Lord: My Shop Connects to Modern Times

Lynn's words were like a pebble thrown into still water, seemingly touching something in Leah's heart before returning to calm.

The real story?

Her fingers, gripping the hem of her clothes, had turned slightly white. Her hood was off, and the hastily applied grime on her face looked even more ridiculous in the morning light.

She could feel the gazes around her: Bray's scrutiny, Joel's doubts, and the young lord's calm yet unavoidable stare.

Huh? Are they trying to play the emotional card again?

Leah's expression remained unchanged as she gazed at Lynn's face. She seemed to recall a wealthy businessman who had once bought her money. He had also talked about how good he was to her, but the very next night, under the influence of alcohol, he tried to climb into her bed...

There's no escape. At least, in this heavily guarded place surrounded by high walls, a direct confrontation is definitely not a good idea.

Her throat felt a little dry, and she licked her lips. She tried to compose herself, attempting to appear as pitiful as possible.

"I..." she began, her voice hoarseer than before, her head bowed even lower, and strands of pale golden hair slipped down, obscuring most of her face.

"I am not from Blackwater Village. I come from... a forest further west." This is partly true.

"Why did you lie?" Lynn asked, her tone still calm.

"I'm afraid...afraid of being kicked out, or..." She paused, her voice even softer, yet carrying a deliberately revealed, easily understood fear: "or encountering something bad."

She didn't say it explicitly, but the words "bad things" were enough to make most of the displaced people present, especially the women, think of many dark possibilities.

Lynn nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. He didn't press for details about the "western woods," but instead asked, "So, what can you do? Grayrock Town doesn't support idlers, but it also doesn't take people's labor for free. What are your skills?"

Here it comes. Lia's heart tightened slightly. She quickly weighed her options, deciding which skills would seem useful without being too conspicuous and revealing her half-elf nature.

"I... I'm pretty fast, and my eyesight is good, so I don't easily get lost in the forest. I recognize many kinds of fruit, and I know which ones are edible and which ones are poisonous." She carefully chose her words: "I also use a slingshot to shoot small birds and animals... does that... count?"

She finished speaking somewhat hesitantly, then held her breath, awaiting the verdict.

Her mind raced through the worst possible scenarios: being used as a spy? Being sent to do the hardest and most tiring work? Or... being "disposed of" alone because of her face?

Lynn didn't speak immediately after hearing this.

He looked her over. Although she was thin, she had a nimble figure. Her hands had calluses that were different from those of a farmer. Even when covered in dust, her facial features were too delicate to be concealed.

His gaze lingered for a moment on her lowered eyelids and tightly pursed lips.

"Joel," he suddenly turned to the old man and said, "I remember the hunting party has recently expanded. Bray's side needs a few agile people who are familiar with the wild to help with perimeter reconnaissance and marking game tracks?"

Joel paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, sir. Bray did mention that the current hunters have limited options for exploring the area."

Lynn then looked at Lia: "Would you like to give it a try? You can join the hunting team to do some reconnaissance and data collection. You'll be a temporary, unofficial staff member, and you'll be paid based on the value of the data collected and the intelligence gathered."

He explained it very clearly, even mentioning the method of payment.

Lia suddenly looked up, her surprise completely undisguised this time.

Let her...join the hunting team? She's not in the core, but she's still part of the armed forces. Just like that...hand her over to someone of unknown origin who just lied?

Not only her, but even Bray frowned, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Lynn, seemingly oblivious to their reaction, continued calmly, "Of course, there's a trial period. If you pose any threat to my residents, I will deal with you according to local laws, regardless of whether you're a rat or anything else."

Lynn didn't think she was a rat; rats, at least, wouldn't have too many loopholes in their intelligence.

He paused, then looked at Bray: "Is there a problem on your end?"

Suppressing his doubts, Bray replied in a deep voice, "No, sir. I will arrange for the right people."

Lynn nodded, and finally said to Leah, "Since we need someone familiar with the wilderness, this might be suitable for you. Do a good job. Grayrock Town cares about what you do now and in the future, not your past or your appearance."

His tone was devoid of emotion, as if he had simply assigned him an ordinary task.

"Also," he added, as if remembering something, "Martha is in charge of public treasury registration and some logistical coordination. She has a lot of work to do, and sometimes she needs to run errands and relay messages. You're fast on your feet, so you can help her in your spare time, as extra pay. It won't hurt to get to know the people in town better."

After making the arrangements, Lynn said no more and went to find Thorin with the sketch, as if he had only dealt with a minor incident.

Lia stood there, clutching the cold wooden identity plaque in her hand, watching Lynn's departing figure, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

There was no questioning about the details, no imprisonment or expulsion because of her suspicious background, and... she was even given a job that sounded quite free and allowed her to make the most of her talents?

This was completely beyond her expectations and even shattered her understanding of aristocratic behavior patterns.

It's an act, it must be an act. A cold voice seemed to rise from the depths of my heart, sharper than ever before.

First, they give you a little something to lower your guard, then… Hmph, isn't that how nobles always operate? A smile hides a knife. Wasn't that the wealthy merchant the same way? And what happened?

She remembered the dungeons of Ironstone Fortress, the seemingly casual yet humiliating stares, the wealthy merchant climbing into her bed and looking at her with lustful, lewd eyes. A familiar spasm returned to her stomach.

"You, come with me." Bray's voice interrupted her thoughts. The scarred hunter's face remained expressionless.

"I'll take you to temporary accommodation to drop off your things, and then I'll find you a mentor. Remember, rule number one: obey. Rule number two: don't wander off, especially not into the deep mountains, unless ordered to do so. Rule number three: you are not allowed to keep anything you bring back; everything must be handed over, registered, and distributed according to regulations. If you violate any of these rules, you will bear the consequences yourself."

Lia composed herself, revealing the fake smile she often wore in Ironstone Castle, and slowly said, "Yes, I understand."

Following Bray's lead, Leah stopped thinking about it. She wouldn't gamble on a nobleman's character. She planned to leave quietly after Gavin Hossman reduced the search on her.

"Hmph! There are good people among the nobility? Only a fool would believe that!"