From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

Name: Don Quixote

[Identity: Knight]

[Mental Strength: 1.82 (The baseline mental strength for adults in the Game of Thrones world is 1)]

[Qi and Blood: 1.23 (The baseline Qi and Blood value for adults in the Game of Thrones world is 1)]

Don Quixote glanced at his data panel:

"Is this my physical condition? It's really not that great."

You should know that he has never stayed up all night or had any particularly refined craftsmanship in his life.

Aside from often not having enough to eat, he had a very regular schedule and frequently did physical labor and practiced knightly skills.

Over the past decade, his physical fitness has only been about 20% higher than that of an average adult.

It makes perfect sense that you must fill your stomach before you can practice martial arts. Without sufficient energy and nutrition to support the high-intensity demands of martial arts training, the training effect will be greatly reduced.

Don Quixote sighed for a moment, reflecting on the hardships he had endured over the years that yielded only such meager and insignificant results.

After a few breaths, he steadied himself and looked at the system's task section.

Employer: Mrs. Vera

【Task: Maintain order at the Iron Axe Tavern daily (This task is completed daily, and the reward is random)】

[Reward: One Blood Apple (Claimable)]

"It turns out to be a long-term mission. Thank you, Mrs. Vera!"

Don Quixote was both surprised and delighted.

After the system unexpectedly appeared, he planned to find an excuse to leave the Iron Axe Tavern after a few days.

But now it seems that we can take it slow.

...If the daily reward for this task is decent, I might as well stay at the Iron Axe Tavern for a few more days.

A thought flashed through Don Quixote's mind, and he silently recited:

"receive!"

In an instant, a blood-red apple the size of a fist appeared out of thin air in Don Quixote's palm.

Blood Apple: Made from the life essence of elves, it can slightly enhance physical fitness when consumed directly, with no side effects.

"It can enhance physical fitness without side effects, it's a great product."

Don Quixote's eyes lit up instantly.

He resisted the urge to swallow it whole, quickly got up, scooped up some well water to wash the blood apple twice, and then washed his hands clean.

Click.

Not long after swallowing the blood apple, Don Quixote suddenly felt a warm current spreading from his stomach.

Like the most comforting fireplace in winter.

It's also like a lover's warm, moist tongue.

It feels so good!

"hey-hey."

For some unknown reason, Don Quixote chuckled.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next morning, Don Quixote woke up and the first thing he did was check his data panel.

Name: Don Quixote

[Identity: Knight]

【Spirit: 1.82】

[Qi and Blood: 1.26]

"My physical condition has really improved. My Qi and blood levels increased by 0.03 overnight. It's unbelievable!"

"Moreover, I feel that the effects of that blood apple haven't completely worn off yet, and it's still subtly enhancing my physique."

Don Quixote clenched his fist, as if he truly felt his physical strength had increased.

"This gives me hope and a sense of purpose in life."

"Hehe, let's celebrate this new life! Instead of eating that rock-hard black bread this morning, let's head straight to the Iron Axe Tavern for a hearty meal!"

Don Quixote rode off to the Iron Axe Tavern with a delighted expression.

Lost in thought, Don Quixote soon arrived at the Iron Axe Tavern.

In front of the bar.

Don Quixote looked at Ronan, who had arrived earlier and was already at work, and smiled:

"Hey Ronan, give me a beef stew with barley, a little pigeon, and a glass of ale."

Ronan stopped wiping the wine glass, stared at Don Quixote for a long while, and said coldly:

"Kid, the tavern only serves dark bread and a small amount of cured meat. Don't be too greedy."

Don Quixote frowned, but quickly relaxed and said calmly:

"This is what I ordered for myself, not counting the two meals provided free of charge by the pub."

Upon hearing this, Ronan's expression softened slightly, and after thinking for a moment, he said:

"A serving of barley stewed beef costs 13 copper coins, a roasted pigeon costs 9 copper coins, and a glass of ale costs 3 copper coins. That's 25 copper coins in total."

A slightly more substantial meal is almost equivalent to two days' wages for Don Quixote. If it weren't for his system, he wouldn't dare to be so extravagant.

Don Quixote nodded, but then said:

"Ronan, I'm a bartender, don't I get any discounts?"

Ronan immediately changed his tune:

"There is a discount. Let me think about it, I'll give you 23 copper points."

...If I don't mention it, you won't offer a discount, right?

Don Quixote was immediately annoyed.

He had intended to buy Ronan a glass of ale so they could get to know each other better.

It's good to have more connections.

I guess I'll pass.

Don Quixote promptly took out 23 copper coins and divided them on the bar.

Then I turned around and chose a quiet corner to wait for the food.

Ronan glanced coldly at Don Quixote's retreating figure and muttered in a low voice:

"So what if a skinny guy learns some knightly skills? He really thinks he's someone important."

"Eating two days' wages in one meal? Are they out of their mind?"

The original three waiters at Iron Axe Tavern all lived frugally, working themselves to the bone for every penny they earned.

Even though he craves alcohol, he only orders a small amount of ale.

Only on festive occasions would they indulge in a glass of ale.

"Hmph, a bouncer job like that probably won't last three days."

Ronan prayed silently.

Don Quixote had a relaxed job tending the tavern, while he had to work hard all day.

The exact salary is still unclear, but it is likely not lower than his.

He didn't show it on his face, after all, it was Mrs. Vera's decision, and it wouldn't be good to complain and lose his job.

But he already felt unbalanced and dissatisfied.

On what grounds?

Just because he has the identity of a knight's squire?

He's not even a real knight!

However, Ronan still had some sense of reason and self-awareness.

He knew that a knight's squire was far superior to a commoner like him with no background.

Even though Don Quixote was down on his luck and came to this tavern to work as a waiter, even though Don Quixote looked frail and weak.

Not at all.

Knighthood is not just a profession, but also an honorary title that can be bestowed.

Some knights were even reserves for the nobility.

In the eyes of many commoners, knights were synonymous with nobles.

Before understanding the specifics of Don Quixote, Ronan only dared to complain to himself in private.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After waiting quietly for a while, the errand boy Cole brought a wooden tray to Don Quixote's table.

Colyomo was eleven or twelve years old.

He glanced at Don Quixote, then looked around at the empty seats beside him, and asked in confusion:

"Hey, Don Quixote, is this the food you ordered?"

"Um."

Don Quixote nodded and smiled:

"The food has finally arrived! I'm starving!"

Cole quickly and gently placed the wooden tray on the table.

The aroma of barley stewed beef mixed with the smoky scent of roasted pigeon instantly filled the air, causing Don Quixote to swallow hard.

On the tray, a large, rough earthenware bowl holds tender, stewed beef chunks, while the wheat kernels, soaked in the meat juices, are glossy and oily.

The pigeons' skin was roasted until golden brown, with oil dripping down the crispy skin, making them incredibly tempting to eat.

In the ceramic cup beside it, the surface of the beer was covered with cloudy foam, emitting a faint aroma of malt.

……

PS: (Please recommend and read this!)