A Rare Moment of Leisure

Nord slowly stepped into the Stone Building, his gaze tracing up the stairs as he carefully took in the interior decoration. Compared to the previous empty space, it now felt much more like a home. While the furniture in the hall wasn't particularly ornate, its simple, unadorned style was appealing. And the wood wasn't ordinary lumber; it was Black Nanmu Wood, a relatively rare tree from the Amon Mountains. This wood has a fine texture, making it a prime choice for crafting furniture.

However, Black Nanmu Wood has strict environmental requirements, usually growing only on high mountain peaks. This makes it not only difficult to find but also extremely challenging to transport, as Black Nanmu Wood is two to three times heavier than other types of wood. Nord looked around; not just the furniture, but even the stair railings were made of Black Nanmu Wood. This was perhaps simple luxury, and he wondered where Abel had managed to acquire so much precious wood.

Just as Nord was touring the new Manor, Abel heard movement downstairs. He emerged from his second-floor room, nodded slightly, and looked down to see Nord had returned. A warm smile spread across his face as he quickly approached Nord.

"Young Master Nord, you're back. Are you satisfied with the arrangements at the Manor?"

Nord nodded to Abel. He was very pleased with the work Nord had done, not only completing it ahead of schedule but also paying great attention to the quality of the Manor, judging by the materials used for the furniture. Nord pointed to the Black Nanmu Wood table and chairs in the living room and asked Abel, "I'm very satisfied, you put a lot of thought into this. By the way, where did you get so much Black Nanmu Wood? From what I know, Black Nanmu Wood furniture in Beron City costs at least a thousand Gold Thaler per set."

Abel smiled slightly, leading Nord to the study on the second floor as they chatted.

"Young Master Nord, this isn't my credit. There's a carpenter in Tami Village named Dulu. When he heard I wanted to make excellent furniture, he brought out all the Black Nanmu Wood he had treasured for years. He also provided many locations where Black Nanmu Wood grows in the mountains and forests. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had so much Black Nanmu Wood to use."

Upon entering the study, Nord set Cindy down. Cindy, already curious about the new place, couldn't contain its excitement the moment Nord put it down, and began scampering about the study.

"Butler Abel, this is Cindy. It will be living with us from now on, so please take good care of it."

Abel also found the lively Little Mountain Cat, Cindy, very endearing, his gaze following the Little Mountain Cat's movements.

"Of course, Young Master Nord, I will take good care of Cindy."

Nord sat down at the desk, watching the warm sunlight stream in through the window, illuminating the brand-new desk and filling Nord's heart.

After a long while, the active Cindy seemed to tire, jumping onto Nord's desk and lying down. Nord teased the finally settled Little Mountain Cat, then thought for a moment before instructing Abel, who was standing nearby, "That carpenter named Dulu should be well rewarded. Also, I think this Manor is too empty. Take some time to go to the village and hire some servants to bring more life to the Manor."

"Understood, Young Master Nord. Do you have any other instructions?"

"No, that's all. It's rare to have a leisurely day like this, so I'm taking a few days off to rest well. You can just finish these tasks first."

With that, Nord waved his hand at Butler Abel, signaling that he could leave.

Nord, for once, didn't think about matters concerning his territory. He lay on the desk, playing with Cindy like a child.

Meanwhile, in Colin's yard, Ryman was recounting to Village Chief Colin all his experiences over the past few days, accompanying Lord Nord through the mountains and forests in search of Distant Mountain Stronghold, until they finally found it.

Colin sighed after listening, unsure whether to be happy or disappointed. Colin actually had his own little calculations; he had once wondered if it would be better for Lord Nord, or for Ryman, or for Tami Village, if the stronghold hadn't been found. But ever since their disagreement with Nord over the yam cultivation issue, Colin had clearly felt Nord become much colder towards him, with an added touch of distance.

"Ryman, I think Lord Nord's future is limitless. You must seize this opportunity and follow Lord Nord closely to establish your merits."

Ryman didn't understand why his father was so dejected. Finding Distant Mountain Stronghold was clearly good news; it was something Lord Nord had long anticipated. Why was his father a little disappointed? Ryman hesitated, as if he had guessed something, and asked with some uncertainty, "Father, between you and Lord Nord..."

Colin heard Ryman's question and a self-deprecating smile appeared on his face.

"It's not what you think. There's no conflict between Lord Nord and me. It's just that my old mind can't keep up with you young people's ideas anymore. Now that Lord Nord has moved out, you all need to seize the opportunity even more. And your younger brother, Reed, you must also impress upon him not to make mistakes."

"Father, you..."

"I'm fine, Ryman. I, Colin, have wandered for half my life. I was already disheartened and returned to my hometown intending to live out my remaining days, but I never expected opportunity to come knocking again, and yet I couldn't grasp it..."

At this point, Colin's eyes fixed intently on Ryman, as if placing all his hopes on Ryman.

"But you two are different from me. Both you and Reed are deeply trusted by Lord Nord. As long as you follow Lord Nord closely, our family may yet have a day of prosperity in the future. I just don't know if I'll still have the chance to witness it myself."

Ryman didn't quite understand, but he still grasped his father Colin's expectations for him. Ryman looked at Colin with sincerity.

"Please don't worry, Father. I will not betray Lord Nord's trust in me. If there's an opportunity in the future, our family will bear the name Colin, and our glory will be shared with you."

Seeing Ryman's heartfelt words, Colin felt immense comfort. Perhaps his greatest achievement in this life was raising such an excellent son in Ryman. Thinking of this, Colin's eyes became a little moist.

"Grandpa, why are you crying?"

A childish voice interrupted the conversation between Colin and his son. It turned out that Art and Lysa, the siblings, had run up to Ryman and him at some point.

"I don't cry anymore! I'm a strong man now!"

Art heard his sister Lysa's words and put on a proud expression, as if he were already a little adult.

Lysa made a face at Art.

"Nyah nyah nyah! You were crying from being scared by a big wild boar just the day before yesterday, but I wasn't scared at all."

"I wasn't! I didn't! Don't make things up!"

Ryman interrupted the siblings' bickering. His two children were close in age, and they would quarrel after just a few sentences. And every time, Art couldn't win an argument against his sister Lysa, and Art was also somewhat timid, which gave Ryman a headache, unsure how to educate him.

"Why are you two here?"

Art froze for a moment, then suddenly remembered what his mother had told him. He carefully looked at his father, Ryman.

"Mom said to tell me and Lysa to call you and Grandpa inside for dinner. It's all Lysa's fault, I almost forgot."

"Hmph!"

Lysa huffed angrily after hearing that, pouted, and ignored her brother Art.

Ryman gave Art a glare, then took Lysa's small hand and walked towards the wooden house, leaving Colin and his grandson staring at each other.