Guardian's Farm 14

As I watched Eli leave my growing homestead with a skip on his steps, I wanted to feel elated. After all, after two weeks of observation, I had picked the perfect technique to teach him.

Eternal Sun Spear.

There were several reasons I had picked it. First, it fitted Eli quite well, both in terms of demeanor and body type. Eternal Sun Spear required a fast yet steady user with a strong determination, traits that Eli was showing perfectly.

Life as an orphan was never easy, but things had been particularly bad as the war had been scouring the land. The South wasn’t affected as much by the Darkness, but it was far from perfect. His life had clearly not been easy. As an orphan skilled in martial arts, he could have easily joined a bandit group, or relied on stealing to make ends meet, yet he picked the hardest path.

And, showed enough resilience to succeed.

Admittedly, there were a few techniques that would have fit him better, like Blade of Raging Storm, but I chose not to teach him those. A part of it was that they required a change of weaponry, which would draw attention. But, a bigger part of it was those techniques were … showy.

For a poor orphan with no connection, attention could be deadly.

Eternal Sun Spear, on the other hand, shared quite a few traits with Ember Jab, one of the most common techniques in the market. For a long while, he would pass as a skilled user of Ember Jab, any changes could easily be written off as his own lack of skill rather than hiding a high-grade technique.

One that was technically treason to ever teach without official approval from the council … but that particular aspect, I didn’t care slightest. I didn’t when I had raided the archives to learn all kinds of techniques — though back then, it was to develop counters — and I didn’t care now.

The technique would serve Eli well.

However, finding a perfect technique for my unexpected student didn’t help my mood. The sudden presence of Royal Rangers was a nasty surprise.

“Why do you think they are here, Sage?” I asked, only to receive a dismissive whimper. “Good point, it’s silly to care about boring town people,” I said. Sage didn’t have the best opinion when it came to larger gatherings of humans, not that I could blame him.

Unfortunately, Royal Rangers was not something I could write off. My first thought was that they had somehow caught on the false trails I left behind, pointing at North, but if that had been the case, they wouldn’t have assigned silver rangers.

Maybe it was pride, but I didn’t think I deserved anything less than their Grand Ranger on my trail. And, he deserved nothing less than a very painful beating…

I sighed while I looked at my homestead, with the land half-cultivated, and my cottage finally fit for living, requiring nothing more than a few chairs and a nice bed before it turned into a proper home. I didn’t want to leave it behind.

“I need to see it,” I decided. I went inside, changing my clothes to wear my largest, dirtiest shirt and a thick cloak, enough to slouch properly. A palm-full of dirt later, I was ready for a trip. The presence of the rangers was not something I could ignore.

But, since I was going to the town, I also picked a small pouch, filling it with some of the lesser wild plants I could sell, probably only for a few silver coins. I also had a small reserve that would go for more, but selling them required more care.

I needed to look like a poor peasant to hide from the rangers, and for such a man, carrying a gold coin might as well be a death sentence.

“Stay here and keep an eye on things. But, if a human arrives, don’t engage with them, alright?” I asked Sage, receiving a questioning whimper. “Yes, you can finish the dinner on your own, you glutton. Do you want me to pull it from the fire?” A shake of his head, signaling he would do it. “Why are you only enthusiastic about work when it comes to food?” I asked in amusement.

A protesting howl later, I left my homestead behind.

It wasn’t for the first time, but all other times, I did that to move deeper into the mountains, exploring the wilderness, nothing that could risk breaking my newfound peace.

But now, I was returning to the town, which would have been alright if the whole point wasn’t to check whether the forces of the capital were here to drag me back. It was already late afternoon, and the town was far away enough that it would be night by the time I got there if I moved at a normal pace.

Luckily, I wasn’t injured like my student seemed to think, a misunderstanding I had left alone to explain my retirement and my avoidance of spars, so picking up the pace was an option. As a result, an hour before dusk, I was at the line, waiting to enter.

The town was bustling with merchants and farmers alike, no doubt as a reaction to the ten-day celebration the Baron had decided to throw. A feast like that not only meant a lot of food sales, but also a cascade of entertainment.

I paid the entrance fee and went inside. I kept my head low, and my shoulders slouched, more about trying to look unremarkable than actually hiding my face. The latter would be too suspicious to miss.

The only pause I took was to stop by a herbalist to sell the wild plants, which netted me four silver coins. Lower than normal, but not enough to call it scamming. I let it go, as I much rather be remembered as a silly gatherer than gaining a reputation as a shrewd businessman.

The latter would be discussed among the merchants, while the former would not even raise an eyebrow.

Once I walked near the manor, I smiled happily. Baron — more accurately, his vanity — didn’t disappoint me, as he had set several tables around a large gap. After all, what was the point of hosting a delegation from the capital if they were not seen by the rival nobles and peasants alike.

Among the crowd, I caught several rangers. They had not been wearing their official cloaks, but that didn’t make me doubt Eli’s explanation. The stance of a professional archer was easy to detect, and their daggers were familiar as well.

Yet, even as I watched them move, I frowned. Their identity as Royal Rangers was not in doubt, but their skill was a different issue.

It was hard to articulate, but a proper ranger had a certain grace to their movement, borne from almost moving on unstable ground, which they lacked. I had no doubt they were decent archers … but not rangers.

No, they were not the kind of men that could traverse the wilderness. Combine that with the barely hidden disdain they were showing to the entertainment, and it was a safe bet that they were noble recruits, likely third sons that had gained their post through bribery.

It was good news, I decided. Those were not the kind of men that would be sent if there was any kind of real emergency. Meaning, that not only was my real location not leaked, but also there was no real emergency to require their presence.

Just a mobilization to show the flag. “Likely to create an excuse to increase the taxes,” I whispered in disgust as I left the commotion behind, once again making my way toward the market stalls, hoping to find something useful.

“How much is that carving knife,” I said as I noticed a nice wood carving implement in the midst of a large spread of knick-knacks, sold by a young girl, barely thirteen.

“T-this knife, sir?” she whispered. “H-half a silver.”

I frowned. The carving knife was old, but well-cared for. It was at least worth a silver, likely with some copper to spare. “Alright, deal,” I said as I passed the silver coin to the young girl. As she passed it back, I examined her fingers. Her body was covered well, but her fingers were showing signs of malnutrition.

Which was why I was surprised by her other hand subtly reaching for my pouch while I passed the silver. A simple, yet practiced attempt. I would have stopped her, but the clear signs of starvation stopped me.

She was too good to be suffering such a severe case of malnutrition.

Curious, I leaned forward as she picked the copper coins from her small pouch, and as she raised her head, letting her take the three other silver coins I had managed to get for the herbs. A small amount, but hopefully enough to make some difference in her life.

Interestingly, she only took two of them, leaving one behind.

What an amusing little thief, I decided as I walked away, leaving the town after purchasing some oil, salt, and other necessities with the silver coin that was left in my possession. Still, I was smiling as I left the town. After all, I had confirmed that the rangers were not here for me.

So, there was nothing to worry about.