HTLCCBFT Chapter 52

Has The Lord’s Career Chart Been Filled Today? – Chapter 52

After all, this was the first time teaching the lower classes, so Oliver naturally wouldn’t delve too deep.

For those principles he couldn’t explain in terms his “students” could understand, he lightly glossed over them with fabricated phrases like “enemy,” “friend,” “blessed by the Cat God,” or “abandoned by the Cat God.”

At this time, people relied entirely on experience—whether witnessed firsthand or passed down from their ancestors, it was all based on practical knowledge.

Oliver always believed that knowledge would outlast faith—as long as he kept fueling the flame after igniting it, that bright light might not fade away over time.

After roughly explaining the symbiotic relationships among the most common plants in Laina City, Oliver announced the end of the lesson and shared the important news that the Cat God would bestow a second trial in half a month.

Unlike their initial confusion, both slaves and commoners now felt eager anticipation.

In the slaves’ eyes, Rebel—far smarter than them and formerly a commoner—was one thing, but if even a clumsy fool like Jack could receive rewards… it seemed they too had a chance before the benevolent Cat God!

The commoners’ thoughts ran deeper.

With the Lord’s changes in attitude toward slaves, the structure of Laina City, resources like forests and rivers, and supply channels—such as abolishing the law that forced them to send wheat to the mill for grinding and paying a 1/14 tax—their daily lives had already been affected to varying degrees.

Seeing slaves treated so well by the Lord left a sour taste in their mouths.

How could slaves be equal to commoners?

Fortunately, they were gradually beginning to see the Lord’s favor toward them as well.

What concerned them most now wasn’t just the one supervisor position vacated by Andison.

The mill used to be the most lucrative job, but that was no longer the case—under the watchful eyes of Mr. Fosse, whose gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s and who wielded a whip that inflicted excruciating pain without hesitation, no one dared to play tricks behind his back.

What about the henhouse?

The henhouse was built near the castle, and the Lord took extra care of those chicks. Those working there not only had light duties but also got to see the Lord every day.

Such a good position surely couldn’t all go to those slaves!

Moreover, the Lord’s sudden decision to teach them this knowledge must have reasons beyond just the great Cat God’s instructions.

In fact, a few of the clever ones had already guessed the truth.

After dismissing the assembly, Oliver had Fosse summon Rebel and Farmur before him.

Once the two had bowed with flustered gratitude, he smiled and said, “You may have guessed. For believers who have passed two trials, the great Cat God has set a separate new test.”

The so-called “test” was for the two to collaborate and, within ten days, submit a planting plan suitable for Laina City this year.

Of course, Oliver wouldn’t leave them to figure it out entirely on their own.

Doing so wouldn’t be a test but outright torment.

He directly provided the standard answer he knew—a pre-prepared detailed list of companion planting relationships for crops. While the two were stunned, he instructed, “This matter is crucial for Laina’s cultivation this year. If you are unsure of the answer, have the servants inform Fosse, and Fosse will bring you to see me.”

“In addition to mixed planting during the same period, you must consider utilizing the different growth cycles of crops to reduce the frequency of manual re-cultivation and fertilization, as well as sequential planting arrangements.”

Oliver smiled faintly, “For the next ten days, you won’t need to do anything else. Go back and inform your families, then stay directly in the castle.”

Of course, he was no devil.

During these days, he would pay attention to checking the progress of their work… If it proved too difficult, the deadline could certainly be extended appropriately.

Upon hearing this, the two remained kneeling on one knee, their hearts racing wildly.

They had truly been given a chance to showcase their abilities!

Farmur bowed his head deeply and replied in a solemn voice, “Respected Lord, your servant would rather die than fail to fulfill your wishes.”

Though Oliver found it hard to imagine why submitting a cultivation plan would require such a pledge of “death-defying” loyalty, he still smiled faintly and nodded slightly to the two.

After delegating the tasks he didn’t want to do, Oliver noticed there was just enough time left in the day and decided to take Fosse and the others fishing in the woods.

Ever since he discovered that fishing could yield treasures, he couldn’t resist going to fish a few times every day, whether he had business or not.

While the [Ring of the Cat God] was something one could only encounter by chance, it would still be nice to fish up some seeds from the game system that couldn’t be bought.

While preparing for last night’s banquet, he had nearly exhausted his entire stamina bar: aside from a small amount of lumber and stone, he had also obtained 25 [Wild Seeds]—referred to by players as “blind box seeds”—that could grow random seasonal crops.

Before setting off, Oliver couldn’t resist taking a slight detour to linger near the chicks’ grazing area.

To avoid another enthusiastic pounce from the chicks, who held an excessively high favorability toward him, he made sure to keep his distance this time.

Even though the tall corn plants with their long leaves obstructed the view, he could still easily catch glimpses of the lively, bright yellow little figures darting between the gaps.

So adorable.

Even Oliver couldn’t understand why he found it so addictive—just watching a group of fluffy, chubby little creatures fluttering their tiny, flightless wings, playfully tussling with each other, happily running around, curiously pecking at corn leaves, and scratching the ground for worms…

The Lord’s blue eyes were already filled with unconscious affection.

After staring at the fluffy little creatures for a long time and satisfying his visual craving, he reluctantly restrained his urge to go in and pet the chickens, leading the group onward into the woods.

What Oliver didn’t know was that although the cornfield was enclosed, it was far from seamless—especially for the particularly small, soft-boned chicks, it was practically full of gaps.

Though he stood far away, he had lingered for too long: two bold little chicks had spotted him and bravely squeezed through the openings.

Gap, with his short little legs scurrying, quickly ran to catch up.

Most chicks are quite timid, and in relatively unfamiliar environments, they generally only stay around the chicken coop or feeding troughs.

Even when exploring out of curiosity, they need a lot of time to adapt before they dare to slowly venture further out.

Lucy and the other two were currently busy cleaning the chicken coop, adding feed to the troughs, and replacing the water with fresh supplies.

This was the time when surveillance was at its weakest—and this enclosed cornfield wasn’t particularly large, but it wasn’t small either. With just the three of them, they simply couldn’t keep a close watch on everything, so they didn’t notice that two little chicks had sneaked out.

Oliver, while heading deeper into the woods, observed the trees along the way.

Except for the western side he had intentionally left untouched, the trees on the eastern side had all been harvested twice by him—the third planting had just reached maturity, providing ample shade for those walking within.

Oliver rode his horse, leisurely leading the way.

Slightly behind him on his right was the butler Fosse, and on his left was the knight captain Noel.

The weather was fine, and he was in a good mood, so he occasionally turned back to exchange a few words with Fosse.

Until he suddenly heard very faint “cheep cheep” sounds, faintly coming from the distance.

Oliver blinked in surprise.

……Had he only gone one day without touching chickens, and already missed them so much that he was hearing things?

Just as he thought it might be an illusion, due to his pause, the originally faint chirping grew increasingly clear.

“Fosse, do you hear that?”

Oliver frowned slightly and couldn’t help but ask his butler.

Before Fosse could answer, he got the answer to his question from two small figures that suddenly emerged from the rustling grass—two tender little yellow chicks had been following behind for who knows how long, now anxiously scurrying straight toward him.

They looked like two round balls rolling swiftly, or like two dandelions blown down by the wind… their carefully nurtured fluffy feathers were fluffed up by the gentle breeze, trembling slightly with their rapid breathing.

Oliver froze.

He couldn’t help but think that even Fosse, that stern-faced butler, would probably be melted by such a scene.

Under the helpless yet indulgent gaze of butler Fosse, the angelic lord—who was kind-hearted toward both slaves and small animals—had already involuntarily dismounted.

He crouched down, personally welcoming these two little adventurers full of exploratory spirit.

The woods were quite dangerous for chicks that had just weaned off heat.

After caressing the two little ones and seeing little red hearts appear above their heads, Oliver intended to have a servant take them back.

However, once separated from the “mother” figure in their eyes, the chicks—who had been obediently lying in Oliver’s palm, flattened like chicken pancakes—started crying pitifully and struggling fiercely with their two little legs.

So after a short while, these two innocent chick sons, blinking their shiny black beady eyes, were handed over to the loyal and reliable butler Fosse for supervision.

When it came to things important to his young master, Fosse always took them very seriously.

Even though these were just two chicks that could be bought for five silver coins per cage, he carefully unraveled two thin threads from the tassels of the padding cloth and gently tied them around their feet.

This was to prevent them from excitedly running around and falling into the water.

Fosse was actually overthinking it: after being allowed to stay, the two little yellow chicks, contrary to their earlier pitiful cries, obediently settled down beside Oliver.

Their little heads bobbed up and down, occasionally pecking at the grass out of curiosity.

Other times, they tilted their heads as if watching Oliver fish with great focus.

When Oliver noticed their small movements, he couldn’t help but hold his breath for a moment.

With these two fluffy little creatures following him, could anyone resist looking down to check on them from time to time?

At least he couldn’t.

The lord of Laina City, whose fishing skills were so exceptional that he had never let a fish escape even with a novice fishing rod, had already lost three fish in a row due to distraction.

After letting several fish get away consecutively, Oliver finally focused his attention.

Coincidentally, beside the fishing progress bar for this fourth fish, there was a familiar small treasure chest icon.

He absolutely refused to let a treasure chest slip away.

After a tug-of-war, this plump large-mouth bass finally gave up its futile struggle and was listlessly pulled ashore by Oliver.

Taking advantage of the moment when its glossy scales reflected the sunlight, dazzling everyone’s eyes, Oliver swiftly stored the additional loot that had been caught along with it into his game backpack.

Wait, what was that just now?

Oliver instinctively tossed the fish into the basket, but his gaze was already fixed on the game backpack.

It was a broadsword with a water-blue blade and a hilt inlaid with an enormous, sparkling deep blue gem.

The design was clearly the one he knew as [Poseidon’s Sword][mfn]
I think it’s referencing Neptune’s Glaive[/mfn], but the game system quickly identified the item—

[Cat God’s Sword].

Following the [Ring of the Cat God], behind this absurdly renamed item that left Oliver both amused and exasperated, was an incredibly powerful attribute boost that would thrill any novice player—

[Cat God’s Sword]: This is the unique protection bestowed upon you by a deity whose power is still weak (Attack +50, Defense increased, Luck increased, Movement Speed increased).

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