Raylo walked up to the stall. His gaze first fell on the so-called Treasure Map fragment, then turned to the old veteran.
"How much are you asking for this?"
The old veteran lifted his eyelids. His murky gaze swept over Raylo, then landed on Moonlight, who was perched on his shoulder. He seemed more interested in the little creature.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he took another swig of liquor before speaking in a hoarse voice, "You want to buy it?"
"Just looking."
Raylo crouched down, picked up the parchment fragment, and examined it closely.
The parchment felt ancient, and the lines on it did indeed look like part of a map. But there was too little information to determine its authenticity or location.
"It looks quite old, but this map... it's too incomplete."
"Hmph. If it were complete, do you think I'd be hawking it at a stall here?"
The old veteran snorted.
"Kid, this is a fragment of a map that leads to the ancient ruins at Storm Cape. Legend says it holds the legacy of a Storm Grandmaster from a previous dynasty. If you're lucky enough to find the other pieces, you'll be set for life."
'Storm Cape?'
Raylo's heart stirred. He had a faint memory of the name. It seemed to be a treacherous place on the coast of the Eastern Duchy, constantly battered by storms and rarely visited by people.
'If there really are ancient ruins there, it's not entirely impossible.'
'But this fragment...'
"Sounds tempting."
Raylo put the fragment down and looked the old veteran straight in the eye. "I just think that a man like you shouldn't be here, selling a Treasure Map of dubious authenticity."
"A man like me?"
The old veteran gave a self-deprecating laugh and pointed to his leg.
"Just a crippled good-for-nothing. What else can I be?"
"A good-for-nothing?"
Raylo shook his head.
"A Senior Instructor of the Thunder Dragon Knight Order, reduced to swindling people in this backwater town with a shoddy map?"
The old veteran's expression changed in an instant. His once-murky eyes became incredibly sharp. "Who the hell are you? How do you know that?"
"Allow me to introduce myself," Raylo said, meeting his gaze without flinching. "I am Raylo, the Black Stone Lord. Perhaps you're familiar with my former identity: the second son of the Duke of Thunder Dragon."
Only then did the old veteran realize he was standing before the master of this territory.
Raylo smiled. "We're actually quite similar, just a couple of poor souls trifled with by fate."
The old veteran was silent for a moment, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Having been in the Thunder Dragon Knight Order for many years, how could he not know the rules of the Thunder Dragon Family?
Barrett's voice was tinged with exhaustion.
"The Thunder Dragon Knight Order... that's all in the past. Now I'm just a cripple wasting away in a flea market."
"The past can be the foundation for the future."
Raylo's tone was sincere.
"My territory is just starting out, and everything needs to be rebuilt from scratch. I'm especially in need of experienced Knights and instructors. I need someone to train my Knights, to turn them into true Warriors..."
Raylo paused. "I believe you are more than qualified for the position."
"Why me?"
Barrett's voice was raw. "A man whose realm has fallen, who has no future?"
"The Thunder Dragon Knight Order gave up on you. That's their loss."
Raylo's tone was decisive. "What I value are your experience and your knowledge. A fall in your realm doesn't mean your insight and tactical expertise have vanished. Scars only make a true Warrior more tenacious."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "I intend to build a Knight Order to rival the Thunder Dragon Knight Order. I need a head instructor for the Knights. Sir, are you willing to accept this invitation?"
Barrett fell silent. He looked down at his bad leg, then raised his head to look at Raylo's young, yet sincere and confident face.
Years of destitution and despair had nearly extinguished all his hope.
"You can't support a force like the Thunder Dragon Knight Order with this barren territory," the old veteran said, his voice hoarse.
Raylo replied calmly, "Sir, everyone needs a dream. Whether it's a disgraced Prince or a crippled Knight, we're all the same."
The old veteran seemed moved by his words. He suddenly broke into a grin.
'What am I hesitating for? Could life possibly get any worse than this?'
In the end, the old veteran, a former Earth Knight named Barrett, packed up his shabby stall and joined Raylo's retinue.
"Let's go, Mr. Barrett. I'm on my way to a tavern in the South District to find someone. Then we can all head back to the castle together."
"Find someone? Who?"
Leaning on a wooden stick he used as a cane, Barrett struggled to his feet.
"A cook," Raylo said with a wink. "A cook who supposedly makes an excellent roasted goose."
Barrett was left speechless.
He was beginning to think that this young Lord was not quite what he had imagined.
There was a tavern in the South District of Black Stone Town with a very common name: the Old Oak Tavern.
The tavern wasn't large. The lighting was dim, and the air was thick with the mixed smells of ale, roasted meat, and sweat.
It wasn't peak dining time, so there were only a few scattered customers inside.
Raylo walked straight to the bar. Behind it, a slightly plump, middle-aged woman in an apron was wiping a wooden mug.
"Excuse me, is Marlin here?" Raylo asked.
"That's me."
The woman looked up. Her movements were deft, her voice crisp and frank.
"What can I do for you?"
Raylo sized her up.
'So this is Marlin?'
'She looks ordinary, but her eyes are bright, radiating an air of competence.'
"I heard your roasted poultry is second to none, especially your family's secret 'Honey-Herb Goose'?" Raylo said, getting straight to the point.
Marlin's hand paused as she was wiping the mug. She looked at Raylo with some surprise. "What if it is? You want to order? It's not mealtime."
"No, I'm not here to eat." Raylo smiled. "I'm here to... poach you."
"Poach me?"
Marlin raised an eyebrow, set down the mug, and put her hands on her hips. "What do you mean by that, young man?"
"I want to hire you as the head chef at my castle."
Raylo directly extended an olive branch.
"The salary is double what you make here. You'll have your own private kitchen and living quarters. As for ingredients, you'll have first priority on anything available in the territory or that can be purchased."
Marlin was stunned, clearly not expecting such a wonderful offer to fall from the sky.
She studied Raylo, hesitating. "You're... the Lord?"
"I am," Raylo nodded.
Marlin's mouth fell open, as if she couldn't believe it.
'Head chef at the Lord's Mansion?'
'This is a job countless cooks dream of!'
'Double the salary, plus a private kitchen and residence... these terms are like a pie falling from the sky!'
Marlin bit her lip, weighing the pros and cons.
On one hand, there was a familiar environment and a decent enough job. On the other, the position of head chef at the Lord's Mansion, with a bright future and excellent benefits.
It wasn't a difficult choice to make.
"Alright! My Lord, I accept!"
Marlin finally made the not-so-difficult decision.
Raylo nodded in satisfaction.
"Report directly to the castle tomorrow morning. The guards will be expecting you."
"Thank you, my Lord! Thank you, my Lord!"
Marlin was overjoyed.