A better sword, a suitable set of leather armor, some life-saving potions, and more systematic training.
These things might have been a burden for the Matthew of the past, but they were no longer out of the question.
Matthew’s gaze calmed slightly.
To cultivate others, one could not rely solely on emotion.
Loyalty required rewards, but it also required restraint.
Aidan could be a help, but he couldn't lose his sense of awe because he received too many benefits. What needed to be given should be given, and what needed to be suppressed should be suppressed.
Let him see the path ahead, let him know what he could gain by following Matthew, and at the same time, let him understand that after leaving Matthew, it would be difficult for him to obtain such opportunities again.
Only then would things be stable.
With this thought, Matthew picked up his knife and fork again.
The magical beast meat on the table was no longer as scalding hot as when it was first served, but it still emitted a rich aroma.
He cut a piece of meat and slowly put it into his mouth.
The heat continued to replenish his depleted body.
As Matthew ate, he mentally organized his next arrangements.
He could not stay in the county seat for long.
The matter of the tomb would soon spread.
Too many people had died, and the commotion was too great; it was impossible to suppress it completely. Whether it was Herbert, Sutton, or the other adventurers who escaped, they would all likely bring the news back to the county seat.
When that time came, many more eyes would be fixed on that tomb.
People would also begin to track down everyone who had returned from the tomb.
Matthew did not want to remain in the county seat at this time.
He currently carried a significant harvest, and the most correct course of action was to leave as quickly as possible before the situation fully fermented.
The Royal Capital was larger and more complex.
But the more complex it was, the easier it would be to hide. There, a Second-Grade Apprentice wouldn't be as conspicuous as in the county seat. The more powerful experts there were, the easier it was for someone at his level to be swallowed up by the crowd.
Of course, there would also be more danger.
But at least the Royal Capital could provide him with his next opportunity.
Matthew swallowed the last of the meat broth, his gaze gradually returning to a calm state.
This time, he had brought resources out of the tomb.
Next, he needed to convert these resources into strength as quickly as possible.
As for Aidan...
Matthew glanced at the door.
He hoped this youth would not disappoint him.
...
Inside the room at the Stone Oak Inn, the heat from after dinner had not yet completely dissipated.
Only a few charred bones remained of the roasted magical beast meat on the silver plate, and the thick meat broth had reached its bottom. Grease congealed on the edge of the plate, reflecting a dull light under the dim oil lamp. A small patch of the tablecloth was damp with soup, and the air was thick with the scent of roasted meat, spices, hot broth, and the unique, faint metallic sweetness of magical beast flesh.
Matthew leaned back against his chair and slowly set down his knife and fork.
He had eaten much more than usual during this meal.
It wasn't because of gluttony, but because his body was indeed severely depleted.
Inside the tomb, he had undergone several consecutive instances of Spirit consumption and had forced himself to remain calm at the most critical moments. Even though he still had the strength to walk when he escaped back, that exhaustion had actually seeped into his bones. Had it not been for his naturally restrained character, he probably would have collapsed the moment he stepped into the Stone Oak Inn.
Only now, with hot food in his stomach and the blood energy from the magical beast meat slowly dissolving, was that empty sense of weakness finally suppressed.
His stomach was warm.
His chest was also warm.
Yet Matthew’s gaze grew increasingly calm.
He raised his hand to rub his brow, his fingertips lingering at his temples for a moment, pressing lightly.
There was still some swelling deep within his mind.
It was the residual feeling after overusing his Spirit.
It wasn't serious, but it was like a fine needle, occasionally reminding him that his ability to return alive from this trip to the tomb didn't mean he had truly been in control of the situation.
Aidan stood by the table, making no sound.
The youth had already finished his own portion of the meal, eating quickly and quietly. Ever since Matthew returned, his attention had almost never wavered from him.
Seeing that Matthew’s face was still somewhat pale, Aidan couldn't help but feel worried.
But he didn't dare to ask questions recklessly.
After following Matthew for this period of time, he had come to understand a principle.
If Brother Matthew was willing to speak, he would naturally do so.
If he wasn't willing, asking would be useless and might even make Aidan appear to lack a sense of propriety.
So Aidan just silently cleared the empty plates from the table, placed the water pitcher by Matthew’s hand, and stoked the fire in the corner of the room.
The charcoal made a slight cracking sound as it was stirred by the iron hook.
A spark flared up before slowly sinking back into the ashes.
Matthew took a sip of warm water.
The water slid down his throat, diluting the residual taste of meat in his mouth.
Only after a moment did he speak.
“Aidan.”
His voice wasn't loud, but it made Aidan immediately stand up straight.
“Brother Matthew.”
Matthew placed the water cup back on the table.
“Prepare to leave the county seat in the next few days.”
Aidan’s eyes flickered slightly.
Leave the county seat?
A question instinctively rose in his heart.
But before the question could escape his mouth, he suppressed it himself.
Matthew had no intention of explaining.
That meant he shouldn't ask.
Aidan quickly lowered his head and said, “Yes.”
Matthew glanced at him.
He was fairly satisfied with this reaction.
Aidan had indeed made a lot of progress since first arriving at the county seat.
Back then, Aidan would instinctively panic whenever something happened. Even if he said he would follow arrangements, he couldn't hide the unease in his eyes. But after these two months and becoming a Black Iron Rank Class holder, he had gained a shadow of steadiness.
His strength wasn't great.
His experience was far from enough.
But at least he was obedient.
For the current Matthew, that was enough.
He took a coin pouch from his storage ring and placed it casually on the table.
The pouch made a heavy thud as it landed.
Aidan glanced at it but didn't immediately reach out.
He was waiting for orders.
Matthew said flatly, “Starting tomorrow, go and inquire about merchant caravans heading toward the Royal Capital.”
Upon hearing the words “Royal Capital,” Aidan’s breathing noticeably paused for an instant.
He naturally knew of the Royal Capital.
It was a place more prosperous and more distant than the county seat. To the former country youth, the county seat was already large enough to dazzle him. But the Royal Capital was almost like a place that only appeared in stories.
There was the royal family, great nobles, truly systematic knight orders, an adventurer guild even larger than the one in the county seat, and many more figures and opportunities he had never even heard of.
A surge of heat rose in Aidan’s heart.
But he didn't show it too obviously.
He just nodded quickly.
“I’ve noted it down.”
Matthew continued to instruct him.
“The caravan must be large, with sufficient guards and a clean reputation. Don't look for those small, temporary teams, and don't look for caravans that only charge cheap prices.”
“The price can be higher, but we shouldn't be too conspicuous.”
“Inquire first; don't be in a hurry to finalize anything.”
Aidan listened intently.
“Yes.”
Matthew added, “Prepare the things we’ll need for the road as well.”
His tone was very steady, as if he were speaking of an extremely ordinary matter.
“Dry rations, meat jerky, water skins, salt, flint, bandages, herbs, spare clothing, and cloaks—buy them separately. Don't buy everything at one shop.”
“If you can pay with ordinary gold coins, don't bring out anything else.”
“You can stock up on useful sundries, but don't make it look like we’re about to go on a long journey immediately.”
“If anyone asks, just say you’re preparing to take on an escort mission and brush them off.”
Aidan committed each instruction to heart.
He didn't dare miss anything.
These things seemed trivial, but he knew that Brother Matthew would never give such detailed instructions without reason.
Matthew paused for a moment and looked at Aidan again.
“Stay away from the taverns for the next two days.”
Aidan immediately nodded.
“Yes.”
“You can go to the adventurer guild, but don't chat with people.”
“Understood.”
“If anyone asks whether I’ve returned to the city or asks about the matter in the tomb, do not answer. Remember who they are and come back to tell me.”
Aidan’s heart tightened.
He finally began to understand a little.
The matter in the tomb was likely not over yet.
But he still did not ask further.
“Yes.”
Matthew looked at him.
“If the money isn't enough, come to me again.”
Aidan picked up the coin pouch from the table. The moment his fingers felt the heavy weight, his heart couldn't help but shudder.
This wasn't a small amount of money.
At least to him, this was already a very large sum.
Yet when Matthew handed it to him, his tone was very flat.
This gave Aidan a sense of being trusted.
That feeling was heavy and warm.
He instinctively straightened his back and said in a low voice, “Brother Matthew, I will get it done well.”
Matthew didn't praise him.
He just nodded slightly.
“Go and rest.”
Aidan didn't leave immediately.
He looked at Matthew, hesitated for a moment, and still couldn't help saying, “Brother Matthew, tonight you...”
At this point, he stopped again.
He had originally wanted to ask if Matthew’s body could hold up.
But he suddenly realized that asking such things was meaningless.
If Matthew said he was fine, Aidan couldn't help much more anyway.
If there really was something wrong, Matthew might not necessarily tell him.
So Aidan swallowed the rest of his sentence and instead said, “I’ll be right next door. If anything happens, just call me.”
Matthew gave a flat “Mm.”
Aidan then picked up the empty plates and withdrew.
The door opened and then quietly closed.
The sound of footsteps in the corridor gradually faded away.
The room became quiet once more.
Only the occasional soft sound of charcoal in the fire brazier remained.
Matthew sat where he was, not immediately getting up.
He looked at the closed door, his gaze calm.
Aidan was indeed just a follower.
Matthew had never been mistaken about that.
He would not tell Aidan all of his truly important judgments.
It wasn't a lack of trust.
It was simply unnecessary.
Aidan was only a Black Iron Rank Class holder; his strength was too low, and his perspective was too narrow. Letting him know too much wouldn't help Matthew solve problems and would instead easily increase the risks.
With some secrets, the less one knew, the safer it was.
What Aidan needed to do now was simply execute.
Inquire about caravans.
Purchase supplies.
Watch for anomalies.
Running errands, handling matters, and following orders.
That was his most suitable position at the moment.
Matthew didn't dislike loyal people, but he knew better that loyalty and ability were two different things. Aidan had loyalty and a bit of potential for growth, but he was still far from being able to participate in decision-making.
Matthew distinguished this very clearly.
He wouldn't treat Aidan as someone he could consult with as an equal just because the boy cared about him.
True judgments could only be made by himself.
Matthew’s finger lightly tapped the table.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The crisp and faint sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
He could not stay in the county seat any longer.
This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.
From the moment he stepped back into the inner city, this thought had been circling in his mind.
The matters within the tomb were too complex and too dangerous.
Herbert.
Sutton.
That tomb left behind by a Fifth-Grade Apprentice.
The coffin.
The map.
And those adventurers and apprentices who had died in the tomb.
As long as someone came out alive, the news would spread sooner or later.
And what Matthew was least willing to face was the situation surfacing from the shadows and being noticed by more and more people.
He was only a Second-Grade Apprentice now.
Yet he already held a harvest enough to make many people’s eyes turn red with greed.
Magic stones.
Magic materials.
The storage ring.
Having these things in his hands was indeed heartening.
But similarly, they were like a fire hidden in his sleeve.
Fire could provide warmth, but it could also attract the beasts of the night.
Matthew would not forget this.
Especially Herbert.
Thinking of that Third-Grade Apprentice, Matthew’s gaze darkened slightly.
He had witnessed the other man’s methods with his own eyes.
That wasn't the strength of an ordinary apprentice barely holding on with one or two spells. When Herbert cast spells, his rhythm was stable, his variety was vast, and there was a very obvious composure in his actions.
Attack spells.
Protection spells.
Interference spells.
There were even some special methods that Matthew couldn't fully understand.
All of this indicated that the other man’s accumulation was far deeper than his own.
If it hadn't been for the complex environment of the tomb itself, if the various parties hadn't been restraining each other, and if Matthew hadn't had the map and been decisive enough, he might not have escaped so smoothly.
It could even be said that his survival this time wasn't entirely due to strength.
Luck had played a large part.
And Matthew had always disliked leaving his life to luck.
There was a very real gap between him and Herbert right now.
A Second-Grade Apprentice was naturally one grade weaker than a Third-Grade Apprentice.
Moreover, the spells Matthew had mastered were too few.
Energy Missile was indeed practical.
Its casting speed was fast, its consumption was stable, and its power was decent.
But if a wizard apprentice only had this one card, then they were too one-dimensional.
When facing ordinary Class holders, Energy Missile was enough to form a suppression.
But facing a Third-Grade Apprentice like Herbert, relying solely on Energy Missile gave him almost no chance of victory.
As long as the opponent had one or two protective or interference methods, they could put Matthew at a great disadvantage.
Matthew slowly let out a breath.
He wasn't afraid to admit he was weak.
Only by admitting weakness was it possible to live longer.
Truly foolish people were those who clearly saw the gap but still felt pride because of a lucky escape.
Matthew would not make such a mistake.
This trip to the tomb had yielded a great harvest.
But the danger had also been great.
Returning alive didn't mean he was stronger than Herbert.
And it certainly didn't mean he could enjoy his spoils in peace within the county seat.
If Herbert hadn't died and successfully returned to the county seat, then the man would very likely track down those who escaped from the tomb.
If Sutton hadn't died, it would be equally troublesome.
The man might not know specifically what Matthew had in his hands, but he certainly knew that Matthew had entered the deeper parts of the tomb and that he wasn't someone completely unrelated.
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