Warlock Apprentice

“Thousands of gold coins??” Leon stared at Nano’s creation, bewildered.

The total annual expense summed up for the entire Padt Manor was only about 200 gold coins. In other words, Nano provided enough funds to keep Padt Manor running for years within a minute!

Leon now wondered why Nano was following Angor instead of earning a good living by himself.

This was because Nano was supposed to be Angor’s slave, only that it was part of their agreement that Angor wouldn’t treat Nano as a slave for real.

Leon was already fully convinced of Nano’s potential and was about to order Mana to find another independent room. But before he could do so, he suddenly heard Latata calling loudly.

“Wait-no! Argh! It’s too late!”

Leon looked back and saw Nano’s fabric was now a bright green hue. Both Angor and Latata were looking at it with frustrated expressions.

The silk was even glowing slightly in the shadow of the tree. Leon found it impossible to imagine how anyone would wear such a color and go outdoors.

“What happened?” Leon widened his eyes. The supreme quality of the textile instantly turned flaunting and ridiculous with that new look.

“While making silk, Nano can also dye it into something he desires.” Angor sighed in disappointment. “Remember to take it from him before it happens.”

Leon nodded in acknowledgment, while Nano seemed annoyed for receiving the bad comment, and he would like to prove his worth as soon as possible.

“Since I’ll be working for you, Mister Viscount, I’ll make you something new to wear!” Nano waved the green silk under Leon’s nose. “But this is not enough to make clothes for you. How about I make a hat?”

“No. No, thanks,” Leon deadpanned[1].

Leon then said to Mana, “Take it and hang it over a lantern. That’ll make a lovely light source.”

“Lantern?! You’re disgracing my hard work!” Nano began pummeling Leon’s legs, which didn’t have much effect.

Mana went to take the silk with a smile. “Good idea, Mister Viscount. This is perfect as an extra decoration for the house. I love it!”

Nano instantly put up a proud look and began throwing friendly glances at Mana.

“Now go,” said Leon, “let this guy pick a room he likes.”

Nano followed behind Mana obediently and stepped away.

“Let’s hope he doesn’t turn the entire Padt Manor into a circus.” Leon gave Angor a serious look.

“That’s unlikely. He can only make a piece of silk once a week. Remember the schedule and intervene in time, then everything will be fine.”

“Yeah! We can help you keep an eye on him too, Mister Viscount. This is how I got my dress before it was ruined!” Latata added. Many more Krakok girls showed up around them, and all of them agreed as well.

“I’ll leave it to you then. Make sure you tell your new job to Mana and Kumomo.” Leon didn’t wish to constantly receive Nano’s grudge, so he decided to let the Krakoks handle Nano since these little guys seemed pretty good at it.

“You’re in good hands!” Latata did a hands-on-hips with a proud look.

“Mister Viscount,” Kumomo spoke while walking to them, “we have no problem settling down here. It’s so nice.”

“Feel free to do so then. You’re under the protection of Padt Manor as long as we still live here,” answered Leon. “Talk to Mana if you need something.”

“Thank you for your great kindness.”

Kumomo then turned to Angor before leaving. “Mister Angor, we are planning to build more houses based on the ‘skyscraper’ you gave us. Is this okay?”

“Sure. I’ll look forward to it.”

…

As planned, the servants set up a giant campfire outside the manor castle, where people enjoyed their dances and music in the moonlight.

Everyone was delighted to see the adorable guests joining them, more so when they heard that they’d be long-term neighbors.

The servants in the manor weren’t surprised too much because they already caught wind of the matter during the day. However, Sheriff George and Blacksmith Dim were almost terrified when they saw the Krakoks with their own eyes.

The sheriff was invited because the Krakoks would become residents of Grue Town. As for Dim, as an old friend of Padt Manor, he asked to pay the Krakoks a visit when he heard that a group of great builders just came.

What he was thinking when he heard about “Krakoks” was a bunch of muscular workers like him, not these tiny people described in children’s stories.

Almost all the Krakoks were lively and communicative performers, who responded to questions and inquiries without holding anything back.

During their feast, people of Padt Manor, as well as the sheriff and Dim, all noticed that the Krakoks were very peace-loving and sociable individuals, so they delightedly accepted them as their new friends.

Tulu, using his loud voice as a sailor, began singing his favorite chantey while a group of young Krakok dancers hopped on his shoulders.

The warm firelight did a perfect job warding off the cold wind of the night, thus allowing all people on the scene to enjoy the festival to their hearts’ content.

But just as the feast reached its climax, the voices of people suddenly quieted down until they became completely silent.

Confused, Angor looked behind and saw Eureka in her striped red dress. She was approaching them from the darkness.

If the servants had not known her deadly strength of a wizard, Eureka’s charming look would have made a good addition to their party. As for the Krakoks, they stopped talking because they were quite stunned by Eureka’s angelic image.

There was only Old George who wasn’t affected by her charm probably because Eureka wasn’t his type. Surprised by the sudden quietness, he asked Angor who they were looking at.

“An important guest” was everything Angor told him.

Hearing this, George quickly lowered his stance and pretended he wasn’t there. Angor just told him before dinner that he was allowed into the manor because of this “important guest”. He wasn’t going to cause any trouble since everyone including Angor was acting so carefully.

“Miss Eureka,” Leon quickly stood up and addressed her. “Do you need anything?”

Eureka looked around the campsite and fixed her gaze on the Moonlily Fairy.

“Don’t mind me, have your fun. I came because I smelled something sweet. My oh my… a Moonlily Fairy fledgling? This is quite a surprise.”

She took a glass of wine and flew onto a tree to enjoy her drink while reminiscing about her memories.

Despite her words, no one would actually “continue with their fun” when she was still watching.

“Sigh…” Eureka saw the embarrassing quietness and downed her wine. “I’d better leave then.”

The liquor with the sweetness of flowers reminded her of her childhood. At that time, she loved staying in a garden full of moonlilies. Back at that time, she used to have a partner who would play with her.

“Hobson…”

Eureka felt her eyes getting sour and prepared to return to her room.

Angor suddenly stood up and attracted everyone’s attention. “I mentioned bringing a surprise before the party, and it’s almost time for it.”

He moved closer to the fire and asked the others to back away a little.

His action caused everyone to pay attention while temporarily forgetting Eureka’s presence.

Eureka also stopped moving and looked back, wondering what Angor was up to.

“It’s a gift for everyone.” Angor smiled in the bright firelight. “A gift from the moon.”

Nobody understood what he meant by that.

Angor summoned a crescent-shaped bottle, which contained some clear liquid inside, in his hand.

“Let’s get some more wine!”

The bottle in his hand suddenly vanished, leaving its content as a puddle that floated in midair.

Next, within seconds, the puddle expanded dramatically until it became a lake-sized pond above their heads that glittered under the moon.

[1] “wearing a green hat” equals “getting cheated by a lover” in Chinese slang