52: Brutus's heart

“Alright, that’s all for today. I will notify you if anything else is needed later.”

As his voice fell, Malo bowed respectfully and said, “Yes, Lord Leader.”

Brutus, standing beside him, looked as if he had something he wanted to say but was holding back. Lister asked curiously, “Hobbes, is there anything else you need to say?”

“Subordinate...” Brutus hesitated, then his expression hardened, as if he had made up his mind. He respectfully said, “Lord Lister, I have something I wish to report to you privately.”

“Report privately?” Lister was startled, then seemed to realize something, though he wasn't certain.

He then looked at Malo and said, “Malo, wait outside first.”

“Yes.” After respectfully agreeing, Malo turned and left the room.

As the door closed, only Lister and Brutus remained. In the quiet environment, Brutus suddenly knelt down heavily with a 'thud'.

With a tone of requesting punishment, he said, “Lord Lister, this subordinate is guilty. My real name is not Hobbes, but Brutus, Brutus Donald.”

“I graduated from the Royal City Church Academy. When I previously served in the Viscount Territory, I was dissatisfied with a noble official from the directly affiliated Earldom Territory who came to inspect and secretly extorted money from the residents. Because of this, he framed me for theft, leading to my exile to the Western Region. Later, the Pioneer Territory was attacked by foreign races, and only then did I make my way to the Ironthorn Territory.”

“At the time, I did not tell you my real name for self-preservation. For such a serious offense, this subordinate is willing to accept any punishment.”

As his voice fell, Brutus respectfully performed the kingdom's formal kneeling ceremony for confession, his expression firm as he awaited Lister's punishment, without any thought of escape.

A silent, quiet atmosphere lingered for a moment before Lister’s calm voice suddenly sounded in Brutus’s ear.

“Get up.”

Hearing these simple three words, which carried no discernible emotion, Brutus couldn't help but feel fearful. He hesitated for a moment before slowly rising.

When he raised his head and looked at Lister’s face again, he found that Lister was currently wearing a faint smile.

Those deep eyes seemed capable of seeing straight through his heart.

He couldn't help but ask, “Lord Lister, did you know my identity all along?”

“No, you’re overthinking it.” Lister gently shook his head, pretending, “I don’t have that much ability. I only suspected you were hiding something based on your state and words at the time.”

“I didn’t expect my prediction to be true. Your background is indeed extraordinary.”

“Tsk tsk, a graduate of the Church Academy. It seems my judgment and luck are good. Maybe I can win a few rounds at the Coliseum.”

Although Lister’s words were somewhat joking, Brutus could feel the genuine appreciation within them.

Moved, he still asked the other doubt in his heart: “But Lord Lister, aren't you afraid of bringing trouble upon yourself by keeping a person of unknown and potentially problematic origin like me?”

Lister chuckled upon hearing this: “Haha, Brutus, if you are of unknown origin, what does that make the other refugees who came with you?”

“I admit there’s an element of risk, but as long as I believe something is right, I will continue to do it.”

“And you were the talent I recognized at the time. Didn't your subsequent performance perfectly confirm my idea?”

“Even if you actively tell me your background now, and the trouble it might bring...”

“Compared to your ability and your performance since serving as the magistrate of Ironthorn Territory, what does the former matter?”

Speaking of this, he exuded a sense of lordly authority, saying confidently and without question, “Don't forget that I personally appointed you as the magistrate in front of all the residents.”

“What you need to do now is fully assist me in governing the territory well, so that the residents of Ironthorn Territory can all have better lives.”

“As for other dangers and troubles, I will resolve them all. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Lord Lister.” Brutus said with immense gratitude.

However, his rationality as a magistrate still prompted him to suggest, “The territory is still in its early stages of development. To avoid bringing trouble to Lord Lister and the territory, this subordinate requests to continue using the name Hobbes.”

“That’s fine. I was thinking the same thing. We’ll restore your real name when the opportunity arises in the future.” Lister agreed.

After expressing his thanks, Brutus, filled with motivation, bowed and left.

His complete devotion also put Lister in a great mood... That afternoon, deep inside the Ironthorn Forest.

With the help of the Pixie Lianna's search, Lister quickly found the Ironthorn Grass that had transformed into a rare spirit plant.

After the transformation, the grass, which was originally dull gray-brown, turned into a refreshing emerald green and emitted a faint fragrance.

Looking at the rare Ironthorn Grass that Lister carefully picked up, Red, who had seen it many times, couldn't help but feel admiration and said, “Young Master Lister, congratulations on receiving the holy light god’s blessing once again.”

Lister just smiled gently and said nothing, tacitly ‘agreeing’ with Red's statement.

As for whether the holy light god knew he was borrowing his name to fool people, Lister wasn't sure.

In any case, it wasn't a 'big deal,' and the holy light god shouldn't be so petty, right?

After muttering internally, he immediately placed the Ironthorn Grass into his storage ring.

Just as he was about to leave, a flash of bright white light caught his attention. Turning his head, he saw a crystal stone, snow-white and buried in the soil.

He walked over and crouched down to examine it, reaching out to touch it. The texture was very smooth. He asked curiously, “Red, what is this?”

“Young Master Lister, this seems to be a Day Crystal.” Red thought for a moment, surprised, “I didn't expect to find this kind of crystal stone here.”

“Oh, so this is a Day Crystal.” Lister showed a look of realization.

The Day Crystal is named because it is snow-white and can emit a faint glow at night. Its appearance is often accompanied by another crystal stone, the Night Crystal.

One resembles daytime, the other night. They are very rare. Although they have no special function, they are used by nobles to create various ornaments and wearables, making them a type of luxury item.

It was indeed unexpected that this kind of crystal stone would appear deep inside the Ironthorn Forest.

He used his hand to dig away the covering dirt, revealing more white and black. Seeing this, Lister's expression brightened.

“It looks like this entire rock is a Day and Night Crystal Stone. I didn't expect to have such a harvest on this trip.”

Red was also delighted: “Yes, Young Master Lister. A piece this large should be worth a lot of money.”

Hearing him say that, Lister's mouth curled up.

Since this crystal stone was useless to him, and since those extravagant nobles liked it, he would sell it to them, allowing him to earn some extra income.

He had invested so much money into the territory's development recently; he needed to find a way to earn it back.

After marking the location, he and Red quickly rode toward the southeastern edge of the Ironthorn Territory.