The weather was fine today—the most beautiful late autumn day, with the sun shining brightly, its warmth spreading through people’s bodies. Arno took Celeste out to get some fresh air and, by the way, patrol his territory. The little girl was overjoyed; in Milin City, the capital of Bell Province, Salcomo would never have allowed her to go out on the streets casually. The romantic plotlines in knightly novels were not entirely false—there were always some people with a special talent for winning a little girl’s favor in the shortest time.

  That was why Salcomo had mostly kept Celeste confined at home, with only a handful of opportunities to go out.

  "Good morning, City Lord!"

  Arno did not even turn his head, only glancing sideways at the person greeting him with the corner of his eye. It was a young man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, strong and sturdy, carrying a pack of small ceramic bricks on his shoulder that weighed at least 100 jin. The young man wore a sincere smile, and even though Arno did not look at him directly, he showed an understanding smile.

  Nobles—how could they possibly look at commoners like them directly?

  The young man did not hold any resentment because of this; that would be absurd. Commoners were too far from the noble world for feelings like love or hate to matter. The reason the young man dared to greet him with a smile was that, in his eyes, Arno was a good city lord and a good noble. He was spending money to renovate the city that was home to the common people, sweeping away the city’s factions, and giving them opportunities to earn money and have enough to eat. In these times, this was nothing short of a miracle brought about by the manifestation of the Light God.

  This city was not Baron Arno’s fief. Even if he developed it wonderfully, he would have to leave one day. Nothing of what he had done could be taken away; it could only remain here. Many people were shocked by his actions and at the same time felt heartfelt respect for this young city lord.

  Passing by, Celeste, who was following behind Arno, looked back at the young man with the unceasing smile on his face, then hurried a few steps to keep up and walked by Arno’s side, her voice so sweet it could drip honey. "Brother Arno, they all like you very much!"

  The girl seemed a bit proud and also somewhat reserved, her little face pink. Arno’s steps were longer and faster than hers, and to keep up with him, her own steps were faster than usual, making her slightly out of breath. Her red-and-white simple dress with a lace-trimmed skirt made the girl look extremely cute. Her linen-colored hair, carefully combed by the maids, curled slightly, further setting off the whiteness and delicacy of her skin. Her healthy complexion and natural, unadorned appearance made anyone who saw her feel happy.

  Arno let out a few noncommittal sounds from his nose. "It’s only natural. I am the city lord, after all."

  "The respected city lord!"

  Flattered by the little girl, Arno tried to keep a straight face, but the corners of his mouth could not help but turn up slightly. When he was with Celeste, his mood always became as bright as the weather today. The girl’s heart was as pure as a crystal, without a single flaw, making people want to be close to her while also refusing to allow that crystal-like heart to be tainted in the slightest.

  After hesitating for a long time, her steps becoming a bit unsteady, Celeste gently bit her pink lower lip with her glistening white teeth, her face turning a charming camel-red, and she reached out to link her arm with Arno’s. It took all her strength and courage; while there were promiscuous women in this world, there were also innocent girls whom one could not bear to hurt.

  Arno paused in his steps, slowing down and consciously or unconsciously adjusting to the girl’s pace. Seemingly sensing the change in Arno’s steps, the girl pressed her lips together, her eyes curving into two crescent moons, and her steps became much lighter.

  "Ah! Is this your wife, City Lord? She’s so lovely!" An elderly man leaning on a cane, sitting by the roadside to bask in the sun, couldn’t help but praise when he saw the adorable Celeste.

  Now, the people of Pramisburg all knew that although the city lord was young, he should not be disrespected. He did not get angry for no reason, nor was he overly lenient. But even so, to this city that had suffered so much, Arno was already a rare and kind-hearted person in their eyes.

  In the face of the old man’s praise, Arno had to nod slightly. He could ignore the young men, but he could not look down on the elderly. People needed to have some sense of reverence, which was not a bad thing. Reverence made people cautious rather than arrogant. The elderly, having gone through the baptism of time, had accumulated a lifetime of experience and wisdom. They might not understand grand principles, but their advanced age alone made them worthy of serious attention.

  Seemingly startled by Arno’s nod, the old man trembled as he stood up with his cane, wanting to bow to Arno. Arno waved his hand. "No need for formalities."

  Because of this small incident, Arno stopped walking.

  Some of the surrounding elderly people slowly moved closer, and Blair stood with a stern face, protecting Arno’s side. Arno pushed him aside and walked up to the old man. "Who else is in your family?"

  The old man was overjoyed, a trace of pride hidden in his expression. He quickly composed himself and said, "I have two sons, one daughter, three grandsons, three granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren." The old man habitually wanted to stroke his beard, but when he raised his hand halfway, he felt this action might be disrespectful to the city lord, so he stopped and said very seriously, "My family and I are extremely grateful for your measures, City Lord. Now they are all contributing to this city. You have improved our living environment and ensured we can eat our fill."

  "I have lived for seventy-one years and have lived in three cities, but this is the first time I have met a city lord as wise, great, generous, and kind as you. I have always told my children and grandchildren that they must serve you with all their might for as long as they live!"

  Arno was slightly surprised. The old man spoke at a steady pace, with clear logic, not like an ordinary elder. Arno’s puzzlement was quickly answered when an elder beside him interjected, "Old Vincent used to be a community councilor. His words carry a lot of weight."

  Community councilors were recognized as respected individuals in their communities who actively participated in Advisory Hall activities and official consultations. Later, city lords and lords in various places felt that the existence of community councilors would affect their rule, and this policy was quickly abolished. Since then, the Advisory Hall had deviated from the original intention of Emperor Orlando I when he established this department, becoming a means for some gang forces and wealthy merchants to advance into the ranks of the powerful, no longer a voice for the common people.

  Such people had great influence in the community, and their words were often more effective than official decrees. However, most of the time, from the promulgation to the implementation of decrees, apart from the common people voluntarily complying because they saw the benefits, it was mostly enforced by official force.

  Seeing that Arno was not difficult to talk to and was not the type who refused to even look at them, the surrounding elderly people gained courage. Having lived for decades, they had experienced countless things, with more experience, knowledge, and social awareness than young people. They chattered away without hesitation, some praising Arno, some complaining about the policies of the previous city lords and the Bell capital, and some envisioning the future.

  Arno listened carefully—this was the voice of the people—and considered jotting down some things. Standing aside and watching Arno earnestly and equally communicating with the elderly, the slight dissatisfaction Celeste had felt toward Salcomo’s forceful arrangements vanished without a trace. She looked proudly at this man who was nearly a decade older than her, thinking that this would be her husband, a man worthy of her respect, protection, and a lifetime of care and love.

  "I have an idea!" After listening to many suggestions, Arno spoke for the first time, and the already lively street became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. He smiled faintly. "I will reopen the Advisory Hall and re-select community councilors. Pramisburg has endured too much suffering and has finally ushered in the light. This light belongs to me and to every resident of Pramisburg. We are not rootless drifters; this is our home."

  "I know many people look down on the people of Pramisburg, thinking this is a rural area, a place full of crime. It is undeniable that the pain brought by historical mistakes has continued to this day, but!" Arno’s voice was steady and powerful, rising sharply when he said "but." "As of today, all that has been will become history. We will turn a new page and move toward unprecedented glory!"

  "I have been thinking about what I need to do to develop Pramisburg!" Many elderly people wore serious expressions of listening; what Arno was about to say could affect their lives and even the entire city of Pramisburg.

  Arno looked around, and gradually more people gathered. He said loudly, "Pramisburg’s excellent geographical environment makes it impossible for her to become an agricultural city. The people of Pramisburg, who are not afraid of hardship or pain, should become the economic center of Bell Province and even the southwest of the empire, just like the people of Alexandria. I will do my best to attract more merchants to settle in Pramisburg, develop light industry and textiles, and form a merchant group truly belonging to the people of Pramisburg."

  "I want every resident of Pramisburg to feel heartfelt pride when they talk about their hometown outside!"

  "In this world, there is no unprovoked kindness or unprovoked hate. I will grant you lives you have never even imagined and the most precious dignity. But at the same time, I also hope to gain the loyalty of all of you, the entire population of Pramisburg!"

  "Those who are good to me will receive a hundredfold return. Those who are bad to me will be eliminated without mercy!"

  "I swear by the ancestors of the Golden Family and my sacred blood!"

  …

  Back in the city lord’s mansion, Arno tore open his collar and sat on the sofa, breathing slightly heavily. He had spent the day walking through several of Pramisburg’s largest communities, promoting his political ideas and ambitions all day long. This was a political show, an essential political show. Not everything he said was false—ninety-nine percent of it was true. He was well aware that to truly control this city, relying solely on other forces or official power was not enough. The common people were more cunning than those nobles imagined.

  Indeed, the foundation of nobility was built on money and privilege.

  But Arno was even more aware of the significance of pleasing the people. These commoners who relatively have nothing were more dependable in critical moments than those powerful factions and nobles.

  This would be the first real wealth he had acquired since coming to this world.