Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
As a rope was attached to Maz’s and Rick’s necks, and the wooden plank at their feet gave way to suspend them in mid-air, the nerves in their body convulsed, and they repeatedly moved their body in a tap dance-like fashion, Fang Yuan had already brought along his inheritance documents and sold all of his family properties. He then traded for an average horse, some cloth armor, and a rusted long sword and began his journey towards the Shawshank Center.
Of course, he had no intention to visit the Blue Moon baron. After all, regardless of whether or not the other party has ill intentions, his current identity was still a lowly free citizen. Before becoming a knight, he basically had no qualifications to be a visitor of the baron’s castle.
“The distance from the Blue Moon baron’s territory and Shawshank Center isn’t too far—around two days worth of traveling…”
Fang Yuan rode on his average horse with his eyes seemingly narrowed but not at all.
With his current appearance, he really looked like a lone adventurer. There were very few people who dared to find trouble with him.
“This world’s Extraordinaries would usually register within the huge city and become an enrolled adventurer.”
As an adventurer, there are many benefits. Firstly, they’re able to travel freely between the Duchy and the Royal Kingdom, and they can receive the warm care of the local adventurer society.
Secondly, they can utilize the society’s channel to receive quests and obtain a handsome reward.
Of course, the requirements to approve an actual adventurer, in reality, is very strict. Firstly, it’s a necessity to have the status of a free citizen. Following that, one must go through a series of tests to prove one’s abilities.
Basically, those who can become an adventurer are, at the very least, experienced warriors to begin with, and they would have unique equipment and techniques.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Luhn already has the position of a knight leader that he needed to inherit, Fang Yuan’s first choice would probably also be to become an adventurer.
As the average horse progressed forward, the shady green trees on both sides rapidly swept behind him, and there was the occasional movement of the silhouette of a small animal, portraying a complete picture of natures ecology.
“A path is even able to cultivate to such a Dharma. From this, we can see how low the productivity of the Stan Duchy is…”
Fang Yuan looked at the discernible trail on the road and inadvertently shook his head slightly, feeling the slight abnormality and darkness of this realm.
Those Extraordinaries, nobles, and flamen can waste with reckless abandon by controlling the Extraordinary power, while the average citizen lower down the hierarchy will struggle with great pains on their lands, just like a serf. Even a year’s worth of hard work and labor might not be enough to fill their stomachs.
Perhaps, there are a lot of people who haven’t eaten white bread before in their entire lives.
Even the sweetness gifted by nature—honey—is just a tribute to the feudal lords.
Furthermore, the chance of standing out in life is very low!
Even the most basic warrior training isn’t something that can be experienced by a serf. Needless to say, large quantities of food, varieties of meat, weapons, and corselets will need to be expended.
Therefore, the higher caste will tightly hold onto their power. The existence of Extraordinary power further enables one knight to be able to suppress hundreds of serfs. The lower castes ultimately don’t have any hope of overturning this.
Furthermore, due to the swallowing of the surface debris, that can also be understood as a bonus from fighting with outsiders, this realm was actually continuously expanding!
“If this continues to progress, even something like dimension ascension might cause a malformation!”
Fang Yuan secretly sighed. At noon, a small village appeared ahead, with a fence surrounding the outside and a few people who seemed like militiaman patrolling the area.
This was also the specialty of this realm. Due to the liveliness of the Extraordinary power, there was frequent activity from the demon beasts and hostile predators. In order to ensure their safety, city walls and guards were essential tools. Especially for this type of small town, slight carelessness might result in their destruction.
Precisely because of this, the average citizens of this realm were all extremely looking forward to life in the major city.
Not only does it represent bountiful living conditions over there, most importantly, there’s also the guarantee of safety.
“Adventurer?”
Seeing Fang Yuan dismount from his horse and walk forward, the militia who originally maintained a relaxed expression instantly became a little alert.
“No! I’m just a traveler who wants to stay one night in your village!”
An adventurer actually has proof of being an adventurer which is unique to them. Although it wasn’t impossible for Fang Yuan to copy it, there must at least be an original for him to copy.
Very evidently, with Luhn’s previous rank and identity, he was still unable to come into contact with something like that.
“Then… Outlander, Kahn village is a hospitable and friendly village with a wooden hut that you can stay in for free for just one night. However, you have to take note to not cause trouble, or else you will regret the consequences!”
At this moment, someone who looked like a security officer walked over.
He had a burly figure and looked around forty-years-old, and his entire body was full of scars like a warrior who has been through many hardships. A hawk-like gaze constantly sized up Fang Yuan’s average horse and metal sword before he finally nodded his head and let out a warning.
“No problem!”
Fang Yuan led his horse into the village. “May I ask if you can give my horse a little food that is of slightly higher quality. After all, this old chap has already carried me for a very long journey.”
“We have a specially concentrated feed here. Of course, we also have hot water and food, but remuneration is needed!
“I’m this village’s security officer—Gohn!” With a self-introduction, the middle-aged warrior struck his chest.
Later on, Fang Yuan suddenly realized that the “hospitality and friendliness” of the Kahn village and its free provision of bed mattresses was totally a hoax, as the price of everything inside has already been included within the price of the horse feed and other food.
Needless to say, this petty farmer-like cunningness gave him a slight sense of enlightenment.
“Has your Excellency, Gohn, ever become a warrior?”
At this moment, Fang Yuan rode his horse and casually chatted with Gohn.
“I previously served in the leader’s military army for three years, and then I became a Lansquenet for a period of time… That was a period that remained fresh in my mind…”
Gohn spoke emotionally, “Furthermore… I had undergone warrior training, but unfortunately, I had no innate ability in this domain.”
“That’s a shame…”
Fang Yuan nodded. If he really became a warrior, he wouldn’t stay in this small village and become an unknown security officer.
“Your Excellency really isn’t an adventurer?!”
Gohn looked at Fang Yuan, but his gaze still had some doubts.
Although all of the equipment on this chap called Luhn was very old and tattered, and they looked like they were randomly scraped together, his body’s quality had instead made him speechless.
Furthermore, every single one of his actions portrayed an immensely superior talent.
With the vision and intuition of an old warrior, he believed that he wouldn’t misidentify the youth.
“In fact, I’m not… In reality, I’m a knight’s successor! I’m preparing to head towards my poor relative’s territory!”
Fang Yuan laughed and took out his proof documents.
“I see!”
After seeing this, the doubt in Gohn’s eyes dispersed by a lot and became a lot more dignified.
A future knight-to-be with a rank much higher than his. “I’m so sorry… We will immediately prepare the best room for you!”
“No need to be so hospitable, this is already decent!”
Fang Yuan was thinking of other matters.
After intentionally divulging his own identity, he wanted to see if there would be any other forces chasing after him.
If the other party attacked first, it would definitely be without any mistakes or risks. Who knows, there might be the existence of Extraordinaries?
“In truth…”
Gohn brought Fang Yuan into the room but hesitated for a moment. “Your Excellency, lately our village has been too dangerous! There were a few incidents of wild beasts hurting people, and there should be a demon beast that has fled nearby. We’ve already gathered money to hire an adventurer to resolve this problem…”
“So it’s like that!”
Fang Yuan nodded his head and knew the origin of the slight misunderstanding earlier. “I wonder what I can help with?”
“We’re really grateful for this. If there’s anything we need, we will definitely ask.”
Gohn tactfully but firmly declined.
In reality, this was normal.
Although he could already mostly confirm Fang Yuan’s identity, he still had to maintain some wariness.
Just a mere document could possibly be faked if it was carefully prepared beforehand.
Even if everything was true, it was still problematic in every way to let a royal family successor fight and kill a demon beast.
“Then, I wonder which adventurer your Excellency has hired?” Fang Yuan stopped suggesting and instead asked with interest.
“According to the feedback of the adventurer society, the “Pitch-dark Shield” adventurer team who accepted the quest is a small team of five, and their leader is “Steel Warrior” Lantil! A strong and mighty warrior…”
Gohn pondered and felt that there was nothing to hide and generously revealed it.
“Leader!” “Leader!”
At this moment, a militiaman from outside hurried over and reported in a rough voice, “The Pitch-dark Shield adventurer team has already arrived. Their leader, Lantil, is just outside the village entrance.”
“I’m sorry!”
Gohn’s face revealed a slight hint of happiness, and he apologized to Fang Yuan before turning around to leave.
“Regarding the legendary warriors, I’m deeply interested in it too. If they’re taking action tonight, please inform me!”
Fang Yuan laughed and there was a slight glimmer in his gaze.
…
Kahn village, village entrance.
As the leader of the Pitch-black Shield adventure team, Lantil looked around thirty-years-old. He wore half-body armor that revealed his large, firm muscles which reflected a smooth sheen under the sunlight.
“Team leader… It’s just a small village quest without high pay. Why did you still accept it?”
At his side, an archer was complaining and grumbling instead. “Look at the rough mountain roads. I suspect that the reward we obtain at the end of this isn’t enough to even change a pair of leather boots!”
“There’s no choice… There are few quests lately…”
Lantil shrugged his shoulders and revealed a straightforward and resigned smile.
“Alright, the village people are here. Don’t become a joke to the outsiders…”
At this moment, the only female thief outside the team spoke. This instantly shut the archer up.
“Anyway, it’s probably just a large wolf-like demon beast that fled nearby and could be killed very quickly!”
Lantil spoke in a low voice and looked at Gohn who was coming over to welcome them. His face suddenly filled with a vibrant smile, and he walked over to welcome him. “Is it, your Excellency Gohn? I’m Lantil, sorry to keep you all waiting!”
