Alaric entered the production room after inspecting the completed products.
“Didn’t I tell you that you’re not allowed in-“
“Eh? My lord! Why are you here? This place is dirty!”
A middle-aged man with shaggy hair and a messy beard was startled when he saw Alaric.
“Vince, you look like you didn’t sleep for a few days.” Alaric smiled wryly at him.
This man was the creator of soap, a talented individual with an innovative mind. The only bad thing about him was that he only takes a bath once a week. It was very ironic since he was the man who brought soap into the world.
“It’s fine. I slept two days ago.” Vince waved it off as if it was a normal thing.
Alaric could only shake his head helplessly.
This guy was so obsessed with his inventions that he would even go as far as skipping rest and meals. He was truly a peculiar man.
“You should stop that unhealthy lifestyle, Vince. It won’t be good for your body. You’re not young anymore. You shouldn’t overdo it.”
Vince stared at him weirdly. “Sometimes I think that you are not a noble, my lord. Nobles don’t care about their servants’ lives. You are different. That’s why I decided to work for you.”
Hearing this, Alaric smiled and shook his head. “Enough about me. Are the products ready to be put up for sale?”
When he mentioned the products, Vince eagerly showed off his creations. “These are all the soaps I made, my lord. They only need to be packaged in boxes and they will be ready to be put up for sale.”
“How many have you made?” Alaric asked.
Vince rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. “I think I made around six hundred pieces.”
“Six hundred? That’s not enough.” Alaric shook his head.
This was far from the ideal amount he was looking for.
“If you want to increase the production, we will need more people, but there is a high chance that our recipe will be leaked,” Vince muttered.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of the personnel issue. Just take some rest for now. You can begin with the production after I send the new workers over.” Alaric knew where to find trustworthy people.
“Ugh. Fine. You’re the boss. I’ll listen to you.” Vince clicked his tongue.
Alaric chuckled when he saw his expression. “By the way, there will be a celebration in the mansion next week. You guys better be there. I’ll send you the invitation cards later.”
“A celebration? Is it for a birthday?” Vince raised an eyebrow, a curious look hung on his face.
Alaric smiled mysteriously. “You’ll know soon.”
Seeing that he had no intention to tell him, Vince shrugged his shoulders.
“Close the shop and go home. I’ll take my leave first.” Alaric patted his shoulder and stepped out of the production room.
Alaric also informed the two ladies about the celebration.
After some small talk with them, he left the shop.
“Let’s go,” Alaric said to Galanar who was waiting outside the shop.
He entered the carriage while Galanar sat beside the coachman.
“Let’s head to the orphanage,” Alaric muttered with his arms crossed.
“Yes, my lord!” The coachman acknowledged. He then whipped the horses and urged them to move.
In Vale, there existed a place for homeless kids. It was a small orphanage founded by an old couple.
In his past life, he befriended a few soldiers who came from that place.
They called it their home.
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived in front of a rundown three-story building.
It was surrounded by different kinds of plants and fruit trees.
Even from inside the carriage, Alaric could already hear the sound of the children laughing.
Alaric stepped out of the carriage and observed the building.
It looked like an abandoned house.
On the surface of the building were traces of repairs that looked completely out of place. With a glance, one could tell that it was done by an amateur who had no knowledge of carpentry.
Outside the building, Alaric saw a few children dressed in dirty linen clothes running around the vegetable garden.
“Galanar, you better stay here. You will only scare off the children if you come with me.” Alaric stopped Galanar from following him.
The guy was too intimidating for the children. They might cry if they saw him.
“Yes, my lord.” Galanar didn’t show any reaction and bowed his head.
At this moment, the children finally noticed their presence. They were scared when they saw Galanar’s towering height and ferocious appearance.
They stopped playing and quickly hid behind the trees.
They stuck their heads out and nervously watched Alaric who was moving towards them.
“Hey! Who are you!? What’s your business here!?”
Alaric turned his head and saw a young man who looked to be in his late teens. Behind him was an old couple walking side by side.
“You rude, kid! Stop shouting at our guest!” The woman who seemed to be in her fifties scolded the teen and beat him with a broom.
“Grandma, that guy looks suspicious!” The teen pointed at Alaric with a look of defiance.
Seeing this guy, Alaric couldn’t help but laugh.
So this is what you are like as a kid, Rasmus.
This rebellious teen was one of the few people he had befriended in his past life after he was conscripted by the crown prince.
Rasmus was abandoned by his parents at birth and he was raised by the old couple at this orphanage so he was extremely protective of them.
The old man was just calmly observing the situation when he took notice of the insignia on Alaric’s clothes.
His eyes flashed and he immediately pulled Rasmus behind him as he asked cautiously. “My lord, are you perhaps from House Silversword?”
“House Silversword?!” Rasmus was stunned when he heard this.
Even though he was a commoner, he had received some education from the old couple. He was told that House Silversword was the biggest reason why Vale was able to stand firm despite the continuous attacks from outside forces. Those stories made Rasmus admire them.
“That’s right. My name is Alaric Silversword. I hope you are not offended by my unannounced visit.” Alaric cupped his fists- a standard salute of the knights.
Seeing this, the old man returned the salute.
From his snappy posture and resolute eyes, Alaric sensed the valor of a veteran knight.
“You honor us with your presence, my lord! I am William Dominic, a former knight of Astania.”
After exchanging some greetings with the old couple, Alaric extended his hand to Rasmus and smiled. “Hello! I’m sorry if I had offended you. Can you tell me your name?”
It’s good to see you again, my friend…
Alaric’s eyes flashed with emotion. Memories of Rasmus appeared in his mind and played like a movie.
After knowing that he was from House Silversword, Rasmus was no longer hostile.
“I should be the one apologizing. You can just call me Rasmus, my lord.” He scratched his head, feeling embarrassed by his earlier behavior.
“Rasmus is it? We should be of the same age. There’s no need to be formal.”
“Let’s head in, my lord. We can continue our conversation inside.” The retired knight, William, invited him to their humble home.