Chapter 13

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"Uh!" Although Cook understood Naris's excitement, as a great nation needed such brave warriors who were not afraid of being soldiers and not afraid of sacrifice, but rather saw being a soldier as a glory of expanding territory and a personal honor, rather than a means of political advancement, this might be the influence of the great nation's style on ordinary people, but Cook was still stunned.

"Haha, don't be afraid, kid, this time you just follow behind and take the easy pickings. Those damn Ceylonese heads are for us." Quev laughed heartily.

Seeing Quev and Naris talk like this, Cook felt a surge of passion. In them, Cook saw only courage, the courage to take heads no matter who the enemy was, just like a certain general in the Han Dynasty who pursued his enemies for three thousand miles. Cook knew that as long as the empire continued to uphold this spirit, it would never decline.

"Great! Sir, I also want to take Ceylonese heads." Cook blurted out, influenced by the atmosphere.

"Good, little Cook, you're a good boy, but don't wet your pants when the time comes." Viscount Locke also gave Cook an approving look and then joked.

"Haha! Haha!" Quev and Naris both laughed heartily.

"No, Sir!" Cook replied with great determination.

"Let's go! Little Cook, let's speed up, we can still spend the night at home." Lord Locke increased his speed and shouted loudly. The newly appointed guards rode on the pack horses, and the supplies on the pack horses were almost all used up, leaving only some cooking utensils.

Viscount Locke and his party galloped non-stop, and along the way, they could see groups of knights in bright armor with long lances on their horses, already waiting on the road. Clearly, this route was the route of the Mage Corps.

It was Cook's first time riding a horse. Although the Yalan horse was running well, Cook still found that his thighs were chafed, as he had to ride fast for the first time.

Finally, they arrived home. Viscount Locke ordered, "Alright, everyone go home and rest well tonight. Meet at the castle tomorrow."

Cook left the horse at the castle, as there were people here to take care of the mounts. Cook's family had already moved into the castle, as all families of the guards had to live here.

"Lily, Lily!" Cook saw his sister sitting on a stone from a distance, but she was crying. Cook was startled and rushed over.

"Brother's back!" Lily saw Cook and immediately ran over. Cook picked up the little girl.

"Lily, why do you look like a little flower cat?" Cook, enduring the pain in his thighs, carried Lily to their new home.

"They won't play with Lily, saying Lily is a wild duck." Lily answered in a childish voice.

"Wild duck?" Cook was taken aback. "Wild duck" was a term used by children to call someone dirty.

"Never mind those wild cats. Look at the new clothes brother brought for you." Cook said as he walked into the house.

Cook looked around their new home. The new home was two stone houses at the bottom of the castle. The rooms were a bit damp, but they were clearly much better than the old wooden house. At least it didn't leak when it rained, and it wouldn't be flooded, as the castle was built on a hillside for defensive purposes. Although the hill wasn't very big, the terrain was higher.

"Cook's back?" Old Hill saw Cook and walked over, examining him closely.

"Father, I'm back. This time I also awakened my martial aura, it's of the wood element." Cook quickly reported the good news.

"Really!" Old Hill was very surprised, then delighted and excited. Old Hill knew that martial aura was a crucial thing; only those who awakened martial aura could become knights, otherwise, they would always be mere warriors.

"Of course, look at these things. Some are from Uncle Jim, and some are from the reward money given by Viscount Locke." Cook quickly opened his backpack.

"These are for you, old man: a pair of calf leather boots, a pair of deer leather gloves, a frying pan for Mother, a pair of boots for Mother, and this machete, and..." Cook said as he took out the items.

"Cook, little Cook." Hearing this voice, Cook turned around, and Lady Hill immediately rushed over, picking up both Lily and Cook, overwhelmed with emotion.

"Father, Mother, look, I have more good things. These are from Uncle Jim, magical beast meat. Mother, watch me tonight." Cook then took out the leather bag given by Old Jim and pulled out two items: a light blue water rabbit and a large frog-like creature. The frog was at least thirty pounds, with long legs and light green skin. Cook even sensed a trace of wood element.

"Magical beasts, really, these are magical beasts?" Old Hill touched the smooth fur of the water rabbit, excited.

"Yes, the rabbit fur will be used to make a hat for Lily." Cook said with a smile.

"Cook, keep some of these magical beasts, and send the rest to Viscount Locke." Old Hill stroked the rabbit for a while and then instructed.

"Father..." Cook was a bit surprised, but he had the same idea.

"What profession did you choose?" Old Hill then asked.

"Hunter!" Cook answered, though he didn't know Old Hill's intention.

"Then you should also send some to Old Puen. Old Puen is a famous hunter around here, though he hasn't awakened martial aura, he is the best at hunting." Old Hill continued.

"Father, I..." Cook was about to say that he was going to fight in battle.

"Cook, in my view, any enemy is prey." Old Hill cut him off.

"Alright, Father, should we invite Uncle Puen to eat with us? That would show more sincerity, of course, his whole family." Cook agreed with Old Hill. Puen's hunting skills were well-known, and Cook thought he would be a good mentor.

"Hehe, no need. Old Puen has also moved into the castle. His archery and trap skills are excellent. Viscount Locke just summoned them to live next to us." Old Hill pointed to the two houses next door.

"That's perfect, then you can look out for each other in the future." Cook responded.

"Mother, here's a sheep's leg, and..." Cook continued to take out more items.

"Everyone, one person from each family go to Viscount Locke to collect the items, hurry up!" At this moment, someone shouted outside.

"I'll go check!" Old Hill stood up immediately and went out. During festivals, Viscount Locke always distributed items, but those who arrived early would get the better items, like meat.

"Mother, here's a new dress for Lily, though it's a bit old, it's very durable." Cook then took out the gift for Lily, and the two bags were now empty.

"Brother, there's a spider." Lily suddenly pointed to Cook's shoulder and called out.

"Hehe, don't be afraid, Lily, this is brother's pet." Cook touched the little creature, which was now brown and hard to see unless you looked closely.

"Come on, little one, say hello to Lily." Cook said to the little creature, which waved its front legs.

"Hello, hello, Mom, did you see?" Lily called out happily.

"Cook, I'll go invite Uncle Puen. Don't you want to show off your skills?" However, Lady Hill was clearly more interested in the delicious ingredients and, after tidying up a bit, said to Cook.

"Mother, wait a moment, Uncle Puen must have gone with Father." Cook quickly called out to his mother.

"Hehe, is Cook here?" At that moment, Naris's voice came from outside.

"Naris, come in!" Cook went out and saw that Naris had brought gifts, but he was alone. Cook quickly invited him in.