75: farewell

"Ya~wn~"

Accompanied by the heavy thumping of footsteps, Kelvin, who was yawning loudly, slowly walked down the stairs.

Because he had drunk too much last night, his body was still swaying slightly.

He shook his head to disperse the dizzy feeling and looked at Thomas, who was arranging for the maids to prepare a meal, and asked, "Thomas, isn't Lister up yet?"

After a respectful greeting, Thomas replied, "Young Master Kelvin, Lord Lister woke up long ago and is currently training at the training grounds behind the castle."

"Training!" Kelvin was stunned. He looked at the sun outside and said incredulously, "You've got to be kidding me. The sun has just risen. Is he an animal?"

Beside him, Thomas's expression remained calm upon hearing him describe Lister that way. He knew their relationship well; teasing each other was their norm.

“Damn it. It's one thing to have good luck, but to work this hard too? How is a brother supposed to live?"

After a wail of despair, Kelvin instantly returned to his usual carefree and indolent self.

He plopped down into the seat of honor to the right of the head of the table, grabbed a piece of bread, and began to wolf it down.

"Mmm, delicious. This craftsmanship is just as good as last night," Kelvin said with a face full of enjoyment.

However, because he ate too much and too fast in one go, he choked. He hastily gulped down a large mouthful of milk and pounded his chest hard before finally managing to swallow with difficulty.

Seeing his comical appearance, Flora and several other maids nearby couldn't help but cover their mouths and giggle.

Noticing them, Kelvin turned to look at them and put on a fierce expression. "Laugh, go ahead and laugh. Wait until I take you all to the Western Frontier Territory. Let's see if you're still laughing then."

Upon hearing this, the little maids like Flora instantly froze, their faces turning pale with panic. They were completely unwilling to go to a dangerous place like the Western Frontier.

At that moment, a questioning voice with a playful tone came from outside the main door.

"Kelvin, who are you planning to take to the Pioneer Territory?"

Damn!

Coming so fast—are you a Black Dog Orc?!

After complaining inwardly, Kelvin gave a sheepish smile. "Hehe, just a joke."

He then pointed at Flora and said, "But then again, both last night's and today's meals were made under the lead of this Head Maid, right?"

"The taste is really good. I think highly of her. How about letting her come with me to the Western Frontier to show off her skills?"

"Get lost!" Lister shouted dominantly, then snorted with contempt. "Hah, as if I don't know what you're thinking. Flora is my Head Maid. You toad, thinking you can eat swan meat? Go back and spend your days with those rough men of yours."

"Sigh~ I've chosen my friends poorly. Now, for the sake of a woman, you'd even call your brother a toad. My heart is truly chilled to the bone," Kelvin said in an exaggerated tone.

Hearing this, Flora, who had relaxed her tense expression because of Lister's protective words, suddenly blushed and lowered her head.

Seeing this, Lister changed the subject and looked at Kelvin seriously. "magistrate Hobbes will help you load and prepare all the grain and supplies you asked for this afternoon. You decide the departure time yourself."

After a moment of thought, Kelvin spoke up. "Then let's just set off this afternoon. We have to go sooner or later anyway; it makes no difference."

Lister nodded and didn't say much. With Rock there, traveling at night wouldn't be very dangerous.

Just then, the voice of a guard came from outside the door: "Lord, Malo and the Kim uncle-nephew duo seek an audience."

"Let them in," Lister said clearly.

Shortly after he spoke, Malo and the Kim uncle-nephew trio walked in.

After a respectful greeting, Malo spoke first. "Lord, the bath products you requested to be rushed have all been completed."

"Well done."

After praising him, Lister was just about to introduce the Kim uncle and nephew.

Kelvin, who was still sitting, had already zipped over to the Kim uncle and nephew. He warmly grasped Kim's hand and said:

"Oh my, Deacon Kim, little brother Jacques, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Lister's best friend, Kelvin Kunte. You can just call me Kelvin."

"I heard from Lister that you are a great family specializing in the Slave trade with extensive connections. I'll be counting on you for the craftsmen and Slaves I need."

Although Kim was dazed by Kelvin's enthusiasm, he was, after all, someone who had seen big scenes.

He quickly reacted and said in a humble tone, "Lord Kelvin overpraises us. Since Lord Lister has given the order, we will certainly do our best to arrange the people you need as quickly as possible."

Seeing him make the promise with a very tactful attitude, the smile on Kelvin's face grew even wider.

Lister, who had walked over, looked at the Kim uncle and nephew and instructed, "Kim, Jacques, since the bath products have been completed, you should set off and return immediately."

"I have already asked Carlyle to lead some Soldiers to wait outside. They will escort you all the way to ensure your safety."

"As you command. Kim and Jacques thank the Lord for his concern," the Kim uncle and nephew said gratefully, and then departed with Malo... In the afternoon, the warm sun high in the sky already showed signs of setting in the west. At the intersection of Ironthorn Town leading toward the Western Frontier, Lister led his people to see off Kelvin and his party.

In the middle of the gravel road, five large horse-drawn carriages filled with goods stood quietly on the ground. Because of the great weight, the wheels had sunk slightly into the soil.

Kelvin looked at the goods filling the carriages, unable to suppress the curl of his lips. "Hehe! Brother, great kindness needs no words of thanks. If you ever have bad luck and end up in the Western Frontier in the future, I will definitely take good care of you."

"Don't speak too soon. If you take so many of my supplies and still can't get a foothold in the Western Frontier, only knowing how to drift through life, don't tell anyone you know me," Lister said with an encouraging yet warning tone.

Kelvin tucked away his smile and said seriously, "Don't worry, I will definitely make good use of these supplies. I'll strive to gain a title of nobility on my own, even without inheritance rights."

Hearing this, Lister nodded slightly in appreciation, thinking Kelvin really had some ambitions. Who would have thought that in the next moment, Kelvin would switch back to a smile and say:

"Of course, all of this is for the sake of better drifting—no, it should be that 'Lying Flat' you mentioned yesterday."

"It's just too vivid. I think this will be the most realistic portrayal of my life from now on. A life of Lying Flat is the happiest."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and hopped onto the carriage, giving the stunned Lister no chance to retort.

The speechlessness in his heart could only leave Lister watching the convoy as it slowly departed under the escort of Rock and the other knights and Soldiers, until it completely disappeared from his field of vision.

Suddenly, Lister realized that from early this morning until now, he seemed to have sent out quite a few knights and Soldiers.

For a moment, it gave him the feeling of having emptied his family coffers.