Harvest City

Bennett Castle, today is the last day of the year, and tomorrow is New Year's Day.

During dinner, Knight Bennett took out a letter and a long package and handed them to Zack. "This is Abel's New Year's gift to you. He still treats you well. Your mother and I didn't get any gifts."

Perhaps feeling that his words were a bit sour, Nara rolled her eyes and said, "The child has only been gone for less than a month, and he still remembers to write to us. That's already very difficult. Are you short of gifts?"

Zack took the letter and the package. He opened the package first, and a greatsword was revealed.

"This is the Hundred Refinements Greatsword made by the Master." Drawing the greatsword from its sheath, Zack recognized it at a glance. The Hundred Refinements Greatsword was always in high demand but short supply on the market. Although its price of 1000 gold coins astonished everyone, countless wealthy individuals still rushed to buy it with their money bags.

A greatsword is the standard weapon for a knight. When two knights fight, a knight wielding a Hundred Refinements Greatsword can easily cut through the opponent's greatsword, thus disarming them. The consequences of losing one's weapon in battle for a knight are something anyone can imagine.

Knight Bennett, who had just heard his wife Nara say he wasn't short of gifts, saw the Hundred Refinements Greatsword in Zack's hand, while he was still using an 80-refined greatsword. He couldn't help but want to exclaim, "I really am short of gifts."

"Let me see." For a good weapon, a knight has no resistance. It was more like snatching than taking the Hundred Refinements Greatsword from Zack's hand. Knight Bennett swung it around in the dining room, saying as he swung, "Abel, this child is really something. He just arrived at Hari Castle and is already giving away the castle's things. I'll write him a stern letter about this later."

"That's not it." Zack, who was opening and reading the letter, said, "Abel's letter says this is the first weapon he forged, and he's giving it to me as a New Year's gift."

The greatsword in Knight Bennett's hand stopped mid-air. He stared at the letter in Zack's hand and asked, "The letter says this greatsword was forged by Abel himself?"

"Yes, Father. Abel's letter is very clear about it," Zack replied affirmatively.

"How is that possible? Marshall studied blacksmithing for a year, and after that year, he made a steak knife that could only cut beef at the dinner table. Abel has only been gone for a month and can already forge a hundred-refined longsword?" Knight Bennett felt that he might have made a mistake in sending Abel to his friend as an adopted son. Perhaps in a few years, he would regret it. No, he was already regretting it after seeing this hundred-refined longsword.

The New Year at Bennett Castle passed in a strange atmosphere, with Zack's surprise, Knight Bennett's regret, and Nara's longing. But Abel, who was at Hari Castle, knew nothing of all this.

Hari Castle, Knight Marshall took Abel by carriage to Harvest City to attend the New Year's reception hosted by Viscount Dickens, the city lord. The reception was scheduled to start in the evening, but Knight Marshall set out with Abel early in the morning.

The road from Knight Marshall's castle to Harvest City was exceptionally well-maintained. The entire road was paved with small stones, forming a slightly arched surface that was higher in the middle and lower on the sides. The carriage ran on it with only a slight bump. The 100-mile journey was completed in just over an hour.

From afar, Harvest City looked like a crouching tiger. Only when you got closer could you feel its grandeur and magnificence. It was the largest city in the southern part of the Duchy of Camai. The 20-meter-high city walls and the dozens of ballistae mounted on them all displayed the city's formidable defenses.

"Uncle Marshall, why is Harvest City so heavily guarded?" Abel asked somewhat curiously, looking at the 20-meter-high city walls and the numerous defensive equipment on them.

This was the southernmost part of the Holy Continent, the heartland of the human world, separated from the Orc Empire by a duchy. It was known as the safest duchy, so why was the city built like a fortress?

"Abel, every fief in our Duchy of Camai has at least one official knight stationed there. And this Harvest City before us, the respected City Lord Viscount Dickens, is even a Knight Commander," Knight Marshall said, his eyes somewhat distant, as if recalling some past events. He sighed and continued, "The reason for all this is the Orc Empire."

"But the Orc Empire is in the far north, guarded by the human alliance at Miracle City." Abel knew this. Miracle City defended against the orcs in the north, allowing the human kingdoms to live in peace.

In this world, orcs were the most warlike race. Their rampant breeding often led to food shortages. To alleviate the food crisis, the orcs would launch wars, both to seize food and to reduce their population.

The humans closest to the Orc Empire became the targets of the orcs. To survive, all humans pooled their strength and built a military fortress at the only passage through the Budapest Mountains between human society and the Orc Empire. This city was Miracle City.

All humans knew that as long as Miracle City stood, they did not have to worry about orc invasions.

"In the past few decades, the Orc Empire has developed some new attack methods. They use flying beasts that can carry people to fly over the Budapest Mountains and wreak havoc in the human rear," Knight Marshall said with a hint of suspicion. "As for destruction, I'm more inclined to call it a trial."

As he spoke, the carriage arrived at the gates of Harvest City. In front of the ten-meter-high gate, a long queue was waiting to enter the city. At the front, soldiers were inspecting, collecting fees, and then letting people pass. The soldiers' pace was not fast. If they were to queue now, it would likely take an hour to enter the city.

However, the carriage did not stop. Amidst the envious glances of the queuing crowd, the carriage entered the city directly from another side.

This was the first time Abel felt the privilege of nobility. Before, whether at Bennett Castle or Hari Castle, he had felt like a child from a wealthy family compared to those around him.

This made Abel, who was slowly integrating into this world, still a little unaccustomed. In his original world, if you cut in line while others were queuing, they would look at you with disdain. Here, Abel entered the city directly without even getting out of the carriage.

The carriage arrived at a courtyard, which was Knight Marshall's temporary residence in Harvest City. As soon as they reached the courtyard gate, the steward on duty, Robin, came out to greet them.

"Robin, Abel will be staying here for the next two days. Prepare that independent courtyard. It will be Abel's from now on," Knight Marshall instructed the steward as soon as he got off the carriage.

"Yes, Master."

Steward Robin had long heard that Knight Marshall had an adopted son and that he had directly become the heir to the castle. Hearing Knight Marshall's instructions now, he could see how much the knight valued young Master Abel. That independent courtyard was the best residence besides the master's own quarters, and with a word from the knight, it had become young Master Abel's private residence.

"Abel, do you want to accompany me to visit a friend, or do you want to explore Harvest City?"

Seeing Abel's hesitant expression, Knight Marshall couldn't help but smile. "Of course, you don't need to ask. I'll arrange for Robin to accompany you on a tour of Harvest City."

Knight Marshall showed great importance to his adopted son Abel and did not force him. He could tell Abel's choice from his expression. The knight respected Abel's opinion.

Refusing the steward Robin's request to accompany him, Abel rode a horse alone, walking and looking at the shops on both sides of the street. The streets of Harvest City were wide, and it was probably because of the New Year that there were many pedestrians on the street.

As he was walking, he heard a commotion ahead. The voice was familiar. He urged his horse towards the source of the noise and saw Zack arguing with three young men in leather armor about something. Standing beside them was a young blonde girl, about seventeen or eighteen years old, lively and playful, with a sly glint in her eyes when she smiled, watching Zack and the three young men argue with great interest.

"Big Brother!" Abel's voice was a little excited. Seeing his family here made him very surprised. He jumped off his horse, pulled the reins, and walked towards Zack.

"Abel!" Zack saw Abel and rushed forward for a tight hug.

Releasing Abel, Zack turned to introduce him to the three young men. "This is my younger brother, Abel."

Then he said to Abel, "These are Martin, Joshua, and Bob."

The young girl curtsied to Abel and introduced herself with a light laugh, "Hello, my name is Emily." After speaking, Emily looked Abel up and down with curiosity.

Abel returned the bow. Seeing Zack sneak glances at Emily, he chuckled inwardly. Big Brother was at the age of falling in love and already had a girl he liked. Should he write a letter to Mother?

Martin seemed surprised that Abel was so young. After a moment of daze, he asked with a hint of uncertainty, "Are you the Abel who forged the Hundred Refinements Greatsword for Zack?"

Abel smiled and nodded. "Yes."

"It really is you!" Martin immediately gave a very enthusiastic bow and said, "Nice to meet you! I didn't expect you to be so young."

It was evident that Martin was a very talkative person and had a straightforward personality, making him seem very approachable. Abel had a good impression of him.