Chapter 270: Refugee Adventurer!

Gervas originally thought it would take quite some time for Thomas to discover the refugee adventurer.

But unexpectedly, Thomas had only just left the castle when he turned back.

"You're here? Thomas, your efficiency is impressive!"

"My lord, it was also my good fortune. Upon hearing your orders, I simply went to the square first, and as a result, I actually saw a refugee selling Night Herb seeds!"

"My lord, I saw that he looked nervous; to avoid frightening him, I did not approach to inquire!"

"Well done, Thomas! Now, take me to see him!"

But's expression was slightly tense, his gaze constantly darting around, watching all movements in the surroundings.

For, the batch of Night Herb seeds he was selling at this moment was the reason.

It must be known that Night Herb is a plant even herbivorous magical beasts like to eat; after eating it, they grow fat and robust.

Thus, its value far exceeds that of ordinary medicinal herbs.

Today, the two small bags of Night Herb he brought were worth a total of forty silver coins.

This is enough to buy a slave, a quantity ordinary people could not earn in several years.

In the past, such transactions would always take place in Lord Pa Ke's fief.

Although Lord Pa Ke was somewhat greedy and squeezed the prices hard, he would not drive them to extinction or use force to seize their goods.

But some time ago, Lord Pa Ke suddenly ordered an increase in taxes, and more than ten days ago, he simply vanished without a trace.

This directly invalidated their previously relatively safe sales channel.

But life must go on; if these magical potions are not sold, they have no value at all.

So, they needed to find a new sales channel.

This is a very risky process, because you do not know if some nobles will greedily capture you, not only refusing to pay for the goods but even executing you in public.

Therefore, when they tried to find new sales channels, they were extremely selective.

Recently, on the eastern side of the wasteland, rumors suddenly spread that the lord of Storm Fief was a benevolent noble.

Not only did he not capture refugees, but he also levied low taxes.

Of course, what was even more absurd was the rumor that there was free black bread available, plus a guaranteed purchase of goods in the evening.

You must be joking!

But, who had lived for over thirty years, had never seen a prostitute who didn't love money; similarly, he had certainly never seen a noble who didn't love money.

So, he felt the rumors might contain some exaggeration.

Of course, even if there was exaggeration, thinking about it, at least the reputation was better than that of some other noble lords.

Thus, he came today to take the risk and lead the way.

Using these Night Herb seeds worth forty silver coins to test whether Storm Fief was truly a haven for refugees or an abyss that devoured people without spitting out the bones.

Seeing that everyone around seemed to be refugees, he felt somewhat reassured.

At least, the fact that Storm Fief did not capture refugees should be true; otherwise, there wouldn't be so many people.

So, his worst-case scenario for today was that the lord would simply seize these Night Herb seeds.

"Strange, why haven't the guards arrived yet?"

After waiting fully half an hour or more, But discovered that no guards had come to his stall.

It must be known that in other territories, upon hearing of something good.

Local serfs would immediately go to the guards to report it for a reward.

Afterwards, the guards would naturally come over to verify.

If there really was something good, they would subsequently inform the lord.

Could it be that I wasn't shouting loud enough?

"Night Herb seeds! Selling Night Herb seeds that even magical beasts love to eat!" But simply shouted even louder.

"Hey! Buddy! Aren't you tired? Why are you shouting even louder?"

"Yeah! My ears are about to be shattered by you!"

He had not expected that as soon as he opened his throat, he immediately provoked the dissatisfaction of his neighbors.

After all, space was limited; stalls were packed right next to each other.

"Sorry! Sorry!" But hurriedly apologized.

"Oh my! The lord has arrived!"

"Ah! It really is the lord of Storm Fief, the benevolent Lord Gervas!"

"Greetings, my lord!"

"Greetings, Lord Gervas!"

Just then, a commotion came from one side of the road, immediately catching But's attention.

"The lord has come?" But immediately grew tense.

Following the greetings, the crowded crowd knelt down one after another, and then a dignified noble lord dressed in a silk robe, accompanied by a large group of fully armed guards, appeared in his line of sight.

"So young!"

This was But's first impression.

Just then, the noble lord suddenly looked at him.

And a subordinate of his, appearing to be a steward, was also pointing at him.

"I've actually been discovered?" But's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately grew tense.

He then lowered his head, daring not to look again.

And just as he had predicted, the noble really came to stand before him.

"I heard you have Night Fragrance Herb seeds for sale here?"

Butte was secretly startled; this noble had already found out.

He had thought not even the guards had come; this lord probably didn't know he was selling Night Fragrance Herb seeds.

Of course, now was the critical moment.

"Yes, Lord Gervas. I am an adventurer. Both sacks on this stall are Night Fragrance Herb seeds, enough to sow about two mu of land."

"Then how much are you prepared to sell?"

A glimmer of hope flashed in Butte's lowered eyes.

"Lord Gervas, two sacks, four jin total; it requires forty silver coins in all!"

"Forty silver coins is indeed very cheap!" Lord Gervas nodded, speaking words that made Butte extremely excited.

"Steward John, give him thirty-six silver coins; let the other four serve as the transaction tax!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Immediately, the clinking sound of silver coins reached his ears.

After the castle steward counted for a while, he handed a handful of silver coins before him.

"Count them. These are thirty-six silver coins. If there is no problem, these Night Fragrance Herb seeds belong to my Lord Gervas!"

"Good! Good! Steward my lord, Lord Gervas! I will count them quickly right away!" Butte suppressed his excitement and took the silver coins.

Immediately, he bent his waist even lower and began to count seriously.

Because the closer one gets to this final moment, the less one can relax.

Nobles are very cunning; many times, they pretend to be very easy to talk to.

They just wait until you truly believe them, then swindle your coins and goods.

However, Butte counted fully twice; the number of silver coins was correct, and the quality was correct too.

This Lord Gervas was truly so kind.

In the past, Viscount Lord Pa Ke took a forty percent tax on these potion plants from them.

That was already a reduction of one tier, specially made to win them over.

But this Lord Gervas before his eyes truly took only twenty percent, and the payment given was fully sufficient.

He secretly raised his head to glance at this young noble, finding the other party was not impatient, but waiting with a smile.

Thomas on the side was somewhat impatient instead. "What is it? Is the number correct? My lord is still waiting!"

"Thomas, do not rush. Let him count slowly. It is not easy for them; even a single copper coin is hard to come by, let alone silver coins!"

Butte was almost moved to tears.

This... could there really be such a good noble in the world?

He truly felt ashamed for his malicious speculation just now.

"Thank you for Lord Gervas's kindness; the number of silver coins you gave is sufficient!"

"Very good. Then I will take these Night Fragrance Herb seeds. In the future, if there are more potion plants or potion seeds, do not set up a stall here."

"Send them directly to the castle; someone will naturally receive them and pay then!"

Having finished speaking, Lord Gervas had someone pick up the two heavy sacks of Night Fragrance Herb seeds and prepare to leave.

"Lord Gervas, please wait!"