Planning (1)

Matthew put down the soup bowl and wiped his fingers, his voice remaining calm.

“By the way, ask the inn if they have any rations suitable for long-distance travel. We can pre-order a batch of jerky that lasts a long time, hard bread, salt blocks, and herb pouches.”

Aidan froze for a moment. “Long-distance travel?”

Matthew picked up his knife and fork, cutting another piece of meat. “Yes.”

Aidan asked hesitantly, “Are we going far?”

Matthew didn't answer immediately. He put the piece of magical beast meat into his mouth and chewed slowly. Only after his body had absorbed the surge of heat did he look up at Aidan.

“I’m preparing to leave the county seat.”

Aidan’s eyes flickered. “Leave the county seat? Where to?”

“The Royal Capital.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Outside the window, the faint sounds of conversation from the inn lobby and the rattling of carriage wheels against the stone street could be heard. These sounds felt distant, muffled by the walls.

Aidan stood by the table, silent for a while.

The Royal Capital. To him, the word felt like it had dropped from somewhere very far away.

It wasn't that he hadn't heard of the Royal Capital. In the Adventurer Guild, in the taverns, and among the mercenaries in the outer city, people often mentioned it. It had higher walls, busier streets, nobles, major chambers of commerce, knight orders, more wizard apprentices, and truly powerful adventurers.

But hearing others talk about it was one thing; actually going there was another. For the former Aidan, the county seat was already large enough.

When he first arrived, he couldn't even navigate the main streets of the outer city. The adventurers in leather and chainmail at the guild seemed like legendary figures to him. The inner city's inns, street lamps, carriages, paved roads, and the people who casually discussed gold coins and magic stones had once made him feel like an out-of-place stranger.

But after living here for a while, he had gradually grown accustomed to it.

He was used to hearing the rolling wheels in the morning, used to gathering information at the Adventurer Guild, used to running errands for Matthew, and used to traveling between the inner and outer cities.

He had even grown used to the slightly polite attitude people showed when they learned he was Matthew's companion.

He was no longer the country boy who only knew his village, fields, mountain paths, and hunter's huts. He had become a Black Iron Rank adventurer.

Even though it was the lowest rank, it already felt like a dream compared to his past. If he were to go back now, back to that familiar but cramped village to live a life of working at sunrise and resting at sunset, could he still adapt?

Aidan didn't know. But he knew clearly in his heart that, at least for now, he didn't want to go back.

At his age, he had seen wider roads and more people, and he knew the world was far more than just the few mountains and fields surrounding his village. He wanted to keep moving forward.

However, he also knew that it would be very difficult to do so on his own. A Black Iron Rank adventurer might be considered impressive in a village and could earn a fair amount of respect, but in the county seat, they were at the bottom. By the time they reached the Royal Capital, they would likely be nothing at all.

Without a background, resources, or a legacy, every step forward would feel like walking through thick mud. But Matthew was different.

Matthew was a wizard apprentice. Although Brother Matthew was always cautious, never made promises lightly, and didn't boast like mercenary captains, Aidan knew that only by staying by Matthew's side would he have a real chance to continue climbing.

More importantly, Matthew had saved him. More than once.

Such life-saving debts couldn't be repaid with just a few words of thanks. Aidan wasn't an ungrateful person.

In his most dangerous moment, it was Matthew who pulled him back from the brink of death. Later, it was Matthew who brought him to the county seat and helped him become a Black Iron Rank adventurer. He owed his current life entirely to Matthew.

Since that was the case, what reason did he have to refuse if Matthew was going to the Royal Capital? None. None at all.

At this thought, the bit of bewilderment in Aidan's heart quickly dissipated. He looked up, his gaze firm once again.

“I’ll go with you.”

Matthew glanced at him. Aidan, seemingly worried he hadn't been clear enough, added, “Brother Matthew, wherever you go, I go.”

Matthew didn't speak immediately. He looked down and took a sip of the meat soup, the steam masking the expression in his eyes.

After a moment, he said plainly, “The Royal Capital is no safer than the county seat.”

“I know.”

“There are more experts there, and more trouble.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“You are currently only Black Iron Rank.”

Aidan pursed his lips. If someone else had said those words, he might have felt humiliated. But coming from Matthew, he knew it wasn't mockery, but a reminder.

Aidan said seriously, “That’s exactly why I need to follow you.”

Matthew looked up at him. Aidan stood by the table, his fists clenched, but his voice was steadier than before.

“I know I’m still weak and that there are many things I can’t help with. But I’ll learn, I’ll train, and I’ll follow your instructions. Brother Matthew, I don’t want to be a burden. I just feel that if I want to keep moving forward, I have to follow you.”

He paused, a flicker of genuine emotion in his eyes. “I no longer want to go back to the village.”

Aidan was startled by his own bluntness after the words left his mouth. He hadn't intended to be so direct. But after saying it, he felt much lighter.

Yes. He didn't want to go back. It wasn't that he looked down on the village or had forgotten where he came from. It was just that he now knew what the world outside looked like.

He had seen the prosperity of the county seat, the stronger people in the Adventurer Guild, and he had seen magic stones, potions, spells, and true danger. If he were sent back now to spend every day thinking about how much wood to chop, how many beasts to hunt, and how many copper coins to save, he would likely never be satisfied again.

He was still young. He wanted to try. Even if it was dangerous, he wanted to continue following Matthew.

Matthew watched him with a quiet gaze. Aidan felt a bit nervous. He didn't know if his words would make Matthew find him troublesome, overly ambitious, or restless.

But Matthew only remained silent for a while before saying, “Wanting to move forward isn't a bad thing.”

Aidan's eyes brightened slightly.

Matthew continued, “But you must remember, the further forward you go, the faster people die, and the more of them do.”

Aidan's expression turned solemn. “I’ll remember.”

“Don't think that becoming a Black Iron Rank adventurer means you’ve entered the ranks of the strong,” Matthew said flatly. “In the county seat, Black Iron Rank only lets you take on low-level missions. In the Royal Capital, your strength will be common, perhaps even insufficient.”

Aidan nodded. “I understand.”

“So, don't talk too much on the road, don't look around aimlessly, and don't act on your own. If you encounter something you don't understand, ask me first. If you encounter danger, don't try to be a hero. When you can run, don't stay and fight just for the sake of pride.”

Matthew cut another piece of meat. “Only by surviving can there be a next step.”

Aidan felt a slight tremor in his heart at those words. He suddenly thought of Matthew’s bedraggled appearance earlier. Even someone as cautious as Brother Matthew had ended up like that after returning from the tomb. What right did a Black Iron Rank adventurer like him have to be proud?

“I will listen to you,” Aidan said seriously.

Matthew nodded. “Then go prepare.”

Aidan immediately stood straight. “What do I need to prepare?”

Matthew put down his utensils and began giving instructions one by one.

“First, go to the Adventurer Guild and find out if there are any merchant caravans heading to the Royal Capital soon. Ideally, a large one with many guards and a clean reputation. The price doesn't matter.”

“Second, buy supplies for long-distance travel. Jerky, salt, water skins, spare clothes, cloaks, bandages, herbs, insect repellent powder, and flint. Prepare a good amount of everything.”

“Third, dispose of the sundries we don't need. Sell what’s hard to carry and convert it into gold coins.”

“Fourth, don't act too hurried. Buy and ask separately. If anyone asks, say I’m going to the Royal Capital to visit a potioneer, and you’re my accompanying guard.”

Aidan noted each point. He didn't interrupt or ask why it had to be so complicated. He knew Matthew must have a reason for these arrangements.

The tomb incident had just ended, and Matthew immediately decided to leave the county seat; this surely involved dangers he didn't understand. Since he didn't understand, he wouldn't try to be clever. Doing exactly what Matthew told him was his priority.

Matthew thought for a moment, then took several magic stones and a pouch of gold coins from his tunic and placed them on the table. Aidan's eyes constricted slightly when he saw the magic stones.

He was no longer the ignorant boy who had just left the village. He knew what magic stones represented. These weren't ordinary gold coins; they were the true resources traded among wizard apprentices. Matthew giving them to him for errands made Aidan feel a deep sense of trust. It was a heavy feeling—so heavy that he instinctively straightened his back.

“Use these,” Matthew said. “Spend what you need to, but keep clear records. Don't look too wealthy when buying things; if you can solve it with gold coins, don't take out the magic stones.”

Aidan nodded immediately. “Understood.”

“And one more thing.” Matthew’s tone grew slightly heavier. “If anyone asks about my whereabouts today, don't answer. Note down who they are and tell me when you return.”

Aidan felt a chill. “Yes.”

Matthew waved a hand. “Go.”

Aidan didn't delay any further. He carefully tucked away the gold coins and magic stones, glanced at the remaining food in front of Matthew, and said softly, “Eat first, Brother Matthew. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, he turned and left the room. His footsteps quickly faded down the corridor.

After the door closed, the room became quiet again. Matthew didn't immediately resume eating. He looked toward the door, his gaze thoughtful. He was satisfied with Aidan's reaction.

The youth didn't have unnecessary hesitation, nor was he blinded by excitement at the mention of the Royal Capital. Although his horizons were limited and his strength was weak, he was obedient, loyal, and knew what he wanted. That was rare.

Many people are resentful when they are weak but shrink back when they finally have a chance to move up. Others claim loyalty but become opportunistic when trouble arises. Aidan hadn't shown these issues yet. So far, he had proven reliable enough.

Matthew felt that his initial decision to take Aidan along was indeed a good choice. At first, he just found Aidan pleasant enough and somewhat useful. The boy came from a common background and had limited knowledge, but he wasn't stupid. After being saved, he didn't show annoying dependence or greed.

Later, having him run errands, gather information, and handle ordinary affairs had saved Matthew a lot of trouble. But now, it seemed Aidan's value could be even higher. If there was an opportunity later, he could appropriately give him some resources. Not too many—at least enough to push him from Black Iron Rank to Brass Rank.

A Brass Rank adventurer was already someone with a certain status in the county seat. If he went a step further to Silver Rank, it would be entirely different. A Silver Rank adventurer would carry significant weight whether they returned to a village, stayed in the county seat, or sought opportunities in the Royal Capital.

By then, Aidan would no longer be just a boy running errands. He could become Matthew's agent in the secular world. Especially regarding the instructor’s side. Matthew hadn't forgotten where he started, nor the seemingly insignificant connections. While the path of a wizard was paramount, secular relations couldn't be entirely abandoned.

If Aidan truly grew in the future, his influence could radiate back to the instructor. This would undoubtedly be a good thing for Matthew. Moreover, Matthew never liked to put all his fallback plans on a single path.

Going to the Royal Capital next was to get closer to wizard organizations and find higher-level resources and opportunities. But would things with the wizard organizations go smoothly? Not necessarily. The world wouldn't hand him benefits just because he was cautious. He might encounter stronger competitors, be dragged into complex factions, or find that the so-called opportunities carried hidden costs.

If everything went well, that was for the best. If not, he had to have room to retreat. Aidan was one of the fallback plans he could slowly cultivate. Of course, it was too early to say. Aidan was only at the Black Iron Rank. Cultivating him to Brass or even Silver Rank wasn't just a matter of words. It required training, resources, and exposure to real danger.

But at the very least, Aidan was worth the investment.

Matthew looked down at the dark gray storage ring on his finger. This trip to the tomb had made his resources much more abundant. As long as he didn't spend recklessly, it was enough to support many of his plans. He could prepare potions, spell materials, and protective items for himself. He could also conveniently buy some equipment for Aidan.

...