Claude knew very well that luck was the only reason the four of them were able to reap such a huge harvest in Egret.
Being able to ambush a deer by the stream on the first night was mainly due to Welikro's efforts. Being able to kill the python on the second day could also be considered a blessing from the heavens. As for the blacktiger fish caught in the net on the way back, it was a gift from the heavens. Not every time they went on an adventure, they would be so lucky.
Apart from that, Borkal also played a huge role in selling the goods for so much money. He had used the crowd to his advantage and made it so that the shopkeepers couldn't lower the price. As a result, the price kept going higher and higher. By then, the shopkeepers couldn't back down and could only buy the goods at a premium. It was also a way to earn some face for their shop in front of the crowd.
In other words, the auction at the docks was more like a show to advertise.
Gilp Furs, which didn't earn anything at all, would suffer a huge fall in the eyes of the townsfolk.
In the future, when hunters came to town to sell their pelts, their first choice would be Mira Tailor, who bought deerskins at a high price. Their second choice would be Wakri, who paid six riyases for two torn goat pelts. Gilp Furs, on the other hand, would only be left with the leftovers.
Being able to sell the goods for 17 thales and 8 riyases was truly out of Claude's expectations. He had thought that selling the goods for eight or nine thales would be good enough. He didn't think that the auction at the docks would double the price. That meant that Claude would still have around three thales on him after paying off his debt, which was more than Morssen's monthly salary.
It was no wonder Morssen's attitude was so strange last night. He probably knew the price at the docks and didn't scold Claude for hiding it from his family.
Looks like I'll have to buy a few new books from the bookstore as soon as possible to shut Morssen up. That way, he wouldn't have to remind Claude that a man should keep his word.
That was also the reason why Claude wanted to treat his friends to a feast in town. After that, they would go to the bookstore in town to buy a few new books to take home.
"Alright. I brought four money pouches with me to split the money. I'll give it to you when we get to school," Borkal said with a nod.
Borkal nodded. "But Claude, the money you're going to return is the money we gathered for the trip to Egret. Are we going to split it now?"
"I'll leave it with you for now. Don't split the money. In the future, when we go to school to buy some good food, we'll take it from here. After all, it's not appropriate for you to pay for everything …"
Eriksson agreed. "Claude's right. We've earned quite a lot this time anyway. Let's just treat it as a public expense."
"I have no objections."
"But, Boa, just give me four riyases and five sunars for the split. I'll leave the four thales with you for now. I'll ask you for more when I need it."
"Why?" Everyone looked at Welikro curiously.
Welikro looked a little embarrassed. "It's like this. If I keep it with me, my sister will take it away and say that she'll keep it for me. I won't be able to get it back after that.
This has happened a few times in the past. The pocket money my father gave me is all with my sister, and it's worth more than a thale … "
Everyone was speechless.
In the end, Borkal said, "Alright, I'll keep it for you. I'll give it to you when you need to buy something."
When they entered the classroom, they didn't expect the students to give them a standing ovation. Eriksson looked even more delighted.
"What are they doing?" Claude was a little confused.
"They went to the docks yesterday and called us the Four Brave Ones of the Second Year.
Do you know how scary that python's skin is when it's unfurled? Even adult hunters don't have the courage to face such a huge python. Of course, it's all thanks to you, "whispered Borkal.
The Four Brave Ones of the Second Year?
Could there be a more delusional title than that?
Claude felt his face burning up.
What made him even more embarrassed was that during the three liberal arts classes in the morning, every teacher would mention the four of them to express their admiration for their courage.
Even during the break, the students from other classes were pointing at them and gossiping about them. Even the girls were no exception …
Welikro didn't mind. It was only natural for a big guy to have slow reactions.
Claude, on the other hand, wasn't used to being in the limelight. As a transmigrator, he wanted nothing more than to keep a low profile. Hiding in the crowd gave him a sense of security.
All he could do now was endure it and hope that everything would go away after some time.
On the other hand, Eriksson and Borkal were in high spirits as they patiently recounted their adventures in the past two days to the students.
If Claude hadn't stopped them in time, they might have blurted out that they camped at the ruins of the magic tower in Egret.
Although the two of them had drunk too much wine and slept the entire night, it did not affect their imagination. They made up a story about camping for two nights at the foot of the mountain in Egret Island, making it look like a terrifying fantasy movie. The students who heard it were all in a daze …
Claude believed that it wouldn't be long before a new and terrifying legend about Egret was born. Terrifying ghostly cries could be heard from the forest in the middle of the night, mysterious black silhouettes could be seen walking on the mountain ridges, but when the sun rose and the fog dissipated, nothing was seen. While the storytellers were having a good time, the listeners were brainless. They didn't even consider how the four youths managed to return safely if it was really that terrifying.
Finally, it was noon. The food in the canteen was as bland and tasteless as ever. The four rich youths climbed over the wall behind the school and headed for the town center for a delicious lunch.
"Where are we going to eat?" asked Welikro.
"Why don't we go to the tavern? Didn't Pjard buy our blacktiger fish yesterday?
I really want to have a taste of such a big one, "suggested Claude.
Since he was the one paying for the meal, the other party shouldn't have any objections. After all, the guest had to do as the host wished. However, he didn't expect that his suggestion would be rejected by both Borkal and Eriksson.
"No way, Claude. Aren't we just asking for a scolding if we go to the tavern?
Do you believe that at least half of the people we know will be there? Your father and my father will definitely be there for lunch too, "said Borkal.
"I think my dad will be there too. He made an appointment with Pjard yesterday afternoon to save a large portion of the blacktiger fish for him. Today, he's going to invite a few of his friends to try the fish his son caught …" Eriksson said a little unconfidently. Both father and son loved to show off and be in the limelight as much as they did.
Claude facepalmed. How could he have forgotten? The tavern was an old gathering place for the upper class of Whitestag.
Chef Pjard had bought the black tiger fish at a high price yesterday afternoon, so the upper-class people who loved good food would definitely gather there for lunch and dinner.
His father, the town's chief executive, Morssen, would definitely be invited for lunch.
If he went there now, he would only be asking for a scolding.
There were more than ten taverns in Whitestag, with the docks having the most, with seven.
However, there was only one that the townspeople referred to as the old tavern. It was the earliest tavern in Whitestag, Whitestag Tavern.
It was said that the tavern had as long a history as Whitestag itself. It had changed hands more than ten times before it became the property of Sir Fux, the only councilor in town.
Naturally, as a councilor, Sir Fux wouldn't run a tavern. So, Pjard became the manager of the tavern.
Pjard, the chef, was also a legendary figure.
He was from the royal capital and his family owned a luxurious restaurant. He had loved cooking since he was young.
Sir Fux studied in the royal capital when he was young and they became good friends.
Later on, a noble lady who loved good food fell in love with the young Pjard. Naturally, her family didn't approve of the relationship.
No matter what, she was still a noble lady. Falling in love with a chef, regardless of whether it was in terms of status or family background, became a big joke in the noble circles of the Royal Capital.
So, the noble lady decisively eloped with the young Pjard!
Eloped …
The result was that Pjard's parents were the target of the noble's vengeance and their luxurious restaurant soon closed down.
Speaking of which, Pjard really had to thank Stellin IX. Stellin IX had been suppressing the privileges of the nobles during his reign, to the point that the nobles couldn't harm Pjard's family in terms of personal safety and could only threaten them financially.
For the sake of love, Pjard brought his family thousands of miles away from the royal capital to Whitestag and took over one of Sir Fux's properties, the old tavern in Whitestag.
The first thing Pjard did after taking over was to fire all the waitresses who worked part-time as prostitutes. He also persuaded Sir Fux to fork out a large sum of money to renovate and renovate the old tavern. At the same time, he recruited new waitresses and trained them.
Three months later, the old tavern was refurbished and became the most luxurious and expensive place to socialize in Whitestag.
Everyone with a bit of status flocked there and the old tavern became a gathering place for the upper class of Whitestag to enjoy good food and discuss business deals.
"Thank you for the reminder, Boa.
Where shall we have lunch? "
"Didn't you say we're going to the bookstore after lunch?
Let's go to the Big Fork Restaurant next to the bookstore. They make roast lamb ribs and braised noodles, "recommended Eriksson.
The Big Fork Restaurant wasn't actually called that. The people of Freia were used to naming their shops with their surnames or given names.
Originally, the name of the restaurant was Lombards Restaurant, which was also the name of the old owner. However, in order to attract more people's attention, he deliberately hung a huge fork at the entrance of the restaurant. As a result, as time passed, people called the restaurant the Big Fork Restaurant. This was the reason why things should not be hung randomly …
There were noodles in this world too, but they were all handmade.
The noodles were mixed with water and placed on a chopping board to form slices with a stick. Then, they were cut into strips with a knife and boiled in a pot before being served with a ladle of gravy.
It was similar to the handmade noodles Claude had eaten in his past life, but the gravy noodles were much less tasty.
The roast lamb ribs weren't too bad and could be eaten directly in one's hands.
Their drinks were fresh rye wine and honey tea, both costing one sunar each.
The four of them had classes in the afternoon, so Eriksson and Borkal obediently ordered a cup of honey tea.
Claude finished five lamb ribs in one go and ate a large plate of braised noodles.
Borkal was about the same as him, except that he only ate three lamb ribs.
Eriksson and Welikro, on the other hand, were more interested in the braised noodles and ordered two large plates each.