Fantasy Family Simulator (FFS)

Garret's eyes twinkled as he casually asked, "How's the situation at the front lines these days? Rhett, you've just returned from the Canyon Frontline; you should know well, right?"

He sighed, "I used to hear my father talk about the frontline often, but it's been years now, and no one talks about it anymore."

Rhett glanced at Garret and pondered for a moment before responding, "The Canyon Frontline is just a small battlefield. Over the past few years, not much has changed since your father's time. The biggest difference is that, recently, more and more Bloodmoon Werewolves from the royal bloodline have been sent to the front. But they're mostly low-tier werewolves, not much of a threat—I even helped take one down myself."

Thinking about the Bloodmoon Werewolves, Rhett couldn't help but feel a hint of gratitude. If it hadn't been for a foolish werewolf that got lost and was surrounded and killed by his squad, it might have taken him several more years to earn his noble title.

"Bloodmoon Werewolves? You've killed one?" Garret's voice shot up in pitch, clearly intrigued. He recalled his father's stories about how the werewolves' claws could tear through steel with ease, combining both speed and strength. For lone knights, they were like living nightmares. With their bloodthirsty nature, Bloodmoon Werewolves could devour flesh to rapidly recover their strength, becoming an unstoppable force on the battlefield if not dealt with swiftly. Garret's father's squad had been nearly wiped out by one, and his father only survived due to his skills as a scout, narrowly escaping with his life. Even after all these years, the fear in his father's eyes when recounting the story was unforgettable.

"My father's squad was almost wiped out, and you managed to assist in killing one? That's truly impressive!" Garret sincerely praised.

"It was likely because your father's squad didn't have a mage," Rhett thought to himself. He believed Garret's account, knowing full well how powerful Bloodmoon Werewolves were in close combat. As part of the royal bloodline among beastmen, they were indeed formidable. In a one-on-one fight, whether mage or knight, the odds were against them. But a battlefield isn't a place for fair duels; it's a place where anything goes for survival. Despite their strengths, Bloodmoon Werewolves had their weaknesses—slow growth, limited numbers, and no significant ranged attacks, relying instead on throwing spears or stones. With a well-coordinated team of knights and mages, the odds could easily tip in favor of the humans, especially with poisoned weapons and strategic magic to weaken the werewolves.

Garret's assessment of Rhett rose even higher upon learning of his accomplishments on the battlefield. As they continued their tour of Damm Town, Garret's tone became noticeably more respectful.

"Lord Rhett, I believe we could establish a long-term cooperative relationship. What do you think?"

"Oh? In what areas specifically?"

"For example, the seafood from Sun Lake—it has a unique flavor. Not just me, but even the servants in my castle rave about its freshness and taste!" Garret raised his thumb in approval. As a noble, food quality was one of the few indulgences he allowed himself, given his father's strict discipline. Three meals a day, plus snacks and supper, were all part of his pursuit of culinary delight.

"I'm glad you enjoy the seafood from Sun Lake, Garret. As the lord of Hawkeye Town, I'm happy to offer it to you at a fair price. Considering our shared history on the Canyon Frontline, how about one silver coin per pound?" Rhett offered a 10% discount on the usual price, which, while still expensive for ordinary food, was justified given Sun Lake's near monopoly on the market. In this world, supply and demand often dictated prices far more than intrinsic value.

"The price is fair, but…"

"But what?" Rhett asked, puzzled by what Garret might find unsatisfactory.

"I think I have something you might find more valuable than gold," Garret replied confidently, gesturing to his waist.

"A sword? You plan to trade swords for seafood? Wait... do you mean to barter training swords made from Ironwood for seafood?" Rhett scrutinized the blade at Garret's side, noticing its color resembled the Ironwood trees from the Red Iron Mountain region.

"Sharp eyes, Lord Rhett. Indeed, this is a training sword made from Ironwood. While it may not be as durable as weapons crafted through alchemy, it's far superior in toughness and durability compared to ordinary iron-forged weapons. Please, feel it for yourself," Garret said, handing the sword over with a gesture of invitation.

The offer of bartering caught the attention of both Tuck and Rylee. Rhett accepted the sword and felt its weight in his hand—it was as heavy as an iron sword. Impressed, he looked at Garret, who nodded and confirmed, "Yes, it's about 30% heavier than ordinary Ironwood."

"Exactly, which makes it feel even better in hand. Whether for training knights or fending off wild beasts, it's a highly cost-effective choice."

"Father, may I try it?" Tuck asked eagerly, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Go ahead."

Whoosh, whoosh.

Tuck picked up the sword and swung it a few times, generating a soft hum in the air. After a few more swings, he rested the sword in front of him and tapped the blade lightly, nodding in approval. "It's definitely better than our current training swords."

After Tuck finished, Rylee took his turn, carefully examining the blade. He concluded, "Ironwood's durability far exceeds that of regular iron, saving time and effort. If we replaced our training swords with these, we wouldn't have to worry about frequent wear and tear or unexpected bends."

"So, Lord Rhett, are you satisfied with my proposal? I assure you, the deal is more than fair," Garret said with a smile, clearly eager for Rhett's approval. With plenty of Ironwood in his territory, crafting training swords barely put a dent in his resources. His real aim was to strengthen ties with Hawkeye Town's promising lord.

"Hawkeye Town's population is limited, and our blacksmiths are few. Using Ironwood swords would certainly save us a lot of trouble," Rhett thought to himself. Regular apprentice knights couldn't afford alchemical weapons—only first-level knights could enjoy such luxury.

"Very well, it's a good deal," Rhett decided with a slight smile. Whether it was seafood or training swords, these were minor matters that didn't require much deliberation. After discussing the details, they agreed to a barter system—one Ironwood sword in exchange for ten pounds of seafood.

Barter deals like this between nobles were commonplace.