23: Talk therapy (thanks for the monthly ticket for praising the bastard omniscient master who is not easy to destroy)

Amber rum rippled in the clay cups, and the slightly burnt bread gave off the aroma of wheat.

Sizzling fried fish steamed on reed leaves, along with sausages, fruits, and tender, soft stewed beef and potatoes…

Six slaves sat around the food, the rising steam carrying the aroma that overwhelmed the stench on their bodies and in the warehouse.

Everyone stared at the feast, even Catherine, who came from a noble background, was no exception.

During their long imprisonment and enslavement, it was a blessing to even eat a mouthful of rye bread mixed with sand, let alone these delicacies.

At this moment, the aroma of the food was tearing away all the disguises of these slaves.

To quickly win over this group and expand his workforce, Arthur decided to talk directly.

He specifically brought Drax with him, firstly to send a signal to the slaves that even a beastman was willing to follow him, and secondly to ensure his own safety.

“I believe Lady Catherine has explained everything to you,” Arthur said, leaning against a cargo box. “This meal is a farewell feast for those who do not wish to come with us.”

“After eating, you may leave on your own tonight. I have already informed the night watchmen at the dock, and they will not trouble you.”

Before he finished speaking, the rabbit-man Old Hutu’s branch-like arm suddenly shot out, grabbing a sausage and stuffing it into his mouth.

Grease dripped from the corner of his mouth, and he laughed indistinctly as he ate.

Newt, the youngest among the slaves, quickly pulled Old Hutu back, apologizing profusely, “Sir, sir, his mind is not well.

He’s just a lunatic. Please… please don’t mind him.”

“Let go of him, let him eat,” Arthur waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over everyone. “The same goes for all of you.”

“I make no unrealistic promises. The place I am going is fraught with danger, and I completely understand if you do not wish to come along.”

“But as long as you follow me, I promise to let you eat your fill and live like a human being.”

A different kind of emotion spread among the six slaves, and even the beastman standing next to Arthur couldn't help but secretly glance at Arthur.

The alchemist Old Joe narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing this young noble master; the dwarf Iron Shovel pursed his lips, his brows tightly furrowed;

The half-elf Newt looked blankly at the dwarf, then at Arthur; the noble lady lowered her head in thought; only the water bandit Philip continued to stare intently at the food.

After a brief silence, Philip was the first to act, grabbing wine and bread and devouring them ravenously.

“Wait, wait, don’t hog it all!”

“Wait, wait, don’t hog it!”

Old Hutu, with newfound strength, broke free from Newt’s grip and scrambled back to the food.

This time, Newt did not stop him, but merely swallowed hard, looking at the dwarf with hopeful eyes.

“Go,” Old Dwarf said helplessly.

Granted permission, Newt’s eyes lit up, and he quickly joined the ranks of those enjoying the feast.

Arthur smiled, sat down on the ground, and turned his gaze to the three who had not yet acted.

When the gnome alchemist saw him looking, he bowed to him.

Then he picked up a cup of wine, and as he drank, he asked, “Sir, if I follow you, will you restrict my research and spellcasting?”

Upon hearing this, Arthur was secretly delighted, but his expression remained calm as he asked, “Spellcasting? You mean you can use magic?”

The alchemist shook his head, “It’s science. My ‘magic’ comes from science. Perhaps you don’t understand…”

Arthur had originally thought he had found a talented person who understood magic, but it turned out to be something else.

He interrupted with a slight disappointment, “I know what science is. As long as it’s not inhumane experiments, I won’t interfere.”

“But I’ll tell you upfront, I don’t have the money to fund any grand projects for you right now.”

“I also advise you to first focus on helping me establish a foothold in Qingfeng Valley, rather than researching cosmic mysteries or the origin of life.”

Arthur’s words left the alchemist quite choked.

Old Joe had originally intended to show off a bit, but unexpectedly, this young noble master knew quite a lot.

“I have one more condition,” he said.

“Speak freely.”

The gnome pointed to his bald head, “I want a velvet top hat.”

Arthur was amused and immediately agreed.

In the DND world, alchemy, though not entirely comparable to magic, was by no means a trick.

Skilled alchemists, using various strange ingredients and secret formulas, could even create items that surpassed magic.

The only drawback was that alchemy, like magic, was quite expensive.

In any case, being able to recruit an alchemist was definitely a good thing.

“What about the others? Do you have any requests you’d like to make?” Arthur asked the remaining few.

Philip, with a mouthful of food, responded indistinctly, “I have no requests, Sir, I will follow you.”

This notorious water bandit was only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a youthful face.

Due to long-term hunger, he was almost emaciated, but his eyes revealed a tenacity beyond his age.

“Very good,” Arthur nodded.

Then, he picked up a cup of wine and walked over to the dwarf.

This action attracted everyone’s attention, even the mad Old Hutu looked over curiously.

“What about you, Mister Dwarf?” Arthur asked, offering the wine cup.

Iron Shovel stroked his grizzled beard and asked, “You said that if we follow you, you will restore our status as free men?”

“Yes, I promise.”

“Good, I’m in!” Iron Shovel reached out, took the wine, and took a large gulp.

Arthur then looked at Newt, and the half-elf nodded repeatedly, “Me too, me too.”

Now only Catherine remained.

“May I speak with you alone, Lady?” Arthur inquired.

“You don’t have to, Sir,” Catherine stood up and bowed respectfully.

The two walked to a corner of the warehouse, and Catherine spoke solemnly, “I’m sorry, Sir, you are a good man, I can see that.”

“But I cannot go with you to Qingfeng Valley, not because I am afraid of death, nor because of you, but because…”

“You want revenge, against those who framed you,” Arthur directly pointed out the noble lady’s thoughts.

Catherine gritted her teeth and said, “Yes, although I am not afraid of death, I am afraid that my death will be meaningless.”

“No matter what, I will make them pay!”

“What do you plan to do? Go back to the capital alone, as an escaped slave? How likely do you think that is?”

“Even if you can reach the capital safely, how do you plan to retaliate against those people? Hmm? Rely on your former allies?”

“For Mother Earth’s sake, Lady, if they truly cared about you, they would never have let you fall to this state.”

“Tell me, after you were imprisoned, how many so-called friends came to visit you?”

Catherine was speechless.

Arthur could see that she was trying her best to hide her anger.

“You are indeed not afraid of death, but you believe I will fail and die in Qingfeng Valley,” Arthur continued mercilessly. “You told me you wanted women to stand up, but you can’t let go of your own dignity and grudges.”

“You would rather seek revenge like a moth flying into a flame than endure a temporary grudge and regroup in Qingfeng Valley.”

“In my opinion, this is utterly foolish. Your so-called liberation of women is nothing but empty words.”

“No, it’s not like that…” Catherine’s voice trembled slightly.

“Give me a list.”

“What?”

Arthur said in a deep voice, “List the people you want revenge on. If I can survive in Qingfeng Valley…”

“No, I will definitely survive. By then, I will make those bastards who harmed me pay the price.”

Catherine looked at Arthur, her eyes burning with anger and hope, “You… can you guarantee it?”

“I swear by Mother Earth,” Arthur vowed.

“I will, I will keep you alive, Sir, even if it costs me my life!”