From Slave To Ruler

"We have a deal. Arthur. Should we bring them to your house? Can all 80 of them even fit?"

Asked the Head Whipper in discomfort trying to push away his social embarrassment. He didn't love how he was publicly embarrassed in front of over 100 people. But what other choice does he have but to swallow his pride. The King would cut off his head if he lost 500 Gold Coins anyday. Luckily he wasn't in the Throneroom. Otherwise the Head Whipper would have a foul fate for risking losing 500 Gold Coins. The King is rather "busy" with the maids to care enough for this sale. That basically includes most of his schedule apart from making his belly fatter, half of his decisions about the Kingdom aren't even his.

"I'm glad we finally reached a deal. I prefer if you send them all to my school. I have enough rooms to fit them all easily." Arthur smirked and added "You can attend class any day you'd like. You don't even need to pay."

"Uuuuuuuu." Was heard from the crowd of 80 women and even the Guards. Arthur is throwing one shot after the other and all the head Whipper can do is tolerate. Rather interesting to see an abuser coward in silence.

"Silence!" He yelled at the crowd and angrily spoke to Arthur "You are planning to educate these slaves? What a waste of gold! You fool!"

"These same women will be the death of you, you fool!" Aaron thought but suppressed his emotions. After all, actions speak louder than words. Education is never a waste of Gold. Have them by my school after an hour. I do not tolerate a delayed schedule!"

"As you wish. Arthur!" Whispered the Head Whipper, suppressing his own rage and obeying Arthur's request, but he still aimed to burn him with words if not with the damage of a whip. "You may head towards the payment room and arrange the pay. You can't pay in parts, you have to pay the whole price if you want all of these slaves to be of your possession right now. This is serious business. Nothing like the customers at your shops who pay at the end of the month or are greatly in debt to you."

"Don't worry. I can buy you and half of the Kingdom if I wanted too. You do your part and I will do mine!". Slowly and carefully said Arthur in a low tone, showing him who is the superior at this case, the cold tone added a "your days are numbered" vibe. A second before he finished his sentence he was already walking towards the pay room, located behind a door at the bottom left edge of the Throne Room.

...

Marching one foot after the other towards Arthur's school with Patrol Guards making sure these slaves don't escape, it only took about half an hour to reach the school, where along the way, these finely dressed women caught a lot of attention from working men, unfortunately some of the men are married as well, so it was a rather unpleasant feeling for these women. They don't enjoy l.u.s.ty men looking at them with those eyes, be it if they are married or single. While some didn't seem to care who peeked.

One block away from the Main Gate. Appropriately located near the walls, stood the 20 class school, indeed taking a lot of space, but when would education be considered a waste of space? For Arthur to build this school, he had to buy 40 houses and demolish them all, converting the space into this school with classes capable of holding 30 people each.

This is the one and only school in Hawk Kingdom, yet it is the most frowned upon business from these people's point of view. Many illiterate people felt it is necessary to attend to the school, even though the prices are very cheap. Arthur doesn't want to get profit from this school, he just wants to help people, making them more independent, giving them the ability to get better jobs instead of being pure slaves to a small wage.

To put into short word, this income was more of an outcome. Currently paying 16 teachers, 5 Silver Coins a month, didn't come cheap either. He would pay them more, but the daily schedule is 3 hours long, meaning teachers can have 2 Jobs rather easily. There are mostly people who read and write while 20% are learning a new craft. Be it Blacksmithery, Stonemasonry, Clay sculptor, furniture maker, or Building Constructor. These were the 5 available options for now, but Arthur does intend to expand the options.

Considering Arthur covering all school expenses, including paying teachers and providing daily school supplies for the students such as Parchments made from leather, ink and quill to write, books to read and any other required tool or item for those practicing crafts. He still only Charges 100 Bronze Coins a month even though he covers all of these expenses, he has other businesses so he doesn't have trouble providing for 500 people.

Even a farmer can afford to invest. Even a farmer can go in as illiterate and come out as a literate Blacksmith. There weren't any history classes, biology or geography classes either. Nothing like that. They would just need to learn how to read and write which can take up to 3 months at max, afterwards they choose a branch of skill they want to learn from the available options.

Meaning that just under a year, an illiterate farmer who earns 520 Bronze Coins a month, can go in and come out as a 20 Silver Coin a month earning Blacksmith. This even aids Hawk Kingdom's budget which is indirectly helping the King expand the army one way or the other so it is a rather dumb move for the King not to urge people to attend school.

Indeed Arthur likes it this way as well. Because he does not have enough businesses for 18,000 people and he does not want to aid the King, he hates how the King couldn't care less about his people. Arthur himself comes from a long bloodline of poverty victims. But however those who choose to work in one of Arthur's businesses, that of course only aids Arthur more, for him to help even more people to progress in their lives. To fight their way towards more stable financial conditions.

Age isn't even a problem. Any person who is at least 6 years old can join the school. Meaning there is practically nothing stopping these people from bettering their lives under a year. They invest 12 Silver Coins in total for a year and come out earning the amount they spend, under the period of a month or two.

In fact Arthur expected for even less to attend school. It took 4 months for the school to be built, although the word of mouth spread fast, only the wealthier were willing to pay 100 Bronze Coins a month for education. It has been a bit over a year since the school was built, and until now only 60 people graduated. You see 500 Students now because the King can't convert a Blacksmith or any other person practicing a craft that isn't farming or mining into a soldier as it would be considered a waste of gold. The profit from the King employing a Blacksmith instead of a Soldier are far different. Making it even easier, not everyone wanted to be a soldier even though food is offered to their families for free. Some people wanted to reach anything more fulfilling.

The classrooms now are empy, school ended a bit earlier before these 80 women arrived. They were split into 3 classes, two classes holding 27 students and one holding 26. All of these Women were anxiously waiting and were no doubt confused. They expected to be maids in some rich pervert's house, doing more than one job throughout the day or night. They didn't expect to be led to a school, not at all. Afterwards, one class saw a man walking in.

"It's the "Pitch Black Buyer"" under a above averagely high tone said a women, whispering and murmuring followed after until the Black haired man gently asked them a couple of times to be quiet.

"I know a lot of you are confused!" Arthur expressed himself. Afterwards he turned to the Patrol Guards and said "But first of all. All of you Guards are dismissed! I'll take care of it from now on."

"Sir Arthur are you sure? These ladies can easily escape in a bundle without supervision!" Urged the Patrol Guard to be aware off.

"Where will they go if they did? They lost everything!" He spoke in their language but of course meant something totally different.

"You do have a point. Good luck." Said the Patrol Guard as he did a hand gesture and whistled, telling the Patrol Guards to leave the school and return to their shift.

"Now. I have an offer for you ladies, which can be very beneficial in countless ways. Best part, you have to please no man. Question is, are you interested?"