Chapter 37: A Rare Bonus from the System

“System, aren’t you setting the bar a bit high? At this rate, will I need a special ‘Chopsticks’ skill just to eat?”

Draxel couldn’t help but vent his frustration, only to receive a curt reply from the system. 

[Please continue playing.]

‘Great, just great!’ he thought sarcastically.

‘Proceed with the repairs.’

[Acknowledged. Repair phase initiated. You have 3000 Denars remaining.]

With this, Draxel realized that his plans to build new watchtowers and training facilities in the other two villages would have to be temporarily shelved.

‘I also need to start repaying Ronnie’s debt, or it wouldn’t be right.’

Contemplating this, Draxel felt a mix of gloom and irritation. Since his arrival in Calradia, he’d been constantly troubled by financial woes. It wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.

Just then, Safiya, cradling the young dragon Lein, approached Draxel.

“Count, what are we going to do next?”

“I haven’t quite decided yet.”

“Why don’t we take a stroll through the town? After the battle, it’s in quite a state. There must be places where we can lend a hand.”

“You two?” Draxel was a bit slow on the uptake, not quite catching on at first.

“Roar? Am I not included?”

“Oh, oh, yes, of course, you count too. So, yes, ‘you two,’ haha.”

“Roar. It’s baffling how someone as clueless as you is the chosen one of the dragons.”

“Hey, no need for personal attacks. I’m still trying to figure out how you could be the mightiest of the dragons.”

“Roar! I am the mightiest, no doubt about it!”

After a playful squabble with the young dragon, Draxel felt rejuvenated. His financial worries seemed to vanish, at least for the moment.

Safiya watched them with eyes full of warmth and affection, reminiscent of a mother observing two children who never quite grow up.

Just then, the system chimed in again.

[I’ll throw you a bone this time, so you’ll stop griping about this golden finger being useless. Go for a walk in the streets, and you might just stumble upon some good fortune.]

‘Aha! A change of heart? Alright then, I’ll take a stroll. I’m sure to be the talk of the town.’

They soon found themselves on the busy streets. Indeed, many residents were struggling, and they pitched in to help move heavy loads, rebuild homes, and tidy up the marketplace. The townspeople, seeing their esteemed Count Draxel, so down-to-earth and approachable, felt a deep sense of gratitude and respect for him.

At this point, the mayor of Uxkhal approached Draxel with a request.

“Good morning, my lord. The townsfolk have a request for you, we’re in need of your help.”

“Go on, tell me about it.”

“Well, a few days ago, a family here had their wife and child taken by bandits. The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of 2000 Denars for their release.”

“Damn, I’m strapped for cash. Mayor, have you thought about crowdfunding?” Draxel immediately felt overwhelmed upon hearing the money-related request.

“You’ve misunderstood, my lord. I’m not asking for money. The family is wealthy enough to pay the ransom, but the bandits have demanded that he deliver it alone. They’ve threatened to kill the hostages if he brings any troops.”

“Ah, I see. So, you want me to go alone and help this citizen retrieve his family, correct?”

“Yes, exactly. The journey is perilous, and our townsman might not survive it. As a reward, he is willing to add an additional 500 Denars to the ransom amount.”

Draxel exhaled in relief, thinking to himself, ‘TMD, that was a close call. Not only do I avoid shelling out 2000, but I also stand to make an extra 500. Why not?’

He responded to the mayor, “No problem. Hand over the ransom and tell me where to go.”

“Thank you so much! The bandits are located at…”

[New Mission]

[Travel to the bandit hideout near the village of Eberlen and rescue the townsperson’s wife and child.]

“Safiya, I’ll head out after lunch. You and young dragon Lein just stay safely at home and wait for me.”

“Okay, but don’t overdo it again and come back half-dead,” Safiya chuckled.

Draxel rolled his eyes, slightly annoyed, “Can we not revisit that topic?”

“All right, I won’t bring it up again. But Count, have you noticed I’ve gotten stronger recently? I feel like I’m bursting with energy.”

Inwardly, Draxel thought, ‘Of course, you’ve gotten stronger. You’ve been empowered by Lein’s dragon energy. But you probably aren’t aware of it.’

Why bother with lengthy explanations? Just sidestep the issue.

With a smile, Draxel replied, “Yes, you do seem stronger. Perhaps you’ve been resting well lately, haha.”

Just then, the system decided to interject.

[Evaluation: Don’t think you can easily fool a woman. I suspect Merchant Marnid will soon uncover the inflated prices you set at the training ground and watchtower.]

‘Damn! That can’t happen. If Safiya finds out, won’t I be in deep trouble? I need to warn Marnid beforehand.’

After finishing his meal, Draxel prepared himself for the journey. Naturally, he didn’t forget the crucial conversation he needed to have with Merchant Marnid about the training ground and watchtower.

Count Draxel believed that Merchant Marnid, with his business savvy and superior trading skills, would deduce that building a training ground or a watchtower would cost only about 1000 Denars.

The thought of his secret profit-making scheme being exposed, and the subsequent beating he would likely receive from Safiya, made him increasingly anxious. The more he dwelled on these concerns, the more irritated he became, leading him to grumble:

“Damn it, System, all you do is add to my troubles. Fine, I’ll just focus on the task at hand first, Ibiran Village.”

Ibiran Village was under the jurisdiction of Uxkhal Town and, conveniently, part of Draxel’s domain. Visiting it would allow him to assess the current situation and understand the plight of his people, achieving two goals with one visit.

After a full day’s travel, Draxel arrived near the bandit hideout around 3 PM, following the System’s directions. There, he found about 20 muscular and imposing bandits under the blazing sun, creating an atmosphere of edginess.

Growing impatient, the bandits were not in the best of moods, and neither was Draxel.

Upon seeing a man on horseback approaching without any troops in the distance, the bandits relaxed their vigilance.

As Draxel drew near, a bandit called out, “You finally showed up, damn it. Where’s the ransom?”

“Mind your manners. Who do you think you’re barking at? Do you know who I am?”

“Heh, listen up, buddy. You might look somewhat important, but we’re only interested in the money, understand?”

Draxel felt a surprising sense of satisfaction with this response.

He reflected, ‘Compared to my first trip to the Eastern Abyss Mountains, the attitude of the bandits back then was even worse. This shows that my recent improvements in reputation and honor actually have some utility.’