Chapter 1856

The villagers were ecstatic. Once the wood was measured and paid for, the farmer dragged lan to

his house for some potato and leek soup. As it was a local and expensive delicacy, it would only be

prepared to honor significant guests.

lan had already firmly made up his mind to decline even before the offer was made.

At the farmer's approach, lan shuddered in recollection of the incident with the Villagers’

Committee and hastened his departure.

"Hey, Small Fry, where are you going? My wife has prepared a feast to thank you for your help”

lan almost yelled in exasperation as the farmer's soil-crusted hand reached out with surprising vigor

to grab his snow- white shirt.

Fortunately, a slender figure in the distance quickened her pace in lan's direction at the commotion

of his struggle.

"He has a delicate stomach, sir," the figure cried from afar. "But I'm sure he appreciates the offer”

As she spoke, she forcefully pried the farmer's fingers away from lan's shirt.

Oh my, it's as black as soot!

Susan quickly extracted a clean handkerchief and cleaned Ian's shirt as best as she could.

The farmer must have gotten the hint as he no longer insisted on Ian's presence.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Even if you won't have lunch, at least come for my wife's pineapple tarts.”

Pineapple tart?

Susan, who was feeling rather hungry, swallowed when she heard that.

"That sounds delicious, lan. There's no harm in paying him a visit, is there? This village is known for

its exceptionally sweet pineapples. I heard this harvest has been their best one yet."

Turning to face the young man behind her, her perspiration- laced face was full of hope.

lan raised his eyebrows.

Although he had little interest in morsels, he gave in to her pleas.

Susan was thrilled. Turning to nod excitedly at the farmer, she gratefully accepted. "We would love

to come, sir. Thank you."

"I am the one who should be grateful as Small Fry here has made us a lot of money. Come on, let's

go!"

The farmer led the way back to his home.

They were in a primitive village. With houses made of mud bricks and worn tiles, the fragrance of

fresh produce wafted from both sides up the quaint village road.

The smell and sight seemed to lift Susan's spirits greatly.

Having felt uneasy after running away in a panic earlier that day, she did not dare think about how

lan’s impression of her would change after witnessing her erratic behavior.

What would he think of me? Would he see me as disrespectful, or would he think I have an ulterior

motive against him and cast me aside as a result? Oh, how I wish I knew what he was thinking.

It was only when lan had agreed to keep her company and showed no displeasure in doing so that

the knot in her chest began to loosen. Unnoticed by her, a joyful feeling that put a spring in her step

rose within her.

Soon, the scent of freshly baked tarts informed the pair that they had arrived at the farmer's house.

"It smells amazing!"

"That would be my wife's pastries,” the farmer said proudly as he beckoned them in. "She got up

especially early today for this. We are the first to bake with our harvest this year, you know. Here, try

some.”

Susan went in with him with lan following suit.

Although slightly crampy, the house's interior felt refreshingly cool due to the adobe used in its

construction.

As it was not lan's first time in a village, he could still adapt to the culture.

Just when he thought village life suited him, a furry thing shot between his feet when he crossed the

threshold

Thud!

lan stumbled backward and collided with the door.

Startled by the noise, Susan hurried over with the pineapple tart in her hand completely forgotten.

"What happened?”

lan was on the floor. His expression was contorted in a curious mixture of rage and humiliation as

he stared at the cause of his alarm crawling toward him.

Where did that thing come from?

"Are you afraid of dogs, lan? Don't worry. This one’s still a puppy! He probably wants to play more

than he wants to bite you.”

Biting is the least of my concerns! Its sudden and disturbingly silent appearance is the problem

here!

After sufficiently recovering from the shock, lan wore an ugly scowl

Before he could defend himself, the young woman squatting at his feet in concern just moments

before picked up the puppy that looked several days old at most and deliberately brought it close

to his face.

"Woof! Look, puppy, you scared this nice young man. Apologize to him, you hear?"

For some reason, Susan's monologue amused her greatly.

Bent double with laughter with the puppy still in her arms, the farmer's family came hurrying out at

the noise and giggled upon being regaled of the incident.

lan was so angry that his face had turned an ashen gray.

Meanwhile, Kurt finally returned with the clay pot to Avenport.

After a glance at it, Karl took him directly to Sebastian who was busy with work in his office.

"I have informed Mr. Jadeson at the military supply warehouse, Mr. Hayes. He assures us that he will

deal with it within the next two days."

"Very well." Sebastian studied the clay pot on the coffee table.

It was a curious artifact, indeed. Molded from clay of a most striking red, there was a circular motif

painted on it.

"It's looks like a charm of sorts," said Kurt.

The young man, who had been standing with respectful silence in the corner ever since he came in,

suddenly interjected.q