.”

“Indeed, we have. It might just be possible for us to reach the level of a town before Hiems ends as long. And with the addition of the slaves and former pirates, our chances are even higher.”

“Perfect. Speaking of the slaves, I don’t plan on keeping them as slaves forever, as costs outweigh the benefits. And it’s honestly what I came to talk to you about today.”

Myrddin’s right eyebrow rose, “what are you suggesting, then?”

“We’ve already set up a contribution system, and are in the process of transitioning into actual currency. I was thinking that we keep the contribution system in addition to the currency system, as a way of social mobility.”

“Oh? Interesting. Are you proposing that the slaves work until they reach a certain amount of contribution points to gain the status of freedmen?”

“Exactly. I want to use the contribution system as a way for people to gain more benefits and freedoms. Once a person has reached a certain amount, they automatically advance to the next. Such as from slaves to freedmen to citizens. A citizen may purchase a house, for example, and may receive universal healthcare. A freedman/resident can rent and not buy a house, and they will still have to pay for health care. However, they can choose any occupation they want, though we may suggest occupations, they will still be free to choose whatever they want. And slaves will simply be unpaid workers, with their work working to accumulate contribution points until they can be freedmen.”

“That’s actually brilliant. After all, people appreciate things they’ve worked hard for, and by having such a system, it gives people things to chase. But to ensure that the slaves are motivated to become freedmen, we will have to make their conditions a bit harsh. After all, we will need to provide their basic needs until they become freedmen. And by having us provide everything for them, they are a chance some of them might become lax.”

Taking a sip of his tea, Myrddin paused. “But what about the matter of war prisoners, like the pirates, will they be treated the same as slaves?”

“Yes and no. Their contribution points needed to become freedmen will need to be tripled. Since in the future will be conquering very aggressive groups, those who submit without resistance will be called the Indentured and will be classified similarly to slaves, but will only need half the contribution points of a slave to become freedmen. And for those who resist, they will become war prisoners. Since we will more than likely suffer losses to subdue them, their overall contribution has to make up more than our losses. After all, the time it will take them to become freedmen will be more than enough for them to submit to us psychologically and spiritually.”

Myrddin smiled. “A visionary as usual, I see.”

“One has to be if they wish to traverse the path of Sovereignty.” Laughed Arthur.

Taking another sip of his tea, Myrddin froze for a second as a realization struck him. “Oh yeah, what do you plan on doing with the children?

Thinking for a bit, Arthur answered. “Their slave status will be changed to Tyroes, and as long as they work hard in school, gain freedmen’s status.”

Hearing this Myrddin, nodded in agreement. “Children should be allowed to grow. Their potential shouldn’t be squandered on things like labor.”

Arthur agreed as he brought his cup of tea back to his lips as he and Myrddin began to talk about other topics. It was a relaxing atmosphere as the young and old enjoyed each other’s company.

A sad truth about all who choose the Path of Sovereignty is that no matter how hard they try, there will always be an invisible barrier between them and their people. Which typically tend to lead them to lonely lives. Though having friends and family alleviates some of the loneliness they tend to feel. The powerlessness they feel about breaking the ever invisible barrier even between their friends and family never leaves, forever acting as a shield between them and the world.

And it is in these cases that they try to find someone where this barrier ceases to exist. The lucky ones find them in their friends and family, some in complete strangers, and some go on without ever finding one. However, lucky for Arthur, he had found such a person in Myrddin. Someone he can speak to without having to maintain his authority and simply relax and talk.

On a side note.

[Village Grade: 2 ->3]

[Village Population: 432 -> 938]

Village Upgrade Requirements:

[Grade: 4] - Population: 1,000

[New] Loyalty Mark (III): Those bearing the settlement’s loyalty mark, can now vaguely sense the presence of those with it also.]

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[Tidbit: the pirates haven’t been added yet since they haven’t been settled yet.]