On the third day after joining the traveling merchant team, Ronald was already getting along quite well with the people in the team.
To these businessmen, an unassuming aristocrat, even if he is down and out, is still a good person to socialize with.
However, due to road conditions and the physical strength of the horses, their travel speed was not as fast as the development speed of the relationship.
According to Ronald's estimation, in these three days of stop and go, they probably advanced about 120 kilometers.
A result that was pretty good in ancient times but very slow in modern times.
Moreover, according to the merchants in the convoy, before arriving in Burrenwich, they would stop in several larger towns in the surrounding areas to buy and sell goods in order to obtain as much profit as possible.
The next stop on the journey is a seaside town that we will arrive in about three or four days. It is also a neighbor of the town where Ronald's mansion is located.
According to previous statements, Ronald himself will be separated from the team members there.
————
Stop and go, the day goes by quickly.
During this day, there is also only one star illuminating; on a planet that rises in the east and sets in the west, the oblique angle of the sunlight gradually shifts, and the afternoon time is about to end.
Sitting side by side with Ronald, the merchant Nessus naturally struck up a conversation while driving his carriage:
"Mr. Ronald, it's getting late."
"Do you think it's better for us to camp at the foot of the mountain, or walk a little further?"
"Camp..."
After hearing what Xing Shang said, Ronald immediately began to think about how to answer.
As a noble, it is best not to show your knowledge in wild travel, as this is inconsistent with your personality.
Then showing a wry smile, Ronald shook his head:
"I don't go out much, so I really don't have any ideas."
As soon as he finished speaking, Thomson, the businessman driving in front, spoke loudly, pointed at the mountain ahead and put forward his own suggestion:
"Gentlemen, we can walk up to the Black Mountain."
"I also passed by here three years ago. There is a small town on the mountainside. It will definitely not be a problem to spend the night."
Immediately, some other merchants in the convoy shouted:
"Thomson, you guy!"
"If you had this news, you should have told me earlier. Last time I was in the town, I still had some fruit that I couldn't get rid of. I thought that after holding on for less than a week, I would have eaten half of it!"
The complaints from his fellow travelers did not affect Thomson. The merchant laughed and rubbed his apprentice's head: "I was here three years ago. It's good if you can remember it!"
While explaining, this guy also did not forget to tease the other party with his hearty voice:
"Besides, a good businessman is one who seizes every opportunity to make money. If you have the time to complain about me, you might as well think about how to sell the fruit."
"People who live by the mountains are not short of these. Aren't the leftover fruits from the last town an example?"
"Hey!"
"I'll make a lot of money tonight, don't be jealous then!"
"I'm not jealous! But you can give me a taste of the fruit that you can't sell out. This young man of mine is still growing."
"dream!"
There was a scolding sound, and at the same time a yellow fruit was thrown from one carriage to another, mixed with the children's shouts of surprise.
Watching the people in the motorcade chatting and laughing for a while, Ronald quietly turned his eyes to Naissos beside him:
"It seems that Mr. Thomson likes his apprentice very much."
"Isn't it?"
Smiling and shaking his head, Nessus' tone also became emotional:
"For those of us who are merchants, forming a convoy and hiring guards are relatively rare opportunities. We usually go on the road alone."
"When I really have to go on a long trek and to a remote area, and when I feel lonely, I wish I could even ask my horse to speak, and then have a good chat."
"It's a great thing to be able to take an apprentice with you."
"I see......"
Listening to Nessos' explanation, Ronald's eyes gradually drifted towards the mountain peak in front of him.
According to another merchant, this is called Black Mountain:
"Black Mountain ahead."
"Has Mr. Nessos been here before?"
After hearing Ronald's inquiry, while driving the carriage, Nessos' eyes began to show the color of memories:
"Montenegro......"
"I've heard of it, but there don't seem to be many residents in the town above, so I haven't done business there."
"That's it..."
They chatted one after another, and the shadow of the sun trailed longer and longer behind the motorcade.
Around the end of dusk, the convoy also started climbing on Black Mountain.
Black Mountain is said to be a mountain, but it is not a dangerous peak. It is just an ordinary mountain edge with an altitude of no more than 2,000 meters.
The more magnificent mountain veins will continue further into the depths of the forest.
Because there are people living on the mountain, the roads here are better than before.
However, during the climb, we finally ran into trouble.
Almost before the Black Mountain went completely dark, the road used for traffic was suddenly blocked.
It seems that due to the rain three days ago, the earth and rocks sliding down from the side of the ridge cut off the road. Although the area is not large, it is still more than ten meters in size.
It would be possible for people to get by if it takes a little more effort, but the carriage...
Don’t even think about it!
Seeing the scene in front of them, the merchants in the convoy immediately jumped up and cursed:
"Damn it! Is it true that I can't sell this fruit?"
"Even the dirt roads in this country are against me!"
This time, Thomson did not add fuel to the fire. Instead, he took the initiative to comfort him:
"Gain, don't panic yet."
"That town is not too far from here, so if you have to go there, it's not impossible."
"..."
Thomson's comfort had a very obvious effect.
When he heard that the town was not far away, the merchant named Gain immediately turned to look at his carriage, and then looked back at the messy road.
The air was a little low at this time, and the sky was covered with clouds.
This fruit...
Gritting his teeth, he bit the bullet and shouted to the guards he hired:
"Joel, help me carry the half box of fruit, and you can stay here tonight to keep watch."
"okay!"
As soon as the employer opened his mouth, the guards immediately responded.
Lifting the fruit box from the carriage in twos and twos, the young man named Joel quickly transported the things over, and then showed an honest and silly smile to his employer.
"Mr. Guyon, do you want me to stay on duty tonight?"
"I can't forget you. I'll calculate the money for you later."
After sending his guards back, Gaien immediately bent down to lift up the fruit box, weighed the weight, and headed forward.
"well......"
Seeing Gaine moving forward without looking back, Thomson could only sigh:
"Boy, let's follow."
"If you can, help me with Gain, even if I treat you to some fruit as a reward."
"Okay, Mr. Thomson."
The apprentice responded to the merchant's request, and the two of them immediately followed.
Ronald, who was left behind, looked at each other with the other two businessmen, and finally ordered the guards to light the fire, and then chased after them with lights on.
————
Once the sun sets, night falls even more quickly.
Not to mention it's still facing the west.
Under the direct shield of the Black Mountain, it didn't take long for the surrounding area to become completely dark, and the faint light on the horizon was completely gone.
When driving at this time, your speed and vision are greatly affected.
Apart from the desolate and silent darkness, only the nearby clumps of low shrubs could still be seen clearly.
While following the road, I looked along the mountain road.
The carriage camp behind was lit with fire, and the merchants in front were cursing.