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Advancements

“That’s… that’s amazing! I’ll think about what you said, though I don’t really get it all.” Chrysus said.

'You're really enjoying that big brother role a lot, huh?' the Grimoire said. This time, the book didn’t let its voice be heard by Chrysus and Joan, and its words only reached Ryan’s ears.

‘It’s nice being other people's role model. I know that Chrysus is going to make his own decisions one day once he's old enough, but if I can be of assistance, then I’ll help where I can, you know?’ Ryan replied via his thoughts.

“But anyway, are you done with sitting down and thinking, Brother?” Chrysus flapped his wings and looked at him eagerly. “I want to go see your village. What other nice things are here?”

“Feeling cooped up in your cave real bad huh?” Ryan teased as he got up to his feet and stretched. “Alright. It’s getting a little late, but I haven’t actually managed to properly introduce myself to everyone in person, so let’s go around and say hi.”

“Okay!” Chrysus grinned.

— — — — — — —

The Stonefall Village was quite spacious compared to other places that Ryan has visited.

“The structures in the capital are usually close together, but here in Stonefall Village, you have to walk a little to get from one place to another, which is nice,” Ryan said to Chrysus as the foot-tall baby dragon walked alongside him. “I’m not really the best tour guide. Tom would've been a better option, but we didn't get to call him. Let’s just go wherever our feet take us.”

“Huh, what’s that smell?” Chrysus suddenly inhaled deeply. “It smells so good! Can we go there?”

Ryan chuckled and took a sniff.

“Can’t smell it. You have a good nose. Lead the way.”

Soon enough, the smell of fresh bread wafted into the air as Ryan, Chrysus, and Joan saw a stone house that was quite bigger than others in the village.

There was a lot of white smoke leaving from the chimney, letting them know that the people inside were busy.

Ryan gave a knock. He waited for a few seconds and received no response, so he pushed the door slightly ajar.

“Excuse me?” Ryan poked his head inside.

“Hey! I told you guys to leave the flour outside and not come in—oh, oh, it’s Master Ryan! Forgive me for my insolence.” A woman in her forties with white flour dusting her brown hair stopped scowling and immediately bowed low.

“Ah, no need to apologize. We entered on our own,” Ryan said in a relaxed tone.

“Mmm… it smells so good!” Chrysus snuck underneath Ryan and looked at the woman. “What are you making?”

“I-it’s barley bread,” The woman said in shock, barely able to hide her surprise from seeing a dragon.

Fortunately, she quickly remembered her manners. “Would you like a taste, Your Highness… Master Ryan and company?”

“That would be nice,” Ryan said as he stepped inside with Joan. “My little friend here got excited when he smelled the bread. Its aroma is indeed appetizing, so I can understand.”

The Baker’s face brightened up a little at the compliment, and she pulled out a tray from her oven. “I’ve finished my freshest batch, that’s why! Please be careful. It’s a little hot.”

She offered the first one to Chrysus, who was nearest to her, and the little dragon immediately gobbled up a loaf of bread by himself.

“I’m a dragon! Nothing’s too hot for me. It’s tasty… can I have more?” Chrysus said.

“Why, of course.” The Baker left the tray on the ground. “Please help yourself, there’s more coming.”

“You haven’t even introduced yourself, yet you are already asking for more, Chrysus?” Ryan chuckled and shook his head. He gave a warm smile to the older woman. “Apologies for his behavior. You already know me as Ryan. The lady with me is Joan, and the little one here is Chrysus. I believe you must be Baker Eda, one of the highest-level people here in the village of Stonefall?”

Baker Eda’s face immediately turned red, and she waved a hand sheepishly when she glanced up at Ryan.

“Your level grows longer when you get older. It’s not really that special. I just do what I like, and I just happen to feed the people here.”

“Your work is important and valuable, Baker Eda,” Ryan said, earnestly meaning his compliment. “I can imagine how tiring it must be to feed a hundred people every day.”

“Thank you, Master Ryan, but I cannot take all the credit since I have a lot of help. My daughter is also a Baker, so it’s not all me,” Eda humbly explained.

“Actually, please allow me to call her right now. She’s busy kneading the dough in the back, but she has to have time to greet our Village Master. It would be rude not to!”

Right before Eda spoke though, someone knocked twice and entered the house again.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Eda. I hope you don’t mind me slipping in. I’d like to buy some… bread?” Tom blinked and stared at Master Ryan, Joan, and Chrysus, who was eating the rest of the bread on the tray.

“Huh. Good timing.” Ryan grinned and noticed the blueprint tucked underneath Tom’s arm. “You're done already?”

“Y-yes, Master Ryan.” Tom ducked his head. “I apologize for not coming back right away. I wanted to take a quick bite before returning to your estate, Master Ryan. Next time I will…”

“I’m not scolding you!” Ryan laughed and waved a hand. “Of course, making time to eat is good.”

Seeing Ryan relaxed, Baker Eda’s reaction was different and her face became a little pinched. “You should come back later—”

However, all of a sudden, a young woman stepped out from the back room, wiping her hands on her apron.

“What’s all the noise, mother?” Eda’s daughter paused and her gaze landed on Ryan. Her cheeks grew a little rosy at the sight of seeing him close.

‘I… I attended his speech two weeks ago. I could see that he was handsome, but even more so up close. This is what a Prince must truly be like.’

“Ena. Where are your manners?” Baker Eda chided her daughter.

“O-oh, forgive me! I got a little lost.” Ena smiled sheepishly and curtsied low. “My name is Ena, and I am a Baker here in the village. I hope to be of service to you, Master Ryan.”

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