The trip concluded without a hitch.
As an unexpected bonus, Ron even bought all of Chef Wharton's potatoes—about a hundred catties—for a mere fifteen silver coins. He immediately ordered the sacks packed and tied to the back of the carriage, warning Sig in a half-serious tone:
"Watch them carefully. If even one potato goes missing, you're responsible."
Inside the carriage, Irene couldn't contain her curiosity.
"Young Master, are these Tibetan beans some kind of treasure? Why do you value them so much?"
"You'll know when the time comes," Ron replied simply.
The journey back was uneventful. When the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Baron's Manor, Egbert and Mr. Abel were already waiting, bowing deeply.
"Welcome back to the Baron's Manor, Lord!"
Their voices echoed as the surrounding knights and servants followed suit.
Egbert stepped forward. "Lord, I was extremely worried. If someone hadn't told me you were with the Star Troupe—and that the Troupe Leader was hosting you—and if I hadn't sent someone to confirm it, I would have ordered Mr. Abel to rescue you."
It seemed Chells had quietly sent word. A thoughtful man indeed—no wonder he could command the Star Troupe.
Ron chuckled. "If they truly intended to harm me, even Mr. Abel wouldn't be able to save me. Their leader is at the Third Order… though I don't know his profession."
"What?!"
Egbert and Abel were both stunned. Sig felt sweat bead coldly along his spine.
Ron remained unbothered. He pointed to the pile of potatoes at the back of the carriage.
"Egbert, store that bag somewhere cool. Don't let anyone touch it. I have great use for it."
"Yes, Lord."
He didn't know why the potatoes mattered, but loyalty required no explanations.
After giving his orders, Ron returned inside. Dust from the trip clung to him—he needed a proper bath.
Half an hour later, he appeared in the study, the place where he handled the Arnold Territory's affairs.
Irene stood beside him as usual, now dressed in a maid's uniform. The tips of her hair still glistened with droplets—she had bathed recently but hadn't finished drying.
Cleanliness was mandatory in a noble's study.
Ron spared her a glance while flipping through documents.
"Go dry your hair. I don't need you at the moment. Also, ask Joyce to come here."
Irene felt a warm swell in her chest. She knew the Young Master was concerned she might catch a cold.
Leaving the study, she went to the maids' quarters. Joyce had taken the day off and was currently sitting on her bed reading a new book.
Irene relayed Ron's message. Joyce looked genuinely puzzled. Why did the Lord want to see her?
"I understand. I'll change and go immediately."
Even while off-duty, a noble's command could not be refused. Joyce quickly changed into her uniform.
Moments later, she entered the study.
"Lord, what are your orders?"
She stood five meters from the desk, hands clasped naturally at her abdomen, posture straight.
Ron put his pen down. "Joyce, do you enjoy reading? And what do you prefer—the stories, or the knowledge within them?"
Joyce was taken aback. After a moment, she answered honestly, "To answer you, Lord… I enjoy both. But if I must define it, I want to understand things I do not yet know."
Ron raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised.
"A very good pursuit. But what you seek cannot be achieved by reading alone."
"I know," Joyce said calmly. "But I can only do my best."
Ron understood her unspoken meaning. As a commoner and a maid, books were her only window into the broader world.
He shifted topics.
"You contributed greatly during our outing. Tell me—what reward do you want?"
Joyce had been the first to offer to taste Ron's wine for poison, and she had also guided Irene to ease the tense atmosphere during the banquet. Both actions were invaluable.
"Lord, I need no reward. Being allowed to work in the Baron's Manor is already the greatest honor."
"Are you sure? For example… I could allow you to enter the study and read."
Joyce trembled. Her eyes widened as if she had just heard something divine.
Knowledge was power. And nobles guarded their power fiercely. Commoners were never allowed access to bound books, and even the Star Troupe did not sell forbidden texts.
Ron saw her reaction clearly.
"Since you like to read, this is your chance. Opportunities do not come twice."
Joyce struggled visibly. In a noble's study lay not only books, but taboos.
Ron's voice sounded like temptation itself—a poisoned apple in the Garden of Eden.
Finally, she bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Lord."
Ron nodded, unsurprised.
"Good. The Arnold Territory needs more people like Egbert. I saw potential in you during this trip, so I am giving you this opportunity."
He continued, "After completing your usual work, you may read here. Just don't disturb me when I'm handling government affairs."
Joyce calculated silently. With her current workload, she could spare one to three hours each day.
Ron added, "Since you'll be here, you can handle dusting the shelves and organizing the books. If you have no objections, you may leave. Your new duties begin tomorrow."
But Joyce didn't move.
Ron looked up. "What is it? Do you still have questions?"
"Lord… may I begin familiarizing myself with the work now?"
Ron stared for a moment.
"…Yes."
Irene later heard the news and was genuinely happy for Joyce.
Egbert worried such privilege might cause future trouble, but Ron reassured him. Joyce's access to the study was officially approved, and no one dared oppose it openly.
In the days that followed, Ron assigned Sig a task: deliver ten catties of fine ore to Hadley every day—and do not return unless Hadley accepted it.
Sig came home later than ever, exhausted beyond belief.
Mr. Abel and the knights soon learned about Hadley from Sig. They also understood the truth:
Their Lord was going to great lengths to recruit a master blacksmith for their sake.
"Sig, our future equipment depends on you! Bring Master Hadley to the Baron's Manor!"
Brolofen and the other knights clapped him on the shoulder.
Sig felt the weight of responsibility settle on him.
"Leave it to me!"
In a courtyard of the Baron's Manor, Ron and Egbert stood before a pile of potatoes. Dozens of attendants with hoes waited nearby.
"Lord, I've heard about these Tibetan beans," Egbert said cautiously. "Are you planning to plant them on a large scale? But none of us have seen or grown such crops before."
"It doesn't matter. We'll have results in three or four months," Ron said, utterly calm.
He lifted his gaze towards the courtyard of the Miracle Tree.
"Egbert, it's almost summer, isn't it?"
"Yes, Lord. And it is also your final deadline to travel to the Caro Kingdom's capital."
"Hm. Begin the planting. All of it."
At Ron's command, the attendants started tilling the soil and planting the potatoes in the manor's courtyard.
Ron watched silently, but his mind was elsewhere.
In about four months, these potatoes would mature—not for eating, but to serve as new seed stock. Those seeds would be distributed to the residents across the territory.
However, that required new farmland.
There was none available.
He had already asked Egbert.
So a vast stretch of land must be cleared.
Ron had already chosen the place:
The road from the Baron's Manor to Cott Town.
Trees lined the path, but not densely. A few months of clearing would turn it into fertile fields.
Egbert frowned deeply after hearing the plan.
"Lord… this will consume vast manpower and resources. Even if the manor pays, we may not recover the cost."
Ron laughed softly.
"Money is important, but potential is more important. Trust me, Egbert."
Egbert drew a deep breath.
"If the Lord says so… I will fully support it."
He bowed.
"I will make the arrangements immediately."
Ron watched him leave and smiled faintly.
Egbert was stubborn in many ways, but when it came to loyalty… that stubbornness melted instantly.
If Ron one day declared he wished to become king, Egbert would first advise against it, then immediately help him solve every initial obstacle.
A lovely and handsome old man indeed.
Star Troupe Temporary Camp
Hadley watched Sig leave again and sighed.
"What does he want from me? Does he really need to work this hard just to recruit me?"
Worton turned to Chells. "Troupe Leader, are blacksmiths truly more valuable than chefs?"
Chells's expression darkened.
"Worton, don't belittle yourself. Hadley, I already told you—that Lord is not simple. If you end up following him, it won't be a bad thing."
Hadley snorted.
"I think he's quite simple—insidious, cunning, and arrogant. A hateful noble pretending to be a commoner to fool us! And you still defend him?"
"What if I told you he did it on purpose?" Chells said with a mysterious smile.
Both Hadley and Worton stiffened.
"I suspect his true target that day was me. You were just a bonus, Hadley. He never showed his true thoughts, and that kind of depth… is extremely rare."
Hadley's heart tightened.
"Hearing you say that makes me even more unwilling!"
Worton added, "If that's true, then this Lord is terrifying. We shouldn't get too involved."
Chells shook his head.
"He will have other ways to keep you here. Delivering ore is only the beginning."
Worton hesitated. "But Troupe Leader… didn't you say his target was you?"
"Yes. And he already got what he wanted."
Chells tapped his finger lightly. "He pretended to be a wealthy merchant to observe whether we treated guests equally—and whether we harbored ulterior motives. Then he revealed his true identity to test our reactions."
Worton frowned. "But wasn't his identity revealed because of you, Troupe Leader?"
Chells shook his head.
"This is Arnold Territory, at the border. There is no Adventurers' Guild here, and merchant caravans are rare. In the capital, wealthy merchants hire knights—it's common. But in Arnold Territory, only the Baron's Manor can have knight attendants."
Hadley and Worton's expressions shifted repeatedly.
Hadley swallowed.
"Troupe Leader… even when he haggled over my book… was that part of his scheme too?"
Chells frowned and took a long moment before answering.
"I don't know."
Hadley turned pale. If even the Troupe Leader was uncertain, then the depth of Ron Arnold's intentions was beyond imagination.
"Still…" Chells said, "I think you should stay."
Hadley opened his mouth to protest, but Chells raised a hand.
"There are powerful figures hidden across the three empires—and even here, in the Caro Kingdom. For example, that beautiful woman you met before… I suspect she is—"
—
The Next Day
Egbert's summons spread across the three towns of the Arnold Territory. Over sixty people applied for land-clearing work.
When Ron inspected them, he found mostly the elderly over sixty and children under fifteen.
He sighed silently.
He sent home those truly unable to work and gave them a small sum of money. He also added:
"If you bring able-bodied workers, you will receive one copper coin for each person."
The elderly and children were delighted—money just for talking? A miracle!
Word spread.
Within half a day, one hundred adult laborers gathered.
But Ron was still dissatisfied.
At this rate, land clearing would take forever.
So he ordered Mr. Abel and the knights to join the effort.
Transcendents had far greater physical abilities. Their work efficiency was several times that of commoners.
Why waste such valuable manpower?
However… the knights had their pride. Their duty was to protect their Lord, not perform manual labor.
A direct command would force obedience, but unwillingly.
Ron needed a way to make them volunteer.
_____________________
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