24: All the wise men have come (thanks to 201706...3057 for the monthly tickets))

With people, work can begin.

Arthur waited for everyone to finish eating before systematically assigning tasks.

First, Catherine would naturally still oversee everything, and no one else had any objections to this.

Arthur took out ten gold coins and handed them to the noblewoman, asking her to purchase some clothes and necessary daily necessities.

As Catherine carefully put the gold coins into a small cloth bag, Old Joe came closer and respectfully asked, "Respected Sir, may I request some funds?"

"For alchemy?" Arthur asked.

Old Joe nodded, "I want to add some necessary equipment so I can refine some things for the journey."

"How much do you need?"

"Uh…" The dwarf estimated in his mind, "Let's start with five gold Dantres."

Arthur looked at Catherine, who shrugged, a look of "that's alchemy" on her face.

"Has anyone ever told you that your work is very expensive?" Arthur turned to tease the alchemist.

"Of course, Sir, alchemy is never cheap, but I guarantee it will be worth every penny."

Arthur sighed softly and pulled five gold coins from another money pouch, handing them to Catherine.

"Ask Catherine for the money, and remember to give me an expense report. I need to know where the money goes."

After settling the money matters, Arthur continued to arrange, "Check the supplies, see what's missing, and what things we don't need."

"Also, draft a statement for everyone as soon as possible so I can take it to the mayor for notarization. That way, you can regain your status as freemen."

Catherine held paper and pen, writing everything down one by one, "No problem, Sir, I'll get right on it. But… but can you give me…"

As she spoke, the noblewoman turned to look at the pirate Philip, "Can you assign me a guard?"

"We are unfamiliar with this place and carrying so much money; we really don't dare to wander around."

Arthur understood Catherine's meaning and generously said, "You don't need to ask me about such things, as long as they are willing."

"Water Ghost, did you hear that? You'll come with me later."

"No problem, Boss." Philip readily agreed, "Hey, Old Man, can you make me a short stick? I need it as a weapon."

The dwarf rose upon hearing this and walked to the chair missing a leg, "Leave it to me."

Arthur interjected, "Water Ghost?"

Philip immediately straightened his back and respectfully replied, "Yes, Boss, that's what everyone back home calls me."

"Can you use a sword?"

Water Ghost Philip scratched his head: "I… I know a little. I learned a few moves from a wandering knight. I caught fish for him to eat, and he taught me his skills."

Upon hearing this, Arthur took off his sword and handed it over.

Philip stood frozen, not daring to step forward and take the sword.

"I'm lending it to you for now. You can return it to me after you've been to the weapons shop." Arthur urged, "Come on, take it."

Catherine spoke up to remind him, "Sir, we are slaves, and by regulation, we cannot carry lethal weapons."

"Yes, that's correct, but this is Evil Wolf Family territory, and that law does not apply to me."

"Don't be too rigid with rules, Catherine. And I'll emphasize it again, you are no longer anyone's slaves. Remember that."

Arthur's words were like a shot in the arm, greatly encouraging Philip.

The young man stepped forward, extending his hands to clumsily yet respectfully take his sword.

"I will guard it with my life, Sir," he promised.

Arthur nodded in satisfaction and continued, "I forgot you aren't locals."

He took Catherine's paper and pen, writing as he spoke, "Go to these places to purchase necessities. Just mention my name, and they will give you the lowest prices."

"Old Hutu, you come with me. I need to pick up some supplies, and you'll be useful."

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As Arthur was preparing to take everyone to his uncle, who served as the mayor, to retrieve the supplies his mother had given him, Bard arrived hurriedly on horseback.

"Young Master, I finally found you." He dismounted, "Those people from the capital want to invite you to dinner."

"Is there anything important?" Arthur asked.

The old servant shook his head: "I don't think so. They just want an excuse to get drunk and don't want to pay for it themselves."

"Where is it?"

"I arranged it at the Jumping Frog Tavern in the east of the city. The prices are fair there, and they have private rooms, so we don't have to worry about them causing a ruckus."

Arthur pondered for a moment. The knights from the capital held special status and indeed needed to be properly entertained.

Moreover, the entertainment expenses would be borne by the family, so spending money for peace and quiet was worthwhile.

"Tell Olaf that I will attend."

After Bard left, the orc walked over to Arthur and quietly asked, "You don't look very happy."

"Drinking with annoying people, even the best wine will taste bad," Arthur said helplessly.

"They are a bunch of scoundrels!" The half-elf Newt suddenly interjected, shouting.

"Shut up, shut up!" Old Hutu quickly reached out to cover his mouth, "Don't talk nonsense, don't talk nonsense."

Arthur mounted his horse and said earnestly, "It's good for young people to have spirit, but it also depends on the occasion."

"You can speak your mind freely in front of your own people, but in front of outsiders, rein in your anger."

"Never let others know what you are thinking, especially your enemies."

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"Boy, this is a good horse, young and strong, robust, and quite healthy." The rabbit-man enthusiastically told Arthur, "Your mother must love you very much to give you such a fine warhorse."

"It's Sir," Newt quietly corrected from the side.

Arthur didn't care about the address; he was more interested in the rabbit-man's professional insights.

It was very puzzling how this usually crazy old rabbit-man became a completely different person when talking about animals, professional and rigorous.

"How are the donkeys?" Arthur asked again.

"They are all very healthy! If you're willing, I can breed the female donkeys with this horse to produce some mules."

"That's not urgent. So you are both a field medic and a veterinarian."

"There's no difference between humans and animals, boy." The rabbit-man explained seriously, "It's just that the dosage of medicine is different. You can't use the dosage for pigs on humans."

"A simple truth." Arthur nodded in agreement, "Have you checked the livestock among the supplies gifted by the Supreme Council?"

The rabbit-man said, "Of course, I talked to them as soon as I got on the ship. They are all good livestock."

"However, they will slow us down, and we'll need to specially assign someone to look after them."

"And those six horses are all large draft horses; they consume a lot of fodder every day."

"So what do you mean?"

"Sell some to lighten the burden," the rabbit-man suggested, "I heard that the road to Qingfeng Valley passes through the territory of the Bull Family."

"There are countless large and small ranches there. If we need livestock, we can purchase them there."

"Let me choose, boy, and I guarantee you good quality at a fair price."

"Sounds good." Arthur felt that Old Hutu's words made a lot of sense.

The Bull Family's ranches were famous in Amn and adjacent to Qingfeng Valley, making it an excellent place to purchase livestock.

This would save on fodder expenses and avoid health problems for the livestock caused by long journeys.

"You and Catherine discuss it. Keep what's necessary and dispose of the rest," Arthur instructed.

However, the one who responded to him was Newt; the rabbit-man had become crazy again at some point.