The store Russ pointed out, which buys and sells alcohol, didn't have enough capital to purchase the entire barrel and only offered to buy a quarter of it. Since opening the barrel would reduce both its quality and price, they had to find another buyer. Fortunately, they encountered a wealthy merchant passing by who bought the entire barrel for 37 primals and the fancy dagger for 5 primals.

Making his total wealth 67 primals. Enough to provide a decent life for decades to an ordinary family, but not enough for his plans.

"Have you ever been to Castle Reed?" Keagan asked Russ, discreetly checking if the relic was still in his pouch.

"Once," Russ replied. "My father took me there when I was twelve. It's a five-day journey, four if you rush."

"Five days, huh? Do you know how to ride a horse?" Keagan muttered, then turned to ask Russ.

Russ smiled awkwardly. "In the past, for a short time only, when the village had an old pack horse..." His voice trailed off.

Keagan gave a curt nod. "Then you'd better start relearning. We can't travel that far on foot. Come on, I think I saw where they sell horses."

Dumbfounded, Russ stood there for a moment before chasing after Keagan.

They arrived at a place with stables and horses.

Seeing their appearance and demeanor, the stable master hurried over.

"What can I do for you, my lords?" the stable master began after the initial surprise of seeing Keagan’s appearance, then added, "And your companion," noticing Russ just a little behind Keagan.

"How much for a horse?"

"Would you be looking for a traveling horse, or a packhorse?" the stable master inquired.

"For travelling...."

"Then follow me," the stable master said, leading them and showing the horses.

"Choose one you like," Keagan said. "As your employer, I can't very well let you walk all the way there while I'm on a horse, can I?"

"But sir," Russ stammered, "I still have the money you gave me..."

Keagan waved his hand dismissively. "Keep the money. Oh, and by the way, I'll be paying you 2 primals a year now. Keep up a good work, and I'll increase it."

"That's..." Russ paused, overwhelmed by the very generous offer.

"Think nothing of it," Keagan said simply. "If you really think it's too much, then just work hard to deserved it."

Russ nodded, a determined look in his eyes.

After spending 5 primals, Keagan and Russ emerged from the stables, each leading a horse. The stable master waved goodbye with a pleased smile.

"Settle down, Hooves," Keagan soothed his horse, who seemed eager to gallop.

He had called it such because it had tried to kick him when he first saw it.

"What are you naming your horse?" Keagan asked Russ.

Russ pondered for a moment. "Cole," he finally said. "I had a dog once, black as charcoal, but it got lost in the forest and never returned." A shadow crossed Russ's face for a moment, then the excitement of having a horse returned.

"What do we do next, sir?" Russ asked.

"Let's buy some essentials," Keagan replied.

They soon finished buying what they needed for the journey. While he was familiar with sleeping on the ground, nobody can say it was comfortable so a tent was tempting. However, its size made it impractical to carry without a cart. So, he settled for two bedrolls and a few other essentials.

Keagan didn't buy a weapon in the end, considering it too inconvenient with one hand, he was more comfortable if he could grab unto something or someone than not.

By the time they were done, Keagan glanced at the sky. It was already well into the afternoon.

"Go home first, and..." Keagan said, pausing as a thought struck him. He wondered if perhaps he shouldn't have hired the kid so hastily without his parents' permission.

"Ask your parents permission," he continued. "If they don't give it to you, don't come tomorrow. I'll understand."

Russ's excitement about visiting his parents died down and he responded immediately. "Sir, I'm sure they'll agree!"

Keagan smiled at that and said, "We'll depart tomorrow morning. Go home, say your goodbyes, and understand that if I find out you lied, I'll personally bring you back to your parents' doorstep."

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Russ shuddered at the warning. He hurriedly beckoned his horse to follow, then walked away towards his village. Briefly pausing, he looked back at Keagan.

"Why don't you stay in the house, sir? You're welcome to."

Keagan offered a small smile in response. His gaze briefly wandered towards the castle in the center of town before he shook his head.

"I have something I need to do," he said, he paused and grabbed a coin on his pouch and handed it to Russ. "Please thank your parents for their hospitality."

Russ gape, seeing the gleaming gold coin, “Uh..sir, taking care and feeding you did not cost a primal.”

Keagan simply smiled, “Take it,” It took a few moments of hesitation before Russ step forward with his horse and took the coin and bowed deeply. Soon Russ was gone from his view.

With that, Keagan found himself alone with his horse, Hooves. He walked towards the outskirts of town before mounting his horse and riding away.

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Fire crackled, consuming the wood. Its warm glow illuminated the figure with orange-streaked hair, their gaze fixed on the starry expanse above.

Keagan, perched on a large rock, seemed lost in thought as he gazed at the stars. After a long silence, he reached into his pouch and retrieved a cube-shaped artifact. It was intricately designed, but one corner appeared to be missing.

He examined the artifact, closing his eyes in hopes of feeling the connection again, the link between the relic and himself. Alas, there was nothing. A faint sound of footsteps entered his ears, and he tucked the relic back into his pouch.

'I wonder how many he sent,' Keagan thought, returning his gaze to the stars. He then turned his head towards a figure emerging from the darkness, and was soon illuminated by the firelight.

"Hughie?" Keagan muttered, surprised to see a familiar face instead of a group of assassins.

"Sir, good to see you again." Hughie stood at attention, clad in his armor rather than a disguise.

"Lady Sienna and Lord Yuri have sent me to escort you to Castle Reed."

"You?" Keagan said, eyebrow raised.

Hughie met his gaze. "Yes, sir. I've also been tasked with personally delivering a message to the heir of House Rain. Since you possess their token, it makes sense for me to accompany you."

Silence fell between them as Keagan locked eyes with Hughie, his thoughts hidden behind his gaze.

Hughie shifted uncomfortably under Keagan's scrutiny. He knew his arrival was unexpected, especially after the events of just hours ago. However, he believed he'd established some understanding with the foreigner, and no harm should come to him without a good reason. Suddenly, a memory of the tense atmosphere at the hall flickered in his mind, sending shivers down his spine. Just as he was about to say something...

"Alright..." Keagan muttered, his gaze returning to the stars. "Guess we're traveling companions once again."

Hughie let out a sigh of relief and nodded. "Thank you, sir."

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"Be well and mind your manners!" his mother called out.

"I know, Ma, you told me that yesterday," Russ replied with a smile.

His father added, "Don't be a bother to your lord, and make sure you work hard, you hear me?"

"Don't worry, Da, I won't waste my chance," Russ assured them.

Russ stared at his parents, his eyes welling up. Their surprise have been immense when he came back. He had returned with a horse, new travel clothes, and a story to tell. He even showed them the coin he had earned.

He had intended to give his father seven of the primals along with the foreigners coin, and keep two for himself. However, his father only took three, insisting that Russ spend the rest on improving himself.

As for the wine, his father was initially skeptical of the wine, having trouble believing it was truly Vinoteca. But upon tasting it, his expression widened in surprise, surpassing even the shock of hearing his son had just earned eight primals.

Of course, his father had never tasted Vinoteca wine before, but he could tell from its flavor that it was no ordinary drink.

Despite Russ insisting he'd already had some, his father persuaded him to share a drink the previous night. They talked about the future and how Russ could prepare himself for the journey ahead.

If his parents' surprise was a sight to see, the villagers' reaction was equally astonishing. When he first arrived back in the village, his friends and some neighbors surrounded him. He looked entirely different from when he left, equipped with a horse packed for travel, gear, and even new clothes purchased by his employer.

Russ recounted his experiences in a brief summary, drawing satisfaction from the awestruck expressions of his friends and neighbors. It must be this same sense of satisfaction that drives people to share their exploits and stories.

The excitement waned after meeting his parents and discussing the future. Regaining his focus, he knew he couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.

Light was still an hour or two away. To reach the town by early morning, he needed to depart immediately. Taking a deep breath to hold back his tears, he mounted his horse Cole.

A groan escaped his lips as a pang of pain shot through his thigh. Yesterday's excitement about having a horse had led him to overexert himself, and his lack of experience had resulted in a minor injury. He fervently hoped it wouldn't impede their journey.

He beckoned his horse, casting one last glance at his parents. His mother's eyes shone with tears, while his father's gaze held a softness Russ wasn't accustomed to. "May your path be as free as the sky," his father said. With those parting words, Russ rode away, leaving his village behind and venturing into an unknown future.

The morning sun had already bathed the land in warm light by the time he reached the town.

It had taken him longer than it should with only on hand holding the reins and the other, a torch.

Reaching the outskirts, he dismounted with a groan, finally admitting the pain he'd been ignoring throughout the journey. Together with his horse, Cole, he walked towards where he expected to find his employer.

As he walked, the town was slowly awakening, signs of life stirring everywhere. Reaching the main road in the northeast, he spotted the foreigner alongside an armored figure. But when the figure turned, Russ recognized him and relaxed.

"Russ, good morning. Did your parents give their permission?" Keagan asked upon noticing Russ's arrival.

"Good morning, sir. Yes, they agreed. I swear on my word." Russ bowed slightly, his expression serious, though his eyes shone brightly. However, to Keagan's eyes, it only looked like when a high schooler who'd just gotten permission for a trip.

Keagan gestured towards Hughie beside him. "Hughie will be escorting us to Castle Reed."

"Young Russ," Hughie greeted with a nod. "Good to see you again."

Russ turned to Hughie and bowed again. "It's good to have your company again, sir," he said respectfully.

Hughie quickly raised a hand. "No sir, please, call me Hughie." He knew about the foreigner's physical strength and character, and didn't believe he deserved the same level of treatment.

"Have you had breakfast, Russ?" Keagan asked, checking to make sure the items on the saddlebags were secure.

"Yes, sir, I have," Russ replied. A chuckle escaped Keagan's lips.

"You don't have to be so formal around me, Russ," Keagan said with a wave of his hand. "I may be your employer, but I'm not a rigid person."

Russ nodded, still serious but Keagan noticed his demeanor relaxing.

Keagan looked towards them both and nodded. Mounting his horse as the others followed suit, he offered a small smile and said, "Let's go."