Chapter 69 - Failed Project (1/2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Looking at the little old man’s gleeful manner, he totally seemed like a person who’d finally secured a new job after going hungry for weeks. This image wiped away every bit of Gawain’s impression of him as an expert in seclusion. Now, Gawain could be wholly certain that his torn old robes, ripped beret, and untrimmed beard were not because of a hermit lifestyle. It was because he was genuinely poor…
Faced with this situation, Gawain could not help but whisper to Amber, “This person you found… Is he dependable?”
“Gosh, don’t you worry. Although his personality may be a little weird, you’ve seen it, haven’t you? At the least, his druid capabilities are real. You aren’t the kind of pompous, rigid aristocrat who judges people by their class origin, are you? Don’t you always claim that competence is the most important?”
He did not expect that the comments he usually muttered were taken to heart by this half-elf and even used to thwart his argument now. Gawain could only purse his lips in resignation and then questioned curiously, “Say, how did you get to know him?”
There was no incompatibility when the little old man, who was probably a disgrace to druids, was put together with Amber, this disgrace to elves. However, Gawain was still very curious as to how these two met. Was it solely because they were the disgraces to their respective communities that they shared the same rotten style?
Gawain’s low murmur was caught by the little old man by the side. The druid with great hearing turned his head and chuckled. “Lord, I am an old acquaintance of Amber’s adoptive father. I watched this little brat grow up. According to seniority, she would have to address me as uncle…”
Amber immediately rolled her eyes. “A fellow like you who has no looks of a senior wants me to call you uncle?”
“I see. There’s still this connection between you two.” Gawain nodded in understanding. He had heard Amber speak of her adoptive father before and knew that he was a human rogue. In actuality, he was probably just a bandit hanging in the bottom rungs.
Amber wagged her head smugly as she said, “This fellow used to be real close with my adoptive father. Back in those days, they even wanted to be the southern border’s greatest bandits under the name of Night Walkers. But they did not become famous at all.”
Gawain instinctively frowned for a moment and then looked towards the little old man. “You were once even a bandit?”
“It’s all in the past, all in the past.” The old man waved his hand repeatedly. “I’ve quit. All I’ve been doing these years are decent means of living.”
Gawain found it interesting. “You switched professions also because you couldn’t get by as a bandit?”
“Because his skills were too trendy.” Amber rolled her eyes at a side, wearing a disdainful look. “He would get caught stealing dead people’s belongings and get a violent beating. He’s naturally not cut out to be a bandit. Of course, he’s also not cut out to be a druid. Now, it seems like he’s not made to be an antique appraiser or cook either.”
Gawain was stunned. “How did you get caught stealing from the dead?”
“Mainly because there were also more than two hundred grave visitors there…”
The little old man laughed in embarrassment. Very clearly, despite being an elder, his attitude towards Amber was really amiable. Such roasting by Amber was probably also a frequent thing. Especially on today’s topic, Amber had the confidence and qualifications to ridicule his bandit skills; after all, he received a beating after stealing from the dead; whereas, on top of successfully stealing from the dead, Amber had also resurrected this dead person…
Although the situation then wasn’t considered a ‘robbery’…
After some small talk, Gawain suddenly realized that he had let a key matter slip his mind. “Oh yeah, I still don’t know your name?”
The little old man held a hand to his chest and did an ambiguous salute. “Pittman Lauren is glad to be at your service. Just call me Pittman.”
“Very well, Pittman. You can first have a rest. I’ll arrange for someone to bring you to your lodging. You’ve seen this place. Everything is still in the pioneering stage. The housing conditions may not be the best yet. However, if you work hard like my residents, this place can soon become a well-off and comfortable new home for you.”
Pittman Lauren’s face bloomed with a smile. “For the sake of those glittering little cuties, I will definitely do my best.”
This eclectic learner type of druid left the tent with the guiding personnel that Gawain had arranged, leaving Amber and Gawain to gaze at each other. Slightly noticing the atmosphere, the half-elf girl prepared to sneak out with an awkward smile but was seized by Gawain. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to help patrol the perimeters of the camp!” Amber shouted noisily on her tiptoes. “Hey, let go of me!”
“First explain the ‘dug out an old antique with seven hundred years of history’ part. I didn’t forget that comment.”
“Oh—”
Everything in the camp was on the right track, but not everything would go without a hitch.