Old World, Empire, Prince Rick's Domain, a typical village in the Western Rick Territory.

In the deep winter of January, the land is still frozen everywhere. Villagers hide in warm rooms during this season, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and the aftermath of the Winter Festival. Households keep their doors tightly shut, and travelers can only see the rising smoke.

Rick Territory is affluent, and even in winter, there are many spontaneously organized militia patrols in the village.

Rick Territory and Avey Territory are the wealthiest provinces in the Empire. Here, the number of tenant farmers is the greatest, and farmers only need to pay taxes to the Emperor or the Prince-Elector. The local Lord can only collect trade taxes and poll taxes. Tenant farmers farm their own land, then sell their produce at village markets or town fairs, earning profits and accumulating wealth.

However, because of this, tenant farmers do not receive protection from noble armies, unlike Brittania, where whenever peasants face threats, they can seek help from Masters Knights, who will generally take action unless it's a special circumstance. This regulation hasn't changed much in a thousand years.

The Empire is different. Especially in the affluent Rick Territory, nobles care less about the lives of tenant farmers. Some nobles even wish for all tenant farmers to die so they can seize the land.

In this situation, tenant farmers must arm themselves to protect themselves, or… hire troops for protection.

In the snowstorm, a Demon Hunter riding a scrawny horse approached.

His face showed an unnatural pallor, with two swords strapped behind him—one a two-handed steel sword, the other a slender silver sword—and a short hand cannon hanging from his waist. He wore a set of brown scale armor and a pointed tall hat on his head.

The Demon Hunter obviously carried a substantial weight; at least, his scrawny horse seemed unsteady on its feet. In the snowstorm, the Demon Hunter rode his scrawny horse into the ordinary village.

He seemed in a hurry. Upon reaching the village entrance, the Demon Hunter immediately dismounted, splashing snow all around.

"It's the Demon Hunter!"

"The Demon Hunter is here."

"Perhaps this task can be given to him."

The villagers whispered among themselves, discussing the arrival of a Demon Hunter.

Compared to Brittania, the Empire is more familiar with Demon Hunters. Villagers both resent the Demon Hunters who often abuse power and seek signs of corruption, yet they hope the Demon Hunters can help solve various issues and worries. This makes their feelings about Demon Hunters complicated; they show kindness when needed and can't wait for them to leave when not.

The Demon Hunter, accustomed to constant travels, frequently encountered disdain and discrimination, which had become routine for him. He didn't think much of it and quickly walked towards the notice board in the village.

Several notices were posted on the notice board, including one about someone in town purchasing piglets.

Emperor Carl Franz is recruiting transport teams.

Hemgart urgently requires a batch of gutter cleaners, offering competitive rates.

The Demon Hunter anxiously scanned for a moment, finally spotting a bounty notice at the bottom.

"Beastman traces have appeared fifteen kilometers from Rickward Forest, and it's very likely that a Beastman Tribe is active. The village requires personnel to investigate the Beastman Tribe's activities. Bringing back the head of the Beastman Beast King will earn an additional reward of thirty Gold Marks."

"Bounty, fifteen Gold Marks."

The Demon Hunter breathed lightly and tore down the notice in front of many observing villagers.

He approached the village chief, who was a middle-aged man with graying hair, standing by the largest house in the village. He wore thick woolen clothes, a soft hat, and various strips of cloth hung from him.

"Is this notice issued by you?" The Demon Hunter came before the village chief, handing over the bounty notice.

"Yes, the village issued it. Are you going to do it?" The village chief shrugged, maintaining a barely communicative attitude with the Demon Hunter, "If so, I can have someone guide you; if not, please put the notice back on the board."

"I'm doing it." The Demon Hunter quickly said, "Since I took the notice, I'm accepting this commission."

"But you still want to haggle?" The village chief shook his head, "Everyone says Demon Hunters are greedy, devils that leave no bones behind. Tell me, Devil, what terms would you like to discuss?"

"Fifteen Gold Marks is too little. Typically, this kind of task requires at least twenty Gold Marks." The scars on the Demon Hunter's face appeared fierce, though his tone was rather mild as he attempted to haggle with the village chief.

"That's the old price; now it's this price." The village chief's expression remained calm, addressing the Demon Hunter, "Fifteen Gold Marks is not insignificant; it's enough for you to live for three months."

"Can it be a bit more?" The Demon Hunter tried to negotiate, "In winter, weapons become icy and muskets are challenging to use. Entering the forest, I must take significant risks, also considering the village's safety. I need more funds for thorough preparation and equipment maintenance."

The village chief looked at the Demon Hunter, analyzing his appearance, equipment, and scars, then nodded subtly, "Alright, considering you must risk your life entering the forest to deal with Beastmen, the village can offer you three more Gold Marks, but you must set out before sunset tomorrow."