nucmednet Chapter 58 Young Ragnar
Chapter 58 Young Ragnar
Roger leaned against a pine tree, feeling the cool mountain breeze on his cheeks.
Just then, the dark-skinned boy led five sheep to him.
The boy's thin shoulder blades stood out, but his ice-blue eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. He approached Rogge without showing the slightest fear.
Behind him, five sheep were led over, and the adult sheep stopped eating grass, clearly having been carefully cared for recently.
Roger raised an eyebrow.
He knows those five sheep very well.
The number one to five marks on the sheep were personally branded by Roger using charcoal!
The wool quilt was burned with a ring of black numbers, and the markings could not be removed without shaving the wool!
They were supposed to be numbered one through six, but they ate one!
"Is this kid planning to return my sheep?" Roger thought to himself.
Before Rogge could even ask, the boy spoke up:
"Master blacksmith, someone's trying to steal my sheep!"
Roger was stunned for a moment; he couldn't understand what the boy was up to.
"Is this your sheep? Who's trying to steal your sheep?" Roger almost thought it was him; he nearly believed the boy was talking about him...
He had assumed the boy had come to return the sheep, but it turned out he had come seeking refuge.
After asking the question, Roger crossed his arms, glanced at the five sheep, and then looked back at the boy's dark face, without saying anything more.
Seeing that Rogge remained silent, the boy pointed behind him, "Master Blacksmith, those guys are trying to steal my sheep!"
Roger glanced in the direction he was pointing and saw a burly man whose eyes were darting around in their direction.
Rogge glanced at both sides and instantly understood.
The man in the distance clearly knew the boy.
In this chaotic world, the village had just been ravaged by pirates, and the villagers were running out of food.
These five large sheep are now a windfall that makes people envious.
The villagers also wanted to "get a share" of the pie from the boy!
Roger was speechless for a moment, thinking it was a return of something to its rightful owner.
Unexpectedly, this kid casually stole his sheep, and now that he can't protect it, he's dragging his sheep to him, the rightful owner, for protection.
Rogge was busy with other matters and hadn't asked the boy for it.
He knew very well that if the boy hadn't brought the sheep back, once the pirates entered the village, those five sheep would have been left to the pirates!
Rogge asked again:
"Where did you bring your sheep from...? Do you think I know?"
"I know!" the boy answered without hesitation.
Looking into the boy's bright eyes, Roger suddenly smiled.
He understood; they were clearly trying to make a deal with him by offering his sheep!
Just as Roger was stroking his chin, pondering how to respond, a familiar voice came from behind him:
"Rogge, you've had a long day, have some water and rest!"
Aunt Slin came over with a water bottle, a gentle smile on her face, and handed the bottle to Roger.
Aunt Slinn also noticed the boy in front of Roger, her eyes filled with surprise: "You child, where did you get those five sheep?"
Seeing that the boy remained silent, Roger took a sip of water and replied:
"He led this sheep out of our blacksmith's sheep pen."
Roger didn't even say "steal," he just said "lead"!
But when these words reached Aunt Slin's ears, the meaning changed completely; she knew that Roger and his men had several sheep.
Aunt Slin's face immediately darkened. She turned to look at the boy, her tone accusatory:
"Child, did you steal this sheep?"
Roger had assumed the kid would explain, play dumb, and make up lies to cover things up.
Unexpectedly, the boy, neck stiff, met the gaze of the silymarin-speaking woman with an air of nonchalance.
He neither pretended the sheep was his, nor denied taking the sheep away.
"I did bring the sheep back; I didn't steal it."
The boy was misunderstood by Granny Slin, and Roger saw that he panicked for a moment but quickly recovered.
The boy's voice was hoarse as he continued, "When the enemy came, the gate to the sheep pen in Rogge wasn't even locked..."
If I don't bring it back, no one will get it when the pirates come!
"The sheep are all here now, Lord Rogge, you owe me payment!"
Upon hearing this, not only was Aunt Slin stunned, but even Roger raised an eyebrow.
It's rare to see someone so openly admit something and even dare to ask for payment in front of the person in question!
"Oh?"
Roger held the water bottle in his hand, crossed his arms, leaned over to look at him, and asked curiously, "So what kind of reward do you want?"
"Would one sheep do? Or would you prefer a dinar...?"
Roger was prepared; the sheep was brought back by the boy, so he should indeed be given some reward…
But what the boy said next surprised everyone.
The boy raised his head, his icy blue eyes fixed on Rogge, and said, word by word:
"I don't want sheep...and I don't want money!"
"Master blacksmith, I want to learn a skill from you. I'll learn whatever you teach me!"
"I can do everything: blacksmithing, repairing farm tools, chopping firewood, and starting fires!"
"I know you train every morning, so if..."
The dark-skinned youth paused, his voice now filled with heartfelt admiration:
"Everyone in the village says it was you, Master, who saved the entire village... I want to follow you!"
Just as the boy finished speaking, Roger suddenly felt his information balance being calculated:
Honors: 5!
You have brought the villagers to safety, Honor +2!
All the villagers of Duanpo Village know of your deeds! You have been awarded the title of "Savior of Duanpo Village"! Honor +3!
You have five positive achievements! Your suggestions will be taken seriously and considered by most villagers!
[Reputation: 7!]
……
Seeing the young man offer himself to him, Roger's heart stirred slightly, but he did not immediately agree.
Turning to look at Aunt Silin, he winked at her, and the two of them took a few steps to the side, avoiding the boy.
"Aunt Slin, how's this kid?" Roger asked softly.
Aunt Slin sighed, turned to look at the still stubborn boy, and softened her tone:
I misunderstood him...
This child is an orphan, and over the years he has relied on the help of various families in the village.
His character isn't bad!
She looks small, but she's only two years younger than my son, Geese...
"That kid is really wild! He often steals things from children in the village who are younger than him..."
Even when he was beaten, he never lied or tried to cover up his actions; he always admitted it openly and honestly…
"This child never asks for help even when he's hungry in the past; it's rare for him to do it on his own initiative like this!"
After listening, Roger nodded, understanding the situation.
In chaotic times, there are many people who dare to take risks and fight. A young person who would steal from the weak is clearly quite self-centered...
The fact that he dared to admit to taking the sheep in front of the owner and dared to ask for payment directly shows that this child has some courage.
Roger wouldn't mind nurturing someone who is courageous, intelligent, and honest.
He turned and stood in front of the boy, looking down at him:
"If you want to learn a skill from me, I promise you, from now on you will follow me!"
We'll teach you blacksmithing and martial arts!
"As long as we have food to eat... we won't skimp on even a single bite for you!"
but……
Rogge's tone suddenly turned somber.
"You better remember this: since you've followed me, you have to abide by my rules!"
You must not bully your own people, and you must not harm your companions!
If you can't do that, I'll kick you out immediately, understand?
The boy was stunned for a while, then his eyes lit up, and his voice was filled with excitement:
"I understand!"
I will never betray you! I will do whatever you ask me to do!
Roger smiled slightly and patted his shoulder.
"Good lad, you really helped me a lot by bringing all my sheep back this time!"
From now on, just call me Big Brother!
"After all this talk, I still don't know your name!"
"What's your name?"
The boy straightened his thin back, met Rogge's gaze, and uttered his name, word by word:
"Brother Roger,
My name is Ragnar Lodrok!
……