Chapter 84 [Fairy Tale] He Has a Little Gray Wolf (10)

"He's here."

The man beside Harris nudged him, signaling him to look behind.

Harris immediately spotted Ryder standing at the counter and a flicker of disdain flashed in his eyes.

"Hah, what's there to be afraid of now that he's here? Why can't I say what I want?" Harris's voice was loud enough for everyone in the shop to hear.

Everyone present was a knight, and their gazes toward Ryder brimmed with scorn.

Ryder stood at the counter with a large basket strapped to his back.

The boy possessed striking features—softly curled flaxen hair, sapphire blue eyes, and fair skin.

Yet, he kept his head bowed.

He looked exceedingly timid.

"Ryder, same price as always: four hundred and forty-four gold coins."

Medicinal herbs were scarce at the knights' shop; the war with the Wolf Tribe had left many knights wounded.

Herbs from the Black Forest were the finest, and few besides knights dared venture into its depths.

Thus, Ryder’s herbs were highly profitable—

Even more than the annual subsidies given to the knights.

Harris’s eyes turned red with envy when he heard the shopkeeper offer Ryder the money.

He shoved through the crowd, stepping right in front of Ryder and declared loudly, "Four hundred and forty-four gold coins for him? What did he bring that's so valuable? He's just a timid boy! He can't even use magic, so why give him so much money?"

Without shame, Harris snatched all the coins from the shopkeeper’s hands and scattered them over the floor.

He stretched out his foot to trample the scattered coins. "Want your money? Pick it up, one by one, and I’ll give it to you!"

Ryder stood to the side, his face flushed crimson.

"You—you’re—you’re being unreasonable!"

He was furious.

He lifted his head and glared angrily at Harris.

"Hah, get your words straight before you talk to me about reason. Just a little stammerer—why should I reason with you?"

More people gathered, pointing and whispering.

"Ryder, just pick up the money. Harris is a hero—he’s killed several wolves. How about you? How many wolves have you slain?"

"Ryder can’t kill wolves! He can’t even use magic! Don’t joke around! Hahaha!"

Ryder’s complexion slowly shifted from red to pale.

He stood alone before the counter.

His hands, hanging by his sides, clenched into trembling fists.

Head bowed, the crowd couldn’t see the mist that clouded those sapphire eyes—

Nor the red that tinged the corners of his eyes.

"No!"

Ryder kept his head down.

He was heartbroken.

Ever since Harris had caught him rescuing a wolf in the Black Forest, Harris treated him like a mortal enemy every time they met.

Harris was the town’s hero, and everyone listened to him.

Ryder felt deeply wronged.

He hoisted his basket and left without a word.

"Make way! My daughter has fainted!"

It was Daisy’s father from town.

He drove a horse-drawn cart, with Daisy lying unconscious atop it.

"What happened to your daughter? How did she suddenly faint?"

"Ah!" Daisy’s father sighed heavily. "The little girl went to the Black Forest today. She said she encountered two wolves—one cub and one adult. It was dangerous!"

"How did your daughter escape?"

"She must have been lucky! Enough talk; I need to take her to the doctor!"

Daisy’s arrival instantly diverted Harris’s attention.

He rushed forward, anxious to inquire about her injuries,

And even dutifully accompanied Daisy’s father to the hospital.

"Ryder, Harris has left! Quick, sell me the herbs!" the shopkeeper shouted from behind.

Ryder kept his head down, and returned home without a word.