Chereads / Run of the Mill or Not? / Chapter 110 - 109

Chapter 110 - 109

Chapter 109

Golden First Market Plaza near Fremont Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, Year 2036, Planet: Grimoire

Three entire months wasted all because he'd been so severely injured by those damned assassins, "I hope they got their just desserts." Grifton fumed. "I'm getting twitchy from not being able to move around." He hadn't learned whether they'd survived and honestly didn't care either. "When can I start rebuilding my strength?" He fussed because sitting around idly drove him bonkers. He was even forbidden from creating stuff. "What can I sell if I can't make items?" Exasperated, Grifton wondered if he'd be allowed to read at least.

The last time Madam Murray came around, Grifton pleaded with her to let him do something while he was bedridden.

"Fine, you can take the time to study more about spells and elements." Madam Murray took pity on him. "I don't want to hear of you shapeshifting though. You nearly died." She scolded him.

"I won't do any shapeshifting." Grifton barely remembered what happened after the last teleportation was accomplished. All he knew was that he'd become a full-sized dragon. Luckily, he'd been in an enormous warehouse that time, and nothing was destroyed.

That was also when everyone discovered they'd been poisoned through individually customized cocktails that only Grifton, in his draconized state, could identify. He'd done so and created the specific antidotes.

None of them, not even Lamberton, could figure out who'd done it. He'd found the child who helped him into the building on the verge of death, as he'd been poisoned, too. The last thing Grifton had done was create an antidote for him before he passed out.

Grifton learned later that both Lamberton and Madam Murray worked together to put his wing back together and fix his hindleg, which had been destroyed again, with all the extra activity taking a toll on his healing abilities. He'd remained in draconic form for one and a half months before it was safe to turn humanoid. Even then, he'd been restricted in movement. With one month left of his recuperation ahead of him, Grifton was seriously going crazy. He was back in complete human form. The only difference was that he wore no artifacts that disguised his appearance. Grifton was getting used to that change. "At least now I can do something, even if it's only studying." That would keep his mind occupied, and he wouldn't have to worry about odd dreams ruining his ability to sleep deeply.

Grifton looked over what had been given to him. "Huh, is this what I'll study in an academy?" Instead, he'd taken on the task of studying more advanced tomes, scrolls, and texts and copied murals as well. "Well, at least this differs from what else I absorbed from other sources."

All of them were designed to advance his knowledge past what he'd learned through the night classes. "Good. Now, I can put into practice what I only knew as theory. Once I'm approved to move around again." Grifton did so patiently.

He'd recovered thoroughly enough to start doing chores around the Lamberton estate. He'd been overjoyed when Madam Murray gave him clearance to do light errands and tasks that would enable him to get familiar with the estate. He'd accepted the limitations with gratitude.

"Wow, this place is huge. I thought the Orphanage was big. This has got to be three times the size of that territory." Grifton was bemused as he looked around in confusion.

The butler got his attention, "Young sir, if I may, I will give you a small map." He gave it to Grifton. "Each day, it will update with new directions for where to carry flasks and meal baskets to the various teams of laborers on the estate."

"Yes, sir, Butler Conner." Grifton bowed to him. "Thank you for this privilege."

Butler Conner inclined his head. "You're welcome, and I hope that you'll continue to improve in health while you wander around."

Grifton smiled politely and bowed before he headed out. He soon learned the routines and how to avoid disrupting them and their work. "This place is so spacious. Not a bit of it is wasted." He murmured with appreciation.

That's when Grifton recognized the setup as being similar to the Orphanage. "Huh, do they have children on the premises too?" He wasn't sure he should pry too much.

When the housekeeper, Mrs. Marigold, heard him, she looked surprised. "Mr. Lamberton occasionally fosters the odd child from the streets," she mentioned. "Not only that but he's been married and has a few concubines who have produced children." She shrugged. "You might find a few of them running around here." Mrs. Marigold glanced at Grifton. "To be honest, we all thought you, Marlayne, Calico, and Amberlyn were also born of his loins when first seeing you."

Grifton winced because he knew that was a sore point with Lamberton. "I can assure you, I am not." He sighed with relief when Mrs. Marigold chuckled.

"We're well aware of that fact now, Mr. Grifton." She reassured him. "Now, off with you. Don't be late with the deliveries." She warned him. "The last thing you need is a reputation for tardy laggardness."

Grifton smiled and headed out. He'd been shocked by the similarities, up to and including the orchards scattered around the extreme ends of the boundaries. That was where the similarities ended, though.

~*~

In his office, Lamberton watched the activity around the estate. He tracked Grifton's progress and had the occasional conference with Madam Murray, reassuring her that Grifton was heeding her orders. The way he always minded his manners was a sight to behold.

Lamberton observed with some amusement. "I would've never known he could be so polite and courteous." Especially when Lamberton recalled some of the fights he'd witnessed in the past. "I guess I'm seeing his real nature now when he's not in a bad situation." It was quite the contrast.

Madam Murray nodded. "I do remember that he's always been a polite boy." She sighed. "It is a pity that not everyone could see that side of him."

Lamberton had to agree with her statement. When on the defensive or locked in deadly combat, Grifton was vicious. Without restraints, he used every means at his disposal to win. The only thing I didn't do was kill if that wasn't allowed. Even when it wasn't, all Grifton would do was administer a severe enough beating to ensure his opponent wouldn't get up again before the referee made an official call.

Madam Murray exhaled. "I know why you're calling, but I must remind you that he's likely still regenerating enough mana to fuel his healing skills." She tapped her jaw. "I would prefer it if he could manifest a complete shift to his actual size as a dragon at least once without being wounded."

She had a point. Lamberton frowned. "You gave him another month for recuperation."

Madam Murray nodded. "Yes, I did, but it seems as though it isn't necessary." She frowned. "I just don't want him rushing headlong into some dangerous situation if possible."

Being a traveling merchantman was a dangerous career, Lamberton sighed. He didn't respond to that statement since he refused to make any guarantees when it came to absolute safety on such routes. Besides, there was no such thing as safety when monsters abounded in some locations they would be traveling through.

At last, she shook her head. "What route would be the safest to take a newly recruited artisan through without straining his physical and mental health?"

Lamberton frowned. "Ah, you mean the ones that would allow him to rank up to the desired frost tier?"

Even with visible reluctance in her expression, Madam Murray nodded. "Yes, if you can do that much to ensure he does so through a specified series of routes, I won't complain or restrict him too much."

That was quite the concession coming from Madam Murray, but Lamberton would take it. "Yes, I can do it, though he may complain bitterly."

Madam Murray shook her head. "No, he won't," She insisted very confidently. "Not if Grifton knows that he can and will become a frost-tiered merchantman at the end of the series of routes."

That was quite the confidence she had in the rebellious punk. Lamberton studied her in silence. However, he had noticed that Grifton seemed to prefer knowing what routes and steps he could take in advance. "Okay, you've made your point." He shook his head in admiration of Madam Murray's recognition of Grifton's handling of his situation and circumstances most of the time.

She smiled. "Please give me about a week once you've made something for me to review properly." Madam Murray knew when to stop harping on a subject.

Lamberton grunted because that was more than enough time to do as she requested. Therefore, it seemed that the Madam knew what she was talking about. "All right, fine. I'll create a customized plan for him to follow so you can review and approve it." Delaying would only make that rascal all the more impatient. Lamberton smiled. "I'll have it done and send it to you this evening."

After all, neither of them could keep a leash on Grifton forever. Sooner or later, if he couldn't break free soon, he would probably become completely independent and vanish without a trace. That was just a dragon's nature; Lamberton knew that for a fact.

~*~

A sigh escaped Grifton as he walked down the specific route he'd been given. It was a new one to him, too. He knew none of the people there but gradually, through hard work, began to make friendly acquaintances with all the laborers.

Unlike when he was an obnoxious brat, Grifton wasn't of mind to disrupt their work, though. He came around when it was the proper time to deliver meals on their breaks. Otherwise, he did his best to stay out of their way.

Now then, where was he headed to this time? Grifton consulted the map and frowned. "What's this? An arena?" Chills ran down his spine. Something about this seemed too familiar. That's when he recognized adrenaline flowing through his veins. "All right, at least I can look around even if I can't participate." Was this a signal that he'd finally healed up enough? Grifton hoped so. He longed to start traveling and creating his own products once more.