Liam's mind raced.
He needed a deal or something that let him keep Tobias while keeping Seraphina from bringing the entire kingdom down on him.
Then it hit him.
"You're an alchemist, right? You work with rare herbs?"
"Obviously."
Liam crossed his arms.
"What if I supply you? Exclusive access to my best crops. Just between us. You get what you need, and I get to keep my farm."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "You want me to lie to the Guild?"
"No," Liam said quickly. "Just… leave out certain details. Tell them my crops are high-quality but not revolutionary. That way, they stay interested but not too interested."
She considered this. "And in return, I get exclusive rights to your herbs?"
Liam nodded.
"You get first pick. Fair trade, right?"
Silence.
Then Seraphina sighed. "You're lucky I hate Guild politics."
She extended her hand.
"Deal."
Liam shook it before she could change her mind.
"Pleasure doing business."
The relief didn't last long.
Two days after Seraphina left, Liam was finally relaxing with a cold drink when Tobias spoke up.
"Alert: Unidentified individuals approaching."
Liam choked on his drink. "Already?!"
Tobias pointed toward the road.
Sure enough, three figures on horseback rode toward the farm. Not Guild robes—these were different. Dark cloaks, moving in formation.
Not good.
Liam jumped to his feet. "Tobias, scan them."
The bot's eyes flickered. "Combat analysis: High threat level. Equipment suggests mercenary background. Armed."
Liam muttered a curse. "Mercenaries? Why the hell would mercenaries be coming here?"
He barely had time to think before they arrived. The lead rider, a man with a scar across his nose, dismounted and stepped forward.
"You Liam?"
Liam hesitated. "Depends. Who's asking?"
Scarface smirked. "We represent a client interested in your little farm."
Liam's heart pounded. "I'm not selling."
"Didn't say you had a choice."
The two others dismounted, hands on their weapons.
Tobias took a step forward. "Threat detected. Recommend immediate defensive action."
Scarface raised an eyebrow. "Nice golem. Be a shame if something happened to it."
Liam exhaled slowly. They were testing him and trying to see if he'd back down.
He crossed his arms. "I don't know who your client is, but tell them the answer is no."
Scarface smiled. "See, I was hoping you'd say that. Means we get to do this the fun way."
He snapped his fingers. The two mercenaries drew their swords.
Liam tensed. "Tobias—"
Before he could finish, Tobias moved.
It was as if he was a blur of metal and motion.
A single strike sent one mercenary flying back, crashing into a fence. The other swung his sword but Tobias caught it mid-air, crushing the blade in his grip.
Scarface barely had time to react before Tobias grabbed him by the collar and lifted him off the ground.
"Okay!" Scarface gasped. "Okay, okay! We'll leave!"
Tobias held him there for a second longer, then dropped him.
Scarface scrambled to his feet.
"You made a mistake, farmer. You have no idea who you're messing with."
Liam crossed his arms. "Neither do you. Now get off my land."
The mercenaries fled, kicking up dust as they rode away.
Liam exhaled, rubbing his face.
"Damn. This is getting worse."
Tobias turned to him. "Statement: Further hostilities expected. Recommend increased security measures."
Liam sighed. "Yeah… I think it's time to prepare for trouble."
Liam didn't waste time.
The moment the mercenaries were gone, he turned to Tobias.
"Alright, we need a plan. If those guys were just scouts, more will come. And next time, they'll bring real trouble."
"Acknowledged. Initiating defensive protocol recommendations."
Liam sighed.
"I was hoping to live a peaceful farm life, but I guess that's not happening."
The first thing Liam did was assess his land.
Tobias followed as they walked the perimeter, scanning for weak points.
"Analysis complete. Farm perimeter lacks structural reinforcements. High-risk entry points detected on eastern and northern sides."
Liam groaned. "Yeah, because it's a farm, not a fortress."
Still, he had to work with what he had.
"Alright, let's set up some deterrents," Liam said. "Can you rig some basic traps? Just enough to slow intruders down."
"Affirmative. Constructing perimeter security measures."
Within hours, Tobias had installed various deterrents: reinforced fences, hidden tripwires that triggered loud alarms, and even a few trenches filled with thorny vines.
It wasn't an impenetrable fortress, but it would buy time.
Liam wiped his forehead. "Okay, that covers defense. Now, offense. Tobias, do you have any combat functions?"
Tobias's eyes flickered. "Designated as agricultural assistant. However, combat capabilities are integrated for threat neutralization."
Liam crossed his arms. "So, you can fight, but it's not your main function?"
"Affirmative."
Liam exhaled. "Alright. If we get attacked again, don't hold back but no killing. We don't need bounty hunters after us too."
"Understood. Lethal force restriction engaged."
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