Return to the town.
Lor first led the convoy home to unload the fish, then went to the carriage shop to return the carriage.
Renting for just one day cost him one silver and two copper, a truly profiteering industry.
If it weren't for the baron backing this carriage shop, surely someone else would jump in to seize business.
After returning the carriage, Lor brought Chris back home.
Looking at the yard full of fish, he twitched the corners of his mouth twice and said:
"Uncle Chris, can you do me a favor?"
"Of course!"
Chris nodded decisively, not even asking what Lor wanted to be helped with.
Having received those three copper coins today, not helping Lor with something made him uncomfortable.
"Thank you so much, please help me cure these fish together."
Lor pointed to the ground full of fish, somewhat helplessly explaining:
"The weather is hot now, if we don't cure them tonight, they will spoil tomorrow."
"Alright, you handle the specifics of curing, I'll help with the heavy labor, that's no problem." Chris agreed cheerfully.
The reason he's not involved in the specifics of curing isn't shirking responsibility, it's purely because he doesn't want to see Lor's curing technique.
In this era, the value of a craft is unimaginable.
Lor's family accumulated their current wealth by relying on this craft.
"Alright, let's get to work."
Lor saw Chris's concerns but didn't refuse his goodwill.
In the past six months, he depended on this craft to recoup costs and complete the economic cycle; it's not yet time to reveal it.
As for six months later, this craft will become insignificant to him, teaching it to Chris won't be a problem.
The two worked together until late at night, processing all of the more than eight hundred fish, hanging them all around the yard.
"Lor, I'm starting to admire you a lot," Chris approached Lor, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and said, panting.
"Admire me for what?" Lor raised an eyebrow, face not red nor out of breath, and asked with some confusion.
"You killed so many fish during the day, worked with me so much at night, and you don't look tired at all."
Chris looked at him with envy, "I say, your stamina is almost comparable to those knights."
"Uncle Chris, you overestimate me."
Lor chuckled lightly, shaking his head: "I'm just naturally strong with more stamina, the knights are far superior."
What he said was true; though ordinary knights are mere ants that aren't even supporting characters on the Wizard Plane.
Downing a Life Potion can make one.
But even the weakest knight has a constitution above 3 points, even if he uses his remaining charge points, he can only boost his constitution to 2.7.
Of course, ordinary knights are weak, but Divine Grace Knights are exceptions.
Especially the current orthodox Divine Grace Knights, who inherited part of the divine legacy, even have the qualifications to be regarded as cockroaches by wizards.
Don't underestimate cockroaches; they might not harm people but are definitely adept at disgusting them.
"I think you will definitely become a knight in the future," Chris said firmly, unaware of the truth of becoming a knight.
"Perhaps," Lor shrugged, skipping over the topic, and said:
"Are you hungry too? Wait for a while in the living room, I'll make some food."
"Haha, after working for so long, I'm indeed a bit hungry."
Chris touched his stomach somewhat embarrassedly and turned to walk toward the hall.
A dinner, which Chris considered quite sumptuous, was quickly prepared, and the two quickly demolished it, each returning to their rooms to rest.
Lor lay on the bed, opened the system panel, and casually added the two charge points he got this afternoon to his constitution.
[Constitution: 1.7→2.7.]
"Adding the second constitution point requires two charge points, and adding the third one needs three charge points; not very cost-effective, let's stop here for now."
Lor felt the surging strength and vitality within him, mumbling to himself:
"Future charge points will be added to Meditation Talent first, to avoid miscalculations resulting in premature arrival from those wizards, not making adequate preparation."
"I also need to visit the blacksmith to customize an Iron Sword for self-defense."
Having sorted his thoughts, Lor finally fell into a deep sleep.
Five days passed in a flash.
During these five days, Lor was busy airing salted fish.
In-between, he awaited the convoy and sold the salted fish left by his parents.
Not much profit, just twelve gold coins, barely covering his tax payments, purchasing fish and other expenses.
But once the batch of salted fish at hand is prepared and sold, there will be actual surplus.
"Chris, today let's visit another fishing village," Lor suddenly said after finishing breakfast.
Unconsciously, his address for Chris had changed from uncle to using his name directly.
Chris, however, was entirely oblivious to it.
"Alright."
Chris first habitually agreed, then reacted, frowning:
"It's a bit far, we might have to spend the night outside, and possibly encounter danger."
In this era, there are certain special creatures outside, quite formidable.
Around Radef Town, due to the Temple Knights guarding, those extremely powerful creatures definitely don't dare to come close.
But creatures with power close to ordinary knights might appear, only daring to move at night in deserted places.
Ordinary people encountering them is certain death.
That's why Chris instinctively resists going to places that can't be returned in a day and requires spending the night outside.
"Don't worry, if we really can't make it back, we can rest in the village at night."
After Lor said this, he walked to a corner in the living room, picked up an Iron Sword slightly shorter than his height.
"Woo—woo—"
Casually swinging the sword, it brought forth gusts of wind.
After a few swings, he finally looked at Chris and said with a smile: "Even if we accidentally encounter them, we aren't without the ability to resist."
Actually, if possible, he would prefer not to bring Chris along.
This way, he only needed to protect the coachman and horses, reducing the burden.
Unfortunately, without Chris, the carriage shop wouldn't feel secure about renting him the carriage!
A twelve-year-old child heading out with several coachmen seems like presenting meat to the beasts.
"Gulp—"
Chris was startled by the commotion Lor made, swallowing hard, and said with difficulty:
"If you insist, it can work."
"Alright, once I grab some food, we can rent a carriage and set off."
Lor nodded, slung the Iron Sword over his shoulder and went to the kitchen to pack some food before stepping out of the yard.
The reason for taking the food is to be cautious on a first-time visit to that village.