CHAPTER 137: CHAPTER 136: THE PILLAR OF SUPPORT

Rowena felt that what Ethan mentioned about construction seemed somewhat different from what she imagined. The picture she had in mind was of herself standing boldly in Baron Gledin’s manor, directing plans with fervor, but the actual situation was her visiting every shop in the town with the two others before they all closed, asking shop owners if they had any plans to hire recently.

But every time after she finished asking one shop, when she looked at Ethan in confusion, he’d give her a thumbs up, making her feel as if everything was perfectly fine.

Ethan praised her for being smart, and Ave praised her image, which delighted Rowena.

The people in the town warmly welcomed her, affectionately calling her Miss Divination, and answered the questions she raised enthusiastically.

After making rounds, Rowena finally came to her senses, "Praise is fine, but the running fee still needs to be paid."

Almost lost in the voices of praise from these two, but it’s a matter of principle.

Compared to praise, she really preferred money more.

"Of course, the Hunter’s Guild should be quite happy to pay this fee."

Ave said, exhausted from the busy day, usually not doing much physical work, and had imprudently worn high boots out today. The three had practically gone around Ximu Town, and now her heels were sore from rubbing.

The only thing Ave didn’t understand was the golden hair on her head, so she grabbed the drooping golden hair in exasperation, asking, "What does that leave you with? Didn’t do any work; stop pretending like you tried your best!"

Ethan and Rowena were dumbfounded watching from the side. Had Ave finally evolved to the point where she could argue with her own golden hair?

"Every year around this season, the Guild would publish commissions, it’s a lot easier to get more people running errands, the new clerk isn’t yet familiar with the business, which is normal."

This matter requires discussion between the clerk and the president to organize commissions. If you don’t issue investigation commissions, the Guild’s hunters won’t work for free, right?

Ethan tallied the information gathered, "As usual, only sporadic shops in the commercial district need manpower, the main force is still the farms."

Tenant farming is the rarest occupation in Ximu Town, many vagrants without special skills have become tenant farmers. Fortunately, Ximu Town’s geographical environment is relatively favorable, agricultural products can basically self-sustain, plus the Gledin Baron doesn’t levy miscellaneous taxes beyond the Empire’s basic taxes, local residents of Ximu Town can save quite a lot of surplus money and grain.

The only issue was that the border town wasn’t valued by the Empire, urbanization construction was lacking, issues in technology and construction weren’t something the Gledin Baron or they could resolve. Like, a prosperous commercial district like Gear City wasn’t destined to appear in Ximu Town.

"Alright, hand this list to the Hunter’s Guild, and the job’s practically done. The rest is up to them."

Ave gazed at Ethan’s back, lost in thought. Now she finally understood why the Guild seemed to fall apart whenever Ethan left. She strongly suspected the flourishing scene of the Hunter’s Guild in the past years was upheld during Ethan’s time as the clerk; they had merely returned to how it was without Ethan.

When the three arrived at the Hunter’s Guild, the first floor already looked rather deserted, with only a few hunters scattered around near the fireplace drinking.

Recently, too many upheavals occurred in Ximu Town, those who could run had mostly fled to Gear City.

Seeing Ethan, the elderly president nearly burst into tears, but due to Ave’s presence, he couldn’t very well invite Ethan back to the Guild. He could only pull him aside to pour out grievances, which Ave found somewhat annoying.

Ethan could only comfort the old president, saying this year’s vagrants might bring a lot of strength to the Guild, after all, being a hunter might be the most free path in this world. A first-tier hunter doesn’t even need to undergo official examinations; just register as a member at the nearest Guild, complete any commission, and publicly declare faith in the Hunting Goddess to be considered a first-tier hunter.

No wonder the number of believers in the Hunting Goddess has increased in recent years, all ordinary people trying to make a living.

After unloading grievances, the elderly president finally remembered some serious matters and asked, "How’s the work at the Reception Bureau? Going smoothly?"

"Smoothly."

Ave answered quickly, long dissatisfied with the president’s veiled attempts to poach Ethan, "Ethan has become the pillar of the Ximu Town base; he’s not going anywhere."

"Miss Ave, you misunderstood."

The elderly president was a bit embarrassed, though he did indeed have that intention, knowing Ethan couldn’t possibly return to work at the Guild. Saying it now was just an opening before discussing serious matters. He explained, "I don’t really understand this, but your usual work content should be related to some strange cases, right?"

"It can be understood that way."

Ethan nodded; the terminology of the Reception Bureau was too professional, difficult for outsiders to comprehend. To most, they seemed to be doing that.

The elderly president rejoiced, saying, "Exactly, the Guild recently received a bizarre commission. Several hunters who took it returned without any success; some were directly driven out."

He went straight to the notice board, bringing the commission he’d been troubled by for a long time to Ethan. Actually, he’d been meaning to involve the Reception Bureau for a while, but due to Ethan’s business trip to Gear City, the matter had been postponed.

"Mr. Leicht?"

Ethan instantly recognized the commissioner’s name, recalling him as a man in his fifties, managing a ranch with his family. Due to tenant farming handovers, he’d liaised a few times; he was an eccentric, difficult person to deal with.

He read the commission content carefully and suddenly understood the peculiarity involved.

Old Lester, in the commission, asserted that his son had been swapped. The Little Lester now residing at his home was a demon in disguise, having already bewitched his wife, and would soon kill him to seize the farm.

"Shape-shifter, or possessed by an evil spirit?"

Rowena casually commented.

Such cases were indeed too common; shape-shifters were amongst the most common dark creatures in the Empire. Legends about this group circulated in almost all border towns. They could read human memories, transform into their likeness, and blend into their families to replace them.

To the hunters, this shouldn’t be unfamiliar.

"Initially, hunters thought the same, conducting thorough investigations at Old Leicht’s home, finding no issues with Little Leicht. They were eventually driven from the ranch by Old Leicht."

Everyone was alive, no casualties, yet no one could explain the underlying reason.

Ethan accepted the commission, saying, "Tomorrow we’ll go to Mr. Leicht’s farm to check it out."