Chapter 63 - Abnormal Change (2/2)
She was obviously very tired, but when she saw the table that was covered in manuscripts, her fatigue seemed to have vanished. Gawain couldn’t help but feel intrigued and asked, “Do you wish to learn to read?”
Betty subconsciously nodded before she quickly shook her head anxiously. She pinched the button on her maid dress and said, “Madam Hansen said that maids don’t need to learn how to read and simply need to know how to work.”
“That is unreasonable. Everyone can learn to read!” Gawain immediately corrected before he had a sudden impulse and said, “If you wish to learn, I can teach you.”
Betty’s eyes couldn’t help but drift to the manuscripts again. But this time, she shook her head first and said, “But Knight Philip said that paper in the territory is very precious and can’t afford to be wasted by me…”
Gawain was startled. He initially wanted to say there was plenty of paper here, but he immediately realized that Knight Philip’s words were rather reasonable. The territory was still not self-sufficient, and any communication with Tanzan Town had to be done with messenger riders. It was best to use as little of such resources as possible, and it would truly be rather luxurious for Betty to use it for writing practice.
Furthermore, it was still unknown if this lass would truly be able to learn. What if she was just playing around?
But seeing the little maid’s blank expression, Gawain couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Wait here.”
He ran out to pick up a tree branch. He brushed his hand across the tree branch and used the power of a knight to clear up the spikes and small extensions. He then used a small knife to trim one of the edges before handing it to Betty. “Use this to practice on the ground first. We will talk about it when you get better at it.”
Betty received the branch with a startled expression. She then saw Gawain turning back to the study table and writing on a piece of paper. Soon enough, he started writing some letters… The yellowish and rough paper was soon filled with large letters, the fundamental alphabet. Below was a large word.
Gawain handed the piece of paper to Betty and said, “This is the alphabet, and below is your name. Practice accordingly… If you have any questions, you can ask me.”
Betty had a reaction as she received the paper like it was some treasure. She was so happy that a snivel nearly flowed out.
The tent was pitched over soil, but it was tamped down firmly. Gawain marked an area beside his table and designated it as the place for Betty to practice.
After loosening the soil for the little maid, he went back to his table, while the little maid squatted at the side and started to practice the fundamental alphabet clumsily.
She seemed to be rather diligent.
Gawain’s mind flashed to a lesson that he had once attended in his previous life. He then shook his head and laughed. After this interlude, he felt his spirit feeling a lot more relaxed, and his train of thoughts was much more energetic. He took out another piece of paper and prepared to solve the other problems.
But this peaceful atmosphere didn’t last long. A short moment later, Gawain heard a noisy clamor outside the tent.
He soothed Betty and asked her to practice here at ease before he walked out of the tent quickly.
Knight Byron was running towards this place, and his face looked rather anxious. Gawain knew that something must have happened.
Gawain asked before the knight even spoke, “What happened?”
“My lord, the soldier guarding the treasure vault in the mountain sent a report. The report mentioned a strange commotion at the treasure vault, and something seemed to be grinding the wall or banging on something… But the doors of the treasure vault are sealed, and they cannot enter to check on the situation inside. They had no choice but to deliver the news first.”
A problem at the remnants?!
Gawain could only feel himself perspiring with cold sweat. ‘Everything can be discussed, but nothing must happen to that treasure vault!’
‘That is truly my funeral funds!’
Immediately after, he composed himself. If this news had come earlier, he might have been in more of a panic. But fortunately, he had been constantly arranging men to shift the important resources to the camp. Even though it had yet to be completely shifted out, they had moved at least one-third of it. Even if something happened to the treasure vault or even if it collapsed, it wouldn’t be the death of him…
After some self-consolation, Gawain managed to calm down completely… It was very dark now, so Byron didn’t notice the cold sweat on his lord’s forehead.
—Insert ‘Old Ancestor’s Reputation Is Saved.jpg’
Gawain was wondering whether to investigate immediately or to wait until tomorrow morning. But he quickly came to a verdict: ‘How can I sleep! Who can actually sleep with such a problem hanging?! If it was Rebecca, she might have already collapsed!’
“Let Knight Philip take charge of the camp’s defense. Look for a few elite soldiers and follow me to the mountain. Also, call Heidi too. Her support magic should be rather useful.”