312 7.40 Where Are Thou, Lai Yen Hard? (1/2)

As we walked around in Brotherton with the map, we discovered a cluster of unmarked mines on the map about 30 minutes away of the town. River Aire was running across it while the mines were clustered near some swamps and we wouldn't want to be careless in building such an encampment there.

We moved upstream and saw a forested patch of about 1000mx1000m, well secluded and away from peering eyes and the nearest man-made path. We also found a good 50mx50m clearing next to the forested area and decided to make our encampment within the forest and shades.

There were some 5 to 6 good grinding spots marked on the map but the only problem is, we need to get across a 50m wide river. There is no bridge anywhere and the only way is to either wade across or build a bridge over it.

We are not here for good... most we would be here as long as 90 days. We would be able to build a stone bridge but it's just a waste of time. We have a squidder here and he might even give some tips.

We discussed the location of where we are going to build the encampment and we agreed on the spot as the 4 of us trudged on to the location. Fortunately, the forested area is before the 50mx50m clearing and it gives us an idea on where our encampment would be.

We hit a spot and places our things down and collected some wood to make a welcoming fire first. After the fire was lit, we hung our perishables above using the branches and spread out the tarpaulin over the ground for our night's rest later.

Matilda prepared a pot for some tea while Jean Lethal took out the drinking mugs. The boy was like a blur sotong and have to tell what to do before he makes a move.

”Hey, kid...put that basket and the gardening tools down over there first and sit over here so we can look at you and interrogate you.”

The boy went over to a spot to place the basket filled with rotten fruits and vegetables and the gardening tools. He then sauntered over and washed his hands in the river before he joined us and sat down.

”First...you are not a slave anymore. We had bought you your freedom. You may choose to stick around with us or you may wish to return back to where you want to be.”

”I...” the boy started to open his mouth to speak midway but was interrupted by me.

”Don't talk yet when I haven't finished talking to you. As I've spoken, you are free to go and free to join us. You are not bonded to us in any manner at all. So what's your pick? You can speak now.”

”I wish to stay, my Lord,” he answered with an honorific that is so unbefitting at the moment.

”Don't use the honorific around here. The Lord is above us and He is the judgement between righteous and evil.” I retorted.

”I wish to stay...sir.” he looked around our heads and found that it was greyed out as we had disabled it many weeks ago. He didn't have any because he wasn't an adventurer and was considered as a low key NPC before.

”Are you sure you wanted to stay? All of us will be treated equally and as you can see, we all are adventurers. Meaning that we battle monsters to being for experience points and also to gather spoils which will be turned to coins for our daily needs and also for other necessities.”

”Yes, sir, I wish to stay since I have nowhere else to go and turn to. I know little about adventuring but I am a quick learner. I see you have the basket of rotten fruits and vegetables and I learnt that you are going to farm these things, am I right sir?”

”That's right. You do have a good eye and intuition. So, divulge us about your background.” I said as Matilda had done making tea and Jean Lethal fetches the mugs of hot steaming freshly brewed sweetened tea and passed it around, the boy included.

”You may turn to Series 7 Chapter 39 to read all about my background, sir, ma'am. It would be a repetition if I were to relate once more and would be badly criticised by some readers later on.”

With that, all three of us took out our smartphones, opened the Webnovel App and tapped QLMT novel to read the latest unpublished chapter. It took us about 8 mins of silent reading as we scrolled through his roller coaster experience that filled with tragic from start to end.

*Beep Beep* ”Is this boy full of bad luck or what?” a message from Matilda came through. ”I don't know...I hope he is not.” I replied and click send.

*Beep Beep* ”This boy really got a bad start in life, I hope he has a good one with us.” a message came from Jean Lethal and I replied, ”I hope so...hope he won't so blur like a squid that you caught...hahahaha.”

Our conversation continued with the exchange of messages through our smartphones when we finally put them aside and came back to the 12th Century.

”*Ahem* Alright...we have read your sorrowful tale from start to end. The name was greyed out though, tell us your name kid before we introduced ourselves.”

I cleared my throat as I began once more. I looked at Matilda and she was holding to a bag of Ruffles and now both she and Jean Lethal were silently removing a chip out from the bag and tried silently to chew with their hands over their mouth...!