Heaven's Intention Chapter 27

Chapter 27 – Sharpening (Start)

You had to admit, the profession of a Thief was really one where money was earnt quickly.

In the following few days, Rumont calculated the current spoils of war, which had 200 gold coins, 2000 silver coins and a large pile of copper coins.

In addition, there were 10 rolls of cloth, probably prepared for use on the lair. There were also 6 newly made daggers, 5 leather bags, a set of rudimentary Thief skill books, a manual on toxin manufacturing, a small chest filled with various kinds of toxic items, and also some useful tools specialized for opening locks. It could be said that there was no lack of useful items.

If it wasn't for fearing other people finding out, so much that Rumont even packed away the least valuable objects. However, the few items that he found hidden within the Thieves' lair, were already enough to satisfy him.

He feared that even if he hunted prey to earn money, it wouldn't be as fast. Furthermore, ever since he finished looking over the Thief's diary, a few contracts and records; in regards to the affair of killing them, he was no longer emotionally bothered by it. Such a group that had harmed countless of others, killing them wouldn't harm anyone's virtue.

Rumont's sole worry was regarding these goods and money, in that he could not use them due to it being too distinct.

During the time that Rumont was deep in thought, in a different location and inside another room, Ricca town's youthful Priest was currently with the middle-aged Tax Officer and carrying a conversation with each other.

"Goddamn it! Wasn't it said that Magicians disliked meddling in affairs? Unexpectedly, a Magician had acted towards the Thieves outside of town, ransacking everything still; not one bit afraid of losing his dignity. That guy is a real lunatic!" Priest Dennis cursed ferociously, nowhere the usual preaching upright manner.

The middle-aged Tax Officer sat to his opposite, and in comparison was quite unflustered. He coldly laughed: "what are you worried about? Afraid of the matter concerning the items you entrusted them to handle was discovered by the Church? Don't tell me you have whatever evidence remaining at the Thieves, are you really that stupid?"

"You!" Priest Dennis' face was red as he stood up, thinking a bit, he sat down again, coldly laughing at the same time: "you really think you're safe and unrelated. Not only was it concerning Rumont, it also concerns you. Didn't you also participate? Hehe, too bad, what I left on those letters conveniently included your opinions as well."

Hearing this, Barcas was first startled, following which he angrily stated: "are you an idiot?! Leaving those things with those kinds of people to handle, your brains must have turned to mush!" if it was said that at the very beginning he was bearing a manner looking forward to watching some drama unfold, then currently, he had a look showing of fluster and exasperation.

"Yeah, I admit that I left the matter for them to handle, indeed it was stupid. However, I did not at all feel it was stupid to include you. If my information isn't wrong, you would rather have died than admit it, right? If those letters are really in the hands of another, without implicating you, you would have casted me aside1 right?" Priest Dennis coldly explained.

Barcas' expression shortly froze, following which a certain smile appeared: "how could this be possible, from last time's transaction, we both profited from it. What's more, in dealing with Rumont this time, you and I were co-operating together, how would I have casted you aside huh?"

"Is that right? Then speak, what should we currently do? We couldn't find the letters at the place, would it have been taken away by that Magician lunatic?" Priest Dennis was still feeling dreadful in regards to the unconventionally bound Magician.

Barcas shook his head: "shouldn't have, what would that Magician do with it yeah. At the location where the Thieves stored the documents, there were traces of quite a few fire attacks. I believe that those things were already destroyed during the fight."

"Let's hope that's the case!" Priest Dennis said: "aiya, it's too bad, if it wasn't for that Magician, today, that Rumont would have conducted business with those Thieves, what a pity."

"Their luck is too good, however, there's still other opportunities in the future." Barcas bit his lips in saying. Their luck was really good, if it wasn't, a big incident would have involved the two youths.

A day’s worth of time quickly passed by already.

The next day, the public square held a general assembly starting exactly at 8 in the morning. Those participating, included inhabitants officially of the town of Ricca, Ricca's governmental office and the Baron Lord's trusted aides. As for the Shrine's clergy, Priest Dennis and Miss Eleni also participated.

The inhabitants of Ricca town treated the general assembly in the public square with a great importance. Every time they held the square assembly, practically every resident of Ricca, above the age of 16 years, would put down whatever they were in the middle of doing, before punctually hurrying over to the town's public square.

As for the square assembly held once a month, apart from informing about this month's tax revenue, childbirths, affairs of others and such, the sensational news heard that occurred within the current month, or perhaps scandalous criminal events, would all be read out loud by the officials. Afterwards, they would carry out the strict punishments towards a few people.

Rumont and Fafnir, as youths that reached the age of 16, it was there first time participating this year. Even though their minds were slightly disturbed while waiting outside the public square, they heard from the extreme distance, listening to the arrival of announcements.

Ricca's town square carried on as normal, whereas other Feudal Lords would seal up their town squares. Besides being outside in the open, the surroundings of the public square would be sectioned off by a wall with one open area. The opening would have guards stationed outside, barring entry to people not meeting the necessary qualifications.

The sun was hanging up high in the sky above, emitting rays of warmth. The public assembly obviously ended without any issues this time. Rumont was tranquil inside, viewing the people up on the stage and snorting, as well as sneering.

Although himself had quite a bit of evidence, he lacked a method of launching the attack. This was the disparity of status. For the lower class, it was sufficient with just evidence, but for those in the upper class, evidence wasn't enough, you also required power.

However, after this event, at least some time was earnt to continue on struggling. After a quick glance, Rumont left the area.

Time passed by quickly, in the blink of an eye it was the end of the eleventh month. The forest outside of Ricca had changed early on from a lush green to a dried yellow. The decorating bit of green, the always colourful flowers, were also gone and withered. Even though you could still smell a type of clean scent in the atmosphere, uniquely belonging to flora, it however was no longer as rich as in the past; instead, a touch of bleakness was felt.

Winter was coming. Maybe in another month, heavy snow would blanket over the entire forest, the sunlight won't be as warm as it shone over people. Humanity would be enveloped in the cold, a world of ice and snow. Fortunately, this wasn't important. The lush forest also required an adjustment stage of dormancy, for the vegetation to gather up their strength, struggling to survive to the next beginning of spring, to crazily burst forth once again.

In the open space of the surrounding areas outside the forest, Rumont closed his eyes, silently sensing the essence of Mother Nature.

Slowly, a type of energy that couldn't be seen with the naked eye, began to faintly surround him, floating over from countless of flora, concentrating together endlessly in the air, becoming increasingly greener, eventually assembling towards his body.

In a flash, a few specks of light came into contact with body and were getting assimilated. But some, hovered around his body. Shortly though, they dispersed in midair, fading away.

This kind of energy was exceedingly scarce, the rate that they condensed and gathered wasn't considered fast.

As time went by, the condensing rate of the energy gradually became slower. Increasingly slower. Eventually slowing down so much that within half a day, specks of light no longer appeared. As for the thin halo of energy surrounding Rumont's body, it was so sparse that it wasn't even enough to fully wrap around his body.

After a good while, Rumont slowly opened his eyes. As for the layer of green energy circling him, he had assimilated a portion into his body; the large remainder dissipated into the air.

Although this situation was already anticipated, nevertheless, Rumont still reluctantly grimaced.

"The rate of progress really is too slow!" Rumont helplessly looked at his pair of hands.

Ever since he succeeded in thwarting Priest Dennis' and the Tax Office's conspiracies, he passed the recent days quite comfortably.

However, being afraid of people finding out, he did not at all touch those gold and silver coins. Only handling the copper coins gotten from the Thieves, splitting them into 3 portions. One was given to Fafnir, one to Nick's family, and the remaining portion was set aside for himself. Even though it was like this, he was prudent in instructing to rarely spend this money.

Currently, solely on the silver coins, there were about 2000, this was a large sum of money. The problem was that it was necessary to have a legitimate origin. These few days, because of Miss Eleni's commands, he could now once again go to the Shrine to peruse through the various books, this was a big assistance as far as Rumont was concerned.

Ever since the passing of the square assembly, Miss Eleni quite rarely made an appearance at the Shrine in the recent times, which more or less lead to Rumont feeling a touch of disappointment. However, quite quickly, his attention was focused on his own advancement progress.

Without knowing why, his current advancement was exceptionally slow. Although other people saw that his rate of progress was still quite fast, it was however, due to the green plants within the spatial region of the Shennong Horn; which unconditionally supplied him with energy. As for the world outside, there was a slight difficulty in absorbing the green lights there.

"Is it because I lack guidance of a teacher? Or is it because of last time, the event of killing those bisons not for the sake of eating, violating the Dao of Nature?" Rumont sighed as he thought abruptly. Even though Jeff was not extremely fond of him in the past, but having the bit of guidance from Jeff, indeed allowed him to travel the path of cultivating as a Druid without too many twists.

As for lacking a teacher to guide, there would always be difficult steps during some of the more crucial points.

Although he possessed the Shennong Horn's spatial region, as well as the wisdom of another person from another world, all these allowed him to on his path of cultivating as a Druid, to be much more smooth and unhindered. However, he really couldn't rely on these for the more difficult areas. He required communication with the more experienced, requiring him to obtain some guidance.

All of a sudden, a hehe laughter arose as he thought of the temporary Adventurer's proof.

The temporary Adventurer's proof, as the name implied, could be relied on to leave the town, the proof to pass through any city, even if nominally, he still belonged to this town.

Returning back to town, he went directly to the barracks. Fortunately, thanks to the Captain, the swordsmanship was taught to him in earnest by the Lieutenant. As for Rumont and Fafnir, they exhaustingly tempered themselves in there in the recent times.

Rumont presently assisted Apothecarist Anson, carrying out the manufacturing of some rudimentary medicines; which was instructed by Miss Eleni after she found out. As a result, money could be earnt, 15 silver coins could always be earned each month.

However, repaying Jeff's money within 3 months, the disparity was still quite wide.

As Rumont tempered himself, he pondered. His fundamental swordsmanship and footwork could now be considered proficient. However, because it wasn't practiced since he was young, therefore, whether it was the degree of strength or proficiency, any qualified Fighter would be stronger by far.

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1. [落井下石 – lit. throw rocks at someone who fell, or strike when down]↩

Chapter end