Heart of Burning Steel

Chapter 35: Wow, Didn't Expect to See a Familiar Face

Chapter 35: Wow, Didn't Expect to See a Familiar Face

A few days later, in the northern district of the city.

Wearing formal attire and riding a warhorse, Joshua dismounted under the enthusiastic yet respectful assistance of several servants and entered the bustling mansion through the main entrance.

"It drinks alcohol, eats meat, don't feed it grass or soybeans."

As a stable hand led the warhorse away, the warrior offered a brief reminder, "If that doesn't work, add two raw eggs. Be careful; it has a nasty temper. Don't get kicked."

"Yes, my lord."

The stable hand nodded respectfully. After Joshua left, he immediately turned to carefully soothe the black warhorse, which was tossing its head and pawing the ground unhappily at its master's departure, and gently led it to the stables.

Speaking of this horse, it was quite an extraordinary creature. It was the very same horse that had accompanied Joshua all the way from the northwest plains back to the Northland, traveling together day and night for seventeen days—essentially a companion in a sense.

Previously, when entering the city, Joshua had left it in the wild to graze freely, with the intention of setting it free. He hadn't planned to retrieve it. To his surprise, the warhorse, with drake blood, managed to track his scent and had forcefully entered the city gates a few days ago to find him.

Since that was the case, there was no reason to let it go. Joshua thought the horse's loyalty deserved reward, and since it ran swiftly, he decided to keep it well-fed and groomed as his personal steed.

"The banquet has already begun; they're just waiting for you to make an appearance, my lord."

On the path leading to the mansion, the butler guiding Joshua seemed rather uneasy. Despite being experienced, having hosted many nobles and dignitaries, he found himself feeling nervous facing the black-haired man before him, even his mouth dry. "You are the star of today's event."

"Is that so."

Joshua felt indifferent. He noticed the steward's minor anxiety but didn't mind. "No need to be nervous. Tell me, who will be attending this banquet?"

In truth, considering the warrior's current attributes, the fact that this steward hadn't been scared speechless showed his vast experience and mental resilience. With Joshua's newly acquired traits of【Massacre】 and 【Destroyer】, there were very few people who could maintain their composure around him.

【Character Trait - Massacre: Charisma -2, Intimidation +3, Natural Affinity -2, Fear of Natural Creatures +2, Rescuer Trait Holders start with Cold Attitude. 】

【Your hands are drenched in blood, countless lives ended because of you. People instinctively keep their distance and feel fear. Even starving beasts would choose to avoid you. 】

【Character Trait - Destroyer: Charisma -1, Intimidation +2, Natural Affinity -1, Fear of Natural Creatures +1, Builders start with Cold Attitude. 】

【Wherever you pass, all that remains is ruin, death, and bones. 】

The initial Charisma of a character and various affinity skills correlate with appearance. For instance, an elf with full 20 points in appearance would naturally have maximum charisma of 20 and natural affinity of 20. Such levels of charisma mean that even a starving wolf would not see her as prey but might instead approach her submissively, seeking food. Similarly, a dwarf with maximum appearance could tame a Steeldrill Mole with just "Come" and "Follow me." The same logic applied to most other races.