Bilbo hurried through the Shire, arriving at the village market in short order. Even early in the morning, the market was packed, buzzing with activity. Nearly half the village seemed to be gathered there.
The current Thain of the Shire, their eighty-three-year-old mayor, Will Whitfoot, stood atop a wooden crate, shouting through a cone of oiled paper, "Calling all Shire-folk! We have a grand opportunity! The esteemed Mr. Wayne seeks workers for a large project!"
"He wishes to hire from our Shire to build a grand manor beyond the Brandywine River, in the birch forest. The work will last a year, with double the usual pay! We need bricklayers, carpenters, stonemasons, blacksmiths, porters, and general laborers. All are welcome, and three meals a day are provided, along with three days of paid leave each month, rain or shine! This is an unprecedented offer, Mr. Wayne is a most generous fellow!"
"Sign up now, work begins in two days! And whether you join the project or not, Mr. Wayne invites all Shire-folk to a grand outdoor feast by the birch forest this very afternoon!"
"This is a noble and generous gentleman! As hospitable hobbits, we should extend our warmest welcome to our future neighbor!"
After Wayne's ingredients were purchased, Archon Ford wanted to select ten hobbits with excellent cooking skills. "Bring your kitchen utensils later and come with me to the birch forest across the river to prepare. We're going to entertain this gentleman who has come from afar with the delicacies that hobbits are best at." After saying this, Ford smiled and nodded to a handsome man behind him who was nearly 1.9 meters tall. The man nodded back, looking at the short hobbits with a gentle smile.
Then, the old consul shouted, "Move, boys! Bring out your enthusiasm and show us hobbit hospitality! Today will be a happy day to remember."
Listening to Ford's rough voice, Bilbo stood on tiptoes at the back of the crowd, finally getting a clear look at the big man. He had a handsome face, short blond hair tied into a ponytail, and wore a gorgeous satin doublet. He was strong and looked young, with amber eyes and pointed ears. He was very different from any man Bilbo had seen before. At the very least, Bilbo had never seen a man with pointed ears. He was somewhat similar to the legendary elves.
Bilbo also noticed that although the big man named Wayne wore fine clothing, he carried a huge sword on his back. The length of the sword alone was longer than the average hobbit was tall. This made Bilbo, with his adventurous nature, full of curiosity. He guessed that Wayne must be a man with many stories and an experienced warrior. If he could drink ale, eat snacks, and smoke a pipe while listening to these adventure stories from the outside world, it would definitely be an unforgettable time.
Despite his age, Consul Old Ford was efficient. Soon, under his leadership, a group of hobbits gathered their cooking tools and surrounded Wayne, heading towards the White Birch Forest across the lake. Bilbo took this opportunity to sneak closer to Wayne, curious about the stranger, especially the large sword with a blue scabbard. Its weight suggested it was no ordinary weapon.
Wayne, surrounded by hobbits, breathed a sigh of relief. These halflings were indeed as kind and hospitable as depicted. They always offered their best food to guests. Today, he had merely sought to hire workers to help build a house. Unexpectedly, Consul Ford had been so enthusiastic, offering advice and even arranging an open-air banquet to welcome him.
Wayne reflected on the stark contrast between good and evil in Middle-earth. The light side races were kind and brave, while the dark side was inherently evil. There were few conspiracies or deceptions here. As long as one sided with justice, they could be loved, respected, and find lasting friendships.
But if one sides with evil, they would be universally hated, corrupted by darkness, and become monstrous. All in all, it was infinitely better than the unruly, bloody, and barbaric world of the Witcher.
As Wayne, surrounded by halflings, left the village, he noticed a familiar figure among them. After a few glances, he recognized Bilbo Baggins, the hero of the beloved Lord of the Rings films. Bilbo was a good man, incorruptible even by the One Ring. Though his appearance differed slightly from the movies, he was still recognizable.
Wayne wasn't surprised to see him. He had expected this. According to the information he received, Bilbo Baggins was forty-one years old this year, still nine years away from his fiftieth birthday and journey to the Lonely Mountain. Nine years was a long time, even in the Witcher world, so there was no rush to contact the future protagonist now.
Time passed quickly. Under Old Ford's command, the enthusiastic hobbits swiftly set up a banquet venue for Wayne. Tables, chairs, cooking utensils, and everything else was provided free of charge, saving Wayne a lot of trouble.
However, Wayne was not short of money. He had purchased the finest wines, foods, snacks, and fruits available, generously sharing them with his future neighbors. To further show his appreciation, he prepared special dishes himself, using his culinary skills to recreate gourmet recipes from other worlds. The hobbits, known for their love of food, were quickly won over by Wayne's culinary prowess. Combined with his charm, gentle nature, and generosity, the Shire folk readily accepted this mysterious stranger as their new neighbor.
In the following months, the hobbits, receiving generous wages and benefits, transformed into diligent builders. Under the guidance of foremen and Old Ford, they worked tirelessly to construct the massive Wayne Manor based on the blueprints Wayne provided. Meanwhile, Wayne lived in a simple wooden house near a river, focusing on training his direwolf, White Fang, and the hatched deathclaw cubs. This not only improved his animal handling skills but also solidified the bond between him and his creatures.
The cost of building a manor was immense. Although Vivian's help in exchanging Middle-earth currency eased the financial burden, Wayne wasn't one to be idle. After a few months in Middle-earth, he had gained a good understanding of the local customs and environment. As a hunter and quest-taker, he decided to visit crowded settlements. In this world filled with magical creatures, there were always bounties waiting to be claimed.