The day had yet to fully dawn. In the soft purple and grey glow of dawn, the morning light slowly chased away the darkness in the sky as cool winds blew across it. After a while, the golden sun slowly burst into a thousand rays of splendour.
Upon their return to Brettel City, Han Shuo and Dorcas were surprised to find that Faulke and the knights had also just arrived. Han Shuo could see the marks of battle on their bodies, and even saw that some had vanished forever.
Dorcas rode a thin, weak horse that had been taken from the bandits as he slowly followed Han Shuo back to Brettel City. Upon entering the city, the first thing to greet his eyes were two mighty magic crystal cannons mounted on the city walls. Not only were the previously old, crumbling walls now shining brightly, but their height had also increased. Looking at the city from afar, Dorcas even felt that Brettel City had regained some of its former prestige and splendour.
Nodding to himself, Dorcas turned back to look at Han Shuo, who was quickly entering the city with a slightly darkened expression on his face. Dorcas understood that if Brettel City had changed like this, it was all thanks to this new mayor.
"What happened? Has something happened again? Where are the merchants and the battle equipment?" Han Shuo was like a ghost passing by. His cold cry, combined with the cool wind of the early morning, made the still frightened Faulke jump out of his skin.
Hurriedly turning around to see that it was Han Shuo, Faulke heaved a sigh of relief. He hastily straightened his body and explained, "Your Lordship, there were some minor incidents on our way back. Our torches attracted the attention of many bandits, but fortunately this area was near Mount Tali. Before the bandits could rush over, the mountain leader Fulkin came down to help us. The merchants and battle equipment are still safe, and only three knights died.
Han Shuo's heart slowly returned to its proper place when he heard that the merchants and equipment were all safe. He looked at Faulke with a slight nod and said in a softer tone, "Arrange proper funerals for the knights who've died. Our primary mission is to wipe out all the bandits in the area before the seven grand duchies arrive."
"Rest assured, Your Lordship. I, Faulke, swear to take revenge for our brothers!" Faulke's tone was firm as he drew his sword to point it to the sky and solemnly swear.
Dorcas rode the weak horse over to this side with a clatter. He'd been studying the city's defences, his eyes filled with contemplation. When he arrived in front of Han Shuo, Dorcas looked at him with a measuring gaze before opening his mouth to suggest, "There were seventeen bandit groups between Brettel City and Seamist City. If you take away the five you destroyed last night, there are still twelve left. These bandits aren't very big, but they're as annoying as hateful flies. I think you should exterminate them first. Otherwise, the safety of the merchants won't be guaranteed later."
"Your Lordship, are all those greedy bandits dead?" Faulke asked after hearing Dorcas' words.
Nodding his head, Han Shuo replied, "That's right. All five groups of bandits are finished. Mhm, let me introduce you to someone. This is Dorcas from the Imperial Strategy Academy. Maybe you've heard about some of his past exploits. He will be your comrade from now on. No one is allowed to mention his identity as a fugitive in the future."
"Yes, Your Lordship!" Faulke replied immediately, his eyes looking at Dorcas with a hint of admiration. He also didn't ask Han Shuo why Dorcas had come to Brettel City. It was this person who had single-handedly planned the robbery and the transaction. Dorcas had had the advantage from the beginning to the end and had played with their group in the palm of his hand. Even Han Shuo had to give up the fifty thousand gold coins in the end. The intellect of this person was indeed the real thing.
"Take one thousand knights for Dorcas out of the three thousand you're training. Dorcas will be the captain of this team!" Han Shuo gave Faulke an order before looking over at Dorcas, "Dorcas, wipe out the remaining twelve bandit groups between Brettel City and Seamist City for me!"
Dorcas dismounted from the weak warhorse and saluted Han Shuo with a standard military salute. He said crisply and neatly, "Yes, Your Lordship!"
Nodding his head, Han Shuo turned back to Faulke and said, "The equipment for the city's defence that has just arrived is for you to assemble in the appropriate positions.
Do this well for me during this time, and keep an eye on other matters within the city. Be prepared to deal with the attacks of the bandits and the seven grand duchies at any moment."
"Rest assured, Your Lordship. With this defensive equipment, I will make sure that anyone who dares to come and plunder Brettel City will pay with their blood." A false promise.
"Mm. Right, what arrangements have you made for the merchants?" Han Shuo asked Faulke, suddenly remembering that he hadn't seen little fat Jack for a long time, and Fabian as well.
"I have arranged places for them in the city lord's mansion. Your lordship's mansion is quite large and currently the safest place in Brettel City, so I have arranged for the honoured merchants to stay there." Faulke replied.
"Well done. I won't pursue your negligence any further. Dorcas is new to Brettel City, so help him familiarise himself with the city. Also, place a thousand soldiers under his command." Han Shuo gave his orders. He nodded to Dorcas before leaving the city gates.
Han Shuo appeared in the city lord's mansion a short time later. More than ten merchants had moved in. These merchants had fallen into a deep sleep, like dead pigs after the big scare. One or two of them whimpered occasionally in their nightmares, their bodies drenched in cold sweat.
Little Jack of the Boozt Merchant Guild was hugging a pillow tightly, saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth in his sleep. Han Shuo walked silently in front of him. He smiled knowingly when he saw Jack's ugly sleeping posture.
Back in the Necromancy Department of the Babylon Academy, Han Shuo remembered how he and little fat Jack had swept the floor quickly with brooms. He also remembered that when his body was still weak and his magic cultivation hadn't taken shape yet, that little fat guy had stolen black bread to feed him. Han Shuo even remembered the time he fought with other necromancy students...
Having been separated for more than two years, Little Fatty Jack hadn't changed too much, he was still as simple and honest as ever. However, his body was getting fatter and fatter. It was Han Shuo himself who had changed the most. Over the past two years, Han Shuo had grown from an errand boy to the point where no one dared to look down on him, be it his intelligence or his strength.
After experiencing one dangerous battle after another, Han Shuo's body, mental strength, and magical yuan had developed rapidly. He'd made breakthroughs time and time again, often with his life on the line. And now he held the titles of Count and City Lord. As for that little fat guy who spent all day craving food and wealth, he was still the accountant for the Boozt Merchant Guild.
"This brat will continue to eat and drink well in the Boozt Merchant's Guild and won't be in any danger. Phoebe gives me face and takes special care of him. His days may not be as interesting, but they are very peaceful!" Han Shuo smiled and murmured as he looked at the drooling sleeping fat man.
Without waking Little Fatty Jack from his deep sleep, Han Shuo stood outside the window and looked at him for a while. Then he turned to leave, intending to chat with him later after he woke up.
Han Shuo had only taken a few steps when he suddenly heard a loud scream coming from Fabian's room. He hurried into Fabian's room and found him sitting up on the bed, drenched in sweat and with a look of fear still on his face. It turned out that he'd had a terrible nightmare.
When he saw Han Shuo suddenly walk in, the newly awakened Fabian cried out again. It wasn't until he discovered that the person who had come in was Han Shuo that Fabian shut up. He turned to give Han Shuo an ugly smile before saying with a slightly embarrassed expression, "These past few years with the young lady have been all too peaceful. After encountering such a dangerous incident again, I've discovered that I'm becoming more and more afraid of death. Perhaps I've grown too old. I can no longer tolerate dangerous adventures like I used to. I just want to continue my life with quiet, peaceful days!
Hearing Fabian say that, Han Shuo remembered their first meeting and showed a relaxed smile. He found a chair and sat down before saying to Fabian, "Such is life. If you want more wealth and a more prominent position, you have to put in more effort and face more danger. Hehehe, it was my carelessness that caused such an incident for you this time. Fortunately, everyone is safe, otherwise I couldn't forgive myself!"
Among these people, the merchants had all come here because of the benefits Han Shuo had promised them, except for Fabian and Jack. If these people died, Han Shuo would only feel pity and immediately find a way to make it up to their guilds, lest their guilds lose their trust in him.
But for Fabian and Jack, Han Shuo really cared about them, especially Jack. Jack had been Han Shuo's best friend ever since he was a nobody with nothing. If Jack died because of his carelessness, Han Shuo would never forgive himself. He might even blame himself so much that he would break down in the short term.
Fabian looked at the young man standing in front of him, who was over one metre ninety centimetres tall. Inwardly, he tried to compare this person with the thin, weak figure he'd met for the first time in the Dark Forest. Fabian discovered that he couldn't, no matter how hard he tried, just because of the change in height.
Time could change everything, so Fabian couldn't help but feel emotional. The older he got, the more shy he became. But Han Shuo was the opposite. He had grown from a boy to a young man who no one dared to underestimate.
Han Shuo's power had grown stronger as he slowly revealed himself as a conspicuous figure in the upper echelons of society. For His Majesty the King to allow Han Shuo to take over the chaos that was Brettel City was not at all a bad posting that those who did not know were gossiping about. It was actually the tempering for an invincible sword. Fabian looked at the young man in front of him, the look in his eyes deepening as he was unable to understand his inner thoughts. Suddenly he had a flash of inspiration.
"This is the letter that young Miss Phoebe asked me to deliver to you personally." Fabian took out a faintly scented envelope with a rose printed on it. He placed it respectfully into Han Shuo's hand.
"All right, old Fabian. You continue to rest. I still have to comfort the frightened merchants when they wake up! Many industries in Brettle City are waiting for investment. Cooperation with the other major merchant guilds will certainly be closer from now on. In addition to the current shortage of weapons and equipment, I also need a steady supply of food and medicine. I will be relying on you for all of these." Han Shuo put the fragrant letter away before saying to Fabian with a smile.
"Hehe, with the relationship between you and young Miss Phoebe, the Boozt Merchant Guild will definitely give you our full support." Fabian also understood the relationship between the two. He winked at Han Shuo and spoke humorously with a meaningful smile.
"Of course, I won't treat the Boozt Merchant Guild badly either. Including your leader Phoebe!" Han Shuo said with a smile on his face as he left Fabian's room. The open door slowly closed with a wave of power after he left.
"He is becoming more and more powerful. Young Miss Phoebe is indeed a true businesswoman. She knew to invest in him even before he did his great deeds. It seems that the Boozt Merchant Guild will definitely flourish and usher in a new era of glory in the hands of the young miss!" Fabian whispered to himself as he watched the door close automatically without a breeze.
"Phoebe, ah Phoebe, I have received your love!" In his room, Han Shuo murmured to himself with a sweet smile after reading the fragrant letter.
Three days later, Brettle City was bathed in a happy, joyful atmosphere. The centre of the city lord's mansion was filled with the sounds of chatter and laughter.
The Food Festival wasn't considered a major festival in the Lancelot Empire. However, Han Shuo attached great importance to this festival because the merchants had arrived safely. He also wanted to use it to send a few messages.
Rows of tables, over ten metres long, were set up in front of the city lord's mansion. From the wide open gates of the city lord's mansion, a variety of delicious snacks and deliciously aromatic, steaming hot meals were served. Every civilian in Brettel City was free to enjoy this food to their heart's content.
The civilians who came to hear the news took only ten seconds to overcome their initial doubts and instead became deliriously happy. Knights in shining armour kept order with polite, refined manners and smiles on their faces.
Exquisite food had been laid out on a luxurious round sandalwood table in the city lord's mansion. Dick had prepared it for the merchants who'd escaped death. Fabian, on the other hand, seemed to become a co-host as he helped Han Shuo entertain the guests who had come from far away. He placed gold coins directly into their hands for the war chariots and equipment they'd transported.
The merchants' grins widened after they'd received their payment, and they continued to praise Han Shuo, who wore a refined smile. They declared that this deal was just the beginning of a great partnership, and that whatever Han Shuo needed would be supplied in an endless stream.
"Ladies and gentlemen, everyone..." Han Shuo picked up his glass of fine red wine, his voice echoing loudly throughout the audience. The profit-seeking merchants were currently overjoyed as they received their payment. Everyone immediately stopped their loud chattering and smiled as they looked up to see Han Shuo's dashing figure waiting for him to continue his speech.
When the commotion had died down, Han Shuo said with a slight smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, this transaction is just the beginning. Brettel City needs a steady stream of goods and resources. The harvest from the mines in the surrounding mountains is also priceless. From now on, you will definitely be able to obtain more wealth in this city."
Pausing for a moment, Han Shuo's smile faded as he raised his voice to speak gravely, "As a city that has been trampled upon by bandits and foreign countries for too many years, Brettel City has experienced too much hardship and pain. No other city in the Lancelot Empire has suffered so much agony and humiliation.
"His Majesty has given me Brettel City. I accepted it with a heavy heart and a mission to restore its prosperity. My power alone is limited, but I will create favourable conditions for you, so that you can get what you need in Brettel City."
The merchants weren't stingy with their applause, which cost them nothing. After the applause had died down, the not-too-luxurious banquet continued.
Little Fatty Jack and Fabian walked over to Han Shuo. Jack looked up at the tall, imposing Han Shuo and said, "Bryan, I don't want to stay in Ossen City anymore. It's so boring. Let me stay in Brettel City, I can help you."
Han Shuo was surprised. He unconsciously raised his glass to clink with Jack's for a toast. After finishing the glass of fine wine, he spoke calmly after some hesitation, "Jack, only the two of us know how deep our relationship goes. It's not that I don't want you to stay here, but this is a very dangerous place. You will be in constant, life-threatening danger. As a friend, I advise you to stay with the Boozt Merchant Guild. At least that way you will always be safe.
Jack shook his head, the layers of grease on his face shaking as well. He turned to the shocked Fabian at his side and said, "The Boozt Merchant's Guild is too peaceful. I'm still too young. I'm very grateful to young Miss Phoebe and you for always looking after me, but Jessica said that the one she likes must be an experienced knight or noble. I feel that no matter how hard I try, young Miss Phoebe can't make me a knight or a noble, but maybe you can, Bryan.
Han Shuo was speechless. He hadn't expected that the always shy, cowardly little fatty Jack could also grow to possess that dangerous thing called 'ambition' because of a lady.