Chapter 68: Meeting Adjourned and the System Sounds Once More
"Mm, yes indeed. We can't be too ostentatious." Eldric agreed. "Then what about we do it like so, since we have to plan for the safety of the merchant group, we should then restructure the knights around the House." Eldric suggested.
"What do you have in mind, Patriarch?" Solen asked curiously. "Mm, how many knights do we have at our disposal?" Eldric asked first.
"We now have around 36 knights including us five elders," Evander said swiftly, "Of which the weakest knights are at the mid-stage Man-at-arms (Tier 1), they total to about five, thirteen knights are at the late stage of Man-at-arms (Tier 1), while seven of them are at the peak of Man-at-arms (Tier 1) realm and then finally excluding us five elders we have another six Squires (Tier 2)."Evadne concluded
"Good, then maybe we should do the following. During the early few weeks and months when we are in full flight most of the merchant groups will be traveling between the five towns once we settle in and start trading. So, we should have ample enough strength to secure our resources"
"Since we have 36 knights, we shall exclude the Elders. They would stay and ensure the safety of the House and help manage it. The rest of the knights will be divided. Since we can't be too attention grabbing, send eight Late-stage Man-at-arms (Tier 1), the rest will be patrolling here at the House." Eldric started.
"Then in addition the late-stage Man-at-arms (Tier 1) the peak stage Man-at-arms (Tier 1) should be four knights, then for the last line of defense 2 Squires (Tier 2) would go, but the two Squires (Tier 2) should move in the dark and protect in the shadows." he added.
"Then what of the rest Patriarch? Will every knight here go hunt then and leave the base? If everyone goes to hunt, we can maybe gather enough meat but then it means the House would be left unprotected." Evander argued reasonably.
"The rest of the knights will be led by another two Squires (Tier 2) to hunt food. Meaning the House would be only protected by the elders when the rest are on the hunts" Eldric replied assuredly. "Forgive me if I sound unreasonable but Patriarch what of us elders then? How will we grow stronger?" Solen asked in concern.
"Yes, that is a problem, but I assure you it is only for the first few weeks until everything moves smoothly. After everything is up and running the knights would take shifts, some shorter and some longer but nonetheless everyone will have their chances" Eldric answered curtly.
The meeting went on and thus the plan of action regarding the merchant group was decided, in short, security had been assured as well as the workforce and lodgings, now the only thing left was for the merchants to start and trade with the towns.
Eldric was especially excited about what other products the two new towns would bring. After the meeting was adjourned and the orders were relayed, the whole House was busy making preparations for the merchant group's departure.
Eldric on the other hand went back to the cavern to continue cultivating. He wanted to reach the peak of Man-at-arms (Tier 1) quickly as that was the strength level the elders agreed for Eldric to venture outside alone without any Squires (Tier 2) around to protect him.
Eldric was eager to see the outside world to set eyes on the winter cities and towns and personally experience their culture and traditions. And that came with the condition mentioned above.
When Eldric arrived at his cabin in the cavern and was ready to cultivate the long-lost sound echoed in his head once more. It had been weeks since the last time the system had sounded and when it did it was mostly only a brief introduction or description of a mission or quest, he could complete. Not that he was complaining or anything.
Were it not for the system, Eldric was afraid he would either be cowering in fear in the cavern or already be dead. Eldric summoned his window, and he was surprised by the quests that appeared. That's right, quest(s), there were more than one that appeared this time.
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[Quests: 3]
[Main Quest: Expand the House's influence on two Kingdoms (Condition - be a known House)]
[Rewards to be seen]
[Side Quest 1: Cultivate one Knight Official (Tier 3)]
[Reward to be seen]
[Side Quest 2: Trade with five towns]
[Rewards to be seen]
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Eldric was surprised by the number of quests to appear at once, but he quickly looked at the requirements and soon found himself smiling bitterly. Out of the three missions, the last one was the easiest to fulfill as he was about to finish it anyway thanks to the merchant group.
The second side quest would take a long time before being completed. Garen was arguably the strongest in the house in terms of skill and cultivation, but he was still a long way from reaching Level 4 of Squire (Tier 2).
The last one, being the main mission was one Eldric did not even contemplate about, he just directly gazed past it and only gave it a slight glance. Firstly, he could not complete the mission quickly as he was not even a famous House in the Highkeep Kingdom not to mention two kingdoms and secondly, he had no idea what the criteria meant when it said to be a famous house.
He skipped the main mission and wanted to see the rewards for the side quests but to his dismay, the rewards were not visible for him to view, and he could do nothing to change it as, as he has learned over the last few months, the system was like an alarm clock. Always silent until it needs to be.
Seeing that his struggle and attempts to secure information were futile, he closed the window tab and started cultivating once more. The feeling of the energy rushing through his dantian made him feel alive and refreshed.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone