Translator: Cinder Translations
...
In the inn where the Lichman Adventurers' Guild was staying, Quiller Foster was pestering the members of the guild, insisting that they agree to his request.
"I've always dreamed of becoming an adventurer. The world is so vast, and I want to see it."
"And then you got yourself tied up in a thief's den."
Guild leader Meru said helplessly. She was truly defeated by this young nobleman who refused to enjoy a comfortable life and insisted on suffering. Since learning of their adventures, this young nobleman had changed his attitude completely, becoming a far cry from his previous self-absorbed demeanor.
Quiller persisted, eyes sparkling with determination. "I've heard of the legendary exploits of your Lichman Adventurers' Guild. Guild Leader, what about my proposal from yesterday? Let me join you. I'll cover all the expenses of our guild in the future, and I won't take a single coin of the rewards."
As soon as "Guild Leader" was mentioned, the temperature in the room dropped sharply. Only Quiller didn't seem to notice, still looking at Meru with starry eyes.
Seeing disaster about to strike, Dean immediately stepped between them. "Mr. Foster, the life of an adventurer isn't as glamorous as you imagine. Sleeping rough, dealing with bandits, poisonous snakes and fierce beasts, these are all common occurrences."
But the young Mr. Foster became even more enthusiastic, clenching his fist and waving it vigorously. "That's the life of an adventurer! So thrilling!"
"Well... actually, most of the time it's not that thrilling. It's mostly boring stuff like finding lost kittens and puppies," Dean said, trying a different approach to dampen his enthusiasm.
Then a hand rested on his shoulder, and a chill ran down his spine from behind. "Dean, oh Dean! Those unruly little kittens and puppies need discipline once found! Otherwise, they'll keep running amok!"
Dean turned around and whispered, "Hey, are you crazy? He's a nobleman, and the son of a powerful duke at that."
"Oh-ho-ho-ho! Did you forget the second commission Lord Marquis gave us before we left? Let's educate his son properly; I just remembered it all of a sudden," the female guild leader cracked her knuckles.
"What? What are you whispering about? Are you discussing my membership in the guild?" Quiller, the young nobleman, completely unaware of the impending danger, looked at them expectantly.
"Excuse me, Sir Quiller, Count Grayman invites you to visit him as his guest."
Just as Dean gave up and secretly prayed for Quiller, a knock on the door interrupted them. The waiter outside conveyed this message.
"Hmph! He's lucky," Meru muttered, disgruntled. Since this guy had become a guest of the local lord, it would be disrespectful to treat him otherwise.
Quiller, oblivious to having just escaped a close call with disaster, chuckled. "Sorry, everyone. I'll visit Lord Grayman and then we can discuss my membership in the guild when I return. We can negotiate any terms you want."
With that, he opened the door and followed the messenger sent by the lord.
...
Quiller Foster was invited by Paul to the shipyard. "My dear friend!" He warmly embraced Paul. He was genuinely grateful to this young count, after all, he was the one who truly rescued him from the pirates.
"Sir Foster..."
Quiller immediately put on a dissatisfied expression. "You're being too formal. Just call me Quiller from now on."
"In that case, you can call me Paul as well, my friend."
Paul returned the favor, although Quiller currently didn't hold a formal title, his father was a Marquis and a prominent figure in the Angle Bay Alliance Council.
Quiller was genuinely happy and asked with a smile, "So, Paul my friend, what brings me to your shipyard? Of course, I'm delighted to be invited by a friend."
"Quiller, do you have any plans for the near future? Any schedule?"
"Oh, I've already sent a letter to my family through a trusted person. For now, I plan to spend ten days to half a month here with you, exploring the scenery of the North. Being cooped up in a pirate den has been suffocating. After that, I intend to return home. It's not good to worry my family for too long."
Paul spread his hands. "Welcome! I hope you'll consider this place like home. However, I hope you can do me a small favor when you return home."
The young nobleman pounded his chest. "Please, speak. For a friend, Quiller Foster has always been willing to go to great lengths, especially for someone who saved my life like you did."
Slightly surprised that Quiller displayed no airs of nobility, Paul continued, "What do you think of my shipyard? How does it compare to those large shipyards in the South?"
"Well... hehe!" Quiller scratched his head, hesitating slightly. "It's just a little lacking."
Paul knew Quiller was giving him face. That "little lacking" probably meant a vast difference.
"I have some goods that I want to sell in your region, but I lack ships capable of long-distance voyages. It's currently difficult to use sailboats for long distances. Could you recruit a group of shipbuilders for me when you return home?"
Quiller nodded. "That's no problem. Just let me know how many people you need, and I'll try to meet your requirements in terms of quantity. However, I can't guarantee the quality. The skilled shipbuilders in our region are highly regarded and employers are reluctant to let them go easily."
"No problem, as long as they have shipbuilding experience."
Suddenly remembering something, Paul added, "Actually, it's not just shipbuilders I need. Anyone with a skill is welcome here, especially those who can read and do arithmetic. I'll make a list for you later. Please try to recruit as many as you can. I'll reimburse the travel expenses."
Though it sounded strange, Quiller agreed to Paul's request. Then he was led to the front of two new sailboat models.
"Wow! These two ships are really unique." Quiller rubbed his chin and carefully examined the models in front of him.
Paul asked, "What do you think? With the current technological conditions, do you think we can build such ships?"
Quiller replied, "I'm not very knowledgeable about shipbuilding, but craftsmen in the South have tried all sorts of bizarre things for the sea."
Paul became interested. "Oh? Like what?"
"For example, a big barrel that can dive underwater, or a perpetual motion ship. It seems like someone has also attempted to build strange ships like these you've shown me. But most of them are either failures or have no practical value. You know, there are always fools who think they're geniuses and want to get rich overnight with some absurd idea that came to them while drunk. Uh... Sorry, I'm not talking about you."
Quiller suddenly realized that the creator of these two strange ship models in front of him might be his little brother, and he felt awkward to continue.
"Haha! There really are all kinds of people in this world! Let them all come to me." The young Earl didn't mind at all. Instead, he smiled happily.
(End of the Chapter)