The next morning, when there was just a patch of fish belly on the horizon, Fern came to the tavern, where there was still a small fire in the fireplace, a man was sweeping the floor, and there were a few drunkards lying on the table, and Rhodes was waiting for him at one of the tables closest to the door.

"How it feels, old friend. Rod asked briskly.

"It's not bad, I left the tavern last night to prepare some necessary supplies for the road," Fern sat down as he unsheathed his sword, "That young lady is quite generous, and she picks the best ones." ”

"She must be a rich lady," Rhodes shrugged, "but to learn some kind of spell, of course they call it magic, and her parents don't know what kind of person she is." I can swear to the god of warriors that if I had such a lovely daughter, I wouldn't let him learn any magic. ”

Why did Rod, the tavernkeeper, swear to the god of warriors, Fern thought as he asked, "Do you know what her last name is?" Although he guessed that Rhodes didn't know more than he did, Fern couldn't help but ask him, "I don't even think that Ness is her full name, but just a nickname, or just a fake name." ”

Rod pouted in embarrassment, "I know you're going to be with her for a long time to come, but since she doesn't want to say, we shouldn't ask." ”

"Of course, it's not you who went with her, and of course you don't care," Fern shook his head helplessly, "and I still haven't figured out why I accepted this errand." ”

Rod looked at Fern and motioned for him to continue.

"Maybe it's the attraction of the thousand gold coins, maybe it's the unknown nature of the trip that has piqued my desire for adventure, I don't know, but I never rush to accept a commission before everything is clear, let alone the name of the client. ”

"Listen to me Fern, you can interpret this as a fate," Rod mysteriously pulled out a long sword wrapped in expensive fine flannel from the chair beside him, and in the direction facing Fern, Rodra opened the flannel so that Fern could see the scabbard and hilt.

It was a very plain-looking sword, except for a sapphire at the top of the hilt and a sign carved into the gemstone. The scabbard and hilt are integrated, slightly shorter and thinner than Fern's sword, and the proportions are just right, making people feel the urge to hold it in their hands when they look at it.

Fern couldn't recognize what this sign was, so he looked at Rhodes suspiciously, "This is what you call Deville's best sword?"

"Of course," Rod looked at the sword lovingly, "the best." After saying that, Rod's expression became serious.

For a moment, Fern seemed to see an extremely resolute expression on Rod's face, but then, Rod's face returned to his usual relaxed smile. Fern was suddenly curious about Rod's past, and he didn't look like a tavernkeeper in terms of size or appearance. Although his temples were white, he still looked very energetic, and his muscular body was stronger than even most of the warriors, including Fern. In Rod's own account, he was once a hired warrior who settled down in Deville and opened the tavern after making enough money and running out of energy. That seems to be the most flawed statement, but Fern doesn't think so now.

"If that young lady is hiding anything from me, then, Rhodes ......," Fern said, staring into Rhodes' eyes, "you must be hiding something from me as well." ”

"Got my old friend, if you don't know about me, then no one in the whole of Wallis will know," Rhodes said with a laugh, and he brought the sword to Fern, "Take it, you're going to travel for a long time, a reliable sword will help you a lot, your sword stays, my little old man also needs a self-defense weapon, don't you, but your sword has to go to the blacksmith shop first, you see this knife, it's a lot duller." Rod said, picking up Fern's sword and flicking the worn blade with his index finger.

Fern wanted to refuse, but as Rhodes said, a good weapon is indeed essential to face the unknown journey, "I won't give you an extra introduction fee." ”

"Of course, Miss Ness's introduction fee is enough......" Rhodes suddenly realized that he had said too much, "Hell, what did I say? Miss Ness should be almost there, I'll go to the door and have a look." ”

Fern picked up Rod's sword, slowly pulled the blade out of its scabbard, then pulled off a piece of his own hair and put it in front of the blade, blowing lightly, the hair seemed to have broken in two before it touched the blade. As Fern retracted his sword from its scabbard, Rhodes was greeting Ness, who was not far away.

Not far away, Ness was slowly walking towards the "Queen's Favor", a simple but elegant hazel wool blouse and trousers in an off-white cape, and a short dagger tied to the right of the pale yellow belt, which Fern had asked for Nessy last night. Although Ness didn't know how to use a dagger, she still had no objection to Fern's suggestion. At this time, Ness's right hand was holding an oak cane, the whole cane was very smooth, and a transparent colorless gem was inlaid at the top of the cane, which was particularly eye-catching in Ness's simple outfit. At the bottom of the woolen trousers, the trousers were tucked into a pair of soft leather boots, and although Fern couldn't make out the material of the boots, he was still sure that they were expensive because of the very delicate carvings on them.

"Miss Ness, you are such a punctual person. Rhodes rubbed his hands together and greeted Ness politely.

Ness smiled, her hair was neater than yesterday's, barely a strand of hair hanging down the sides of her cheeks, her sky-blue eyes perhaps brighter than last night because of a night's rest, or the anticipation of the upcoming journey, "Boss Rod, are breakfast ready?"

"Of course, Miss Ness," Rhodes took a step back to the left, leaving enough room for Ness to pass through, "Please, please enjoy the breakfast I prepared for you." ”

Ness nodded in satisfaction and turned to Fern, who was still looking at her without saying a word. A cool morning breeze blew, carrying the scent of blades of grass and dew, and Ness's golden-red ponytail and gray cloak were rolled up, and the tavern's wooden signs creaked and swayed in the gust of wind. Fern wanted to say something, but was attracted by the sight in front of him and was reluctant to break it.

Finally it was Ness who broke the silence, and the girl smiled, "Come along, Fern." Then he walked into the tavern.

Fern turned to walk into the tavern when he caught a glimpse of a figure about a hundred yards down the street, and Fern immediately looked up in that direction alertly, but there was only an empty street in his eyes.

"Rod, you don't need to send it so far," Fern said, leading the horse, to Rod, who was walking ahead. Fern's horse was bought only last night, a grey stallion, strong and straight, with excellent stamina, and of course a lot of money. Fern gave it a fitting name, Dark Clouds.

"Don't worry, there's no one in the tavern this morning, except for the drunks," Rhodes glanced back at Fern, "my buddies can deal with them, and of course they sometimes break their glasses or something, and I don't miss their salaries." After saying that, he smiled smugly.

"You should be kind to your guys and the hosts, how can you say that your tavern has the most guests in Deville, and it is not easy to take care of so many guests. Fern shook his head helplessly.

Rod raised a frown on one side and looked sideways at the mercenary. "When did you become so compassionate?"

"I'm just talking casually, it's up to you whether to listen or not. Fern glanced at Rhodes and said no more.

Ness walked beside Rhodes with a beige mare, fiddling with her oak cane, so attentive that she didn't hear Fern and Rhodes talking. When she realized that Rhodes beside her had stopped, she realized that they had arrived at the gates of Deville. Although the sun was barely shining, there were already caravans at the gates of the city, and people were carefully inspecting the horses and goods. There were several guards standing at the gates of the city, looking at them lazily, while waiting for the changing guards to replace them.

In Deville, the army did not seem to be needed, and only a small number of soldiers were needed to maintain basic law and order. This remote city has never experienced a baptism of war since its construction, firstly because it is located in the southwestern corner and has little strategic importance on the continent of Wallis, and secondly, Deville has always maintained a neutral posture and does not participate in any alliances and wars. This has kept it away from the devastation of war and has been able to develop to this point.

Caravans were departing in droves, new carriages and travelers were being added to the preparations, and the gates were getting noisier and noisier, and Dville was so busy every day. The sun has already revealed a small part of the sky, and the clear blue sky has no clouds, as if it can suck people into the blue abyss. The wind is also much lighter than in the past few days, and it doesn't feel too cold when it blows on your body.

"Let's go. Fern came back to his senses and whispered to Ness, who was beside him.

Ness turned her face slightly to look at Fern and nodded with a smile. "Hmm. ”

Rod walked over to Fern and patted him on the shoulder, "Goodbye, my friend, may the god of warriors bless you." ”

"You too, Rod, goodbye. Fern seemed to feel a wave of sadness that he had never felt before, and he doubted even more whether it was really worth accepting the commission.

Ness politely walked up to Rhodes and whispered her thanks and goodbye.

Rhodes suddenly changed his previous compliment and looked at Niss with a serious expression, "May you always walk in the light, Nis, and don't waver in your faith, even if you are in the dark." ”

Ness looked at the innkeeper in front of her, who was over half a hundred years old, in surprise, and wondered if she had heard it wrong. "Boss Rod, you ...... Can you say that again?"

Rhodes immediately resumed his usual worship and compliments. "Ah...... Miss Ness, I may be reluctant to part with you, please accept my sincerest wishes, and may the God of Warriors protect you as well. ”

Although Ness was puzzled, she didn't ask much, after all, the other party was just an ordinary innkeeper. She smiled and nodded at Rod in thanks.

As the sun fully bounced above the horizon, Fern and Ness set out on their journey, and Rhodes stood at the gates watching as they grew smaller and smaller until they couldn't see clearly.

The wheel of fortune begins to turn with its own will, and no one can escape from its drive.