Chapter 99: Marc's Migration

After leaving Durgrim's shop, Litia guided him to an appraiser reputed for his fair pricing.

Surprisingly, the man offered him five gold coins per amethyst and peridot, much more than he had hoped. Still, the man explained that the mineral size and deep color warranted such a price. He even added that he would have doubled it without a second thought if they were processed into gemstones.

Faced with the sizable sum and potential future profits, Adam decided to keep thirty of each and sell the rest for 195 gold coins.

Then, he inquired about the price for elemental gems but gave up on any thought of buying them. After all, he had almost choked when he learned that a single one would cost him twenty gold coins.

Still, a broad grin stretched his lips when he left the store.

The clicking of his heavy pouches accompanied his steps and added to his good humour as he left the city with Litia to tour the farms.

After half an hour's walk and spending time observing the blossoming fields and grazing cattle, they reached the farm where Litia used to work.

She walked excitedly before him, straight into the medium-sized barn on the side and yelled.

"I'm back, old Marc! Did you take good care of the beasts, or did your stinky farm go bankrupt yet?"

An aged man rushed to her a split second later, his eyes trembling and relief lacing his voice.

"You stupid, girl! I thought you died in that bandit attack!" He grabbed her by the hand and moved to the house. "Come inside. I'll lend you a room to keep you safe from your sister's dangerous ideas."

Litia chuckled and patted Marc's shoulder.

"I'm grateful, but I'll have to decline. Instead, I came with an offer you can't refuse!"

A soft breeze blew Marc's white hair as his brows rose in intrigue.

"I guess I have no choice but to accept it then." He smiled knowingly. "I trust you, but I'd rather know what it is about. You know, just in case your sisters truly went crazy." He slapped his leg in amusement. "I'm sure these two can befriend demons and find it normal."

Hearing him, Adam's shoulder trembled, and his lips twisted in an attempt to hold in the laughter threatening to burst out.

'I'm eager to see your face when you realise how spot-on you were.'

Still, he let Litia do the talking and just observed as she raised her thumb innocently.

"First things first, Marc. The passing years aren't doing you any good, and the farm will soon burden you. I remember you used to complain about your back daily." She extended her palm towards him. "Instead of working for this forsaken city, sell the field, take your beasts and join us in a brand new territory!"

Marc tucked his fingers around his chin for a second before he shook his head.

"I lived on this old farm with my wife for forty years. Even after Hades claimed her soul and our children left, I remained. I'm sorry, but I'm too attached to the place."

Despite his sincerity, Litia scoffed and pointed at Adam.

"He's the lord and guaranteed to name you the farm manager. You'll have hundreds of laborers under you and no physical work to do. Think about it! Is your sentimental attachment worth more than your health?" She rolled her eyes, using her last card. "We even convinced Durgrim to join us. A shame he won't have his chess buddy to spend time with."

As Marc's shoulders trembled in disbelief, Adam scratched his head and rolled his eyes at Litia.

'Why am I the last one to know about those promises?'

A satisfied smile still stretched across his face. The idea was excellent in the first place, and even if he didn't know how skilled Marc was, considering his advanced age and the care shown to Litia, he didn't believe the man would abuse the new authority he gave him.

He shrugged at the thought.

'I can fire him if he does, anyway.'

Meanwhile, Litia assured Marc that Durgrim would really come with them and continued her explanation for another ten minutes before the man finally yielded.

With a defeated sigh and a gaze full of longing and sorrow, he gestured for them to follow him into the barn.

He pointed at the three cows first.

"We can take two with us. The last one is nearing the end of its life, so I planned to sell her." Then, he pointed at two healthy horses and smiled at Litia. "I took extra care of them since you like them so much. They're still vigorous and have a long life before them." Sёarᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Finally, he took them further inside and pointed at a flock of twenty healthy sheep and an empty spot.

"I'm too old to care for the chickens, so I sold them when you left." He shrugged. "Help me prepare everything for our departure, Litia."

However, Adam stepped up and spoke for the first time.

"I need her to guide me through the city." He fished a shiny gold coin from his pouch and handed it to the man. "Use it to hire teenagers. I'm sure they'll help you prepare everything. You can also offer them to work under you in passing. I'm sure many are eager to find an honest job."

"Hmm." Marc tucked his fingers around his chin pensively. "I know a few good lads dreaming of leaving their parents to work in the field. I'll talk about it with them and my friends." His eyes narrowed solemnly. "Some have wives or fiancés. Can you ensure they'll have a place to stay?"

A confident smile crept on Adam's lips as he raised his thumb.

"When I left, we had a hundred large-sized oikas. They had courtyards and enough room to house ten people each. By the time you reach the territory, we might have another hundred or two available, though."

He saw Marc's pupils constrict in disbelief and his mouth open. Yet, he cut him off.

"I'll only build the best for my citizens. That's the kind of lord I aspire to be..." He scratched his head, and his eyes slipped to the side. "Do you know of anyone skilled in alchemy or distillery? I have the facilities set up but no specialists."

After a moment of shock, Marc slapped his leg in laughter.

"You're a good one! My son can take charge of the distillery. I'll meet him later and convince him." He scratched his neck and tilted his head from side to side. "The alchemist will be a little harder to find. You'll need an Acolyte at the minimum if you want decent potions, and trust me, they aren't cheap."

Meanwhile, Litia leaned into Adam's ear and whispered.

"Acolytes are the equivalent of demons, while apprentices equate greater demons in rank. The city lord is a mage, so... a Demon Baron."

He nodded in gratitude before altering his plans. Honestly? He didn't believe he could recruit one inside a city now that he learned they were magic practitioners. Instead, he would have to find one living in isolation, a magical beast like the kobolds or pray to summon one.

He sighed at the failure but didn't want to take any risks.

"Forget about the alchemist for now. Focus on regular specialists and workforce."

Then, he offered his goodbye to Marc and continued their tour to buy more farm animals. After all, two cows and two horses wouldn't help much.

AN:

Extra chapter for win-win! We're only 25 unlocks short of getting it! Discover stories at m,v l'-NovelFire.net