novelraw Chapter 42 : Hogg’s Dream, Business
Chapter 42 : Hogg’s Dream, Business
Chapter 42: Hogg’s Dream, Business
As for the principle behind this Holy Light, no one could explain it clearly. Many regarded it as proof of the existence of gods.
This was also one of the major reasons why the Church had flourished within the Danlun Kingdom.
Leo did not feel particularly surprised. In his memories, he had attended many such funeral ceremonies.
Because people often died in Blackwater City as well. When he was young, he had only heard that it was due to Beast Calamities.
However, under his father’s protection, the original Leo had not understood the true meaning of a Beast Calamity.
It was not until yesterday that Leo truly experienced the threat of death.
Especially since those who died this time—Laim and Hogg—were both people around him, Knight’s Squires just like himself.
However, because they were not officially registered Quasi-Knights of Blackstone City, their bodies would be sent back to their territories for burial.
It was said that Blackstone City had provided very generous compensation, but Leo felt it was more likely to silence the matter.
This Beast Calamity had also been unexpected for Blackstone City, as it had occurred during the Hunt of Deep Winter.
Moreover, those Goblins had directly breached the castle’s defenses by digging underground.
Otherwise, the Knight’s Squires inside the castle would have been mostly safe.
But if news of this Beast Calamity spread, it was foreseeable that in the coming years, fewer nobles would be willing to send their children to Blackstone City for training.
Leo looked toward Eddie, who stood not far away.
This guy had been acting elusive lately, and no one knew where he had been active.
Yet now that he appeared, Leo noticed that he seemed somewhat more robust than before.
In the end, it all came down to how limited Leo’s access to information was within Blackstone City.
Normally, aside from training and grinding experience, Leo had almost no social life.
Focus could be an advantage, but correspondingly, it also meant far fewer information channels.
“I need to find a way to build my own intelligence network.”
As Leo thought this, the priest ahead had already closed the holy scripture.
With the coffins being lowered into the ground, the funeral was nearing its end.
However, before that, the enforcement knight Ray announced a piece of news.
“Sir Laforin will return to Blackstone City with the hunting party in three days.”
Upon hearing this, the previously somber atmosphere lifted slightly.
Once all five great knights returned to Blackstone City, the overall security would greatly improve.
An incident like this would likely not happen again.
After the ceremony ended, the Quasi-Knights quickly departed, preparing to return to their respective posts.
The Knight’s Squires also began heading back to the Training Room.
Leo looked around. It seemed that the impact of this Beast Calamity on Blackstone City was not as great as he had imagined.
Because the conflict between Humans and Beastkin had lasted for hundreds of years, Beast Calamities were quite common in this world.
Most of the attackers this time were Common Goblins—Level 1 Beastkin—while only three Blood Goblins, which were Level 2, had appeared.
If compared to his previous life, the number of deaths would at most be equivalent to a major traffic accident.
However, Leo had heard that more than a dozen maids and laborers had also died in the castle.
But compared to these Quasi-Knights who had funerals, the deaths of these commoners were like worn-out shoes—discarded and ignored.
For commoners or even lower-status servants, such Beast Calamities were nothing more than unavoidable disasters decreed by fate.
All they could do was pray to the Father of Light to send down Holy Light and dispel calamity.
Whether they lived or died depended entirely on destiny.
But for Leo, he still had a chance to control his own fate.
Leo moved quickly through the crowd, eager to return to the Training Room.
Along the way, several Knight’s Squires nodded at him and even took the initiative to make way for him.
Clearly, Leo’s performance during this Beast Calamity had earned him respect.
The scene of him charging into a mass of Goblins and cutting them down like vegetables, along with his fearless display against the Blood Goblin, had deeply shocked these squires who had never experienced real combat.
As he walked ahead, Arthur quickly caught up from behind.
Leo noticed Arthur’s dejected expression and patted his shoulder. “The dead cannot return.”
He knew that Hogg had been the person closest to Arthur in Blackstone City, and he tried to comfort him.
“I was the one who told him to go to the Knight Hall. I didn’t expect things would turn out like this…” Arthur clenched his teeth, then looked up at Leo. “Leo, do you know what Hogg’s greatest dream was?”
Leo shook his head. He did not actually know much about Hogg.
He only felt that Hogg always followed behind Arthur and rarely had his own opinions.
“He told me he wanted to learn some skills. Then join the Kingdom Merchant Caravan.”
Leo raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised. “Join the Kingdom Merchant Caravan?”
Not the Golden Knight Order, but a merchant caravan.
“Yes. Hogg knew his talent was average and that it would be difficult for him to become a knight. So he wanted to save up capital and become a merchant in a caravan. That way, he could travel around and see all the cities of the kingdom.”
It was the first time Leo had heard this.
To see all the cities…
He had not expected Hogg to have such an idea, but he could understand that desire.
To pursue freedom.
Most people in this world spent their entire lives confined to a single city or village.
Only a small number could break through the limits of knightly power and possess the ability to survive in the wilderness.
For someone like Hogg, becoming a merchant was indeed one possible path.
Leo paused, glanced at the surrounding Knight’s Squires, then suddenly changed the subject.
“Are you short on money?”
Arthur blinked, stunned. He had not expected Leo to suddenly bring this up. “You want to borrow money? My Xilin Family has always been generous—”
He was about to puff out his chest, but then remembered that just two days ago, the Kingdom Merchant Caravan had visited.
He had bought some trinkets and attended two banquets, and now his pockets were nearly empty.
As Leo watched his voice grow softer, he immediately understood.
Leaning closer, Leo lowered his voice. “What do you think about us partnering to do some business and earn a bit of money?”
…
By noon, Leo welcomed his first deal.
Arthur brought Fidis, leading a horse, to the back courtyard stables.
“Leo, I heard you can help shoe horses here. Take a look at mine.” After hearing from Arthur that Leo was doing business here, Fidis came to visit first.
After observing for some time, Leo had discovered a business opportunity.
There were quite a few horses in the castle. Nearly all of the dozens of Knight’s Squires had brought horses from home.
Many Quasi-Knights also had their own warhorses.
Altogether, there were probably over a hundred horses in the castle. Previously, they had taken care of their horses themselves.
However, for specialized tasks like replacing horseshoes, they had to pay Luka, the stablehand of Blackstone City, for help.
Some were unwilling to spend the money and tried to find others to do it.
Others simply reduced their horses’ activity.
As a result, situations sometimes occurred where hooves were cut until they bled, or servants were injured.
And ever since Luka had been assigned by Laforin to the large stable, he had not appeared again.
Generally, a horse needed its horseshoes replaced about once every two months—just like people needed haircuts and nail trimming.
Horses also required regular hoof trimming and horseshoe replacement.
Leo had observed that many horses in the castle now had severely worn horseshoes.
This was the perfect opportunity to earn some extra income.
Leo raised two fingers seriously. “Two silver coins per service. Guaranteed quality.”
Fidis hesitated. The price was the same as Luka’s, but Luka was a professional stablehand.
Seeing his hesitation, Leo smiled. “We’re brothers. I’ll give you a discount for the first time—just one silver coin. But you’ll have to bring me five more deals.”