"Sir, I did indeed work as a shepherd before, at a ranch in East Chester County."
The old man Nick answered humbly.
When mentioning the past, he didn't look happy at all.
"How large was the flock you shepherded?"
"More than fifty..."
"When shepherding, what did you mainly do?"
"..."
Nick didn't dare answer anymore. He just looked at Silas with confusion and fear.
He didn't know what this gentleman in fine clothes wanted, asking a lowly person like him about his daily work.
He worried that if he said the wrong thing, he would make the other party unhappy.
"Answer! Are your ears broken?"
Charles beside him said with displeasure. His words successfully made the other party even more frightened.
Silas looked at him calmly. He immediately shut his mouth and left the office with his head lowered.
"Alright, don't worry. I mean you no harm. I'm just curious about the livestock industry."
Silas said to Nick, using a bit of the Observer pathway's "psychological suggestion" in his voice. This quickly calmed the other party down.
The potion's name was the key to digestion, so he simply found someone with shepherding experience and asked about his insights.
After being soothed, the much more relaxed Nick, under Silas's prompting, began to describe his specific work as requested: letting the flock out in the morning, guiding the flock to places with fresh pasture, following and protecting them along the way.
Until dusk, he had to bring the flock back before dark and watch over them. This cycle repeated day after day.
Additionally, he had to pay attention to grass growth conditions, climate and seasons, beast attacks, and so on.
As Silas listened, he extracted key information from it.
Having a flock, feeding, protecting, guiding...
He was thoughtful.
If he applied these to acting, he should first establish a flock with sufficient numbers, that is, believers, then through continuous "shepherding," gradually expand this flock...
"Thank you for your help."
Silas said to Nick, feeling somewhat inspired. As thanks, he pulled out a two-soli note and handed it to him.
"Thank you, kind sir!"
Nick accepted the note with profuse thanks, his expression excited.
"By the way."
Before he left, Silas asked with slight curiosity, "Since you were working as a shepherd before, why did you leave East Chester County and come to Backlund to make a living?"
With the industrial revolution led by Roselle, various industries had developed rapidly, including the textile industry that needed wool.
By rights, his work should have improved accordingly. Why would he come to Backlund?
Hearing this, Nick hesitated, then said with a bitter smile, "I was originally managing a ranch for a viscount.
A few years ago, there were more textile factories in Backlund.
The viscount wanted to take advantage and make a fortune, insisting on expanding the flock size.
As a result, the pasture was overgrazed and became barren..."
"The viscount naturally wouldn't think he was at fault. He believed it was all because I, a lowly servant, didn't take good care of the flock that caused the problem.
So the lord had his men beat me up and drove me out of the ranch... I used my savings to heal my injuries, wandered all the way to Backlund, and have been barely scraping by ever since."
After he finished speaking, he bowed to the silent Silas, then put the note in his pocket.
Through his clothes, he clutched the pocket tightly with his hand and left with his head down.
————
North Borough, St. Samuel's Cathedral.
A group of people wearing black trench coats and red gloves slowly walked into the underground area.
The man in the lead looked to be in his forties, with soft facial features and slightly long hair at his temples.
He wore a distinctive hat on his head, and his black cane was inlaid with gold.
He looked somewhat ostentatious, which didn't match his steady appearance.
"Finally back..."
Behind the man, Leonard in the crowd let out a long sigh of relief. His words resonated with quite a few team members.
This was a "Red Gloves" squad specializing in handling dangerous affairs, just returned from arduous fieldwork.
"Alright, mission complete. Everyone is dismissed to rest."
The leading man said with a smile to his team members.
"Yes, Captain Soest!"
The Red Gloves saluted. They left in twos and threes, some to rest, others to go out for entertainment.
Leonard declined his teammates' invitation, making an excuse that he was very tired, then walked alone toward the rest room.
His hand seemed casually inserted in his pocket as he walked forward in a leisurely manner.
Actually, inside his pocket, his hand was clutching a peculiar badge.
"Old man, are you really going there?"
He lowered his voice, as if talking to himself. "That place is related to your enemy. Be careful he doesn't follow the trail to find us."
Immediately after, Leonard tilted his head slightly, as if listening to something, but didn't seem very convinced, curling his lip.
"Tch, don't run off yourself and leave me to get caught..."
He said in a low voice, turning a corner. He unexpectedly saw a familiar and beautiful figure across the corridor.
It was a young woman in a purple robe, wearing mysterious makeup.
"Ms. Daly?"
Leonard said with surprise and astonishment, immediately stuffing the badge deeper into his pocket. "Why are you in Backlund?"
"Long time no see, Leonard."
Daly smiled at him.
"I just went to see Old Neil. I heard your squad just completed a mission and returned, so I came to see you. How are you doing?"
"I'm alright, I guess."
Hearing her ask this, Leonard couldn't help but smile bitterly, then said, "Red Gloves is even harder and more dangerous than I imagined..."
But even so, he had no plans to leave.
Because what he needed to do wasn't finished yet.
"Is that so?"
Daly's beautiful eyes flickered slightly as she smiled.
"It's okay. I'll be joining you soon and might be able to share some of the burden."
Leonard froze.
She's joining the Red Gloves too?
"Ms. Daly, aren't you a captain at Port Enmat? If you come to Backlund, what about there?"
He asked urgently.
"It's been several months already. The situation at Port Enmat has basically stabilized."
Daly answered, her voice slightly low. "I've applied to the Holy Cathedral. They'll send an experienced Nighthawk captain to replace me."
It was clear her attitude was very determined. She had already arranged various matters and was just waiting for approval.
"But, but..."
Leonard's head was somewhat muddled. He opened his mouth. "This is too dangerous..."
If the captain were still here, he definitely wouldn't want Ms. Daly to make such a choice either.
But Daly just looked at him calmly.
"Leonard, just like you, I also have reasons to stay here."
"..."
Leonard was at a loss for words. He knew what she was referring to.
"Let's not talk about that. Leonard, do you know? Recently in Backlund, there's been a new incident."
Seeing this, Daly smiled and changed the topic. "Apparently, it involves a mysterious existence called the Fool..."