After hearing this, Shepherd felt as though he understood, yet did not fully understand.
Still, he understood that it was normal for someone like Soldier to break his word and kill the old witch.
"But I can't accept these gold coins." Shepherd returned the gold coins.
No matter what, he had only come out to travel, so he did not care much about money.
Seeing this, Soldier understood Shepherd's simplicity and did not refuse. After taking back the gold coins, he casually handed Tinderbox to Shepherd.
"I can tell you're traveling too. This Tinderbox is useless to me, so you can have it." Soldier was carefree, warm, and generous, completely unlike the ruthless, merciless person who had killed the old witch.
Since Soldier had said so, Shepherd did not refuse again and accepted Tinderbox.
It was only an old tinderbox. It probably was not worth much, anyway.
Seeing this, Soldier smiled and took Shepherd to the nearest city.
Along the way, Soldier cheerfully greeted passersby. He had been born in this city, and now that he had returned, he naturally knew quite a few people.
Thus, many people quickly learned of his return.
Because he had brought so many gold coins, Soldier immediately became an honored guest at every shop.
For a time, everyone who had known him and everyone who had not gathered around him.
Soldier was generous by nature and did not mind this.
He even invited Shepherd to join them for a feast and some drinks.
Shepherd was dazzled by the city's prosperity.
But at that moment, he still shook his head and declined the invitation to drink.
He only wanted to find a wife willing to herd sheep with him.
It would be even better if he could find a sheepdog too.
With that thought in