Chapter Twelve The First Bucket of Gold

  Lucien was extremely depressed after being rejected by three tailor shops that looked a bit inferior, even though he had brought the black fabric with him from the beginning. The tailors were still unwilling to believe and identify what kind of fabric it was, filled with deep vigilance towards Lucien, a stranger.

  This market district is very large, with over a dozen streets running horizontally and vertically. People come and go, and it's common to see dwarves, elves, and other exotic races. It's extremely prosperous, so Lucien quickly found a elegant and clean tailor shop at the end of one street.

  The one standing behind the counter was a blond-haired boy of fifteen or sixteen, with a shy and awkward smile: "My master is in the back making clothes, my name is Banst, what do you need, customer?"

  "Can you help me take a look at this black cloth?" Lucien asked, taking out the black cloth in a roundabout way.

  Barnst thought Lucien was going to choose a similar black veil, and took it without hesitation, rubbing it with his fingers, looking at the sunlight, his expression becoming more and more surprised: "Guest, this is Holm Kingdom's 'Black Nightingale', only true nobles can afford such expensive veils, where did you get it from?"

  Like other tailors, he exuded wariness and concern, and Lucien, dressed in a worn-out linen jacket, would certainly not be able to afford the "Black Nightingale", which even many wealthy people could not buy.

  Lucien saw everyone's reaction was the same, so he lowered his voice: "Don't worry, I absolutely won't bring you any trouble."

  "Is that so?" A man in his thirties with a thin, long face walked out from the back of the store. He was Macdole, the owner of this tailor shop. Earlier, Banst had startled him with his loud voice, and he came out to check on the commotion just as Lucien finished explaining.

  Why didn't you drive me away immediately? Lucien, seeing that he finally had a good interaction, couldn't help but feel expectant and slightly excited: "I swear in the lord's name, and look, it already has holes in it. No noble lady or miss would still care about it, as long as you turn it into lace or ribbons for your skirt, no one will ever know what it originally was."

  McDowell took the black veil from Banister's hand, examined it closely, was silent for a moment, and then spoke calmly: "How much do you want for it?"

  Lucien's heart was excited, his fists clenched tightly, and he almost waved them up, but the experience of Red Eye Mouse kept Lucien calm on the surface, looking at McDoyle with a smile: "I believe you won't let me down, sir."

  "McDowell gazed into Lucien's eyes for a few seconds, seeing no eagerness, and spoke softly: 'Forty copper ferls, it's only that big, and there are holes in it, not much can be used.'"

  "A silver Nal, a magnificent long dress if adorned with 'Black Nightingale' as dark and beautiful as the night sky would be even more perfect, more suitable for noble ladies." Lucien suppressed his excitement, haggling over the price based on the principle of doubling.

  McDowell shook his head and handed the black cloth back to Lucien: "At most fifty copper ferls, if not, you take it away."

  "What a pity." Lucien calmly took the black cloth, turned around and walked out of the store. In fact, he was filled with tension and conflict in his heart. Would they stop him? Would they raise the price? If he missed this store, it was unlikely that he would find another person willing to buy goods with unknown origins.

  One step, two steps, three steps... Lucien saw himself about to walk out of the tailor's shop when MacDougal's voice finally rose up behind him: "Eighty copper farthings. If it weren't for the fact that there was a perfect long gown that would be just right with black nightshade trim, I wouldn't have gone so high."

  "Beautiful! With his back to McAdoo, Lucien excitedly and enthusiastically swung his right fist in front of his chest, then turned around and smiled blandly: 'As you wish.'"

  Eighty clinking copper coins filled Lucien's pockets, making them bulge and cumbersome, but to Lucien they were inexplicably charming.

  "Hey, you! I don't know you and I don't want to know your name, but if there's more of this precious fabric that won't bring trouble, you can consider coming here."

  "It's my honor." Lucien was in a good mood and smiled slightly as he bowed.

  As Lucien emerged from McDoel's tailor shop, he found the sky was so blue, the sun was so bright, the air was so fresh, and everything was so beautiful.

  Eighty copper fels said no more, no less, not only brought Lucien five silver nals closer to the road, but also proved that Lucien's method of collecting junk for money was feasible, which was the most important thing for Lucien!

  …………

  "Lucien big brother, you finally came back, my brother is already home, mom asked me to invite you for dinner."

  Lucien walked up to his house and saw Evan standing at the door, while Evan also discovered Lucien almost at the same time, waving his hand excitedly and shouting.

  "Elisa Aunt's big son John? The young man who has become a knight apprentice?" Lucien recalled something about Evan's brother and then smiled at Evan: "Wait, I'll wipe the sweat." The ninety-two copper ferls on his body couldn't let Evan see them, heaven knows whether he would blurt it out, after gathering enough for five silver coins of tuition, there wouldn't be much problem, Lucien believed that he absolutely wouldn't do this forever.

  "Ivyn smiled and replied, "Alright, Lucien brother. By the way, my brother brought back a piece of wild buffalo meat that they hunted during their knight training in the wilderness, and Sir Vain distributed it fairly to everyone."

  "Finally able to eat braised beef with potatoes, since my brother was chosen by Lord Vain and taken away for training at the manor, in these two years, I've had it less than twenty times!"

  His dirty face was filled with uncontainable longing and gluttony.

  Jorel was one of the better street performers, with an income that was sometimes good and sometimes bad, but much better than those who only relied on physical labor. With Elisa helping out at the textile guild doing odd jobs like laundry, their family's income had actually reached a level close to that of ordinary citizens. However, because they had been frugal with food for John's training, they had always struggled to make ends meet, and occasionally even needed help from Old Evans.

  After John was successfully chosen by Lord Vain, and the two no longer had to worry, Elisa began to plan for Evan's future life, but as a result, she ate even worse than before.

  Lucien, who didn't know much about this world yet, didn't find it strange and instead thought that the poor households being able to eat beef once a month was quite good.

  Tucking away the copper coins, Lucien wiped his sweat and followed Evan to Aunt Elisa's house.

  Outside Elisa's house, a group of Lucien's familiar neighbors gathered together, discussing heatedly:

  "I heard that Little John has become Sir Guy's official knight attendant?"

  "Alicia said it herself, she wouldn't lie!"

  "Under nineteen years old formal knight attendant, Little John might really be able to stir up the bloodline power and gain divine favor, becoming a true knight."

  "Then at that time, he can't be called Little John anymore, but should be called Old Master John or Lord John."

  "It's not allowed to shout randomly now, formal knight attendants, but they are qualified to become city guard officers!"

  "Joel and Elisa were truly lucky, they had a great life afterwards!"

  Lucien looked at Evan with a puzzled expression, and Evan nodded heavily, with a proud look on his face.

  As he entered the house, Lucien saw a young man with blond hair and brown eyes standing up from his chair. He was John, who had inherited Joel's youthful looks, tall and handsome, but what struck Lucien most was his calm and introverted temperament.

  "I heard you had an accident, I was worried, but it seems like nothing serious happened after all. Yeah, that makes me feel better." John smiled and patted Lucien's shoulder, "Don't mind it too much, these things are just accidents, consider them as tests from God to you."

  He was dressed in a gray knight uniform, and his figure looked very slender. To Lucien, he had the attitude of a mature older brother, although he was only one or two years older.

  Lucien smiled and replied: "It was never a serious illness to begin with. Aunt Elisa is just too worried, so she's a bit tense."

  On the side, Evan echoed: "Right, right, mom doesn't believe me at all."

  John smiled and patted Evan on the head: "Go wash your face quickly, it's time for dinner."

  As Evan left, John smiled warmly and gestured for Lucien to sit down: "What's wrong, it's been a long time, have you become unfamiliar? Lucien, we're old friends who grew up together."

  "It's just a bit of an adjustment, yeah, didn't expect you'd changed so much." Lucien made up an excuse.

  John nodded solemnly: "Knight training is not just physical training, but also behavioral and spiritual training, which is extremely hard, but the gain is also very great."

  After chatting casually for a few sentences about John's training at Vain Knights Manor, Elisa called Lucien to dinner.

  There was only boiled potatoes and roasted fish on the table, but Lucien, who had been eating black bread for a day, thought it was incredibly delicious, almost swallowing his tongue. Joel, because of John becoming a formal knight attendant, got Elisa's exceptional permission, contentedly eating beef and drinking ale.

  Throughout dinner, Elissa chattered happily, talking nonstop about the food or wine, with Joel, Lucien and Evan responding occasionally to her remarks, which seemed to satisfy her, while John followed the knight's code of silence during meals.

  The "burp" in Evan's long and satisfying belch marked the end of dinner.

  John smiled and shook his head: "Evan, overeating is bad for your body, don't do this again."

  Then he turned his head and looked at Lucien: "Lucien, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?"

  Both Joel and Elisa looked at Lucien solemnly regarding this matter.

  Lucien replied cautiously: "There is no definite goal yet, but I don't want to be like this anymore."

  "Very well, discontent with life is the driving force for progress." John nodded in satisfaction, "The bread house and brewery at Lord Vien's estate have been short-handed recently, they want to recruit a few apprentices, but you'll have to live on the estate for the next ten years. Lucien, think about it, I'll come back on Monday and you can give me your answer."

  As a formal knight attendant, John had the ability to change the lives of his family and friends, although slight, but very important.

  And this world also has a myth of creation in seven days, so every seventh day is a worship day, which is one week.

  "Alright, John." Lucien had just earned his first pot of gold in life and had a more long-term and beautiful plan for the future. He didn't think about selling himself for ten years at all, but directly refusing was too strange and didn't match his current living situation, so he planned to wait for a few days until next week to refuse.

  John stood up: "Alright, since Lucien you're fine, then I have to get back to Lord Vienne's manor before the city gate closes." Then he hugged Joel, Elisa, Evan in turn, and finally gave Lucien a big hug. "It's a pity that Lucien can't read or write, otherwise Donnie butler just happens to lack a clerk to help him deal with rural court matters, which is a well-paid and dignified job."

  "I was just thinking of learning the script," Lucien said opportunely.

  John was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing: "Our Lucien is quite ambitious, huh? I'll help you think of a way to see if we can find an opportunity, but the chances are slim, or it may take some time, so be prepared."

  "Thanks, John." Lucien didn't pin his hopes on John, he had a handle on the road in his own hands.

  …………

  For three days in a row, although he didn't find anything as valuable as the "Black Nightingale", Lucien's savings had already reached sixty-four copper Ferls and one silver Nal, so he walked out of the city gate with great enthusiasm.

  Andre looked at Lucien's back and curiously said to Maggie: "Why does this kid go out of the city every morning?"

  "Andrei, what are you talking about?" came a gentle voice from behind Andrei.

  Andre's expression turned serious and he hastily turned around: "Good morning, Brother Jackson."

  Reidos Jackson, the leader of Aaron Gang, has a very ordinary face, looks friendly and humble, but if anyone is deceived by his appearance, the consequences will be disastrous, whether it's sinister or sharp-hearted, he is one of the best in Aaron Gang.