Jack and Sora turned their heads, releasing their father-and-daughter embrace. Both of them looked into Gideon's eyes, curious about where he was going to take them.
Gideon and Lena had already stepped outside, but Jack was still confused. Gideon smiled, clearly telling him that he would take Jack and Sora to meet his noble friend.
"My friend will help you."
Jack remained silent, but Sora convinced herself that Gideon would surely be able to help them, no matter what happened.
After all, Gideon and Lena had already helped her family get rid of the debt collectors who had been oppressing them.
Sora tugged on her father's hand, heading out wearing the simple clothes they already had on. In the end, Jack agreed. He would follow them.
He closed the shop and began walking behind Gideon. Gideon introduced himself to Jack, and so did Lena. Jack was glad to have customers like Mr. Gideon and Miss Lena.
"Where are we going?" Jack asked.
"Can you show me the way to Viscount Duncan's residence?"
"Viscount? Is Lord Duncan your friend?" Jack asked, shocked.
"No, but my friend is there waiting for me."
Jack grew even more confused. Gideon's face showed seriousness, his eyes fixed and unwavering when talking about this friend; proof that he wasn't lying at all.
Even so, Jack was still curious and cautious. Who could Gideon's friend be, someone with the authority to stay in Lord Duncan's residence? Does he have a nobility rank higher than Viscount Duncan?
The burly man pointed the way for Gideon and Lena to go to Viscount Duncan's residence, which was in the northern part of the city, close to the main square and the Mischo Knight Monument.
Jack and Sora took turns walking ahead, guiding Gideon, Lena, and Aina toward the place. They moved along the city's main street, occasionally stepping aside to avoid horse-drawn carriages coming from both directions.
The closer Gideon got to the main square, the more people he saw gathering. Sora glanced back and explained why.
"They're preparing for the city's Annual Harvest Festival."
"Harvest Festival?" Lena asked.
"That's right. Farmers will open stalls around the square, selling their crops at low prices as a form of gratitude," Sora answered.
"Does the city government help too?" Gideon asked.
"Yes. The city government buys half of the farmers' total harvest, so the prices can be kept low."
"An interesting festival," Lena remarked.
Jack stopped walking. He raised his hand and pointed ahead, right at Viscount Duncan's residence. He told Gideon that it was close to the city square.
From where Gideon stood, he could see Norton Ashfield on the balcony with Duncan, holding a glass of wine while watching the bustling city center. Wearing a red nobleman's outfit made Norton easy to recognize.
"Let's go."
Jack nodded and pushed forward into the crowd again, while Gideon held Lena's hand, and Lena held Aina's. That way, the three of them wouldn't get separated.
After about fifteen minutes in the crowd, Gideon and the others arrived at the five-meter-high iron gate, the entrance to Viscount Duncan's residence.
The guards in green armor approached, not to ask their business, but to drive them away.
"Stay away from this area, you lowborns!" one of the guards barked.
"Tell Earl Ashfield that Gideon is here to see him."
"HAH? Are you crazy? He would never know you. He's a high-ranking noble, and you're just a commoner!" the guard scoffed.
"Just tell him."
Seeing Gideon's stubbornness, another guard finally agreed and went inside to inform Earl Ashfield about a man named Gideon.
Upon hearing the name, Norton quickly left Viscount Duncan's residence. Duncan, curious, followed Norton to meet this man named Gideon.
From a distance, Norton Ashfield approached, still holding his glass of wine. The guard who had mocked Gideon earlier looked stunned, his eyes wide as he realized Norton Ashfield had come to answer Gideon's call.
The gates opened. Gideon smiled and extended his hand. Although Norton's rank in the city was far above Gideon's, the Earl still greeted him warmly. He even offered Gideon his wine, which Gideon declined.
Norton nodded. He noticed the burly man with a woman beside him and assumed Gideon had found his blacksmith.
"So, you've found him, huh?" Norton asked.
"Yes. Something happened that was out of my plan. I need your help, Earl Ashfield."
This was a surprise for Jack, Sora, and Aina. Gideon had not been lying about having a noble friend. Jack had assumed Lord Duncan was that friend, but he was wrong. Gideon's friend was an Earl, Norton Ashfield.
"Come in. We'll talk inside Viscount Duncan's residence," Earl Ashfield offered, and Gideon did not refuse.
Norton didn't say much to Duncan about Gideon. Telling Duncan about Gideon would be the same as revealing his betrayal of King Moko.
He still needed his noble status to help Gideon. Without it, Gideon would struggle to expand his power.
Even so, Viscount Duncan showed signs of discomfort toward Gideon, not because of his closeness with Earl Ashfield, but because of Gideon's status as a commoner.
Gideon and the others entered Viscount Duncan's residence. Jack, Sora, and Aina waited in the lavish guest room, filled with expensive furniture and served with food by the household servants. Gideon and Lena went to the backyard, speaking privately with Norton in a safe place without Duncan.
"Does Duncan know about me?" Gideon asked.
"No, Captain Gideon. He doesn't," Norton replied.
"Good. Keep your noble status. I need it."
"Of course, Captain Gideon. If I can help you through my Earl title, I'll gladly do it," Norton said.
"So, what happened?"
Gideon took a deep breath and began explaining the situation that had happened to Jack and Sora, who would become his team's personal blacksmiths. He explained the debt they owed to Baron Excel.
"Baron Excel? Easy! I'll handle it," Norton said.
"I also need your help with something else."
He went on to explain that Jack and Sora needed a horse-drawn carriage to move all their belongings from the shop. They had agreed to relocate to Nemora Village and forge bullets for Gideon there.
Gideon was sure they could make the bullets his team needed.
"Easy. I can take care of that," Norton replied.
"When will he be packing his things?" Norton asked.
"I'll suggest they leave tonight. I'll also be returning with them. Our business in the city is done."
"All right. I'll have my men bring the carriage there."
"I'll also go meet Excel to settle your blacksmith's debt," Norton said.
"Thank you."
"Don't forget your promise to me, Captain Gideon," Norton said, narrowing his eyes.
"You must help me restore Moko's glory!"
"I know. That's going to be a long process. Be patient, Earl Ashfield."