Chapter 85: Departure

Deep in the woods, Richard and Tuku walked side by side, engaged in conversation. Richard's hands were empty, while Tuku held the reins of two horses with one hand.

"Master Richard, are you really going to leave?" Tuku asked.

Richard nodded. "Indeed."

"Then... where will you go?" Tuku asked again.

Richard looked into the distance, squinting slightly. "To be honest, I don't know exactly where I'll go. However, I must leave this continent. It's far too isolated, and the technological level is too backward. It doesn't have what I'm looking for.

If I can, I'll take a ship and cross the Storm Sea, heading to the southern supercontinent that's said to be tens of thousands of miles away. As for the future, I can't be certain. That's why, to make things easier, I need to reduce any unnecessary burdens."

"So... Master Richard, you've decided not to bring me and the First Guard with you?" Tuku's eyes flickered as he asked.

"That's about the gist of it," Richard replied. "I don't deny your strength, but the problem is, your numbers are too many. Bringing all of you along would disrupt the plans I've had for years. After all, I planned to leave thirteen years ago, while you only recruited your group two or three years ago."

"I understand," Tuku nodded, falling silent. After a moment, he seemed lost in thought and asked, "Master Richard, if we don't follow you, what will we do here? We're only good at killing, we aren't farmers. If we stay, it seems like we'll have to resort to banditry."

"Not necessarily," Richard shook his head and offered a suggestion. "You could become mercenaries."

"Huh? Mercenaries?" Tuku didn't quite understand what Richard meant.

Seeing Tuku's confused expression, Richard sighed, trying a more familiar term. "Mercenaries—just like hired soldiers. Now, with Count William dead and Edward likely to die after my attack, both a count's and a baron's territory will be left without masters.

The other noble lords around will definitely try to seize these lands. But their military strength is weak, and they lack soldiers. In that case, you and the First Guard could choose to join a noble's forces, maintain a certain level of independence, and fight for them in exchange for payment.

If you encounter a good opportunity, you might even gain a knight's title and establish your own territory. At least you'd have a place to stand."

Hearing this, Tuku's eyes gleamed. "I understand, Master Richard. I'll carry out your last command. After you leave, I'll lead Hughes and the others to join a suitable noble and negotiate for a piece of land. When you return, there will be a place to welcome you."

"Wait for me to return?" Richard smiled faintly. "Who knows when that will be? Maybe three to five years, maybe ten, or even thirty to fifty years. Are you sure you'll still be around when I come back?"

"I'll try," Tuku said seriously. "I'll wait for the day you return, Master Richard."

Richard closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, looking at Tuku with calm eyes. "If you really want to, you'd better be careful and stay alive. Don't die before I return."

"Don't worry," Tuku said, slapping his chest in assurance. "No one can kill me. No one has that ability!"

"No," Richard shook his head. "I'm not worried about you dying in battle. But... there are so many ways to die in this world. A disease, spoiled food, dirty water, an insignificant wound—they can all end your life. No matter how careful you are, you can't avoid them all."

Tuku hesitated for a moment.

"Take this." Richard pulled out a small scroll from his cloak and handed it to Tuku. "This scroll contains the method to make a substance called 'sulfonamide.'

Sulfonamide is one of the first discovered antibacterial agents, even predating penicillin. It works quite well, and in the current world, without antibiotic resistance, it can cure nearly all bacterial infections.

There are many different types of sulfonamides, and what I'm giving you is one of the easiest to produce, though the method is not quick. It will take two to three years to make it properly, but with it, you can eliminate most of the causes of death in the current world.

With sulfonamide, you'll be able to live longer. As for whether you'll live long enough to see me return—well, that depends on luck. After all, even I don't know how long it will take. It could be... forever."

Tuku took the scroll and handed Richard the reins of the two horses, speaking with determination, "Don't worry, Master Richard. I will wait for you to return. I... have confidence."

"Good." Richard smiled.

Tuku didn't say anything more. Instead, he raised his right fist and pounded it against his chest armor, then turned and walked away.

"Goodbye, Master Richard." That was Tuku's last sentence.

"Goodbye," Richard replied, watching Tuku's retreating figure until it disappeared into the distance.

Once Tuku was completely out of sight, Richard turned his gaze away and let out a long, deep breath.

Then, Richard turned and called out to the side, "Alright, it's about time. We should be leaving now. Come on out!"

"Okay," came the reply, and Lucy, the little maid, appeared from behind a withered tree, struggling under the weight of a large bundle. As she walked, she grumbled, "Master, it's so heavy! Why don't you help me out?"

Richard couldn't help but laugh, both amused and exasperated. He walked over and helped her put the bundle on the horse. "Whose fault is it? You're the one who packed so much!"

"It's not my fault!" Lucy replied, looking indignant. "You're the one who said we were going on a long journey, maybe not even returning for years! I had to pack everything. Look, this towel, this pillow... they're all things I'm used to, and then this..."

"Alright, alright, you're right," Richard chuckled. He knew arguing with a teenage girl was futile, especially one who didn't have two lifetimes of experience like he did.

He sighed softly and said, "Okay, Lucy, stop fussing with your stuff. We need to leave now. If you keep delaying, we'll never make it to our next destination."

"Okay," Lucy finally stopped fidgeting and looked up at Richard. "So, Master, where are we going?"

"To Heimya Cape," Richard replied.

——————

The first volume has come to an end! I am really happy to share this story with all of you.

Richard is, in my heart, an extremely perfect person. He doesn't seek fame or fortune in this world; he only pursues the principles of existence, to the point that he cannot form deep connections with anyone, except for his little maid, Lucy. What do you all think? Is Lucy, in Richard's heart, merely a little maid, or is she an inseparable sister figure that even the iron-hearted Richard does not want to part with?

Anyway, the first volume, "Past in the Black Castle," has concluded. In the next volume, Richard will venture to other continents to explore the deeper secrets of the wizards. Stay tuned for "Way in Batar"!