Border Town welcomed a long-awaited rainy day. The sky was covered with dark clouds, and rain poured down, hitting the windowsill and glass with a crackling sound.
Logically, spring should be a rainy season, warm and humid. But in Border Town, since the end of the Months of the Demons, the number of rainy days has been few and far between. Fortunately, the farmland is by the river, making irrigation very convenient. Now, a heavy rain dissipated the stuffiness in the air, and Nightingale opened the window, allowing the earthy fragrance to flood the room.
Looking into the distance, you could see that the crops on the other side of the Redwater River had sprouted new shoots. The lush green wheat seedlings stretched endlessly into the distance. Washed by the rain, these crops appeared extremely vibrant, forming a stark contrast with the gray river water.
Roland stretched and tossed the quill pen into the pen holder.
“Finished the drawing?” Nightingale asked.
“Yes, a brand-new weapon that can increase the firing rate of muskets several times,” Roland stacked a dozen design drawings together and smoothed them out. “I’ve named it Revolving Rifle. Want to take a look?”
“No,” she pouted. “I wouldn’t understand it anyway.”
“This is just the basic model. If the barrel is shortened, it becomes a Revolving Handgun, which can be carried around. But to make it useful, another key technology needs to be solved. When that time comes, I'll give each of you one, and you'll no longer have to fear the Church's Judgment Army.”
“You mean, it can allow an ordinary woman to defeat a fully armed strongman?”
“Not one, but several.” Roland smiled smugly. “With luck, five strongmen wouldn’t be a problem.”
Nightingale looked incredulous, and was about to say something when there was a knock on the office door.
“Your Highness, Barov’s apprentice has returned from the King’s City. He also brought a saltpeter merchant and is waiting outside the castle to be received by you.”
The Minister Assistant’s apprentice? Roland thought for a moment before remembering the matter. When attacking Longsong Stronghold, the town’s gunpowder reserves were running low, so he sent guards to the Dragonfall Ridge and Redwater City, hoping to obtain new sources of saltpeter. Barov’s apprentice was the last one sent, with the destination being the King’s City. After all, all kinds of goods were available there, and with summer approaching, the production of saltpeter would definitely increase greatly.
Unexpectedly, the last person sent back brought good news first.
“Take them to the reception hall, I’ll be there shortly.” Roland glanced at the sky. “Also, have the kitchen prepare a dessert.”
When he turned back, Nightingale had disappeared.
But he knew she was by his side.
……
When Roland walked into the reception hall, the saltpeter merchant was also being led into the hall by the guards. She took off her wet cloak and hat, and bowed to the prince. “I am Margie. Farman from the King’s City, offering my respects to you, Your Highness Wimbledon.”
Seeing that the visitor was a woman, Roland was slightly taken aback. The business environment of this era was far less safe than in later generations. When running around, one could encounter bandits and refugees, and towns also had local tyrants and underground forces, so female merchants were rare.
Like Lightning, she had a head of bright golden hair, only her hair was denser and longer. She was probably in her thirties, and perhaps because she was an ordinary person, wrinkles had appeared at the corners of her eyes and on her forehead. Her skin color was dark, and at first glance, it looked a little rough. However, judging from her face, she was not a Mojin person, but rather like a Fjording.
“Have a seat,” the prince gestured, then sat down in the main seat. “You’re not a Graycastle native, are you?”
“Why do you say that?” Margie smiled.
“Your hair color is very rare in the mainland kingdoms. As far as I know, the people across the strait mostly have beautiful golden hair, and I also know an… explorer from across the sea.”
“You are truly knowledgeable. My hometown is indeed in Fjords, but I’ve been here for more than ten years. Now I live in the King’s City, so I’m half a Graycastle native.” She paused. “You just left the King’s City not long ago, maybe we met somewhere. I feel very honored to live in the same city as Your Highness.”
Sure enough, a successful merchant was very good at talking. Even though he knew that the other party was flattering him and trying to get close to him, Roland still felt very pleased. Just then, he felt a forceful pinch on his right side… Uh, there’s no need to determine the truth at this time, dear Nightingale.
“But speaking of explorers, that’s a remarkable title in Fjords.” Margie continued. “You may not know, the land where the Fjording people can live is very scarce. The sea rises and falls there, and some islands are swallowed by the sea during high tide, while others constantly spew flames and smoke. Even stones melt under the high temperature, converging into dark red rivers. Only those who open up new shipping routes or discover new suitable islands to live on are qualified to receive this title. Ordinary people wouldn’t call themselves explorers.”
“Haha, she not only calls herself an explorer, but also calls her father the greatest explorer,” Roland shook his head with a smile. “Children, you know, they like to imagine themselves as great figures.”
“In Fjords, even children wouldn’t easily say this title,” Margie frowned. “Did she mention her father’s name?”
Seeing the other party’s expression, Roland realized that something was wrong. Could it be that the word explorer was a spiritual belief of the sea people, and couldn’t be used casually? “Her father’s name is Thunder.”
Unexpectedly, as soon as the name was uttered, the other party’s eyes widened. “You know Lord Thunder?”
“No, I know his daughter. What, have you heard of this name?”
“Who in Fjording hasn’t heard of this name! Lord Thunder discovered Shuangfeng Island and Sea Dragon Bay, expanding everyone’s living space by almost half. He also drew detailed maps of the east coast and Endless Cape. Most of the routes to the mainland today were opened up by him. Every child is familiar with Lord Thunder’s deeds. He is one of the greatest explorers in Fjords!”
“But I heard that Thunder seemed to have been buried at the bottom of the sea due to a storm…”
“No, Your Highness, a true explorer wouldn’t fall because of a storm. He had encountered countless dangers, and survived them all. At this moment, Lord Thunder must be gathering a new expedition somewhere, just like he had done before.” Margie leaned forward slightly. “Your Highness, do you know the whereabouts of his daughter?”
Roland was also slightly surprised. He didn’t expect Lightning’s old man to be so famous. Could those exploration stories that sounded like fairy tales be true? “She lives in my castle. After encountering a shipwreck, she drifted west all the way to Border Town, and I happened to take her in.”
“In your castle?” Her expectant expression was overflowing. “Can… can I see his daughter?”
“Well, maybe not now,” at this moment, Lightning should be patrolling the Misty Forest area, looking for the location of the ruins marked on the "treasure map". “She is currently practicing… jungle exploration skills. If you plan to stay here overnight, you should be able to wait for her to come back.”
“Then I’ll be bothering you,” Margie nodded without hesitation.
“Can we discuss business now?”
“Of course, Your Highness,” she laughed. “Please, feel free.” (。)