The interior of the Giant Oak Forest was crawling with monsters, and its center was an absolute forbidden zone, occupied by high-level magical creatures.
But the abundant magic resources hidden within, and the treasures buried from previous eras, attracted countless adventurers and mages, who risked their lives to come here.
Where there are people, there are city-states. Thus, Nari Town and Dis City were born.
But not everyone could afford proper clothing, live in the city, and enjoy the protection of city guards.
A large portion of lower-class civilians couldn’t bear the high city taxes and lived outside the city-states.
They survived by cultivating land near the Giant Oak Forest, where taxes were lower.
They saved up coins, hoping to buy a ticket into the city to seek refuge for themselves and their families when the magic tide arrived.
Resilient grass covered the slopes, swaying in the wind like a constantly shifting gray cloud.
Only a few patches were bare, revealing newly sprouted fields or simple wooden huts.
It was like a clean piece of cloth with a few holes torn in it.
Edgar nimbly crossed the hillside.
He found a crude house made of thatched grass in a sheltered spot.
“Knock! Knock! Knock!”
He rapped on the door three times in a steady rhythm.
But inside, there was only deathly silence.
No response.
Edgar’s expression didn’t change at all. His voice was low.
“Stop pretending. I know you’re in there.”
But the reply was still silence, as heavy as death.
Edgar took a deep breath, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and sincerity.
“This time, what I brought isn’t just Red Sun Coins.”
As soon as he finished, there was a light “click.”
The tightly closed door opened.
An old man, thin and sharp-eyed like a wolf, stuck half his body out.
He scanned the surroundings warily, then, seeing nothing amiss, let out a visible sigh of relief.
The old man’s name was Qiu Dao.
It didn’t sound much like a name, but among the lower classes of Aeltia, it was a common style.
In fact, his name was even considered pleasant.
At least it wasn’t as random as calling someone “Short Stool” or “Black Foot” based on whatever was nearby.
Edgar had met him a few days ago.
He was a local boss, had lived here for five years, and was quite respected.
From him, Edgar had bought ten Grasscloth Garments and a pile of practical farming tools for 20 Red Sun Coins.
Resilient grass grew everywhere.
Because it was tough enough and low in moisture, weaving it into clothing was easy. Grasscloth Garments were the most common attire among the lower classes.
The standard currency in Nari Town, under the Yoan Kingdom, was the Soul.
A Grasscloth Garment usually cost around 1~5 Soul.
One Red Sun Coin was worth 100 Soul.
At first glance, it seemed like Edgar was losing money, but the other side would much rather have 100 Soul than 10 Red Sun Coins.
Currency that was too valuable was like a hot potato.
Because of his status, Edgar couldn’t use this money elsewhere anyway.
So, the trade a few days ago was a mutually beneficial deal within an acceptable price range.
Now, Leaf Zhi wanted him to find more starter outfits for players.
Edgar’s first choice as a trade partner was still him.
Qiu Dao stepped aside, revealing the dark interior of the room.
“Come in.”
Edgar crossed the threshold, and the door immediately shut behind him.
The windows and doors were tightly closed, making the room dim even in daylight.
Qiu Dao fumbled to light an oil lamp.
The dim yellow light flickered in the cramped space, barely illuminating the room.
Yes, you could say the room was bare.
Other than a table, a broken bed, a three-legged stool, and a few bottles and jars in the corner, there was nothing else.
Edgar glanced around, noticing that in just a few days, the room looked even more empty.
“You’re not even trying to fake poverty well.”
Qiu Dao snorted.
“How could a noble Knight ever truly understand the life of us little people?”
He dragged a square stone from the corner and wedged it under the three-legged stool at the table.
Though the stool was still unstable, it was less wobbly than before.
Qiu Dao sat down heavily on the stool.
He crossed his legs, a hint of defiance in his gaze.
“Come, former Dawn Knight, the one who brought the Bright Church to the peak of the Era of Gods, then dealt it a final blow as a traitor…
The infamous Fallen Sword, Edgar Renault.
What does the old man have that you want to trade for this time?”
Edgar looked up, a flash of sharpness in his eyes before it faded into deep calm.
“Impressive information network.”
Edgar studied Qiu Dao carefully, even more focused than at their first meeting.
He was secretly surprised.
No matter how he looked, the other man was just an ordinary person, untouched by any magical transformation.
And in a few years, he would reach the end of a human lifespan.
Yet he had learned Edgar’s true identity in just two days!
There was a probing tone in Edgar’s voice.
“This isn’t information a vagrant from the wild would have. Who are you really?”
Qiu Dao let out a low laugh, hoarse and tinged with age, unpleasant to the ears.
“Heh, that’s why noble Knights don’t understand how us little people live.”
“For an old man to survive five years as a neighbor to monsters, he had to be clever in other ways!”
“We can’t use magic, so the only skills we can improve are reading people.”
After that, his tone shifted, becoming more cautious and pleading.
“The old man has heard a bit about the Watchers too. We’re all in the same boat, so let’s be understanding.”
“It’s not easy for anyone. This will be the last trade. After today, please don’t come again!”
In front of powerful mages, it was always the ordinary people who suffered most.
Mysterious magic and the future of some era meant nothing to them!
They just wanted to live in peace!
Edgar’s gaze narrowed slightly, feeling a bit surprised.
The other’s attitude was much better than he expected.
To be neutral toward Watcher members was rare.
He had nothing in common with the “little people” Qiu Dao spoke of!
The surprise was fleeting.
Just as Qiu Dao didn’t ask about the purpose of the traded items, Edgar didn’t ask about his origins.
Edgar pulled out a prepared list of items.
“I need as many Grasscloth Garments as possible, along with farming and construction tools. The more, the better!”
Qiu Dao looked at the long list of tools, veins throbbing on his forehead.
He thought to himself that this was bad.
He called it a trade, but Edgar was being totally shameless!
Although the items on the list were all basic tools, there were so many types.
Even if you shopped at the busiest store in Nari Town, you might not be able to collect them all at once!
The more Qiu Dao read, the more he regretted it.
If he’d known he’d be dealing with such a demon today, he would’ve hidden in town!
No, after learning Edgar’s true identity, he should have moved overnight!
As he read on, Qiu Dao became more and more alarmed.
The list even included a pile of metal weapons, yet Edgar shamelessly called them farming tools!
He didn’t even bother disguising it, making it impossible for Qiu Dao to play dumb!