Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 6 Lumberjack Master
"Boss, another Ice Snow Elf!"

In a dimly lit tavern booth, with the table littered with junk, a disheveled middle-aged man was pouring alcohol into his mouth.

Even when he was so full he couldn't drink anymore, and his body was trembling uncontrollably, he kept drinking. He seemed to be trapped in some kind of fear, his face contorted in pain, unable to pull himself out.

Hearing the wooden door creak open, he instinctively handed over his wine glass, only to be met with an arm as strong as an iron clamp.

He was thrown onto the table with a "thud".

"Forrest, are you just going to hide away aimlessly like this?"

Su Mu walked in, bringing with him a chill, and smashed a wine glass to sober up his subordinate.

Forrest took a long time to recover. He opened his eyes while leaning on the table, squinted at Su Mu, and quickly closed them again: "Wine, give me a few more glasses!"

Su Mu climbed onto the table and lifted Forrest, who was as limp as mud: "You were bullied like this by the forest owner, and even your wife and children died. Instead of seeking revenge, you cowardly hid in the tavern, getting drunk as a dung."

That's fine, you're just a spineless man.

But you took my money and didn't do anything. Do you think I'm easy to bully?

He drew a longsword from his waist and placed it against Forrest's neck, exuding a menacing aura.

Forrest seemed to regain some of his senses. He took out the remaining bag of silver coins from his clothes and placed it with difficulty on the longsword, intending to hand it back, but suddenly pulled it away. The sharp blade tore the bag apart, scattering silver coins all over the table, stained with blood.

Upon seeing the blood-stained silver coins, Forrest went completely mad, lifting his longsword with one hand and desperately trying to grab the scattered silver coins.

"Hahaha, money is great! You can only survive with money, money is everything."

He tilted his head, licked the bloodstains off the silver coin, and laughed at Su Mu: "Give me more money, and I'll do things for you."

Do you know how much Wood offered? 40 gold coins, a full 4000 silver coins! Give me more money, and I'll do anything for you!

Su Mu seemed to have been prepared. He took out a heavy bag of gold coins, which glittered when he opened the pocket, definitely more than 50 coins.

"I have the money, so why should I give it to someone who goes back on their word?"
If I hadn't asked you to cut timber, would you still be able to go back to the forest farm and show your skills?
Everyone says you're hopeless, but I'm giving you a chance. Today you'll stop working for 40 gold coins, tomorrow you'll betray me for greater gains. It's easier to deal with you than to risk that.

Forrest, his eyes bloodshot, clutched a large bag of gold coins and replied sarcastically, "Whether it's Wood or you, you only treat us as tools. You speak kindly when you need us, but discard us like trash when you're done."

It makes no difference whether you work for him or Wood; as long as you can make money.

Su Mu nodded, without refuting: "That's right, it's only natural to work and earn money."

But you know who's behind Wood. Do you really think you can get those 40 gold coins by working for your enemy?

Ultimately, your cowardice is ingrained in your bones; once you kneel, you can never stand up again.

Forrest trembled, but was too drunk to stand. He roared wildly, "What do you know? What do you know! You don't understand anything! Money is all that matters."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Su Mu didn't want to say anything more, so he raised his longsword and thrust it forward.

Forrest didn't flinch; he simply waited patiently for the pain to end.

However, the sword did not pierce his head, but only cut open the flesh on Forrest's shoulder. A strange, gentle aura flowed down, dispelling much of his madness and drunkenness.

Governors can influence others not only through negotiation but also through magic to control their subordinates and cultivate ruling traits. These include methods such as authority, faith, and order. Currently, basic skills cannot fully utilize these traits; they can only exert a slight influence by consuming magic.

Logically, Forrest's loyalty should be above 60, and he should be influenced by fear, so he shouldn't easily break his promise.

Even with severe trauma, it is difficult for mortals to resist the power of magic. The only explanation is that Forrest is no ordinary man; he has the potential to become a hero.

"If you want revenge, stand up and come with me."

If all you want to do is get drunk and drift through life, take this money and get out of here.

Forrest looked at the table covered in blood-stained silver coins and asked with difficulty and despair, "How can an ordinary person like me fight against them!"

"No one can do this for you. So what if you're powerful or wealthy? You're still just a person."

If you don't want to be bullied, you have to stand up for yourself first!

This time, Forrest no longer looked at the silver coins. His eyes became clear, and he struggled to support himself, looking directly at Su Mu: "What do you want to do?" Su Mu didn't waste any words. He picked up Forrest with one hand and walked towards the deep mountains.

After traversing the logging camp and wild mountain paths, and confirming that there were no followers, Su Mu arrived at the cave where the timber carts were buried and led Forrest inside.

The cave was dark and gloomy, but Forrest, who had years of experience in logging, immediately noticed the timber cart.

Although this wooden cart is dilapidated and even very old, it contains a unique charm.

"Ebony? No. Logs, no, that's not right either."

Why is this wood so peculiar?

Being able to sense the properties of the treasure, it seems Forrest does indeed have a talent in this area.

"Let's take a closer look."

Forrest approached the broken timber cart and reached inside. The ground immediately began to shake, as if countless pieces of timber were rolling around, making a rumbling sound.

His eyes were closed, and a blue glow emanated from his body as he entered a meditative state.

If one can further understand the properties of wood, one can rise to the top and become a hero. But if one fails, one will become nourishment for the wood cart to repair damage, or turn into smaller, mindless components of a treasure.

Magic is not a docile and weak pet; on the contrary, it is a terrifying and violent choice.

So many treasures, do you really think they were all forged? Why have all those wandering soldiers in the wild lost their minds?
All beings that share the same characteristics possess spirituality. The process of cultivating magic is about control; otherwise, one will suffer a backlash.

This is a step you have to take on yourself.

Forrest's arm, which had reached into the wooden cart, gradually turned into a block of wood, the wood grain so lifelike that nothing seemed amiss.

This is a sign of decay; he is about to become nourishment.

Su Mu made no extra movements. Logically speaking, after so many years of carpentry experience, Forrest's skills should have been at their peak, and he should have a natural talent for it, making him a potential hero.

Furthermore, being selected by the Elementary Governance Technique will enhance his skill comprehension. If that still doesn't work, then it means he can't overcome this hurdle in his heart.

The wood grain gradually spread, covering the entire body in a few breaths. The wooden cart exuded an eerie aura, its hands curling out like greedy tongues, trying to pull Forrest inside.

The instant it touched his shoulder, a spurt of blood shot out and splattered onto Forrest.

His body burned away the blue color as if on fire.

"Ah! Ah!"

Forrest pulled his stiff arm away, covered his bleeding wound, and collapsed to the ground in horror, moving his hardened body.

He was almost eaten, but he survived and was no longer a mortal.

Forrest (Architect): Attack 1, Defense 1, Spell Power 2, Knowledge 1.

Loyalty 72 (increased by gratitude by 30), Charisma 40, Element: Earth.

Characteristics: greedy, untrustworthy.

Lumberjack Prodigy: Increases logging efficiency by 100% (200%). This effect applies when stationed in a main city, lumberyard, windmill, or other similar building as the leader (elemental effect; if stationed in a main city, all lumber-producing buildings within range in mud/grassland environments receive a 50% bonus).

"what happened?"

Seeing Forrest's puzzled expression, Su Mu explained, "People with heroic potential will become mentally impaired because they cannot release it due to continuous spiritual influence."

Your inability to control your drinking urges releases not only past emotional wounds, but also a curse.

His unusual magical power was a sign of his impending promotion, something ordinary people couldn't detect, but the governor could see at a glance.

Forrest raised his arm, touching the skin that was sometimes wood grain and sometimes flesh, intoxicated by the powerful magic.

A powerful, giant hand slapped his wound, instantly bringing him back to his senses.

Congratulations, hero!

(End of this chapter)