Carl and Lady are simply not fit for the next long journey.
On their journey from Hope City to East City, the two continued to eat and sleep outdoors as before, in order to save time.
This period of ten days or so, combined with the previous four days, made even someone as patient as Karl feel like he was about to die from exhaustion, let alone someone like Lady.
If we don't let them rest and we have to keep going, the two of them won't be able to protect or even escort them.
Secondly, their swift horses hadn't had much rest along the way and were now exhausted.
They not only had to go to the "explorers" to exchange their horses for energetic, swift ones, but they also had to prepare extra for the couple.
Surely they can't have ridden their swift horses far away while the people they're supposed to escort are still standing there?
Carl didn't want to have a conflict with his employer before the mission even started, so he gave a brief explanation.
Ella was surprised that her expression was so obvious and had been seen by the other party, and quickly apologized.
"In that case, I'll go make a few dishes. You and Lady can eat and rest well. We'll talk about the rest when you wake up."
Carl hurriedly refused, saying that he and Lady should go to the "Explorers" to rest, but Ella completely ignored his advice and went to the kitchen on her own.
As Lady watched Ella walk away, she muttered to herself, "I never expected this strange lady to be so enthusiastic."
"I'm sorry, Ella just wanted to apologize," Old John could only explain helplessly in the face of Ella's enthusiasm. "Ella's cooking is alright, you two can try some."
"Oh, by the way, would you two like a drink?"
Carl and Lady didn't understand why Old John was asking this, but they nodded nonetheless.
Perhaps the doubt in their eyes was too obvious, and Old John touched his nose somewhat embarrassedly.
"I don't know if you two knew this when you accepted the mission, but our family specializes in brewing wine, and it tastes pretty good. You two can give it a try."
"So, this was originally a place to store wine?"
Lady looked at the empty hall and finally had a moment of wisdom.
Old John did not deny it, and nodded with a smile.
"Because we were leaving, we sold all the previous bottles of wine, as for the remaining few jars,"
As he spoke, old John walked toward an inconspicuous corner.
"These jars are for our celebration when we find our daughter, so we're keeping them. Of course, we'll take them with us too."
Lady and Carl then noticed that in a corner where the sunlight couldn't reach, there were five large black jars.
Is this wine?
The same question arose in both of them. It wasn't that they had never drunk alcohol before; they only remembered that it was served in very large wooden barrels.
When did these big black jars become popular?
Looks like I haven't been here in a long time and I don't even know what's trending anymore.
Lady muttered to herself.
However, the truth is that since Old John and his wife came to East City, they have been using black jars to store wine.
However, it is an unspoken rule in the city of East that all wine sold must be stored in the original large wooden barrels.
That's why wine stored in black jars is little known.
Old John bent over, carefully searching for the marks he had made.
The four jars here are fruit wines, created so that they can celebrate with their daughter after they are found.
Although the wine has a strong aroma, it is not particularly intoxicating.
The only jar of strong liquor was prepared just in case I wanted to drink it.
Based on his years of experience supplying "Explorer" liquor, explorers generally prefer strong spirits. If they occasionally like something lighter, it's just for a change of pace.
Perfect timing! Carl and Lady are both explorers, so choosing spirits is a safe bet.
Old John thought for a moment, then took out a container for holding liquor and filled a small jar with spirits.
The moment he opened the wine jar, a strong aroma of wine wafted straight to Carl and Lady's noses.
"This wine smells wonderful!"
Lady immediately raised an eyebrow in amazement.
"Hey, maybe you guys have had drinks at 'Explorer'!"
Seeing the two looking puzzled and not quite understanding.
Old John then explained, "Our wine is exclusively supplied to the 'explorers' of East City."
"Ah, could this be the exclusive wine for the 'explorers' of East City that they were talking about?!"
Lady suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
Long ago, any explorer who had stayed in the city of East City, praised its fine wines.
Originally, Lady wanted to try it before leaving to see just how delicious it was, since everyone seemed to be savoring it.
But since she had just agreed to have dinner, Lady thought she wouldn't have the chance and was a little disappointed.
Unexpectedly, this time, it was delivered directly to the wine supplier. I'm going to have to taste this wine!
Now, Lady was drooling over the wine in Old John's hand.
The aroma of this wine can be smelled from a great distance, but I wonder what it tastes like.
Soon, Lady knew how the wine tasted.
Ella quickly brought out several dishes.
To be honest, Ella's cooking was completely different from what they usually ate, just like Old John and his companion—it was all very strange.
Old John explained that it was their hometown dish, and it tasted pretty good.
Since that's what they said, Carl and Lady didn't hesitate and started tasting it with their forks.
I must say, although it looks strange, it tastes quite unique.
Of course, the most flavorful drink is Old John's.
Lady downed the gulp and couldn't help but exclaim how comfortable it felt.
The rich aroma of the liquor, the intense, refreshing taste that hits the throat—Lady began to understand why everyone who had tasted it always found it unforgettable!
He couldn't resist even with the wine still in his hand.
While there was still some left, Lady took another big gulp and exclaimed, "Awesome!"
Although Carl thought the wine was quite good, he was still able to keep his composure.
Seeing Lady's reaction, he could only glance at her helplessly and say nothing more.
Old John chuckled as he watched, a reaction mirroring that of everyone else in the "Explorers."
After a satisfying meal, Lady and Carl politely declined the old couple's further invitation to stay.
"Sir, Madam, thank you for your hospitality today."
Carl was slightly tipsy, but still conscious.
"Oh, right, there's something I almost forgot. Do you two have a lot of luggage for your trip?"
"I need to confirm this before I can rent the Speed Horse."
Old John and Ella had already packed their things; there wasn't much, just enough for one cartload. So they explained the situation to Carl.
After a moment's thought, Carl said, "I understand. I'll have everything ready by tomorrow."
"As for the departure time," Karl pulled a pocket watch from his pocket, "how about six o'clock tomorrow morning?"
Old John and his companion were eager to set off as soon as possible, so naturally they had no objections.
Seeing this, Karl nodded.
"Then, Lady and I will arrive promptly at six o'clock tomorrow morning."
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