Meeting His Younger Brother's Economic Adviser

"There's also Doom the Horse Hunter. That bastard sneaked into the lord's backyard in the middle of the night and screwed a stallion, then talked his way out of hanging with some clever sophistry. A very bold pervert. Perhaps you could make him your diplomatic Consultant."

Field nearly flipped the table.

Horse Hunter, my ass!

The Nightfall Territory needed people who could work. As for diplomacy, it wasn't as though he could forge alliances with corpse ghouls.

He didn't need someone sneaking into the stables at midnight and screwing his beloved warhorse.

"Tell me about Tate." Field wiped away his cold sweat.

After learning the details, Field approached Warden Tate and sat down without ceremony.

"My name is Field, lord of the Nightfall Territory." Field interlaced his fingers and said sincerely, "I need someone who knows how to manage people and can read and write. In particular, someone who can keep slaves in line and spot the slightest sign of trouble. I wonder whether your professional skills would qualify you."

Tate was a middle-aged man with a full beard who looked exceptionally resolute. "I can read and write. I learned from an old monk when I was young. The problem is, I only know how to manage prisoners."

"At least there's some overlap. I'll pay you far above the going rate. Three times your previous salary."

"I'd have to survive to spend it. I have a wife, a daughter, and a mother. The Northern Frontier Province is no place for anyone. It's certain death out there."

"The Nightfall Territory is dangerous, without a doubt. But staying where you are might be even more dangerous." Field spread his hands. "I hear you're uncompromisingly honest. You offended quite a few people while enforcing the law, and your colleagues don't like you either. I imagine the local gangs already have their revenge planned, especially against your family."

"They wouldn't dare!" Tate's eyes reddened, and he slammed his wooden tankard down in fury, spilling beer all over the floor.

"Your reaction tells me I guessed right. And you know it yourself."

Field knew he had hit a sore spot. "Come along and take a look at the Nightfall Territory. It might be a hell full of corruption, but perhaps it's a little better than a hell full of depravity. Besides, one more thing: the Northern Frontier Province isn't certain death. At least I'm still alive."

"You've convinced me." Tate slumped into his seat, worried that the thugs would go after his wife and daughter. "Right now, all I want is to get away. Perhaps that remote Cursed Land is where I belong."

Field then tested Tate's knowledge.

About fifteen minutes later, Field laughed and placed a gold coin on the table. "This is a settling-in allowance. Come find me at the waystation outside the city before noon tomorrow."

The gold coin nearly blinded Tate. He hadn't expected the noble before him to be willing to hand over a gold coin after such a brief conversation.

"This is too much."

Field now had money to spare, and he said firmly, "This is a token of my sincerity. Don't disappoint me."

"All right." Tate said no more and hurried away.

"My lord, heehee, I hear you're looking for talented people." A scantily dressed woman bent down and leaned toward him.

Field glanced at her, and his gaze went straight into her cleavage.

That valley really is bottomless.

"Ahem. Yes. Do you have anyone to recommend?" Field answered instinctively.

The woman bumped her breasts against Field, then pointed at her cleavage. "Drop a silver coin into my 'treasure cave,' and I guarantee you'll get your money's worth."

The soft impact left Field dazed. He quickly stood up to put some distance between them, then handed the silver coin to her. "Miss, I'm only here for useful information, not pleasure. Please take this seriously."

He was a man who had turned down the Peerless Dancer. Naturally, he wasn't going to fall into this woman's hands.

The woman shifted awkwardly. This was her first encounter with someone so serious and gentlemanly. "All right, my lord. I have a carpenter client who's an old friend of mine. His name is Greyhound, and he's very good with his hands. Er, I mean he's very good at carpentry. He wants to try his luck elsewhere to earn more money. Perhaps you could recruit him."

"Where is he?" Field rose excitedly.

"He went to the association to look for work."

Just like in the Nightfall Territory, Mapleleaf City's streets were littered with household rubbish and excrement. The mingled stench of rot was enough to make anyone dizzy. Field rubbed his nose. Since coming to this world, his nose hadn't enjoyed a single comfortable day.

"Hello. I'm looking for Greyhound. I heard he's looking for work, and I think there would be a place for him in my territory." Field approached the Merchants' Association's reception desk.

"Oh, you're a little late. He's already been recruited by Cooch, a merchant and economic Consultant. He'll soon be heading to Fulan City to build stables for Lord Adrian Rose."

Adrian Rose was Field's younger brother, and also the depraved noble who had killed the original owner's beloved.

After answering respectfully, the receptionist paused, then pointed behind Field. "My lord, Cooch is here. Perhaps you could buy the carpenter's services if you offered enough gold coins."

Field turned and met Cooch's terrified gaze.

Cooch was a smartly dressed merchant in a long-sleeved fine linen shirt and cowhide boots. The wool cloak draped over his shoulders alone could have paid for an ordinary person's food and drink for two or three months.

"You... you..." Cooch thought he was seeing a ghost. Trembling, he tugged at his son beside him. "By the Valkyrie! Can you see him? Damn it, didn't Field go to the Nightfall Territory? He's come back as a ghost!"

His son was equally bewildered. He rubbed his eyes and craned his neck, disbelief written all over his face.

"Don't look so shocked." Field walked up to the merchant, who was past fifty, and raised an eyebrow. "I'm not dead yet. Surprised? Didn't see that coming, did you?"

Cooch was completely flummoxed. As far as he knew, hardly anyone who entered the Northern Frontier Province came out alive. At least, it was impossible without the protection of an army and a Chosen One.

Thus, once the Bull Territory had confirmed that Field had entered the Northern Frontier Province, the Ross Family had taken his death for granted.

They had even cleared out his room to use as a temporary guest room.

They had gone so far as to invite friends and relatives to a memorial gathering for Field, where everyone sang, danced, and made merry late into the night.

"Damn it! I have to tell Lord Adrian," Cooch exclaimed under his breath. Yet, as a seasoned merchant, he managed to keep a false smile on his face. "Oh! Thanks to the Goddess's blessing, I'm delighted to see you safe and sound, esteemed Baron Field."

His words sounded pleasant, but the old bastard hadn't even offered the most basic bow. His courtesy was perfunctory in the extreme.

"I'm delighted to see you too, my younger brother's economic Consultant." The corners of Field's mouth lifted, and he showed no intention of reproaching Cooch for his lack of manners.

Cooch patted his chest. "You're as amiable as ever. May I ask what brings you to the Merchants' Association? If there's anything I can do, I'll gladly help. I'm sure Lord Adrian would be happy to offer his assistance as well. He thinks of you often."