"Where did you get so much money?"
Mrs. Shaven rubbed her eyes, as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Lake’s eyes were also filled with unconcealed shock. He looked at Vili, signaling for him to give a reasonable explanation.
"While I was in Morse Forest, I helped that mercenary squad complete their mission. As thanks, they gave me ten Gold Rums."
Vili’s explanation was simple.
Mrs. Shaven and Lake looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
Vili had returned safely and brought back a huge sum of money, the likes of which they had never seen before. For a moment, the couple was at a loss.
After a long while, Lake slowly spoke up, "Vili, what do you plan to do with this money?"
Lake was not a domineering father. These ten Gold Rums were income Vili had earned through his own wisdom and courage. He had no right to interfere; whatever Vili decided to do, it should be his own choice.
Vili thought for a moment. An idea suddenly sprouted in his mind, but after a moment’s hesitation, he decided not to say it out loud. Instead, he just said, "I’d like to keep two Gold Rums for myself and give the remaining eight to you to manage."
In fact, if it weren’t for that newly formed idea, Vili wouldn’t have even planned to keep the remaining two Gold Rums.
Hearing this, Mrs. Shaven and Lake were overjoyed, not just because the family suddenly had so much money, but also because of Vili’s maturity. He was no longer a child but had become a responsible man who cared for his family.
Vili put the two Gold Rums away and said to Lake and Mrs. Shaven, "I’m going to the kitchen to check on Vilia."
Only Lake and Mrs. Shaven remained in the house.
"We can’t just spend this money carelessly."
Mrs. Shaven was the first to speak. "We have to save it for the children."
Lake nodded. "But we can use some of it to improve our lives a little. For example, we can buy more white bread and meat for Vili and Vilia to eat, and we can patch up this drafty house before winter arrives..."
The couple was already lost in dreams of their future.
For the next few days, Mrs. Shaven insisted that Vili stay home and rest. He didn’t have to pick Sweet Fruit or work in the fields. Her reason was that he must be exhausted from his time in Morse Forest and needed to recover.
So, Vili and Vilia spent a few boring days at home.
「Midday, at home.」
"Vili, I think I’m about to have a growth spurt."
Vilia suddenly walked up to Vili and said with a serious expression.
"Get to the point."
Vili lifted an eyelid, his expression one of someone who had already seen through her act.
Vilia scratched her head and gave a bashful smile. "Can I have a piece of white bread?"
Vili pursed his lips. He knew it.
The day after Vili came home, Lake had taken the Sweet Fruit they’d picked into town. After selling all of it, he bought a massive loaf of white bread and some roasted chicken.
That night, the family gathered around the dining table and ate all the roasted chicken. As for the white bread, it was stored away.
During these past few days at home, Vilia would always sneak some white bread when no one was looking. Every time Mrs. Shaven caught her, she would get a scolding. To prevent Vilia from sneaking more, Mrs. Shaven had even specifically asked Vili not to let Vilia near the white bread when they were out of the house. But even so, nothing could stop Vilia’s voracious appetite.
Whenever it was just her and Vili at home, Vilia would always try all sorts of ways to get on his good side to obtain a small, delicious piece of white bread.
"You’ll get fat."
Vili said with a straight face.
"But I’ll also grow taller!"
Vilia was insistent.
Vili shook his head, resigned. "Just don’t take too much, or Mother will find out."
"Okay!"
Vilia jumped on the spot, then trotted toward the kitchen, her laughter filling the air as she went.
Vili smiled as he watched her go.
’I have to work hard to build a better life for this family.’
’I have to get that plan in motion soon.’
A determined look appeared in Vili’s eyes.
Ever since returning home a few days ago, Vili had already made new plans for his immediate future.
He didn’t want to work in the fields, nor did he want to pick Sweet Fruit. He wanted to become an outstanding Hunter.
In the original Vili’s memories, a Hunter was a symbol of strength. A sufficiently outstanding Hunter would not only be the envy of his rural neighbors but would also earn the respect of merchants, enjoying a high social status. On top of that, they could acquire enviable wealth by hunting and selling various animal resources.
Since he had the Ability bestowed by the Junior Hunter title and had the rich treasury of Morse Forest right beside him, becoming a Hunter was an excellent choice.
Vili had originally intended to confess this idea to his father and mother right away, but he hesitated and gave up on it. During the days he was in Morse Forest, his parents had been consumed with worry. They would never allow their son, who had just emerged from a dangerous place, to re-enter that terrifying forest.
Therefore, Vili was waiting for the right moment to tell his parents about his plan.
’I’ll get a head start on the preparations today...’
Vili mulled it over for a moment, then got up and headed out of the house.
"Vilia, I’m going out for a bit! Watch the house, stop thinking about food all the time, and remember to do some cleaning."
Vili shouted his instructions and left, leaving a secretly delighted Vilia hiding in the kitchen.
The place Vili was heading to was none other than Uncle Ubi’s blacksmith shop.
"Vili?"
Uncle Ubi glanced at the arriving Vili in surprise, since Vili rarely visited his blacksmith shop.
"Uncle Ubi."
Vili greeted Uncle Ubi.
Uncle Ubi smiled and paused the work he was doing. "What’s up? Are your family’s farm tools broken and in need of repair, or are you looking to buy something new?"
"I’d like to have you forge something for me, Uncle Ubi."
Vili stated his purpose.
Uncle Ubi frowned. "What do you want to have made?"
"Well..." Vili paused. "I want to have a Crossbow and ten Crossbow Arrows forged, as well as a long spear about five feet long."
Uncle Ubi was an outstanding craftsman. Even some clients from the city came seeking him out to forge Iron Tools. Forging a Crossbow and a long spear would not be a difficult task for him.
"Is it your father who wants these things made?"
Uncle Ubi asked doubtfully.