The following morning greeted the Western Frontier with a cool breeze carrying the scent of earth and morning dew.
Beneath the open sky, Evan and Anna began a new Chapter of their lives with steady, unhurried steps.
Evan realized something important: building influence in a land he barely knew could not be done greedily or in a hurry. If their herbal medicine business suddenly exploded overnight, it would only arouse suspicion among the rulers of neighboring cities and major merchant factions.
In the mansion’s newly organized study, Evan and Anna sat facing each other, preparing their first batch of herbal ingredients.
"We won’t start on a large scale right away, Anna," Evan said as he weighed some black ginseng root powder on a brass scale. "We’ll start small. Sell through intermediary merchants passing through this village, and market it under the name ’Potent Stamina Tonic.’ Don’t use our noble family name."
Anna, who was melting an extract of illusion flowers using a small flame conjured at her fingertips, smiled sweetly. "You’re very cautious, Husband. We should enjoy every step of this process, shouldn’t we?"
"I want to enjoy the process more deeply, too," Evan replied with a faint chuckle, shaking his head. "A healthy business will give us a strong information network. Once this tonic proves effective and I’m certain your concoction will be extremely effective, those nobles will come crawling to us of their own accord."
"Hahaha, our business really does need to be healthy, even if what we’re selling makes jealous people sneer at us for dealing in something so vulgar. Are you sure you’re okay with that?"
"I’m fine with it. If they interfere with us, we’ll make them our enemies. And once we’re strong enough, we’ll wage war and take over their territories!" Evan was filled with ambition. After becoming a noble, he had realized that the only way to protect everything he had built was to become the strongest and most feared. That way, not a single person would dare to mess with him. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
The production of their special herbal tonic for men went smoothly. With Anna’s advanced alchemy and Evan’s understanding of market management, the herbal medicine, bottled in small glass containers, began to be sold discreetly. Their profits didn’t skyrocket overnight, but instead flowed in steadily, increasing week by week without attracting the attention of their enemies.
Once the herbal business was running independently, Evan turned his attention to the future of his territory. A safe territory needed its own defensive force. He didn’t want to leave the lives of his people dependent solely on Anna’s power or his own sword.
That afternoon, Evan stood in the spacious grassy field behind the mansion. Before him stood seven young villagers, ranging in age from their mid-teens to their early twenties. Among them was Old Man Jhon’s son, a sturdy young man named Marco, along with several other village youths whose eyes reflected curiosity and a hint of fear.
"Do you know why I’ve gathered you here?" Evan’s voice rang out, calm yet authoritative, cutting through the afternoon breeze.
Marco stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Young Master... my father told me you wanted to train us. But we’re just ordinary village boys who only know how to handle hoes and scythes."
Evan smiled faintly. He slowly walked in front of the line of young men, meeting each of their eyes in turn.
"I used to be nothing more than an ordinary commoner with nothing to my name, too," Evan explained. "The hoes and scythes in your hands can be transformed into swords and shields capable of protecting your families from monster attacks or wicked soldiers. I’m not looking for mercenaries who fight for money... I’m looking for people brave enough to protect their own homeland."
Evan drew his iron sword. Without activating his destructive Aura, he demonstrated the basic breathing techniques and sword stances he had once learned from Alistair Vance’s notes.
"Starting today, you are the first order of knights of the John Family," Evan declared firmly as he drove his sword into the ground. "I will train you personally. If you can endure this rigorous training, then one day, you will no longer be ordinary village youths... You will become knights respected throughout these frontier lands."
Marco’s eyes and those of the other six young men immediately lit up! Their chests swelled with immense pride. In this world, commoners almost never had the opportunity to be trained as knights by a noble Sword Master. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
"We’re ready, Young Master!" Marco and his companions shouted in unison, dropping to one knee.
A Warm Home and a Future
As the sun began to set, casting an orange glow across the western horizon, the first day’s training came to an end. The young villagers returned to their respective homes, their bodies exhausted but their eyes blazing with newfound enthusiasm.
Evan wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned around.
Standing in a corner of the field was Anna, leaning against a wooden post in her elegant dress. She held a wooden tray carrying a clean cloth and a cup of warm tea.
"You look so radiant when you’re leading them, Husband..." Anna whispered softly as Evan approached. She tenderly wiped the sweat from his neck with the warm cloth.
Evan took a sip of Anna’s tea, feeling its warmth spread throughout his body. He gazed toward the village below the hill, where oil lamps were beginning to light up, then looked at the magnificent mansion behind them.
"One step at a time, Anna..." Evan murmured, wrapping an arm around his wife’s slender waist. "There’s no need to rush. We’ll build this foundation until there’s not a single force in this world capable of bringing it down."
Anna rested her head against Evan’s broad chest, wearing a sweet, blissful smile.
"Of course, Darling..." Anna answered softly. "I have all the time in the world to stay by your side."