Chapter 24: Enjoying the Spring Days

“Wow! Marnid, you made it. This is just perfect, my financial wizard. Got any brilliant money-making schemes?”

Marnid, now clad in simple yet tidy attire, looked clean and upbeat, a stark contrast to his previous downtrodden appearance. Their reunion was marked by a brotherly hug, a significant honor for Marnid, who was but a commoner.

Seeing this down-to-earth Count, who was both warm-hearted and enthusiastic, Marnid felt he had found a leader worth following for a lifetime. He thus respectfully addressed Draxel, “My Lord, I have plenty of ideas, but they carry both high returns and risks. I need to know how much money you’re aiming to make.”

[Special Character: Merchant Marnid joins your ranks.]

[Current Friendship Level: 50]

[Reward: +1 Charm.]

[Evaluation: You didn’t win over Marnid through a system task but by your own personal charisma, which is commendable.]

Ordinarily, Draxel might have spent time bragging to the system, but pressing matters were at hand, and there was ample time for banter later.

“Marnid, I’m planning to construct watchtowers and training grounds in Uxkhal and its two subordinate villages. I need a total of 6000 Denars. Considering the need to recruit new soldiers, let’s round it up to 7000 Denars.”

“How quickly do you plan to gather this sum?” asked Marnid.

With a smile, Draxel patted his shoulder and responded, “Is there any doubt? The sooner, the better.”

“As long as you’re willing to take another venture to Xiko in the Khergit Khanate, I assure you, we can make over 10,000 Denars.”

Hearing this, Draxel felt a twinge of skepticism. Was Marnid trying to pull one over on him?

“What’s the catch? Does that place have a money tree or something?” Draxel quipped, half-jokingly.

Marnid responded with a chuckle, “No money trees there, My Lord. But if you could bring back some grape seeds from there, I can help you set up an entire grape-based business chain. I’m confident that with these grapes, we can earn over 10,000 Denars.”

Given Marnid’s skills in ‘Trading 5’ and ‘Eloquence 3,’ Draxel was inclined to take his word seriously.

“Hmm, let me mull it over. Noyan Tu Lu, the lord of Xiko Village, is my sworn enemy.”

Their conversation was joined by Safiya, Owens, and others, who had just woken up and were drawn to the lively discussion.

“What’s there to ponder, Draxel? Let’s just go for it. Are we scared of that noseless old guy?” Safiya interjected enthusiastically.

“Oh, my dear Miss Safiya, don’t stir things up. He commands dozens of regular soldiers,” Draxel reminded her with a cautionary tone.

Draxel hesitated to make an immediate decision. He had narrowly triumphed in his last encounter thanks to wolf meat and Lein, the dragon egg’s assistance. Without those advantages now, victory was uncertain.

The deadly battle with Noyan Tu Lu still loomed large in his memory.

“Give me some time to think. Owens, please show Marnid around and arrange a comfortable room for him,” Draxel requested.

“Understood, my lord,” Owens replied with a respectful nod.

“Hmph, how boring. Awong, come practice archery with me!”

“I’d rather not—Ow, ow!” Awong couldn’t finish his protest before Safiya playfully but firmly pinched his ear, leading him outside while he winced in pain.

Watching their figures recede into the distance, Draxel couldn’t help but smile with contentment, softly speaking to himself, “I’ve really found some wonderful companions.”

It was now April of the year 1257, the epitome of a beautiful spring. Draxel made his way to the back garden of the lord’s hall, a spot renowned for its picturesque beauty in Uxkhal. There, he stood quietly, basking in the gentle tenderness of the season.

“It’s incredibly beautiful, incredibly soothing,” he exhaled deeply, a sigh that seemed to dispel any lingering stress.

The warm breeze brushed against his face in a landscape bursting with the fresh green of peach and willow trees. The ivy that densely coated the fortress and walls was vibrant, bringing a sense of renewal and life.

Faced with this sprout of new life, Draxel decided to set aside the day-to-day trivialities for a moment. He allowed himself a brief respite to relish their jubilant growth, feeling a sense of serenity and expansiveness. 

He mused, ‘Perhaps these plants have seen the trials I’ve weathered, even glimpsed my weary countenance. They have been my silent companions, witnesses to the springtime of my tumultuous journey.’

Reflecting on the past, he contemplated that revisiting Xiko village and giving Noyan Tu Lu another defeat might indeed be a good choice.

[New Mission]

[Travel to Xiko village in the Khergit Khanate and obtain grape seeds.]

[Evaluation: Your journey is necessary, but be prepared for unexpected events. The future remains a mystery.]

‘I won’t bother asking about these unexpected events, you’d probably just tell me to ‘Please continue the damn game,’’ Draxel thought to himself.

[Reward: +1 Wisdom.]

[Evaluation: Ah, you’re quick-witted this time, so I grant you this reward.】

He felt a pleasant warmth envelop him.

‘Hmm, quite generous today, aren’t you? Thanks!’

Just as Draxel was getting ready to pack for his trip to Xiko Village the next day, he turned around and noticed his mother, Bela, looking at him affectionately from a short distance away.

‘Yes, it’s been quite some time since I’ve really seen my real parents. Maybe the tranquility of the scenery earlier made me long for home,’ he reflected.

“Mother, is there something you wanted to talk about?”

“My son, today is the 4th of April, your birthday. Happy Birthday, my love.”

What a pleasant surprise this was for Draxel. He hadn’t expected that both “him” and “Draxel” would share the same birthday.

“Thank you, Mother.”

Though Draxel was strong and tall, in his mother’s presence, he still felt like a little boy, especially when leaning against her shoulder.

“For tonight, I’ve prepared a birthday feast with all your favorite dishes. And there’s one more thing, son. You’re turning 25 today, still unmarried. I think Safiya would be a wonderful choice…”

“Ah, let’s discuss that another time, Mother. Please, don’t worry about me right now.”

Bela frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, “Are you thinking of seeking a political marriage with some nobility within the kingdom?”

Her words served as a reminder to Draxel. In this era where the strong prey upon the weak and power is paramount, many sought to strengthen their positions through political alliances formed by marriage. Such strategies could create powerful private factions.

In this way, even Swadia’s King Harlaus would hesitate to act against a lord who was backed by a formidable family alliance. He would be wary of provoking a rebellion, as stirring up collective discontent among powerful families could lead to significant unrest.

“Mother, I haven’t given it much thought yet. Let’s talk about it later.”

Noticing Draxel’s somber expression, indicating he was weighed down by heavy thoughts, Bela refrained from pursuing the topic further.

[Evaluation: Looking elsewhere while eating, seems you have an interest in the Profit Empress, just like me.]

‘Would it kill you to stay quiet? Where were your remarks when I was nearly killed by the steppe Wolf King a few days ago?’ Draxel snapped back at the system, visibly annoyed.