𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝’𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦

Kid was leisurely walking around the town of Isavel.

He checked out the location of the tavern and also scoped out some delicious eateries. The town of Isavel was quite spacious and had a rich variety of restaurants. Thanks to this, he wasn’t bored.

At a glance, it may seem old-fashioned, but it’s bustling with activity, even merchants from the capital city visit. Yorha had referred to it as a 『mere countryside』, but it didn’t feel that way.

Probably, when Albero was ruling, she chose a location that other nobles didn’t seem to be focusing on, and it was bustling.

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“You’re loved, huh. . . . . .”

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He muttered and sat on a bench in the town’s central square.

Feeling a bit empty, he took out his pipe.

And then he realized. . . . . .he was out of tobacco.

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“Tsk. . . . . .”

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He stood up and looked around.

In the heart of a big town, there’s always a general store, a large grocery store, inns, and various eateries. Kid, who had been traveling for over two years, knew this.

And then, he spotted a grocery store. It was a pretty big shop that had everything from meat, vegetables, daily necessities, various spices, ingredients, and even weapons and armor.

There, Kid bought his favorite tobacco 『Pure White』. The shopkeeper spoke.

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“Brother, you smoke quite a sweet one. . . . . .How about this one? It has a bitter taste, but you’ll get hooked once you get used to it.”

“. . . . . .No, I’m good. I prefer this one.”

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He declined the shopkeeper’s recommended tobacco.

Perhaps sensing something from Kid’s expression, the shopkeeper didn’t say anything further.

As he was about to leave the shop with his tobacco. . . . . .

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“Oops. . . . . .Sorry.”

“No, my apologies too, young one.”

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He bumped into a hunched-over old man.

Kid gave a slight bow.

The old man turned to the shopkeeper and said.

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“I’ll take the hay. Transport it as usual.”

“Alright. But old man Walken, maybe it’s time to retire?”

“Nonsense. What will become of my beloved sheeps?”

“Turn them into meat? I mean, your wool is famous, but seeing an old man over eighty, tending sheep all by himself. . . . . .”

“Hmph. I’m not that old yet. Also, I’ll need salt, sugar, and whiskey.”

“Got it. Do you want everything delivered?”

“Just the whiskey. Can’t do without my evening drink.”

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Walken tried to lift a barrel of whiskey.

Even though it’s a small barrel, it’s quite heavy. It’s a challenge just to get it to the cart. . . . . .

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“Hm, oh?”

“The cart outside?”

“Impressive. Quite perceptive for a youngster.”

“Huh. Not so old after all, are you?”

“That’s one thing, this is another.”

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Kid, with one hand, lifted Walken’s whiskey barrel and placed it in the cart.

He then grabbed the cart’s handle.

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“Get on. Lead the way.”

“Ho. . . . . .Impressive.”

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Walken got on the cart and instructed Kid to pull it.

They arrived at a grazing area on the outskirts of Isavel.

The fenced property all belonged to Walken, where he lived herding sheep.

After placing the cart in the barn, the sound of sheep could be heard.

Walken and Kid went towards the sheep.

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“. . . . . .Impressive.”

“Nice sheep, right? They’re like my children.”

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Kid petted the approaching sheep.

Seeing this, Walken murmured, “Hmm. . . . . .”

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When they brought the whiskey barrel to the main house, Walken said.

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“I can’t offer much, but how about some tea?”

“Before that, fix the ranch fence. And the stable. . . . . .it’s getting pretty worn out.”

“Hmm. So you’re in the same business.”

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Walken sat on the living room sofa, puffing on his pipe.

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“The way you look at the sheep, your touch, it gave you away. You’re a shepherd, aren’t you?”

“Used to be. Now, just a student.”

“Really now. . . . . .”

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Kid took out his own pipe, smoking the tobacco he just bought.

Then, after a brief silence. . . . . .Kid spoke.

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“Do you have lumber and tools?”

“Hmm, yes. I do. . . . . .”

“I’ll fix the fence and the stable. I have some free time anyway.”

“Oh! Well, maybe I should ask you to help then.”

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Kid took carpentry tools and lumber from the storage area behind his house, repaired and reinforced the fence, fixed the worn-out parts of the stable, changed the straw bedding for the sheep, and provided them with food and water.

Before he knew it, it was evening.

Walken was impressed with his efficiency.

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“You’re impressive for someone so young! How about living and working here? I can’t offer much pay, but. . . . . .”

“. . . . . .”

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Kid was sweating from the hard work he hadn’t done in a while.

He took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and was covered in mud.

And he pondered.

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“. . . . . .That might not be a bad idea.”

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It was just a minor thing.

He just reached out to help an old man who was shepherding alone. And yet, he ended up working so hard.

What he felt was a sense of fulfillment.

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“Oh, so you’ll work? There’s a separate house where my son and his wife used to live. They went to open a clothing store in the capital of the Asgard Kingdom. No one lives there now. If you want. . . . . .”

“. . . . . .Haha, are you sure?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re offering so much to a stranger you just met in town. What if I were a villain?”

“Heh, nonsense. I trust my judgment. You’re a good guy.”

“. . . . . .Hmm.”

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Kid gave a wry smile.

Walken laughed heartily.

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“Well, working here might be nice. But. . . . . .I have something I need to do.”

“Hmm? Oh, right. You’re a student.”

“Yes. Once I finish my big task. . . . . .”

“Hmm!! Your enthusiasm is infectious. What’s your name?”

“Kid.”

“Kid. If you have something to do, finish it and come back! You’re always welcome here!”

“. . . . . .Hmm.”

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That day, Kid and Walken had a drinking party at Walken’s house and didn’t leave until dawn.

Because of his late return, Ridelle questioned him, and everyone became suspicious.