Fantasy Family Simulator-Chapter 276: The Blacksmith

Taylors' face showed a trace of anger. When he and White Hat found the bandits, dozens of people in the small village had already been killed, and the entire population of the village was barely over a hundred. The brutality of the bandits was evident.

Count Nilo drew in a sharp breath. He was confident that a marquis' territory would have the power to eliminate such bandits, but he also knew that it might not be done swiftly enough to prevent the loss of innocent lives. After all, Rhett's rise to power had been rapid, with little time to accumulate resources. In Nilo's view, if Rhett didn't personally intervene, it might not have been easy to deal with a mid-level or higher group of bandits.

But hearing the tone in Taylors' voice, it seemed that from the moment they received the intelligence to their mobilization, resolution, and return, it had only taken just over a week. The efficiency was astonishing. This also indirectly highlighted the formidable strength under Marquis Rhett's command. Nilo felt even more certain that requesting a marriage alliance was a wise decision.

"Well done, Taylors. I'm sure this experience has been beneficial for your combat skills," Rhett said as he stood up, walking over to pat his youngest son on the shoulder.

"Father is right. Those bandits were vicious, with plenty of combat experience. Fortunately, Mr. White Hat was there to assist me, giving me an excellent opportunity to train. I'm truly grateful to Mr. White Hat!" Taylors said with deep appreciation. Then he added, "After being away for so long, I'm missing Mina and Abel. Father, do you know where they are?"

"In Riley's room. Mina is likely telling a story at this hour."

Taylors' eyes lit up. "I'll go see them first, then. You two continue your conversation."

"Go ahead."

As Taylors ascended the stairs, Rhett shrugged and looked at Count Nilo. "Since you mentioned the engagement earlier, would you like to meet Dick? He's quite a rambunctious little fellow. I wouldn't be surprised if you change your mind about the marriage once you meet him."

"No, no, no, not at all. Liveliness is the nature of children—the more lively, the more natural Dick is!" Count Nilo didn't mind these things. Even if Dick had more faults, he would still agree without hesitation. Besides, being lively was hardly a fault.

On the fourth floor, in Riley's room.

"Dick, what's that with horns on its head? Is it a minotaur?"

"Of course! What else could it be if it has horns?"

"Goats have horns, too. So do rhinos, and deer, and golden-eyed stags..." Gianna clapped her hands against one of the room's windows, catching sight of two orcs training hard in the practice field. Her eyes sparkled with delight!

"Uh, well, I hadn't thought of that. But there aren't any goat-men or rhino-men among the orcs," Dick scratched his head, replying.

At that moment, the two of them were standing shoulder to shoulder on small stools, peering out towards the training grounds, entirely ignoring the story Mina was telling behind them.

Creak.

The door opened, and Dick, always quick to react, glanced over. But in the next instant, his face filled with terror, and he screamed in panic, "Ah! The big bad wolf is here!"

Gianna also turned her head at the noise. Since she had never heard the story of Little Red Riding Hood, she didn't find it particularly scary—just a bit unsettling. After all, the figure wrapped in dark elements looked like a werewolf, which could be a little frightening.

"Awooo~ Dick, I'm going to eat you!" Taylors growled, baring his teeth and claws as he leaped towards Dick, pretending to pounce on him.

The other children in the room were immediately scared into a frenzy, running around in chaos.

But just as Taylors was about to jump, Dick's face revealed a cunning smile. He quickly pulled a small stone from his pocket and threw it.

With a whoosh, the stone flew in a straight line towards Taylors.

Smack!

Taylors, momentarily surprised by the smug look on Dick's face, easily caught the stone mid-air with his hand, being a second-level mage, he wouldn't be caught off guard by a child. He then dispersed the dark elements surrounding him and looked Dick up and down, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Haha, Dick, you've got guts. You're much smarter than Tucker was at your age!"

"Don't talk about my father like that!" Dick pouted, making a face as he said, "My father is really smart. He's the one who taught me this—next time you scare me, I'll pretend to be weak and then strike back!"

Taylors was taken aback by Dick's response. He was about to say something when a gentle voice came from behind him:

"Very good, Dick. Your courage matches your father's, and your wisdom far surpasses his. But remember, Taylors is not your enemy."

"Father, you're here! Please, have a seat!" Klina was the first to react. She was wearing a long blue dress and pulled out a chair for Rhett.

Mina also stopped her storytelling and looked towards the door. The other third-generation members—Rhett's grandchildren—ran over to him, tugging at his clothes and chattering away with their innocent voices, which drowned out all other noise in the room.

Hearing his grandfather's praise, Dick seemed to forget everything, laughing heartily. His goofy grin reminded Rhett so much of Tucker that he couldn't help but chuckle.

Rhett sat down, gently stroking the little heads gathered around him, and said, "Dick, Gianna is your good friend. You mustn't bully her, okay?"

"Dick hasn't bullied me," Gianna quickly defended him, tilting her head and adding, "He even said he'd show me the giant horned beasts performing acrobatics!"

Taylors' eyes gleamed with interest. "Oh, Dick, I didn't expect that from you. Is this another thing your father taught you?"

"Taylors, could you be serious for once?" Mina rolled her eyes at him.

At this point, Count Nilo, who had been standing by the door, was finally noticed by Gianna. She ran over, cheerfully hugging his leg.

Dick, meanwhile, didn't quite understand what Taylors meant. Assuming it was praise, he continued to grin foolishly.

Rhett walked over and ruffled Dick's hair, saying, "Since you made that promise, it's up to you to fulfill it. Making the orcs perform acrobatics is now your responsibility."

"Huh? Don't they already know how? Do I have to teach them?" Dick's smile froze as he stared in shock.

"If no one trains and guides them, of course, they won't know how. If they just fumble through it, it'll be a terrible performance." Rhett glanced at Gianna before looking back at Dick. "Do you want your good friend to see a terrible show?"

"No, I don't," Dick shook his head.

"Then it's settled. The task is yours. Whether Gianna sees the orcs perform depends entirely on you," Rhett said with a smile.

Dick took a deep breath, his youthful spirit filled with determination. He nodded vigorously and said, "Leave it to me!"

At this moment, Count Nilo patted Gianna, who blinked, seeming to understand something. She then shouted, "Thank you, Dick!"

"You're welcome, Gianna!" Dick's face flushed as he scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed.

Taylors' eyes flickered with something unusual, as if he had noticed something. The others in the room, including Vanessa, Klina, and Mina, exchanged knowing glances, smiling with understanding.

Vanessa, in particular, seemed thoughtful as she sat quietly to the side.

After a bit more casual conversation in the room, Rhett and Count Nilo left. During lunch, the family had a thorough discussion about the engagement. Tucker, upon hearing that Dick had a liking for Gianna, didn't object and agreed to the arrangement.

That afternoon, Count Nilo left with an excited heart, feeling as if he were walking on air.

Not long after Count Nilo's departure, Vanessa found Rhett and said, "Father, although Dick and Gianna are engaged, I hope that if something unacceptable happens between them in the future, the marriage can be called off."

"Something unacceptable? Are you worried Gianna might engage in some... scandalous behavior?" Rhett asked, knowing that some noble circles were indeed quite decadent.

"Not just that, though it's certainly a concern. But more than anything, I want Dick to be happy."

Rhett smiled at her concerns and reassured her, "Don't worry. I'll make sure Count Nilo keeps a close eye on her, or he'll feel tremendous pressure."

Vanessa sighed in relief. She hadn't spoken up at the dinner table, knowing her place. Instead, she chose to speak privately with her father and was pleased with the outcome. "Thank you, Father!"

"Hehe, why thank me? Don't forget, Dick is my grandson too. I'm not just helping you!" Rhett chuckled as he turned and walked away.

Vanessa watched Rhett's retreating figure, feeling deeply moved, as if a warm current had flowed into her heart.

She planned to return to her room to have a good talk with Dick, but as she turned, she suddenly noticed a purple-haired girl hiding behind a windflower tree, peeking at her. Realizing she had been spotted, the girl stuck out her tongue and shyly ran off.

"Ellie? What are you doing hiding there? Don't tell me you were planning to scare me and pull a prank?" Vanessa asked suspiciously. "And what's that you're hiding behind your back? A prop for your prank?"

Ellie giggled and brought her hand from behind her back, revealing a gift box. "No way! Vanessa, today is your anniversary as a knight, and this is a little gift I made for you."

"Knight anniversary?" Vanessa was momentarily taken aback. Once she regained her senses, she said in surprise, "Ellie, you're so thoughtful! I hadn't even paid attention to this date. Today really is an unforgettable day."

"Thank you, Ellie, my dear sister."

Vanessa gave Ellie a hug. After they separated, she said, "I'll open the gift when I get back to my room, but first, I want to ask you something."

"Sure, what is it?" Ellie smiled. "Hurry up and ask, though. I've got to help with the milk delivery at the ranch later."

"You go to the training grounds every day. Are you familiar with those two orcs?"

Ellie tilted her head. "Not exactly familiar, but I chat with them sometimes since I bring them food every other day."

"Really? That's great. I have a favor to ask—could you take Dick with you and let him interact with the orcs more often?"

"That's no problem, but why ask me for help? Wouldn't it be easier to ask Tucker?" Ellie was puzzled. Suddenly, she widened her eyes. "Did you two have a fight?"

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "What are you talking about? I just want Dick to gain some experience. He doesn't need knight training yet, so he has plenty of time."

"Well, that makes sense, but what kind of experience could he gain from that?" Ellie muttered. "Anyway, I'll help you as long as Dick wants to join in."

"Thanks. I'll have him find you tomorrow," Vanessa said with a smile.

Spring passed, and summer arrived.

Rhett finally welcomed a mid-level blacksmith who came to join his service—a fourth-level Earth Knight named Aldis.

"Now that our blacksmith shop has a new member, the existing space must be nearing its limit, right?"

In the main hall of the Iron Brothers' Blacksmith Shop, Rhett spoke to the several blacksmiths gathered around him.

"The lord is correct. Although there are still two vacant rooms upstairs, once Mr. Aldis moves in, only one will remain. It's spacious, but if we bring in another person, it definitely won't be enough," Glencore said, frowning thoughtfully.

"I'll arrange for a group of stonemasons to come over and expand the blacksmith shop," Rhett decided.

"My lord, there's no need for that trouble. Leave it to me!" Aldis, who had just joined the blacksmith shop that day, quickly offered.

Hearing this, the other blacksmiths turned to look at the bald, burly man. Rhett also looked at him. Aldis was nearly two meters tall, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and rough skin.

"What do you have in mind?" Rhett asked curiously. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

"To be honest, my father was a stonemason, and besides being a blacksmith, I learned the craft from him when I was young. With my strength as an Earth Knight, expanding the blacksmith shop is something I can do on my own, and I can do it efficiently!" Aldis added, "And I can shape the space to my liking."

Rhett smiled. "I didn't expect you to have such skills. That's excellent. I'll leave the task to you. I'll gather a batch of high-quality stone nearby to meet your needs."

Aldis grinned. "Thank you, my lord. But could I delay the task for a bit? I'd like to go home first and bring my father here. He's still living in our old village. Since he's also a stonemason, it would be easier to build with his help."

"No problem!" Rhett waved his hand dismissively, but then asked, "Why didn't you bring him along when you first came?"

Hearing this, Aldis scratched his head sheepishly. "Because I was worried you might reject me, and I didn't want to trouble my father unnecessarily..."

Rhett smiled, waving a hand to stop him. "Alright, I understand. No need to explain further. Just bring your father here. I'll arrange a house for him in Dark Hawk City."

"Oh, no need! I'll just use my own money to buy one," Aldis exclaimed in surprise, waving his hands.

...