Chapter 89: The Request.

Chapter 89: Chapter 89: The Request.

Chapter 89: The Request.

The sound of merchants shouting their prices soon faded into the distance, replaced by the calmer sounds of the countryside.

Osborne remained seated in the back of the wagon, his back resting against one of the wooden sides while his gaze remained fixed on the scenery around him.

Eventually, they arrived at their destination.

A simple farm could be seen a short distance away.

It wasn’t particularly large, nor did it look wealthy.

There was a small wooden house standing near the center of the farmland, with a few wooden fences surrounding the area and several tools scattered around what appeared to be a field.

Nicholas eventually brought the wagon to a stop.

"We’re here."

Osborne slowly climbed down from the wagon, his boots touching the ground as he looked around.

Nicholas climbed down afterward, stretching his back slightly after spending so long sitting.

Osborne’s gaze remained fixed on the farmland.

Something about it didn’t make sense.

’This is his farm?’ He looked toward the fields again.

There was barely anything growing on them if not grass.

In fact, there wasn’t anything useful growing on them at all.

The soil looked as though it had recently been turned over, with several areas appearing to have been cleared in preparation for planting.

’If this is where Nicholas lives, then why was he travelling all the way into town to buy grain?’

Osborne’s eyes narrowed slightly.

It wasn’t impossible for someone to buy grain even if they owned farmland, especially if they were preparing for a new harvest.

Still, the sight of the empty fields made him curious.

Perhaps the farm had only recently been established.

Or perhaps something had happened to the previous crops.

Osborne didn’t bother asking.

He had already decided that keeping his mouth shut was the best way to maintain his current identity.

Nicholas, meanwhile, seemed completely unaware of his thoughts.

"Come on, I’ll introduce you to my family." He smiled warmly.

"My wife and daughter are both good people, although Vivian can be a little stubborn sometimes." Nicholas chuckled.

"But once you get to know her, you’ll find she’s a lovely girl."

Osborne simply nodded.

He had asked Nicholas if he could stay with him for the time being, and the old man had accepted almost immediately.

Osborne had expected some hesitation.

After all, they had only known each other for a short while.

Instead, Nicholas had practically welcomed him with open arms.

Perhaps the old man was simply grateful for what had happened with the bandits.

Or perhaps he was just that kind of person.

Either way, Osborne wasn’t going to complain.

Having somewhere to sleep was far better than spending another night beneath a tree.

And staying with someone already established than somewhere open like an inn was safer in his opinion.

The front door of the house suddenly opened.

A young woman stepped outside.

She looked to be around twenty years old, with long green hair tied back beneath a simple bandana.

She wore a pair of overalls over a plain shirt, and her arms showed slightly more muscle than Osborne expected from someone her age.

She appeared to have been working before coming outside, judging from the faint dirt covering parts of her clothes.

Her expression immediately brightened when she saw Nicholas.

"Dad?"

The smile on her face remained for only a moment before she noticed the unfamiliar armored man standing beside him.

Her expression changed.

She looked at Osborne carefully.

"Is something wrong?" She asked. There was a slight trace of worry in her voice.

Nicholas quickly waved his hand.

"Nothing is wrong, Vivian, don’t worry." He smiled before turning toward Osborne.

"This is someone I happened to meet on my way back." He said, gesturing towards Osborne.

"You met a knight on your way back, Father?" Vivian found it hard to believe.

’There goes the knight thing again... Should I have picked less noble armour?’ Unlike the ones some adventurers used, his own looked uniform, as if telling everyone it was from a noble house.

Vivian looked at Osborne again, weary but silent.

"You may call him Mr. Dokebai." Nicholas said. Osborne’s expression remained hidden beneath his helmet.

Nicholas continued. "He’ll be staying with us for a while."

Vivian became silent.

Realising how his daughter felt, Nicholas pulled her close before telling her the entire story, including how Osborne had saved and aided him time and time again.

Only then did a look of genuine surprise emerge on her face.

Her eyes moved over Osborne’s armor, taking in the sword hanging from his side before eventually returning to his helmet.

She seemed unsure how to react.

After a few seconds, she finally gave a small smile.

"I see." She looked at Osborne.

"Well, I hope you enjoy your stay, Mr. Dokebai."

Osborne nodded.

Vivian blinked her eyes before turning to her father and whispering, "Does he not understand a word I said?"

Nicholas suddenly laughed awkwardly.

"Don’t mind him. He’s not much of a talker."

"Ohhh..." Vivian nodded slowly. "Well, pardon me." She said awkwardly.

’So he’s a silent knight.’ She thought to herself, finding him more interesting since she had never seen anyone quite like him before.

Most knights she had encountered while out in town were usually proud and loud, especially when they were wearing armor as impressive as his.

Yet this man hadn’t said more than a handful of words since arriving.

Even when she greeted him, all he had done was nod.

Still, Vivian didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable around him.

There was something strange about his presence, though.

Perhaps it was because she couldn’t see his face.

Or maybe it was because his armor gave him an intimidating appearance.

Either way, she decided not to think too much about it.

Nicholas looked toward the house.

"Where’s your mother?" He walked ahead and asked.

"She’s inside." Vivian turned around and said.

"I’ll call her." Vivian said, hurrying ahead.

Nicholas nodded before following her.

Osborne remained standing outside for a moment.

He looked toward the empty farmland again.

"Aren’t you coming, Mr. Dokebai?" Nicholas called him, snapping him out of his thoughts.

He then followed them inside.