Published: March 12, 2025
Chapter 138: Urgent Report!
Nate was just a stationmaster at a Versailles Family postal station. For the people of the Versailles Family, this was definitely a lucrative position. Here, when distributing supplies to the slaves, a little could be pocketed, and when collecting grain, a bit could be withheld as well. Usually, they would keep one or two fast horses like the Wind Chaser Horse or the Flame Horse to deliver messages. Of course, these horses were fed much better than ordinary Scaly Horned Horses; they required more refined feed, which was also allocated by the family, allowing Nate and the others to skim off a portion.
Such practices were quite common at the postal stations in Ika Plain, almost considered an open secret. The family often turned a blind eye to these matters. From the perspective of the family members, guarding the station year-round was a tough job.
However, the Versailles Family had its bottom line regarding these stations. They allowed a little greed from time to time, but the normal operation of the station had to be guaranteed. Each year, the slaves issued supplies through them could not die too many; otherwise, the family would impose severe punishments.
Because of this, working at the station was seen as both a hard and lucrative job. After a few years at the station, one could retire comfortably in Casa City.
Nate was not yet at retirement age; he was the nephew of a foreign affairs steward in the Versailles Family. Lacking talent in cultivation, his uncle arranged for him to work at the station to earn more gold coins so that he could retire comfortably in the future.
Although he couldn't often return to Casa City and had to guard this station daily, his little life was quite enjoyable. He was an easily contented person, aware of his limitations in cultivation and lacking the desire to pursue it. He only thought about working at the station for a few more years, so he could relax at home in retirement.
Thinking of his home brought a smile to Nate's face. His family resided in Casa City, where he and his wife had lived in this station six years ago. However, after having a child, he sent his wife and child to Casa City for education. Now his child was studying at the Magic and Martial Arts Academy in Casa City and was doing well in his studies. Although lacking the talent to become a mage, his child had a strong physique and was excellent martial arts material.
Remembering his mischievous son made Nate even happier. Whistling a little tune, he walked out of his room, rushed to the kitchen to grab a jug of wine, and took out two small dishes. He then shouted, "Jasen, Carlo, come here and join me for a couple of drinks!"
Jasen and Carlo were Nate's assistants, associates of some higher-ups in the Versailles Family, which is why they were assigned here. The three had a good relationship.
Just then, a sudden sound of hooves approached. Nate was momentarily stunned and stopped to listen closely. He realized that the sound of hoofbeats did not come from the direction of the Versailles Family's old castle, Charging Bull Fortress, but from deep within the Ika Plain.
Nate's expression changed. He wasn't worried about hoofbeats coming from Charging Bull Fortress; that usually meant commands from the family or supplies being dispatched. What he feared most was the sound coming from within the Ika Plain, indicating that something had happened there.
The Ika Plain was of utmost importance to the family; no matter what happened here, the family had to be informed immediately; this was a family rule.
Nate threw down the jug of wine and shouted at his two subordinates who had just come out of the room, “Quick, prepare the Flame Horse! There might be a crisis in the Ika Plain!”
Upon hearing Nate's words, Jasen and Carlo were stunned for a moment, quickly springing into action. They knew that Nate had been working in the Ika Plain for nearly eight years. Although he had not been promoted during that time, he was extremely familiar with everything about the Ika Plain, and following his orders could never be a mistake.