Brunan Galiland did not have the self-awareness of being the owner of the Red Raven Tavern. He turned a blind eye to the nagging complaints of his tavern's head waitress, Louise. He took a few pieces of animal skin paper and half-squatted on the ground, rummaging through the bags, satchels, and rattan rattan boxes piled up on the ground by Laurist.
"Two black-scaled rhinoceros skins, this is what Tom from the armor store wants …"
"Five scarlet-eyed black fox skins, reserved by Old Burke from the leather store …"
"Three black-gold python skins, Johnson from the weapon store wants to make a scabbard …"
"A bunch of striped wildebeest tendons, Chris wants to make a bowstring …"
…
"What is this?" Galiland held up a grayish-white bone that was about a meter long.
"The arm bone of the legendary sharp-mouthed owl dragon. It was made into a bone club by the Lemandot natives of the Ruins Islands. It is light and extremely hard. This is what Sir Malev wants to collect, "Lollister answered, putting down the roast goose in his hand.
The sharp-mouthed owl dragon was said to be a large bird created by mages thousands of years ago using night owls and dragon-blooded humans. It was ferocious and aggressive, but it had long gone extinct. A hundred years ago, a complete skeleton was found in the Ruins Islands, which was once a kingdom of mages. It was named by scholars after its huge, sharp mouth.
Sir Malev was one of the more prominent customers of the Red Raven Tavern. He seemed to be a noble from some duchy. Later, he got tired of politics and came to Moront City. He bought a house in a block not far from the Red Raven Tavern and lived in seclusion. He preferred to collect strange and odd things.
"Oh." Since it was what Sir Malev wanted, it was not surprising. Putting down the grayish-white bone, Galiland picked up a leather wallet. There were seven glass bottles that looked like test tubes. The bottles contained seven different colored liquids. "What is this?"
"The blood of seven magical beasts from the Ruins Islands. Professor Simpson of the White Rose Academy wants it. He said that he obtained an ancient book and wanted me to give him the blood of these seven magical beasts. He wants to try and see if he can replicate a potion formula from the ancient book, "Lollister explained.
Galiland then noticed that there was a small label under the glass bottle. On it were the names of the magical beasts: "Black-Gold python, Green-Backed wolf, Black-Scaled rhinoceros …"
"That old fellow Simpson really has too many gold coins and nowhere to spend them. Replication potions? I can't believe he came up with such an idea. We don't have mages or mana, how are we going to make potions? "Old Thom commented as he shook his head.
"Then what is this?" Galilando shook a thick bamboo tube that was about a meter long. It was sealed and seemed to be filled with liquid. When he shook it, it made a rattling sound.
"Uh …" Loriste was a little embarrassed. After a moment of hesitation, he answered, "This is Terence's donkey penis that El privately asked me to bring for him …"
Terrance Donkey Penis was a specialty of the Ruins Archipelago. It was a famous aphrodisiac product and was loved by many nobles and men with premature ejaculation.
"Pfft …" Hearing that it was Terence's donkey penis that El had privately asked Loriste to bring him, Louise covered her mouth and couldn't stop laughing.
Galilando's face turned green. "Outrageous! This bastard needs to be strengthened at such a young age. His cultivation is not improving, and he only knows how to lie on women all day long. He doesn't even lay an egg. I have to teach him a good lesson! Leave this with me for now. If El asks, tell him to come find me. "
El, full name Brunan Evan Burt. The boss of the gang three blocks nearby, a two-star Silver Swordsman, and Galilando's nephew, his only relative.
The table was a mess. Laurist raised his glass at Fatty Mai and drank the rest of the fruit wine. He let out a long sigh and burped in satisfaction. "Sister Louise, see if Old Luke has any business at the back door. If not, ask him to come over and give me a haircut and a shave. Also, get me a room upstairs and get some hot water. I want to sleep after I shower. Also, please take the clothes in my rattan box and what I'm wearing to the laundry shop later. Then, go to Auntie Misha's clothing shop and buy me a new set of suitable clothes. Hang the bill on the wardrobe first. "
Old Luke arrived quickly. His barber shop at the back of the Red Raven Tavern didn't have many customers. When he heard Loriste's call, he immediately packed his tools and came over. She first wrapped a black linen cloth around Lollister, then placed a shiny silver plate on the table that Sister Louise had cleaned up. This was to be used as a mirror. She then held up a small hairclipper and a walrus ivory comb and asked, "Do you want to do your hair the same as usual?"
In the Galinthea Continent, other than the aristocrats of some countries who had specific hairstyles to show their respected status, most people basically followed everyone's preferences. However, sometimes it was popular to have wavy perms and ponytails, the so-called fashionable hairstyles. In this regard, Loriste didn't think that there was any difference from his previous life, except for the outdated haircutting tools.
Loriste always liked to cut his hair short. On one hand, it was because of his seven years as a soldier in his previous life, and on the other hand, it was convenient and quick to wash.
"Yes, as usual." Loriste sat up straighter.
Old Luke clicked his tongue and said, "Actually, Little Locke, you should grow your black hair long. Look, such pure black, how beautiful. With a ponytail, many girls will fall for you. "
"Forget it. It's too troublesome to wash my hair every day. By the way, Old Luke, what's new in the past six months? "
Old Luke liked to chat when he had his hair cut. He could talk about any news that happened in the area, big or small.
As he trimmed his hair, he pondered and said, "There's nothing new. Two months ago, Linde, who was selling fruits on the street corner, was hit by a startled horse. However, he received four gold fords as compensation, which was a small fortune. Last month, Butcher Watt's wife and a mercenary were caught red-handed. The Iron-ranked mercenary was slashed in the shoulder by Watt. What a joke. Watt hasn't awakened his Dou Qi yet. "
"If you want to talk about something big, the newspaper published three months ago said that the war in the north has ended. After two years of hard work by the commerce union, the warring parties have finally reached a peace agreement. The newspaper said that the trade route to the north is shining with a golden light. In the past two months, the newspaper has been reporting on the recruitment of mercenaries and guards or the news of merchants heading to the north. However, it also reported that many merchants heading to the north had been robbed by bandits. "
"Oh, the Crisen Empire is no longer fighting in the north?" Loriste really didn't expect such a far-reaching event to happen in the half a year that he had been in the Ruins of the Galinthia Continent. As for the newspaper saying that the peace was only achieved through the efforts of the commerce union, nobody took it seriously. The powerful empire in the north had always been the Ford Commerce Union's mortal enemy. In the past 160 years, there had been three famous battles between the two sides. Since the death of the old emperor six years ago, the three princes fought for the throne. The commerce union was the happiest party. It was already good enough that they didn't add fuel to the fire. How could they be so kind as to quell the war?
"Tell me, what's the content of the peace agreement?" Loriste was very curious about the conditions that the commerce union had offered. The three princes and a dozen grand dukes of the empire in the north had been at war for almost six years. The vast and incomparably powerful empire had been smashed into pieces. The people were poor and soldiers were scarce. Even the nobles had to borrow money to survive. No one would believe that the commerce union wasn't behind this.
"Ah, I really didn't pay attention to that. You know that I'm just a hairdresser. I've never cared about national affairs …" Old Luke was a little embarrassed.
"I know that." Old Thom was very happy. As a retired postal official, it had always been his hobby to comment on national affairs. "There are three main conditions. The first is that the empire is divided into three kingdoms and seven grand duchies. In other words, the Crisen Empire, which had been suppressing the commerce union, is gone. There will be no more invasions from the north. The second condition is to keep the trade routes open. Be it the kingdoms or the duchies, the commercial tax is one out of ten. Also, the trade unions under the commerce union are free to open shops in the territories of the major lords. The third condition is that the commerce union will provide loans of varying amounts to the three kingdoms and seven grand duchies. The interest rate seems to be seven to thirteen percent. "
"Brother Locke, I remember that you're from the north, right? There was an emblem on the carriage that sent you to the academy. You should be a noble, right? Now that the war in the north is over, and the trade routes are open, don't you want to go home? " Fatty Mai, who was sitting across from him, seemed to have recalled the first time he met Lollister at the entrance of the academy ten years ago. Hearing everyone talking about the north, he asked.
"Little Locke, you're from the Crisen Empire? And a noble at that? "Old Luke was very surprised.
When the old Emperor of the Empire was still alive, he would often order the border troops to attack the Mana Hill Plain where the Commerce Federation was located. The private troops brought by the nobles who took advantage of the situation caused great harm to the civilians of the Commerce Federation. As a resident of Moronte City, the capital of the commerce union, although he wouldn't kill anyone from the Crisen Empire the moment he saw them, he didn't have a good impression of the imperial nobles.
"To be precise, I'm a northerner from the Crisen Empire, which means I'm from the northern highlands. It's a few thousand miles from here. Northerners have never come to the Mana Hill Plains to fight the commerce union. It's too far, and it'll take two to three months just to march. My father is a baron, and his territory is in the far north. I'm the second oldest in my family, with an older brother and a younger brother. It's not my turn to inherit the territory. Going to school in Moronte City means that my family has given up on me. Although the north has been at war for six years, I lost contact with my family seven years ago, which means that I have to earn my own living. So, I'm from Moronte City now, and have nothing to do with the north or my family, "Loriste explained.
"Yes. To prevent their children from having disputes over territory and titles in the future, apart from focusing on grooming their heirs, many nobles adopt methods such as banishment, enfeoffment, or marriage. Locke's case is very common. After all, his family's title is only that of a baron. "Old Thom nodded in agreement.
Old Luke was very fast. Not only did he trim Loriste's hair, he also took out a sharp blade and shaved off the hair on his face and the stubble on his chin. Finally, he applied some oil to protect his skin.
Loriste stroked his smooth chin in satisfaction. He generously gave Old Luke a small silver coin, and instructed Fatty Mai to pour a glass of black plum ale for Old Luke and Thom, putting it on his tab. He picked up two swords of different lengths from the table and followed Louise to the second floor.
There were eight guest rooms on the second floor of Red Raven Tavern, four on the left and four on the right. The corridor led to the stairs to the third floor.
Just as they reached the second floor, they heard the hoarse sounds of a man and a woman having fun coming from one of the guest rooms on the left.
Loriste asked curiously, "Who is it? It's already so late, and they're still having fun?"
Louise didn't even turn her head. "It's Julie. She picked up the three Black Bear brothers for seven silver coins at noon. It's already been more than three hours. I don't know if she'll be able to get up at night. "
Julie was also a waitress in the tavern. As for the three Black Bear brothers, Loriste knew them. They were all low-level mercenaries who practiced combat energy in the military. The eldest was a Two-Star Dark Iron, while the second and third were still at the Bronze rank. They usually took on short-distance guard jobs and ran errands for others. The three brothers were tall, dark, and strong, and were nicknamed the Black Bear Brothers. Over time, this nickname became their official name.
The guest room that Louise brought Loriste to was the first one on the right at the end of the corridor. A large bathtub was already prepared in the room, and hot water was prepared.
Loriste put down the two swords in his hands, pulled out the two daggers in his boots, and removed the quiver on his left arm. He couldn't wait to take off all his clothes and crawl into the bathtub.
Louise handed him a pink, flower-scented soap and placed a white linen towel next to the bathtub. She tidied up the clothes on the floor, found her purse, sword, belt, waist bag, and belt, and placed them on the table. Just as she was about to go out, she thought of something and returned to the bathtub. "Locke, are you free at night in three days?"
"I don't know. Why? Is something the matter?" Loriste looked up from the water and let out a long breath.
"Well, in three days, a girl from my village will come to the tavern to work as a waitress. She wants a good price for her first time and wants two gold coins. Locke, you've earned a lot this time. Can you do me a favor? "
"Huh? Don't you, Julie, Sarah and Nina already work in the tavern? Why are you hiring new people? "
"Nina went back to get married last month and won't be coming back. The girls in my village are also planning to work in the tavern for two or three years and save enough money before going back to get married. Big Sister promised to find a handsome and rich guy for her first time. Locke, can you help me with this? "
Loriste was embarrassed and vaguely replied, "We'll see …"
He sank into the water again.
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