When Thomas explained that the Lord wasn't distrusting Sig at all—that Ron actually had a deeper intention—Sig was instantly overjoyed. He leaned in urgently.
"What do you mean?! Tell me!"
Thomas gave him a flat look.
"Honestly, I shouldn't be telling you. But with that brain of yours, you'd never figure it out."
Instead of getting angry, Sig nodded vigorously.
"I know I'm stupid. So hurry up and tell me!"
Thomas rolled his eyes.
"The Lord noticed you were in low spirits and weighed down with anxiety. Sending you out to choose a gift for Miss Mellitoria wasn't a punishment—it was to help you relax and break you out of your mental slump."
Sig frowned deeply.
He still didn't understand how choosing a gift was supposed to "relax" him.
Seeing his dull expression, Thomas sighed.
"You can understand the Lord's intentions when it comes to others, but when it's about you, you turn into a brick."
He continued slowly:
"Think about it. Mellitoria is the Lord's sister, yes?"
"…Yes."
"And he entrusted you, out of everyone, to choose her gift. If that isn't trust, what is? Why didn't he let me, or Hadley, or Veronica do it? Why you?"
Thomas emphasized the last two words:
"You. Alone."
Sig froze.
Then his eyes widened like lanterns—
Then they reddened—
And finally, tears began to stream down his face.
At that moment, Veronica finished her drawing and walked over. She paused at the sight of Sig's face.
"…What's wrong with him? Does he need a doctor?"
"It's nothing," Thomas waved dismissively. "Just got some sand in his eyes."
He then turned to her.
"Let's head to the next place. Baker Street's musical theater, right?"
Veronica nodded and followed him, leaving Sig behind to spiritually resurrect himself.
Lanke Street
Clatter, clatter—
A simple carriage stopped on a quiet, narrow street. Ron stepped down, paid the fare, and only then surveyed the surroundings.
Lanke Street was far from prosperous—remote, sparsely populated, almost gloomy.
"Even the Royal Capital has corners like this," Ron murmured.
He wasn't here idly. He had received a long-awaited message.
Months earlier, Cheers—the leader of the Star Troupe—had contacted him via a letter delivered by Hadley.
The letter said the troupe would be opening book markets across the region, and that Ron could leave messages for them using star language.
Ron immediately requested rare plant seeds—describing features, origins, and types—hoping the Troupe would help collect them from various countries.
They had been in contact ever since.
Knowing Ron would be coming to the Royal Capital, Cheers promised to leave the seeds there and arranged an acquaintance to deliver them.
Today, Ron received the location.
"Gollum Tavern," he read aloud. "This is it."
He pushed open the door. Even in daylight, drunkards lay slumped inside. A nobleman like Ron stood out instantly, drawing several bleary stares.
A bartender rushed over respectfully.
"This way, sir. Your friend is waiting in the private room."
…Friend?
Ron raised a brow but followed the man through a corridor, up the stairs, and to a door on the third floor.
"Your friend is inside. Call me if you need anything."
Ron watched him leave, suspicious.
A "friend"? Who?
He opened the door—
And froze.
"Honored guest, we meet again," the man inside greeted with an exaggerated bow.
"…Cheers?" Ron blinked.
The leader of the Star Troupe himself?!
"You're the head of the troupe. Why are you doing this personally? Didn't you arrange for an acquaintance?"
Cheers only smiled, pulled a chair for Ron, poured him a drink, and said humbly:
"You are the Star Troupe's most distinguished guest. For you, nothing is a 'small task.'"
Even knowing it was flattery, Ron couldn't deny—it felt good.
Ron took a sip. The flavor was far inferior to Starry Night Wine.
"So, if you're here personally, what about the troupe?" Ron asked casually.
Cheers chuckled.
"Our current book market is also here in the Royal Capital. But land is expensive, and the Star Troupe isn't well-known enough to afford Baker Street. We could only settle for Lanke Street."
Ron immediately understood.
They chose this timing intentionally—because he would be in the Capital for his ennoblement.
"When the Star Troupe visits my territory again, I'll give you the best location for your market."
"Haha! Your generosity honors me. On behalf of the Star Troupe, I thank you."
They exchanged a few more pleasantries.
Finally, Ron leaned back and smiled.
"Leader Cheers, since you appeared in person, I doubt it was just for conversation."
"Hahaha, nothing escapes you."
Cheers laughed twice, then his expression sharpened.
"You may not have heard yet… but Earl Eugene and Marquis Alfred are about to go to war."
Ron's eyes narrowed.
An Earl going to war with a Marquis?
That wasn't normal.
Cheers continued:
"And between their two territories lies Faster Territory. Viscount Faste can only open the way for their armies."
Now Ron understood.
Faster Territory was directly north of Arnold Territory. If war broke out nearby, and Earl Eugene was confident enough to provoke a Marquis, then the surrounding lands—including Arnold Territory—could easily suffer collateral damage.
Viscount Faste's position was miserable; he had no power to resist either side.
"Thank you for the warning, Leader Cheers."
Cheers bowed slightly.
"Your loss is our loss. The Star Troupe takes care of its honored guests."
This guy is too good at talking…
No wonder he was a third-tier transcendent but behaved like the friendliest merchant alive.
If Ron could see favorability values, his toward Cheers would definitely be over 80.
"Oh, right," Cheers added. "The items you requested are ready. Where are you staying? I'll send someone to deliver them."
"No need. I'll take them now. Here is the payment."
Ron placed a bag—full of fifty gold coins—on the table.
Cheers tried to refuse.
"No, no, I can't—"
"This payment is for the workers who gathered the seeds," Ron said calmly. "Effort should be rewarded. Only then can things last."
Cheers paused—then immediately understood.
The gold wasn't for him, but for the people who'd done the work.
And "lasting" referred not only to business, but to their relationship.
"…Then I will accept it," Cheers said with a sincere smile.
Ron nodded.
"I'll come find you next time."
"You'll always be welcome."
Ron left the tavern with a heavy bag of seeds—fruit seeds, vegetable seeds, spices, peppers… everything he'd requested.
The only question was whether Arnold Territory's soil could support them.
Even if it couldn't, he would try.
But as he walked, Ron suddenly felt it—
Several shadows were tailing him.
His eyes narrowed.
He turned abruptly into a side alley.
For those who wanted to seek death…
Ron was more than willing to oblige.
{i will rewrite this novel right now it is rushed work and cant work on it right now because well exams are having fun fu*king me over} though if u by it from patreon i will email u the rewritten verson after its done as well
_____________________
support me on patreon
https://[email protected]/mrSOMEONE01234? [replace @ with a]
For those who cannot become members, they can support with power stones
100 powerstone = 1 chapter [if this reaches top 35 in power stone ranking i will publish chapters till 35 for top 10 its 40 chapters]
5 review = 1 chapter
>>>>>I'm a student, and I'll try my best to keep uploading chapters regularly <<<<<
{shout out --Sarah, Brendan Cooper, Nour-eddine, AR, jetos, BloodBlossoms, SrArgus, Danny Fowkes, Zacharie Winn, } thanks for your support
[[READER TIER 1: translates stories {15$} ]] { RECOMENDED }
[[READER TIER 2: translated & original stories {20$} ]]
[[[[Please at least visit my patreon so I can have some traffic]]]]]
Also try
[[[Restaurant in Douluo Dalu (350+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[Lord's Unlimited Entries: The Baron's Awakened Heir (80+ch)]]] {7$}
[[[Swallowed Star: Ten Thousand time Growth (170+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[swallowed star : i can refine everything (01-60)]]] {6$}
[[[Anime Crossover: I Can Trade Everything (50+ch)]]] {6$}
{ life is getting shittier by the day and I need some money so I got patreon and started doing one thing I am decent }
(fuck who would have thought that buying a headphone is so hard in last i barely got 27$ and i need 300$-350$ fucccckkk )