Chapter 337 - Time Consignment Store
Situated southwest of the Breezy Plains, Roland City, also known as the City of Abundance, enjoyed a widespread reputation for having fertile land and hundreds of farms. The crops produced here far exceeded what was needed by the whole Breezy Plains. Every autumn, long lines of carriages would line up outside Roland City to barter for crops. They hailed from many smaller human kingdoms nearby; even the Elves and Dwarfs, the two big races, would secretly dispatch middlemen to obtain supplies.
As the carriages with food left the city, large amounts of wealth and other resources flowed endlessly into the City of Abundance. Ever since the Dark Ages ended 1,300 years ago, perhaps nobody knew exactly how much wealth the City of Abundance had accumulated.
Arathor ascended the position of castellan at the age of 24, and it had now been over 20 years since that moment. With his intelligence, Arathor had managed the City of Abundance in a highly organized manner in the last 20 years, which was seen as a nearly impossible feat to many. When he took over as castellan, the City of Abundance was trapped in chaos. When the previous castellan, the old Arathor had passed on, his men were scrambling for power, and the City of Abundance was as good as scattered sand. Powerful forces around the city were also eyeing this fertile piece of land like hungry beasts.
Almost everyone was waiting to see Arathor become a laughingstock. The castellans of nearby cities were even betting with each other to see if he could last a month as castellan. Perhaps nobody had known that not only would he last more than a month, he would do so spectacularly. After becoming the castellan, the first thing Arathor did was to open the city’s doors and welcome a powerful Elven Army which had dealt with the chaos in Roland City within 10 days. Not only that, for the next 20 years, they served as a powerful deterrence for any nearby forces who threatened to make a move.
Nobody knew where the Elven Army came from, and nobody knew how Arathor was able to control them. Anyway, Arathor had managed to secure his position as castellan thanks to this army even though everybody had thought he would fail. For the next two decades, he also held the power over the City of Abundance tightly in his hands.
All of this was something Sienna had told Lin Li along the way…
The over dozen carriages entered the city easily, and headed straight to the base of the mercenary corps. Only then did Lin Li realize that Sienna’s mercenary corps had been established barely two weeks ago, and did not even have a proper name, much less a proper base. They only had a few houses in the southwestern district of Roland City; the most spacious one was turned into a meeting room, also doubling as a waiting room, while the other two on the side were turned into living quarters. Of course, it was guaranteed to be crowded; one would be lucky to be allocated a room with only four to five people, and even the leader Sienna had to live with others.
“Well…” The middle-aged man could not help being embarrassed after Lin Li’s remark, and realized he met people who knew their stuff. The Marathon Forging Workshop was well-known throughout the Felan Kingdom, but not many knew that the best of their weapons were for the Three Great Armies, and they usually sold inferior goods to others. While they were not merely good enough for city guards like Lin Li had said, they were definitely not enough for an Adventurer above level-10…
However, the middle-aged man was experienced, and while he knew he had been exposed, he did not panic, and merely smiled apologetically with a bit of sheepishness, intending to let this matter rest. Seeing as he had smiled an apology, Lin Li decided not to pursue the matter, and was waiting for him to explain himself when he heard a sarcastic voice from behind.
“The heck, which bastard dares to be so arrogant? Even the Marathon Forging Workshop’s weapons are only good enough for city guards? I wonder what is good enough for you, why don’t you enlighten me?”
“…” Lin Li froze for about 10 seconds as he found the situation amusing and ridiculous. He had been in Anril for about a year, and had made many enemies, but not once had he encountered somebody who spoke so haughtily without reason…
No… no, he had…
Lin Li turned around and realized he was wrong.
There was a young man around 20 standing behind him, short and fat, but he just had to wear a glittery silver armor too. His helmet was in his right hand, so he looked like a big disco ball carrying a small disco ball from afar…
“Bloody hell, so it’s you, idiot!” Lin Li did not have the chance to speak before Lasorick had started shouting away. “Alright, no wonder I could not find you in Doland City, you’re hiding away in Roland City now, aren’t you? Why, you realized how powerful I am that you know to hide first, huh? I’ll tell you what, there’s no use hiding, you… you people over there, catch this bastard now!”
Lasorick shouted away at the top of his voice, but he secretly took a few steps back…
Unfortunately, his followers were not dumb, either. They had clearly heard Master Garza say that the black-cloaked fellow was a level-17. What a joke, you want us to die? Why don’t you go ahead instead?
“Damn it, never mind, I’ll let you go this time…” Lasorick had been shouting away, but none of his followers made a move. Even a fool would have realized that something was not right; hence, he could only yell away while taking back what he said about catching him…
“Shut up…” Lin Li gave him a glance and could not be bothered to deal with the glittery disco ball any longer. He laughed and turned back to Brook, apologizing, “I’m sorry we were interrupted by that fool. Well, Mr Brook, any other recommendations for my friend?”