Just as Ed was about to extinguish the coal briquettes, Carly's voice came through.
" Lord Ed, it seems your illness is cured?" Carly returned and cautiously watched him from behind a tree not far away. It seemed she had been observing him for a while before asking.
Ed looked at Carly with amusement. She had run out just as he was putting out the coal, perfectly timed. What a clever little devil! But he didn't intend to tease Carly anymore.
"Yes, Carly, you're right. I'm bursting with energy right now. I look just like a bull in the farm. I could run all the way from here to Windmill Village without any problem."
After Ed finished speaking, he raised his arm and showed off his somewhat'strong' arm.
"Really? That's great." Carly seemed very happy to hear this, but she ignored Ed's actions.
"Oh, Carly, I suddenly realize that I'm still recovering from a serious illness and shouldn't be doing strenuous exercise." Ed, who had just been full of energy, quickly changed his tune and withdrew his'strong' arm. He could tell from Carly's expression that nothing good was going to happen.
"Oh, that's a shame." Carly turned to leave.
" Carly, there's nothing to regret. I don't think I have any major problems. Just tell me what's good to say." In the end, Ed decided to listen to the situation first, and if it wasn't good news, he would find a way to refuse.
"Oh, Fir Tree just sent someone named Runs Fast to ask you to come to his place."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"Nothing else?"
Carly thought for a moment, "Oh right, I told you to hurry up."
"Then what are you regretting?"
"Can't I have regrets?"
...
Ed walked toward the police camp, pondering why Fir Tree had called him there and urged him to hurry. Had someone from the north come running again?
"My lord, you've finally arrived." Fir Tree greeted them as they entered Police Squad's new camp.
"What's up, Fir Tree?" Ed noticed he'd arrived pretty quickly! He hadn't run, but he'd walked fast. No need for further explanation... He's finally here!
"It's like this, my lord. A group of people came to the city gate. They claimed to be merchants here to trade. I didn't dare let them in, and they're still blocking the gate. That's why I called you here to take a look."
Fir Tree had only ever met Carly's father, Ma Si Ke, and didn't recognize any of the people who came this time. So he had to send Ed to check it out.
Fir Tree's words made Ed think. If more people come to the territory in the future, he can't possibly come every time!
Should we issue a document to the merchants involved in the transaction to prove their identity?
"Let's go, Fir Tree, let's go check it out first." Ed decided to deal with this matter later and see what the situation was like first.
Upon arriving outside the city gate, he saw a group of people who looked like merchants in the open space in front of him, with members of the Police Squad watching them.
The caravan leader looked very shrewd, with a large body and small eyes, clearly possessing the potential of a businessman.
"My esteemed sir, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am a merchant who has come to your territory to trade. My name is Grandet. I was introduced by Ma Si Ke, and we have been friends for many years."
Having been a businessman for so many years, Grandet still had some discernment. He quickly ran up to Ed and said respectfully.
It's always fine for him to explain his background and greet them first, since he's there to make a deal, and being polite is only natural.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the young man who had just emerged and felt he looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen him before. Oh well, he probably just resembled someone he knew.
He had been living in constant fear these past few days, afraid that something unexpected might happen, because he had heard before that there were bandits in the woods by the river.
However, there's no way around it; it's normal to take some risks if you want to make a profit.
After Ma Si Ke told him the general direction, he went out to start searching. Fortunately, he didn't encounter any trouble on the way and arrived safely at his current location.
And this place looks very nice; a place that can afford to build such high city walls must be quite nice inside.
Ed, who had just stepped out of the city gate, looked at the person he was talking to and had to admit that the person's appearance was very much in line with the name.
"Welcome, welcome."