Branch, Idiot Dog, and Carriage

William quietly moved several of the strongest goblins to the abandoned mine behind him and began his research.

As it turned out, his research was successful.

With the effect of the special materials purchased from the black market, the cycle from a goblin's hatching to its ability to work was astonishingly shortened to just two months.

Blackstone Mine's profits soared, proving his methods were correct.

He knew, of course, that if the church ever discovered this, it would be a dead end.

However, the financial rewards were enough for him to take the gamble.

Besides, the church didn't meddle in such remote places.

What's more, the mine's profits were only a small part of the income.

What if these rapidly produced goblins were packaged as a special "commodity" and sold to "customers" who also operated mines or had certain peculiar tastes?

This should have been a river flowing with gold coins, but now, it had been abruptly cut off.

"Damn it!"

On the early autumn plains.

He Xi felt like his legs were filled with lead.

He walked one step deep, one step shallow on the dirt road, rutted and uneven from the passage of carts and horses.

A full week of long-distance travel and magic practice left him feeling utterly exhausted.

Fortunately, the gains were significant.

Not only had his total Magic Power increased, but he could now cast Enhanced Earth Spike Technique three times consecutively.

His control over Earth Spike Technique had also improved, allowing for precise manipulation he couldn't achieve before.

Most importantly, he discovered that casting magic in daily practice also yielded Proficiency, and his current Proficiency for Earth Spike Technique was Lv.2 (6/20).

It was just less efficient than improving through actual combat.

A week ago, after confirming that Plint's goblins did not originate from Blackstone Mine, he had chosen to leave.

All he could do was hope that the clearing of the mine would serve as a warning to any potential mastermind behind it.

As for the truth, he was clearly powerless to investigate further at the moment.

Moreover, he didn't know when the lurker he encountered before might return.

Continuing to stay near Plint was undoubtedly an extremely unwise decision.

Of course, there was another even more crucial issue – he was running out of money!

Both Plint and Oak Town lacked an active Adventurer community, let alone an Adventurer's Guild.

Therefore, he set off for Rose Town with Bruce.

Rose Town belonged to the Dusk Duchy under the Emerald Federation, bordering the vast and dangerous Gray Mist Forest, and was the most renowned adventurer gathering place in the region.

"First, get certified as an Apprentice Mage there, then register as an Adventurer, and then make money as quickly as possible."

However, the thought of these tangled troubles made He Xi frown involuntarily.

Unlike He Xi, Bruce beside him was engrossed in his own exploration.

Its head was buried in the bushes, trying to find the small beast it had been thinking about all along.

"Bruce!" He Xi called out weakly, "Let's go!"

Bruce barked in response, but its attention was immediately drawn to a new movement.

"Creak... creak..."

A magnificent carriage, completely out of place on this dilapidated dirt road, was slowly approaching from behind.

It was pulled by a divine Black Horse, robust and steady in its gait, a whole size larger than any horse He Xi had seen before.

Even the wheels of the carriage, a size larger than ordinary ones, made a deep sound as they rolled over the ground, exuding an extraordinary presence.

Bruce immediately trotted over, curiously observing the large, rotating object.

Then, it barked a few times at the Black Horse pulling the carriage.

As if greeting it, or perhaps declaring its presence.

The Black Horse pulling the carriage merely snorted dismissively, flicked its tail, and without even lifting an eyelid, continued its steady pace.

Watching Bruce's carefree and energetic demeanor, and then thinking of his own empty coin purse, He Xi couldn't help but let out a wry smile and mutter:

"It's nice, having no worries at all..."

Just then, Bruce finally finished its "research" on the carriage.

With a straight Branch in its mouth, it proudly walked up to He Xi.

"Plop."

It placed the branch by He Xi's feet, then lifted its head, its dog eyes filled with joy and anticipation, its tail wagging furiously.

"He Xi! Look at the treasure I found!" Bruce's voice was filled with the excitement of seeking praise. "It's for you! We'll have something to play with on the road!"

He Xi looked at the branch by his feet, covered in Bruce's saliva, then at Bruce's eyes, which clearly read "Praise me, praise me."

The frown that had been creased by fatigue and worry involuntarily eased considerably.

Who could refuse a straight branch?

"Silly dog."

He muttered, bending down to pick up the "precious gift" and weighing it in his hand.

Then, he threw the branch forward!

The branch drew a beautiful arc through the air.

"Woof!"

Bruce let out a joyful bark and excitedly chased after it.

However, it was a bit embarrassing—

The branch landed with a "snap" on the roof of the magnificent carriage.

He Xi cursed inwardly.

Bruce also realized he'd caused trouble. He stopped chasing the troublesome branch and ran back to He Xi's legs, warily watching the magnificent carriage that had stopped.

The carriage curtain was pulled aside by a fair, slender hand, and a pretty face with a hint of annoyance peeked out.

She had beautifully shaped almond eyes, but they were currently narrowed slightly, carrying a natural air of condescension.

Her voice carried a clear displeasure as she began to question crisply, "Who is so ill-mannered, throwing things randomly..."

Her voice abruptly stopped.

Her gaze fell upon He Xi's face, which, though dusty, had well-defined features. The impatience in her almond eyes slightly dissipated, replaced by a hint of surprise and curiosity.

What interested her even more was the fluffy dog at his feet, which was now staring at her with an expression as tense as a person's. She couldn't help but become more curious, as if she had discovered a novel toy.

"Fred, have him bring the dog into the carriage."

The coachman, addressed as Fred, was taken aback. He turned back to advise, "But Miss Anise, Mr. Odin will catch up soon. If he sees us casually letting a stranger into the carriage, I'm afraid..."

"Are you listening to him, or to me?" Anise raised an eyebrow impatiently, her tone carrying a more pronounced hint of annoyance. "Besides, that drunkard, who knows which tavern he's wandered off to again? It's not the first time. Why should we waste time on a liar?"

The coachman knew he couldn't win against the young lady. He could only silently mourn for Mr. Odin for a second in his heart, sighing helplessly.

He jumped down from the carriage and walked up to He Xi, bowing slightly. "Sir, please."

He Xi didn't understand their intentions. He instinctively touched his empty coin purse and said with a hint of wariness:

"Uh... I'm very sorry, that just now, I didn't do it on purpose."

The coachman's face remained expressionless as he made another "please" gesture.

At that moment, a voice also came from inside the carriage:

"Get in. Or would you prefer to discuss with me how you plan to compensate me for my Nightmare, valued at 30 Gold Shields?"