Food and Drink

Hearing this, Derry quickly took out a blank commission form and recorded Matthew's requests, his attitude even more respectful than before.

“Understood, my lord. I will register this for you right away. Intelligence-type commissions like this usually take some time before we get a reliable response. If a qualified squad or individual accepts it, we will notify you immediately. Please fill in your address here...”

Matthew nodded, saying no more.

He did not expect to get the ideal maps immediately; as long as he obtained something in the end, it would be enough.

To him, intelligence itself was another form of resource, well worth the investment.

...

By the time Matthew left the Class Holders Guild, it was already afternoon.

The sunlight cast long shadows across the streets of Abilan County's inner city. Pedestrians bustled about, and the sounds of carriages and chatter blended together, yet there was an underlying sense of orderly vitality.

Looking at all of this, he could not help but feel a trace of emotion.

“Life in the inner city is like night and day compared to the outer city, and the outer city is a completely different world compared to Anda Town.”

He still clearly remembered the state of Anda Town—the people there were far from being as vibrant and lively as those here.

People naturally strive for higher ground, Matthew thought to himself, but the prerequisite is that one must possess the corresponding strength and capital.

He withdrew his distant gaze and stopped overthinking. Walking slowly along the paved stone road he had come from, the Brass Rank badge on his chest peeked through his collar. It occasionally drew glances from passersby, but no one stepped forward to disturb him.

He returned to his lodging—the Stone Oak Inn.

Before he even stepped through the main door, he could hear the bustling clamor of voices and the crisp clinking of wine cups from the lobby.

The boisterous laughter of several men, mixed with the aroma of ale, drifted through the gap in the door. He could also faintly hear the innkeeper's loud greetings and his efficient voice as he settled accounts.

Matthew paused slightly, listening to the travelers in the lobby who were raising their cups and laughing loudly.

He thought to himself: Even though the place has changed—from a cramped tavern in Anda Town to this decent Stone Oak Inn in the inner city, and the passing guests seem more respectable, at least neatly dressed and fully equipped...

A faint trace of emotion flashed through Matthew's mind, but he quickly composed himself and pushed the door open. Inside, five or six travel-worn travelers in leather armor sat around several wooden tables, raising their cups and drinking. Their faces bore the relaxation and satisfaction of having completed a mission.

The moment Matthew stepped into the lobby, the innkeeper behind the counter noticed him, and his eyes fell upon the brand-new Brass Rank badge on his chest.

His otherwise businesslike face instantly broke into a warm, flattering smile.

“You're back, my lord.”

The innkeeper bowed slightly, his tone carrying undisguised respect.

“Would you like some food? The kitchen still has warm stew and bread. Shall I have a servant send it up to your room right away?”

Seeing the innkeeper acting so deferentially, the travelers at the tables stopped talking and drinking. Their gazes swept toward him in unison—or more accurately, toward the Brass Rank badge on his chest, which gleamed with a dull luster under the lamplight.

Several pairs of eyes darted back and forth between Matthew's young face and the badge. Soon, hushed whispers began to spread from the corners:

“...A Brass Rank badge? He looks barely twenty, doesn't he?”

“Tsk, you really can't judge a book by its cover... At his age...”

“Shut up! To get a Brass Rank certification at this age, he either fought his way up with real skill, or he has deep backing. Better not talk about it.”

The loud clinking of cups and the boisterous laughter instantly quieted down.

Matthew took all of this in, but his expression remained as calm as ever.

The surprise, speculation, and even awe of others were nothing more than a bit of background noise to him now.

He cared about more was the hidden implication in the innkeeper's words.

Matthew thought to himself: This inn has a high turnover of guests because of its affordable prices. How does the innkeeper remember that I only just checked in?

A sliver of doubt crossed his mind, but he did not show it. Instead, he asked with a smile:

“Do you know which room I'm in?”

The smile on the innkeeper's face stiffened. An almost imperceptible flash of awkwardness crossed his eyes before he quickly smiled again.

“Of course I remember. You only checked in yesterday, how could I forget?”

Matthew caught that brief moment of unnaturalness but did not call him out. He simply nodded.

“Send it to my room, then.”

However, he already had a vague suspicion. For the innkeeper to be so mindful of him when he had just arrived in the county seat and moved into the inner city...

It was either Regg's arrangement, or Regg's rival families had noticed him. Or perhaps... both sides were making moves.

“Of course, my lord. Please wait a moment, I will have it prepared for you right away.”

As the sound of Matthew's footsteps on the wooden stairs gradually faded, it eventually disappeared from everyone's ears.

The almost stagnant air in the first-floor lobby finally seemed to flow again.

Hushed conversations started up again, and the clinking of cups gradually returned to its previous frequency. However, compared to the unbridled rowdiness from before, there was now a subtle sense of restraint and caution.

Not long after Matthew returned to his second-floor room, a soft knock sounded at the door.

A young servant brought in lunch: a perfectly roasted pork chop served with tender stewed carrots and peas, a small basket of rye bread, a bowl of fragrant broth, and a small plate of fresh blueberries on the side.

Even in the inner city, this lunch was considered quite lavish.

After all, when staying in a major city like this, fruit—especially fresh fruit—was always a rare and expensive luxury.

However, this unexpected plate of fruit only served to confirm Matthew's vague suspicion—the innkeeper's special care was likely at someone else's behest.

Moreover, judging by this meticulous and thoughtful "goodwill," the instigator's intentions did not seem malicious.

With this in mind,

he hesitated no longer. Picking up his utensils, he began to enjoy his first lunch since arriving in the county seat.

He picked up his fork and knife, first cutting into the crispy, juicy chop.

The fat, mixed with the aroma of the herbs applied during roasting, melted in his mouth. The meat was tender and juicy, clearly a premium cut.

The accompanying root vegetables were stewed until soft and flavorful, having absorbed the savory broth, while the mashed peas were smooth and delicate, carrying a light fragrance of herb sauce that perfectly cut through the richness of the meat.

Matthew ate slowly, chewing each bite thoroughly. His gaze occasionally drifted to the inner city street scene outside the window, but his mind was still sorting through the various details since he had set foot in the county seat.

As he was lost in thought, a light and familiar set of footsteps approached from outside the door.

A knock followed.

“Big Brother Matthew, I'm back.”

It was Aidan.

“Come in.”

The youth who pushed the door open had an irrepressible excitement on his face. His eyes shone with light, and his breathing was slightly faster than usual—clearly, this trip out had yielded no small harvest.

...

...