Chapter 58: The casino was really built within a week

Initially, Merchant Marnid toyed with the idea of shadowing  Xiao Yanzi to uncover her method, but eventually, he discarded this notion and chose to patiently wait for updates within the Lord’s Hall.

The following morning, as Draxel relished a savory mushroom soup prepared by Old Aubray’s family, a guard arrived in a flurry of panic to report, “My noble lord, last evening, our town was visited by ghosts!”

Draxel, bewildered, inquired, “Ghosts? If you’re unwell, seek a doctor, don’t spout nonsense here. What exactly happened? Explain clearly.”

“In just one night, an array of valuable stone, timber, and metals appeared out of thin air in the town’s very heart, near our most wealthy and central market! If not gifts from ghosts, then what?”

“Be grateful if a ghost doesn’t haunt you instead of bringing gifts. Gifts from a ghost? Have you lost your mind on watch? Don’t panic, I’ll have a look.”

Mounting his horse, Draxel slowly headed to the town’s center, now densely packed with villagers and buzzing with activity. Merchants and shopkeepers from the nearby marketplace also came to witness the commotion.

Draxel could clearly discern that these large quantities of wood, stone, metals, and various accessories were intended for construction, positioned at such a lucrative spot, evidently perfect for an entertainment venue.

“Attention, everyone! These materials are not to be touched. No one is to come here at night for sightseeing. Those who disobey will be expelled from Uxkhal. Mayor, make sure this decree is spread across the town.”

“Understood, my esteemed lord,” the mayor responded, dutifully relaying Draxel’s orders without question.

With Draxel’s governance, characterized by kindness and his frequent contributions of strength to Uxkhal, the townspeople were genuinely inclined to follow his lead.

Assured that no one would visit the site at night, Draxel departed with satisfaction. However, Merchant Marnid, due to his injuries, arrived late to observe the area, by which time the count had already left.

Confronted with the sudden appearance of substantial materials, he was convinced that  Xiao Yanzi was behind it, likely involving those mysterious figures in black who had moved everything during the night.

“I really did underestimate  Xiao Yanzi. She truly is a remarkable woman,” he said, overwhelmed by the sight before him. 

Feeling both ignorant and insignificant, he deeply regretted his earlier behavior.

Consequently, by the third morning, the materials had not only increased in quantity but also in variety. Beyond basic stone, lumber, and metals, there were now construction tools like hammers, shovels, and axes.

By the fourth morning, a vast building with an extensive foundation, covering over three hundred square meters, had quickly risen, its first floor nearly complete.

On the fifth morning, this expansive building had reached the second story. The craftsmanship was deemed the finest of its time, unmatched by any other structure in Uxkhal.

By the sixth morning, it had ascended to the third floor, becoming Uxkhal’s sole three-story building, with only the roof beam remaining. Passersby and soldiers during the day were utterly amazed.

And by the seventh morning, this super, super, super luxurious casino, whose opulence and splendor were beyond words, stood proudly at Uxkhal’s center, entirely completed.

Spanning three stories, each floor covering more than three hundred square meters for a total of approximately a thousand square meters, everyone was convinced that for the next decade, even a century, there wouldn’t be a casino on the whole continent of Calradia that could rival this one.

On the seventh day’s morning,  Xiao Yanzi returned early to the lord’s hall, eager to join Draxel, Merchant Marnid, and the rest for breakfast.

Upon awakening and seeing  Xiao Yanzi back, Draxel warmly welcomed her, “You must have been so tired these past days. Thank you, I didn’t even need to step outside to know you did wonderfully.”

“Draxel, I should be thanking you. You kept everyone from peeking at night, safeguarding my secret. You are a detail-oriented and kind man. If I were twenty years younger…”

‘Stop, stop, stop! I think of you as a mother, but you’re thinking of courting me? That’s not going to work!’

Draxel covered his discomfort with laughter and sidestepped the topic, “Haha, you jest,  Xiao Yanzi. I’ve always known you were a woman of mysterious powers. Someone recommended by Ronnie has to be extraordinary. I’m deeply grateful for your help.”

At this point, Merchant Marnid and Little M also woke up and joined them for breakfast.

After several days of rest, Merchant Marnid was mostly recovered. Seeing  Xiao Yanzi’s return, he approached her, bowed deeply, and said, “Please forgive my earlier rudeness and ignorance. It was my mistake. You truly are an amazing woman.”

“It’s fine, I’ve already forgotten about it. Besides, you’ve had your share of hardships, haven’t you? Haha,”  Xiao Yanzi responded with a soft smile.

“I indeed learned my lesson. It was well deserved. By the way, my esteemed lord, during these days of rest in my room, engaging in chess and delving into business literature with Little M, I’ve felt considerable personal growth.”

“Really? That’s great, keep it up. By the way, you seem to have bulked up quite a bit. Have you been taking some secret tonic in your room?”

Draxel hadn’t been closely monitoring Merchant Marnid over these past few days. Hearing him ramble, Draxel gave him a closer look and indeed noticed a significant change.

“Well… maybe it’s the aftermath of that lesson, haha…” Merchant Marnid, embarrassed to delve into the details of that night’s event, tried to brush it off with a laugh.

‘Hmm, something’s not right with him. System, can you check on this?’ Draxel silently communicated with the system.

[System Alert: Merchant Marnid recently underwent a special event, resulting in an overall enhancement of attributes, as follows.]

[Original Character Status: Merchant Marnid, Level 10, Strength 10, Agility 10, Wisdom 22, Charm 22.]

[Skills: Trading 5, Persuasion 3, Riding 2]

Feeling impatient and not wanting the system to hold back, Draxel quickly inquired, ‘And what’s his status now?’

[Current Character Status: Grand Merchant Marnid, Level 18, Strength 15, Agility 14, Wisdom 27, Charm 26.]

[Skills: Trading 6, Persuasion 4, Riding 3]

‘Whoa, that’s even better than drugs! Observing Marnid’s dramatically improved attributes,’ Draxel felt genuinely pleased.

[Evaluation: Indeed, Marnid understands the value of learning from shame. Now, take a look at yourself. You’re a real piece of work, growing so slowly.]