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4.06% Unbound Familiar / Chapter 29: Negotia-trading?

Chapitre 29: Negotia-trading?

Ronald gives an empathetic smile as he steps next to the carriage and pats Michael on the shoulder, "I'm sorry for your loss, it ain't much of a consolation but, almost everyone here has lost someone close. May not have been by bandits, but the feelings are generally the same." he says, a couple of the people watching them giving small greetings to him as if in some kind of solidarity.

Michael slowly nods, feeling slightly guilty at taking advantage of their kindness... "Thanks... sorry to ask but, how far am I to reaching the port city?" he abruptly asks, causing Ronald to shake his head and chuckle.

"You ain't going anywhere with your horses lookin' like that... They'll drop dead if you push them any harder." he states

Michael glances back at the horses pulling the carriage, while they seem to have caught their breaths after the short break, they still look as if they're on their last legs. "W-what should I do then?" he anxiously asks, knowing that the military and bounty hunters would probably be pursuing him soon enough.

Ronald, noticing this, audibly sniffs and shrugs, "Well, you can rest in Redfield for the day, I doubt those thieves'll be willing to follow you here... Might set up an ambush for you further up the road though if given enough time..." he trails off.

"I'd be happy to stay for the day, but I don't want to leave it to chance. I need to get to Antomiers before those bandits get any bolder." Michael stresses, "I'd even be willing to trade these horses for some of yours if I could leave quicker." he offers.

Ronald crooks a brow and walks over to the horses, giving each a couple pats while examining them, taking a close look at their muscles, fat, state of their hooves, even dental health. "Well, these two are fine mares, but we only have a single mare that we use for ploughin', doubt she'd be able to pull your carriage alone..."

Michael frowns at this, unsure how he should proceed from here... Honestly, he was acting how he thought most medieval people did, as if he were mimicking a game character or something. He simply wasn't trained in trade, negotiating, or even the general worth of the horses themselves. Fortunately, getting a good deal wasn't really his objective right now. "How about this then... These two and the carriage for your horse, but I also want lessons on how to ride, as well as supplies..."

Ronald slowly nods with a thoughtful look on his head, stroking his thick red beard as he goes over it in his head, "Alright, think I could spare the day. Specially considerin' these mares'll help with the workload. Surprised you aren't able to ride a horse though, only learned to coach?"

Michael sheepishly nods in response, "Er, yes... My father thought it was too dangerous and not worth the risk..."

Ronald laughs, "Haha! Typical Merchant thinking. Alright, hop-off and we'll see about getting you started on ridin'," he starts, but Michael's stomach interrupts with a loud growl that almost seems to silence everything else...

"Maybe some breakfast first then?" Michael mutters as he hops off of the carriage after retrieving the bags filled with jewellery and clothing, stumbling slightly due to the height of the carriage. Ronald then leads him into to his house where his wife, Aubrey, and two teenage children, Samuel and Hugo.

It was a bit awkward being introduced to them, especially since both of Ronald's sons were taller than Michael is, despite him apparently being older by a year or so. Regardless, he caught them just as Aubrey had set out breakfast, the kindly woman setting out another plate for him so he could join them.

Michael wasn't really good with new people, especially in this kind of familial situation, so he decided to just treat it like an 'information gathering job'. Using this chance to get a general idea on the area's happenings.

"So, in the capital, we don't really hear much about what's going on in the countryside, any news I should know about?"

Ronald shrugs, "Ah, it probably won't involve you, but I'm worried about the future, specially for my boys." he says, tapping Samuel on his shoulder, "Count Mott's been given this area, and he's already begun sending people to each village. Last time somethin' like this happened they were conscripting folk for a war..." he explains, Aubrey solemnly nodding in agreement with her husband's words.

Michael frowns, knowing for a fact that a war with Albion would be occurring in the near future. Samuel and Hugo would be prime targets for the Tristain army due to how young and able-bodied they seemed. Their close vicinity to the capital made it almost impossible for the Count to miss them as well. "You think they'll really be forced to fight?"

Ronald nods, "If it happens, yeah... Doesn't matter if they need their fields worked if their positions are put at risk... They'll throw our whole village at an enemy army if it'd slow them down... Even if my boy's were spared, the war-time taxes and seizure of food would slowly destroy Redfield." he mutters, "To be honest though, I'm more worried about the young, unmarried girls here... I've heard bad things about the Count... Don't mention this to anyone, but, rumours say he doesn't take no for an answer when it comes to taking mistresses."

A prominent scowl makes its way onto Michael's face as he hears Ronald's words. Count Mott is the man who would've taken an interest in Siesta had she not been fired. So while she might've been spared, apparently he'd just switched targets to the nearby villages. "Is there nothing that can be done? Surely the Princess would have something to say about it?" he says, knowing that Princess Henrietta is a kind and just person from the anime.


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Niggross Niggross

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Chapitre 30: Riddin'

Ronald almost hacks up a lung at Michael's words, breaking into awkward laughter as his wife and sons watch. "Hahaha! You think the royalty would even hear what some peasants have to say? We've sent people to request help at the capital, but they refer us back to Count Mott as he oversees this land."

"Shouldn't there be someone to hear your problems?" Michael asks, certain there was another way to get around the Count, if not, corruption would've overwhelmed this Kingdom by now.

Ronald sighs, "There's that Councillor Bastien le Gras, but he's too busy stuffin' his face with custard cakes than doin' his job. He's supposed to represent us, but I've never even heard of him helping us out!" he irritatedly states, clearly upset by the situation the village had found itself in.

Michael lowers his head at Ronald's outburst, scooping some of the rather bland porridge into his mouth. "I thought Tristain dealt with its people far better than this..." he mutters, having always got the impression that this place was the most 'just' in the anime... The anime was probably just bias though due to Louise being nobility and the heroine.

Aubrey smiles at him, "Don't mind it. We'll manage, we always have." she says, picking up her empty bowls and putting it at the side. "Now, boys, you should finish quickly and head to the field, your father will be teaching Mike here how to ride properly." she states, the teenagers nodding and running out after handing her their own bowels.

With that, Michael was left at Ronald's mercy, the man immediately leading him to a field where the single mare was grazing. It had dull white hair with brown speckles all across it, he was slightly intimidated by its height, but he slowly got over it after brushing it for a couple minutes.

Ronald eventually returns while carrying a bunch of equipment with him, all the stuff you'd need to ride a horse... It looked a bit old and rusty with misuse, but it was still functional 'enough', at least, that's what Ronald says.

The man begins teaching Michael about everything he'd need to know concerning horses, what they can eat, maintenance on their hooves, how to use the riding equipment, and even what knots to use when tying the horse to something.

Of course, all of this was the easy part... It was when it came to riding that Michael really struggled... Just balancing atop the saddle when stationary was difficult enough, let alone when the horse was trotting.

He tumbled off the back of it a couple times when the horse went up a steep incline, covering him with bruises as he slowly learned what he needed.

Fortunately, he found a 'cheat' when it came to his focus and concentration... While riding, he could grip the handle of his dagger in its holster to activate the Gandalfr runes, which allowed his stats to double. This allowed him far better control when in the saddle, as well as reaction times when something inevitably went wrong.

Once he figured this out, he slowly went from being thrown out of the saddle whenever he got on, to managing a slow trot, to having no trouble trotting up small hills. Eventually, his familiarity allowed him to ride without the assistance of the Gandalfr runes... His quick improvements surprised Ronald a bit, but as it wasn't unheard of for someone to just naturally be able to ride, it wasn't an issue.

Eventually, lunch rolled around and the two let the horse, Milky, to rest in preparation for his departure later on. Michael ate another meal with Ronald and his family, and after that he spent the rest of his time in Redfield with Milky, brushing up on taking care of the horse before he was forced to do it alone.

During this though, Michael took the chance to take a look at the Book of Commoners. He imagined he'd gathered a bit of experience after fighting off those three thieves, not to mention knocking out Mrs Chevreuse... Though he wasn't sure if knocking someone unconscious gave EXP, he thought it was likely.

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Name : Michael Hunt

Rank : Common

Stats :

Strength : 5 > 6

Agility : 7 > 8

Intelligence : 8

Abilities :

[Gandalfr] : Enables user to utilise any weapon at two ranks above their current proficiency while granting them to knowledge necessary to use them. While wielding a weapon, temporarily gain +100% in all stats.

[Language Comprehension] : Enables user to understand all spoken tongues, and increase the rate of which they learn reading and writing.

[Curse of Silence - (Origin: Matilda)] : Prevents user from speaking, scribing, or making any attempts to reveal restricted information.

Spirits :

Shadow Shaman : Lvl 2+

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Michael was surprised to find that his Strength and Agility had levelled up. This was probably due to his fight with the thieves... Though, his attempts at riding a horse may have also contributed to it. Fortunately, this also confirmed his speculation that his stats could be trained.

He'd be hoping he wouldn't have to upgrade his stats like you do in Dota 2, levelling them up along with your abilities.

His Shadow Shaman had also levelled up, pushing it from level 2 to level 4 in one go. Surprisingly easy considering he'd only killed, what, four people?... Guiche might've counted for more considering he was a Mage. But maybe those thieves were worth more due to how dangerous they were?

Regardless, he taps the level up and accesses the Shadow Shaman page.

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Spirit : Shadow Shaman

Level : 4

Abilities :

Carnival Tricks (Rank 1) : Allows user to form ephemeral shapes, creatures, and patterns to amuse, distract, or frighten.

Ether Shock (Rank 1) : Casts a cone of ethereal energy that strikes multiple enemies.

Hex (Rank 1) : Temporarily transforms the target into a harmless chicken.

Shackle (Rank 1) : Magically binds an enemy in ethereal threads while also dealing damage throughout the duration

Serpent Wards (Rank 0) : Summons multiple Serpent Wards to attack any nearby enemies.

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Only two more levels until he hit level 6, but for now, he decided to just level up both Carnival Tricks and Shackle. He didn't really need better firepower right now, so testing out and getting familiar with his new spells would probably be far better for now.


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Niggross Niggross

Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know. Thanks!

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