"Damian, you really should visit more often. What's with this once-a-year visit? Just once a year?"
"Sorry, Ain. I've been so busy lately, I haven't been able to come by."
Ain, the chief of the Taurus Tribe, welcomed Damian with open arms. Standing beside him was a beautiful blonde elf woman holding a peacefully sleeping baby in her arms. She gave Damian a slight nod.
"I really missed you, Lord Damian. It's so good to see you again."
Damian returned her smile with a nod and replied, "The baby you're holding—is he yours and Ain's?"
"Yes."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, Lord Damian."
Ain's wife—now the chieftess of the Taurus Tribe, smiled brightly as she spoke to Damian. Then Damian introduced Ain and his wife to Carolla.
"Carolla, let me introduce you. This dashing man with the long brown hair is the chief of the Taurus Tribe and my sworn brother, Ain Arnea Taurus. And the beautiful blonde lady next to him is his wife, the chieftess, Nerian Arnea Taurus."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Carolla," Carolla said, bowing her head slightly.
Ain looked at Carolla and commented, "So you really did quit your job as the Demon King's army chief?"
"Well… it didn't pay, and the army's been destroyed for a while now. Honestly, working at Damian's bakery with a solid paycheck is way less stressful. Hahaha."
"Hahaha. I see."
Both of them naturally open and cheerful, quickly became friendly. After a brief introduction, Ain turned to Damian.
"Let's go inside. No need to stand out here talking."
"Yeah, let's."
Damian and Carolla followed Ain inside. After carefully placing the sleeping baby on the bed, Nerian went to prepare tea for the group and joined them at the table.
"Please enjoy the tea while you chat."
They each took a cup of the tea Nerian prepared and sipped. The fragrant herbal aroma was pleasant and calming.
"Mmm… This herbal tea is delightful. The sincerity of the one who made it truly comes through in its fragrance and taste. It's wonderful, sister-in-law."
"You're too kind, Lord Damian."
Nerian blushed slightly at the compliment.
"Alright, the tea's ready—now let's try the bread you brought, Damian."
"Of course."
Damian took out the bread and cake he had prepared with Carolla's help. Ain began tasting the bread and cake with his tea.
"Oh ho… The bread is still so soft and delicious. I've lived over 200 years and eaten plenty of bread, but I've never had any that compares to yours, Damian. And today's batch is even better than last time."
"I put a little more care into making it this time."
At Damian's remark, Ain sensed something and asked, "Something's up, isn't it? You've clearly put in extra effort into this bread for a reason."
Damian nodded.
"I have a favour to ask you."
"Ain, where does the Taurus Tribe's rice and wheat get distributed?"
Ain replied, "To royal and imperial families across the continent—and only to those we deem worthy. I hate to boast, but the wheat and rice we grow in the Taurus Tribe is some of the best in the land. We won't deliver it to anyone who doesn't recognize its value."
"And none of it has gone to bakeries yet, right?"
"No, not yet."
Damian's eyes lit up at that.
"Ain, didn't you say you've never had bread better than mine?"
"Yeah, I said that. Honestly, I haven't."
At those words, Damian suddenly slammed his palm on the table, his eyes filled with determination.
"I'll pay 20% more than what you charge the royals. I want to be the first bakery to use Taurus Tribe flour. I want to make even better bread with it. Will you help me? I promise my baking skills won't shame your high-quality flour."
Ain responded, "If you want it, I'll give it to you—no charge. After all, you're the one who got rid of that filthy Black Dragon Kaideman. Thanks to you, we live in peace now. And most importantly, if you hadn't killed Kaideman, Nerian would've been in serious danger. Because of you, we could marry, have a child, and live happily."
Nerian, sitting beside him, also looked at Damian.
"That's right. If it hadn't been for you, Lord Damian, I would've suffered a horrible fate at Kaideman's hands—and probably taken my own life from the shame. You've given us more than we can ever repay. To charge you for grain would be unthinkable."
The two waved their hands adamantly, clearly unwilling to accept money for the grain.
Damian continued, "I really appreciate what you're saying. But Taurus grain is some of the best on the continent. Even though we're close, and I'm your sworn brother, I can't accept it for free. I know the true value of your crops. Paying the proper price is only right.:
"If word got out that I was getting grain for free—just because of our friendship—it wouldn't reflect well on you, or on me, in the eyes of others. Even if I'm not using it for personal gain, I can't risk the tribe's reputation. So no freebies."
"Hmm…"
Ain fell into deep thought. A short while later, he finally spoke.
"Alright. I'll knock 50% off the standard price. That's the best I can offer—and I hope you'll accept it as a sign of our gratitude."
"Half price… I can live with that. Thank you."
Damian nodded and accepted with gratitude. After settling the price, Damian brought up another request.
"Ain, I have one more favor. Mind if I ask?"
"What is it?"
By Monday morning, the villagers of Lunemire watched in awe as actual elves delivered grain to Damian's bakery, "Handsome Guys Bread."
"Wow! Real elves!"
"Judging by their appearance and the way they handle the grain, I'd say they're from the Taurus Tribe—the legendary elf farmers."
Even the older villagers, with their experienced eyes, could tell just by the delivery scene that these were elite elves from the Taurus Tribe.
Elves rarely revealed themselves in public. So to see them personally delivering their grain to Damian's bakery was a sight the villagers wouldn't soon forget.