Chapter 29: The Gift

The scorching summer arrived suddenly.

After a rainstorm, Aaron looked at the dark red potion in his hand, feeling slightly dazed: "Finally... it's a success."

After countless failures, he had finally succeeded in creating a potion that, when used slowly and combined with exercise, should be somewhat beneficial for strengthening the body.

"In terms of effect, it's about the same as some potions from my past life..."

"And... there is no way it could break through the limits of humanity."

"I spent so much time and energy, what exactly did I make?"

Aaron felt a slight sense of frustration.

He discovered that at some point, his hair had grown to his shoulders.

After thinking for a moment, he drew his dagger, gave himself a simple haircut, and then called for Daili to have a proper bath.

"Send the scholar here!"

After bathing and tidying up, a refreshed and spirited Aaron summoned the territory scholar, Albert.

"My scholar, have any major events occurred in the territory recently?"

Aaron asked casually.

"By the blessing of the Green Grandmother, all is peaceful in the territory, though there are some unpleasant rumors in the prison, and some people fear your harsh sentencing, my lord..."

Albert's chubby face carried a hint of trepidation.

"This is necessary."

Aaron offered no explanation; was he supposed to say that he had to pass harsh sentences to obtain enough test subjects?

"But rest assured, such things will become less frequent in the future."

After a moment of thought, he looked at Albert's graying hair and offered a word of comfort.

"Your mercy is as brilliant as the stars!"

Albert hurriedly bowed: "Besides that, your birthday is approaching, and gifts have already arrived at Sotos Castle..."

Aaron was stunned. He was born in summer, on a night of thunder and lightning, but he hadn't celebrated his birthday much after growing up and had almost forgotten about it.

He hadn't expected that after becoming a lord, it would be taken seriously again.

It had to be said, it was slightly ironic.

"Then... do you think I should return to the castle and host a banquet?" Aaron asked casually.

"According to the customs of the Green Forest People, once a family member becomes independent, their relationship with their original kin is no longer close..." Albert wiped the cold sweat from his face.

He didn't know why, but he always felt that the master he served possessed a majesty that could almost rival the Green Forest Earl himself.

"However... this is your first birthday since you were enfeoffed as a Knight, perhaps returning to the castle is not a bad choice."

He suggested tactfully: "Besides that, Lady Sylvie is nearing her due date, and you will need to prepare a gift."

"That is true..."

Aaron nodded and suddenly smiled: "I should indeed go back to the castle to take a look. As it happens, the first batch of spring wheat has matured and can serve as a gift."

Several days later.

A caravan slowly drove to the town outside Sotos Castle.

At the front was a carriage, followed by many flatbed carts loaded with bags of wheat, emitting a fragrant and enticing aroma.

At the castle gate, the carriage stopped, and Aaron jumped down and stretched.

He had taken the opportunity to sleep in the carriage and used his Dream Divination ability, 【Danger Perception】.

Along with the strengthening from entering his dreams every day, although his dream consciousness had not awakened other supernatural powers, his 【Danger Perception】 ability seemed to have increased.

His intuition was becoming increasingly sharp, indeed beginning to develop in the direction of 'Dream Divination'.

"Am I being too suspicious?"

Casually dismissing a guard to deliver the message, Aaron looked at the castle's massive wooden gate and couldn't help but think to himself.

Before long, the castle gate opened with a boom, and Theodore, wearing a wolf-fur coat, came out to greet him personally: "Has our wanderer finally decided to return home?"

"Greetings to you!"

Aaron bowed first, then pointed to the flatbed carts behind him: "I have brought the latest harvest from my territory; I hope you like this gift."

"This spring wheat..."

Theodore stepped forward, drew a dagger, and casually pierced a sack. Feeling the plump vitality of the wheat flowing out, he couldn't help but be moved: "This is... a top-quality variety. What is the yield per ilam in your territory?"

As a lord, he also attached great importance to farming.

"Roughly around 1,500 pounds..."

Aaron answered with a smile. This couldn't be hidden from others anyway; even if he didn't say it, his own people were bragging all day, and any passerby could look at the fields and make a rough estimate.

"Hiss..."

He immediately heard Theodore gasp: "So much? Then your current territory can earn 1,000 Nars at once..."

Green Forest had no local currency, and the Nar was a currency unit passed down from the Kajashi Kingdom.

"Actually, it's not that much, because I split the harvest fifty-fifty with the farmers, and plus the grain needs to be stored, so I can't sell it all to merchants... therefore, having 200 Nars would be quite good."

Aaron shook his head.

"Fifty-fifty? You are too merciful..." Theodore instinctively frowned: "This does not match your previous actions of enforcing strict laws."

"I believe that mercy and severity are like the two wheels of a carriage; without either one, you cannot effectively make the people submit..."

Aaron said: "On one hand, I provide them with food; on the other hand, I also need strict laws so they dare not violate my decrees."

This was actually all nonsense; he was just finding an excuse to get test subjects for himself.

As for the land rent, fifty percent was already terrifying enough...

Theodore wanted to say something, but it finally turned into a sigh: "Well, suit yourself, after all, it is your territory. Come in with me!"

He brought Aaron into the massive castle: "You have come at just the right time. Thanks to the blessing of the Ancestor, Sylvie has just given birth to a baby boy. Our castle shall hold two joyous events in a row, and I think... we can hold a martial arts tournament to celebrate."

The Green Forest is filled with a savage and primitive side.

For instance, when encountering grand celebrations, they enjoy using gladiatorial combat and the like to add to the festivities.

Later, accompanied by the influence of the civilization of the Kajashi Kingdom, it transformed into a martial arts tournament with more rules.

Often the winner will receive generous rewards; it is said that in the Kajashi Kingdom, the champion will be conferred the title of Knight, and may even be granted a fief.

But in the Green Forest, this is impossible; at most, one gains the title of Warrior, plus a large sum of money.

Aaron strolled into the great hall and immediately saw Lady Sonia, Sean, and Jinni coming out to welcome him. This lady's attitude was now very amiable, and she smiled and nodded at Aaron.

"Where is Colin?"

Theodore looked around the circle, saying with some dissatisfaction.

"The young master is in the delivery room..."

The old scholar bowed: "Lady Sylvie's condition after childbirth is poor; I fear... I fear she is about to be summoned by the gods..."