"It’s not too noticeable during the day, but at night it must be quite bright, right? Does the light pillar have a certain beneficial effect on the growth of crops? Or is it unrelated?"
"I wanted to ask this question from the start, and now that I’m about to leave, I must hurry and get an answer... that’s mainly what I wanted to inquire about."
"This, this... no effect?"
The elder was startled and then answered somewhat haltingly, "There might be a beneficial effect? The fruits in the Imperial Capital are sweeter than those from other places..."
Is that so..." Ian nodded thoughtfully, "Then I understand, thank you, Mayor Yemor..."
At that moment, Aunt Julia also came out from inside the house.
"Over here!"
She jogged over nimbly, holding up a large bundle and enthusiastically handed it to Ian, "Oh dear, you haven’t finished the pies yet... I know you knights may be leaving soon, but food should not be wasted..."
Chattering on, she forcefully stuffed the package filled with apple pies into Ian’s hands, causing the young man to pause and then smile, "Thank you so much, Sister Julia~"
"Oh my, what sweet-talker~" She laughed heartily, shaking her head, and as Ian smiled and bid farewell to the two of them, "Then I hope to see you again, the apple pie was really delicious, but next time I want to try strawberry pie!"
"And, I left the money on the table!"
With that, he mounted the horse that had somehow arrived at the mansion’s front door, with Hua’an and the Frost Butterfly waiting for him on another horse.
He left Gar Town and sped north.
"Ian, you’re so calm," Hua’an said, somewhat surprised, as they were on the road, "I thought you’d severely scold those guards and help the mayor and the lady out of their predicament, but you handled it so smoothly!"
"What did the guard squad do wrong to deserve my scolding?"
While holding the horse’s reins, Ian replied indifferently, "The more understated the solution to a problem, the better for the people of that town... I’m not powerful enough to scare people off with my name, and if I don’t want the guards to retaliate against the townspeople, then such a resolution is perfect."
"I have a way to send messages to the Imperial Capital, so that guard squad can receive commendation from their superiors, Gar Town will be at peace for at least two years, and those above can learn more about my character and conduct... It’s a win-win situation."
"Phew... It’s so cold!"
Fairy Miss, hugging the Frost Butterfly flying ahead, remarked, "You’re even colder than the Frost Butterfly! Did you know, the more someone knows, the calmer they are? My teacher is the same way..."
"I only know, in reality, I am quite powerless."
Hearing this, Ian actually laughed, shaking his head slightly, "And your teacher, for sure, can solve some problems more thoroughly."
Yes... I understand a lot of things. Yet understanding alone doesn’t solve anything. Only a student would think that understanding equates to solving problems.
——I am no longer a student.
"Who says," Hua’an, however, countered, "Didn’t you just resolve the town’s issues perfectly? Don’t be unhappy!"
Ian was taken aback for a moment; he wanted to say he was already smiling, so how could he be unhappy, but then he fell silent.
Yet, in his silence, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted.
In this matter... Fairy Miss was right.
And so, in silent, smiling contemplation, the young man and the fae reached the entrance to the Imperial Capital.