137: McIntosh's Storage Ring

In the early morning, dazzling golden threads of sunlight spilled through the window into Lister's room, and a trace of the alcohol from last night's revelry still lingered in the air.

The three of them had drunk until very late at the small gathering last night. Perhaps the ironthorn whiskey was too delicious, or perhaps Morris and Moses were feeling sentimental.

The two of them poured out their hardships at the table, allowing Lister to learn quite a bit about them.

Although Morris and Moses were both sons of Earls, their situations, aside from being slightly better, were not much different from that of Lister's friend, Kelvin.

The former was an illegitimate son whose mother had passed away when he was born; she was not Count Joseph's official wife but the daughter of a merchant he had known before he married.

As for Count Joseph's official wife, she was a noble lady from the royal family. While she never said it explicitly, she had always maintained an attitude of opposition toward Morris in private.

Morris's ability to return to the family was an opportunity obtained only after Count Joseph's persistent persuasion and the consent of the family elders.

Since Count Joseph had many wives and concubines, he naturally had many children—about a dozen—so Morris faced a great deal of targeting upon returning to the family.

This was why Morris was unwilling to return to the family, but yesterday he had revealed a bit of information: he was considering going to the Western Frontier Territory.

Though Lister wasn't sure if it would work out, he made sure to keep it in mind.

As for Moses, his situation was better than Morris's, but only marginally so.

Earl Hansenerton also had many children, and to him, Moses—who had never been particularly outstanding since childhood—was practically invisible.

Therefore, when Moses noticed that the infighting among his siblings was reaching a fever pitch, he requested Earl Hansenerton's permission to leave the family territory and develop on his own.

Regarding this son who usually had zero presence, Earl Hansenerton might have even forgotten he existed if he hadn't appeared before him.

Ultimately, Earl Hansenerton agreed to Moses's request, granting him a small Baron Territory along with the minimum staff configuration for an Earl's child.

Knight Captain Graham was only at Bronze Rank 9 and hadn't even reached Silver Knight status; such a situation was rare for the child of an Earl.

Fortunately, Moses's luck was quite good. A small copper mine was discovered in his territory, providing him with sufficient funds to develop his land.

Although his governance skills couldn't compare to Lister's, and he didn't have talents graduated from the Church Academy like Brutus,

because he was willing to listen to the magistrate's suggestions (he was essentially a hands-off manager), the territory's development wasn't great, but it was at least passable.

So, compared to Lister's daily diligence, Moses was now equivalent to a Baron Lord who had completely given up on ambition, just idling and waiting to die.

Every day, he would sleep until broad daylight and then get up with the service of a little maid. Most of his day was spent in leisure, living a very carefree and comfortable life.

Listening to such an enviable life, Lister took several large gulps of ironthorn whiskey to suppress the restlessness in his heart.

However, from the few words of truth Moses spoke while drunk, Lister realized that he didn't actually like this kind of life very much.

He yearned for the life of a bard, wandering anywhere within the Pedan Kingdom, or even leaving the Pedan Kingdom to visit other kingdoms.

Unfortunately, his current identity was that of a Baron Lord, carrying the family's reputation while also being responsible for his Serfs. Thus, his dream of traveling the continent could only be buried deep in his heart.

Of course, after the "new western frontier pioneer order" was proclaimed, Moses had also thought about changing his environment and taking a trip to the Western Frontier.

But once he thought about the dangers of the Western Frontier combined with his meager handful of Soldiers, he felt that his own life was more important.

Lister couldn't say he agreed or disagreed with his thoughts, but he personally would never choose to just drift along like that.

Since coming to this world, he had always felt a strange sense of insecurity. After thinking about it for a long time, he finally realized it stemmed from the fear of his own lack of power.

Although the Pedan Kingdom currently had frictions and wars with the northern Orc Race as well as some tribes and small countries in the Western Frontier, overall, it was still stable.

But Lister didn't know how long this stability would last. Coupled with the inexplicable demotion of his title, he always felt as if the road ahead was obscured by a mist.

This feeling of being blind to the future and potentially suffering a heavy blow at any moment made him very uncomfortable.

Therefore, to eliminate this feeling, he forced himself to do his best to develop his territory and enhance his own strength.

Only when his power and his own realm of strength increased would that strange sense of insecurity weaken.

Furthermore, he had recently witnessed an earth-shattering battle, which made him understand the importance of strength even more.

Thus, even though the three of them had drunk until very late yesterday, Lister still woke up early today and went to the large clearing of the residence to practice.

Similarly, Red and the other Soldiers also joined the ranks of cultivation at almost the same time.

The passing Flanders Family Soldiers couldn't help but show surprised expressions at the sight, clearly not expecting anyone to be training so early.

After finishing his morning exercise, Lister returned to his room to take a bath. After finishing breakfast, he was preparing to head out.

Daisna, bringing along the little maid Norse, appeared outside his door right on time.

After giving a few instructions to the Full Knights staying behind, Lister took Red and the other two and left the Earls Manor with Daisna.

Although Aetheria had gone through yesterday's turmoil, thanks to Earl Elsid's decisive and rapid handling,

overall, aside from more property damage, there were no deaths, only some injuries.

Therefore, early in the morning, Aetheria once again restored its former prosperity, and all trades and professions continued their work at their posts.

Since the Grand Birthday Celebration wasn't just for one day, perhaps to make up for yesterday's losses, the liveliness on the streets today was even more intense than yesterday.

Meanwhile, caravans from other territories, which had stayed in the small towns outside Aetheria to recuperate due to yesterday's turmoil,

only entered Aetheria today after finding no further issues, adding even more vibrant colors to the already bustling city.

Walking slowly along the street, Daisna, who was side-by-side with Lister, asked, "Lister, how many days do you plan to stay in Aetheria?"

"Hmm—"

Lister thought for a moment and said, "If the recruitment of teachers for the new school in Ironthorn Territory is completed quickly, I expect I might return the day after tomorrow or the day after that, and then I will head to the Western Frontier Territory."

"You're going to the Western Frontier Territory?"

Daisna looked surprised, clearly not expecting Lister to have this idea.

"Although the 'new western frontier pioneer order' is very tempting, it carries a lot of potential risks."

"And the danger level in the West is very high. Do you really want to go?"

Seeing her worried expression, Lister felt a warmth in his heart and smiled comfortingly, "Don't worry, I'm aware of everything you've mentioned."

"But the development of Ironthorn Territory has now stabilized, and the limitations of the territory's size and population are too great; future development will be limited."

"While I could develop Ironthorn Territory slowly and turn it into a very good land, I don't want to be restricted to such a small piece of earth. My goal is to pioneer more territories."

"Not only to grow my influence and enhance my strength, but also to allow myself to maintain a heart that strives and fights."

"Just like those predecessors did before the Pedan Kingdom was established, didn't they?"

"...Alright, I believe in you." After only a slight hesitation, Daisna put on a soft smile and did not say anything to hold him back.

She was a smart woman and knew that a man's world should not be limited to a small territory, but should look toward the entire kingdom or even further.

Moreover, Lister was such a capable person; such a person should have great ambitions and goals.

Lister smiled and nodded, not saying any polite words of thanks.

"After you leave, I will follow my teacher to the Kingdom Church to study magic. We might not be able to see each other for a while."

Daisna looked at Lister, and in her bright sky-blue pupils, there was nothing but Lister's reflection.

Lister understood the reluctance in her words and said with a smile, "You don't have to worry. Although one of us will be in the West and the other in the Royal Capital, and the distance between us is great,

I had some good luck recently and obtained five Magic Cloud Eagles. I will use one of them for communicating with you."

"Five Magic Cloud Eagles!" Daisna's expression turned to joy, followed by some concern, "But using it for ordinary communication is too wasteful. Maybe we shouldn't."

She naturally knew a lot about Magic Cloud Eagles. Due to their rarity, even her father, Earl Elsid, would generally not use a Magic Cloud Eagle for ordinary messaging because it was a waste of talent.

Therefore, even though she knew Lister had obtained five Magic Cloud Eagles—a significant number—she felt they would better help Lister if used for territory construction.

"Haha, I know you mean well for me."

Lister laughed heartily and said, "However, my mind is made up and will not change. Communicating with you makes me feel at peace; isn't that also a kind of help to me?"

Hearing his straightforward and valuing words, Daisna's cheeks flushed slightly. Although she still wanted to persuade him, her personal feelings ultimately kept her from refusing.

"Alright, let's not talk about that."

Lister changed the subject and said, "Since you are going to the main church in the Royal Capital to study magic, I happen to have something I'd like to ask of you."

"Tell me, and I will definitely do my best to accomplish it." Daisna felt very happy that Lister had something to entrust to her.

Nodding, Lister said, "Because Ironthorn Territory was invaded before, and because of this riot in Aetheria, I want you to help me look up information regarding these organizations once you reach the Kingdom Church."

"Since these organizations have origins connected to the Kingdom Church, I believe there should be some records about them within the church."

"Especially since I have a verbal cooperation with the Church of the Goddess of Revenge, I feel it's necessary to know more about my partners."

"Alright, I'll keep an eye out. If I find anything, I'll send word to you immediately," Daisna nodded in agreement.

In fact, even if Lister hadn't said it, she had planned to look up information on these organizations after going to the Kingdom Church.

She felt a sense of loathing toward these mysterious organizations hidden in the shadows of the kingdom, especially those who incited the riot in Aetheria this time.

If she could find some information about them in the Kingdom Church, it would allow for better responses in the future.

With the serious business discussed, Daisna returned to her previous cheerfulness and began browsing various shops.

After browsing for a while, Lister also led the group purposefully toward certain locations.

According to the first divination after waking up this morning:

[Divination 1: During yesterday's battle, the Black Witch Church High Deacon Mackintosh, although he narrowly managed to escape, accidentally dropped his storage ring into a gap in a pillar outside the 'Nightfall Tavern' in the west of the city.]

Arriving outside the Nightfall Tavern, Lister quickly spotted that pillar. Pretending to have dropped something, he quickly found Mackintosh's storage ring.

Daisna, Red, and the others had long since become mentally immune to his good luck and didn't feel surprised in the slightest.

The storage rings in this world were different from those in his previous life; there was no such thing as binding them with a drop of blood, only a layer of magic imprint.

Since the magic imprint left by Mackintosh was not weak in energy, Lister would need to wear it down using Wizardry; it would likely take a few days to open.

Having gained a storage ring for free, which might even contain some good items, Lister's mood became even more pleasant.

Next, Lister led the group to the vendor market in the east of the city.

[Divination 2: This afternoon, in the vendor market in the east of Aetheria, the Frost Fruits sold by vendor John Doyle on the west side of the market are mixed with five Cold Spirit Fruits.]

Cold Spirit Fruit, a rare resource that can help Transcendents who practice magic to enhance the essence of their own magic.

Because it looks so similar to the Frost Fruit, ordinary people cannot distinguish between them at all.

Lister's current practice of Wizardry was going quite well. If he could enhance his magic essence through Cold Spirit Fruits, his future practice of Wizardry would be even more effective.

After browsing for a while, Lister quickly found the vendor John Doyle on the west side and decisively bought all of his goods.

Under John's bewildered gaze, the group left quickly like a gust of wind.

Seeing Lister's actions, Red and Spartacus immediately felt infinite anticipation; after all, they were all too familiar with such occurrences.

Sejin, on the other hand, was much like the vendor John—completely dazed and unable to figure out Lister's purpose.