Chapter 501 - 470: Methods of Solving Problems (4/3, word update for monthly ticket~)

Chapter 501: Chapter 470: Methods of Solving Problems (4/3, word update for monthly ticket~)

"I’m not from the same department as you, so no need for formalities."

The expressionless Ian raised his hand, stopping the captain from speaking further, "Continue with your mission."

"Reporting to the superior, the mission has been completed."

The Iron Folk captain, with his silver-grey hair, showed a rather stiff smile. He respectfully took out a blank report and a pen from his bosom and handed them to Ian, "How many should I say are good?"

"Not a single one. This is a very law-abiding town."

Ian glanced at the report, then drew a ’0’ before handing it back to the captain, "Take this. You did well."

As he spoke, it was unclear when, but a shimmering green alchemical potion had been mixed in with the returned paper and pen.

"This is..."

Captain Fasha’s eyes widened. He instinctively sensed danger and expense from the potion and carefully cradled it in his hands.

"Ant Queen’s Decay," said Ian indifferently, "Be careful not to let it leak, that’s very expensive... and very dangerous. Remember to deliver it to the person it’s meant for, understand?"

"Yes, superior!" Fasha trembled but his face showed delight.

"Hmm, off you go." Ian waved his hand dismissively. Though he did not show impatience, his tone made it quite clear.

Fasha saluted Ian again, then turned his head and shouted loudly to the squad behind him, "Everyone fall in! Release them, today’s task is over!"

The guards didn’t hesitate and quickly removed the shackles from everyone, setting them free.

The armor suits reactivated and the search party left Gar Town.

Along the way, the soldier who had been scolded earlier drew close, perplexed - he was related to the captain, "Captain, why were you so courteous to that young lad? He seems to be just a handsome face... somewhat? He should only be at the First Power Level, regardless of his background, it shouldn’t warrant such respect..."

"You know nothing."

With a glare, Captain Fasha whispered, "If it’s a 18 to 20-year-old First-Level Sublimator, then you can treat him like a junior."

"If they’re 16, you address them with respect, treat them politely, and let them do what they want to do when necessary - we don’t interfere."

"But if it’s that young, overly fresh-faced one over there, who’s also a Spirit Energy User... it’s best to address him politely as ’superior.’ Whatever he says goes, and if he tells you to act like a dog, you’d better bark."

"Not to mention, he’s the one the higher-ups have been looking for... do you know why he gave me this potion?"

Carrying the ’Ant Queen’s Decay’ potion carefully in his hands, gazing at the green glass bottle, Captain Fasha’s tone was tinged with emotion, "Because he’s well aware that I recognized his identity... and he knows my mission."

"This potion allows us to analyze how far his alchemical skills have progressed - he is such a talented genius that has drawn attention! From now on, be careful, and think why the younger someone is, the more untouchable they are!"

Ian watched them leave, hearing this exchange but showing little emotion.

The youth surveyed the entirety of Quinor Plains.

—He could only help one small town... and that was all.

He shouldn’t only be able to help one. The fault didn’t lie with the townspeople.

The youth turned his head, his gaze meeting that of the Mayor Yemor, who wore a complex expression, before calmly nodding, "This is the only time I can help you."

"Thank you... thank you, Ian... sir."

The Elder, who had previously displayed a bit of temper, lowered his head and bent his waist, expressing his gratitude seriously, but couldn’t come up with many non-repetitive words, "Thank you... really, thank you very much..."

"No need to thank me."

Ian looked down and said, "In some respects, this is indeed against the law. Be properly prepared next time."

His words were official formalities.

"We understand... but!" Mayor Yemor, suppressing his voice, straightened his back but did not raise his head, his hands clasped tightly together, "But I really don’t understand, how is just living here a crime... "

"We all paid our taxes in full, never being in arrears - but a temporary residence permit requires a trip to the city for more than ten or twenty days, how can average families afford that, for something needed twice a year..."

"I didn’t hear you say anything, Mayor Grandfather, they haven’t gone far."

With a sigh, Ian raised his head and locked eyes with Aunt Julia, who was peeking out from a house, the youth smiling and waving, "The apple pie was delicious! Thank you, Aunt Julia!"

But the woman retreated back into the house.

Unperturbed, Ian simply lowered his hand and continued to Mayor Yemor, "Mr. Mayor, I have another question for you..."

But the old man suddenly erupted.

"I know what you, as a knight, want to ask..."

The already ruddy elder took a step forward, his hands tightly clutching the gauntlet part of Ian’s left armored clothing. He raised his head, his eyes brimming with redness, and said, "Why must we live next to the Imperial Capital? Yes, a knight like you had helped us before and asked the same question—can’t you high and mighty people think about it?!"

"The environment here is good, life here is good... it’s that simple! After the turmoil of the Dark Moon, we spent half our lives rebuilding the Imperial Capital, don’t we even have the right to live next to it?!"

"Yes, we are greedy, when things are good we want them to be better, and since we can live next to the Imperial Capital, of course, we hope to continue living here! So, even those without a temporary residence permit, without time or money, want to stay here!"

"We were wrong, but..."

"...No, wanting to live in a better place isn’t wrong. It’s definitely not being greedy."

——Such a system is unreasonable.

Ian fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Actually, that wasn’t the question I wanted to ask."

"Mayor, my question is actually very simple."

Ian sighed and pointed towards the light pillar in the direction of the Imperial Capital, "Does that thing affect your daily life?"

"It’s not too noticeable during the day, but at night it must be quite bright, right? Does the light pillar have a certain beneficial effect on the growth of crops? Or is it unrelated?"

"I wanted to ask this question from the start, and now that I’m about to leave, I must hurry and get an answer... that’s mainly what I wanted to inquire about."

"This, this... no effect?"

The elder was startled and then answered somewhat haltingly, "There might be a beneficial effect? The fruits in the Imperial Capital are sweeter than those from other places..."

Is that so..." Ian nodded thoughtfully, "Then I understand, thank you, Mayor Yemor..."

At that moment, Aunt Julia also came out from inside the house.

"Over here!"

She jogged over nimbly, holding up a large bundle and enthusiastically handed it to Ian, "Oh dear, you haven’t finished the pies yet... I know you knights may be leaving soon, but food should not be wasted..."

Chattering on, she forcefully stuffed the package filled with apple pies into Ian’s hands, causing the young man to pause and then smile, "Thank you so much, Sister Julia~"

"Oh my, what sweet-talker~" She laughed heartily, shaking her head, and as Ian smiled and bid farewell to the two of them, "Then I hope to see you again, the apple pie was really delicious, but next time I want to try strawberry pie!"

"And, I left the money on the table!"

With that, he mounted the horse that had somehow arrived at the mansion’s front door, with Hua’an and the Frost Butterfly waiting for him on another horse.

He left Gar Town and sped north.

"Ian, you’re so calm," Hua’an said, somewhat surprised, as they were on the road, "I thought you’d severely scold those guards and help the mayor and the lady out of their predicament, but you handled it so smoothly!"

"What did the guard squad do wrong to deserve my scolding?"

While holding the horse’s reins, Ian replied indifferently, "The more understated the solution to a problem, the better for the people of that town... I’m not powerful enough to scare people off with my name, and if I don’t want the guards to retaliate against the townspeople, then such a resolution is perfect."

"I have a way to send messages to the Imperial Capital, so that guard squad can receive commendation from their superiors, Gar Town will be at peace for at least two years, and those above can learn more about my character and conduct... It’s a win-win situation."

"Phew... It’s so cold!"

Fairy Miss, hugging the Frost Butterfly flying ahead, remarked, "You’re even colder than the Frost Butterfly! Did you know, the more someone knows, the calmer they are? My teacher is the same way..."

"I only know, in reality, I am quite powerless."

Hearing this, Ian actually laughed, shaking his head slightly, "And your teacher, for sure, can solve some problems more thoroughly."

Yes... I understand a lot of things. Yet understanding alone doesn’t solve anything. Only a student would think that understanding equates to solving problems.

——I am no longer a student.

"Who says," Hua’an, however, countered, "Didn’t you just resolve the town’s issues perfectly? Don’t be unhappy!"

Ian was taken aback for a moment; he wanted to say he was already smiling, so how could he be unhappy, but then he fell silent.

Yet, in his silence, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted.

In this matter... Fairy Miss was right.

And so, in silent, smiling contemplation, the young man and the fae reached the entrance to the Imperial Capital.