Chapter 168: Baron from Today

Chapter 168: Baron from Today



Lamar, a responsible man, had discreetly inquired and learned from a secret source that Rain might be participating in the Ennoblement Examination.

Coincidentally, he had received orders from the Archpriest to return and report, leading to the current situation.

After hearing Lamar's findings, the Archpriest remained silent for a while.

The Underground Hall fell into a brief and eerie silence, where Lamar could even hear his own breathing.

The Archpriest was speechless at this moment!

Rain, a newly appointed knight, had repeatedly escaped their grasp and seemed to be growing stronger with each encounter. This was utterly illogical!

The previous attempt at the Flameblaze Prayer had failed due to the botched blood sacrifice in Shangjin Town, causing them to miss the critical timing.

Now, the priority was to prepare for the next Flameblaze Prayer ceremony.

However, if Rain wasn't dealt with, it would not only be a blow to their reputation but also risk further disruption of the church's plans.

At this moment, the Archpriest, a tall and obese man, shifted slightly in his large chair and turned to Lamar, asking, "You mentioned that Rain is participating in the Ennoblement Examination in Rosby City, right?"

"Yes, Archpriest," Lamar affirmed with a nod.

"Do you think he'll pass the examination?"

Lamar wanted to say yes, but he didn't want to boost the enemy's morale and diminish his own. After carefully choosing his words, he replied, "He... should be able to, I guess?"

The obese Archpriest didn't mind Lamar's slippery use of a questioning tone at the end and continued, "If he does pass, then we'll just have to wait for his return and promote him, right?"

"Yes, Archpriest. That's how the Empire's official procedure works," Lamar said, his tone lightening as he realized the Archpriest was merely confirming the Empire's protocol.

"Lamar, contact Baron Alonso and inform him of the situation. Since Rain has become a noble, we should find a way to promote him to the position of Sheriff in the Fishing Port Town," the Archpriest said, a gleam flashing in his small eyes.

Lamar frowned and asked, "Archpriest, are we using the pirates to deal with him?"

"Not the Church of the Sea God."

"The Church of the Sea God? Are they active again? Aren't they afraid of another imperial crackdown?" Lamar asked in surprise.

"Yes, after a long period of inactivity, they've started moving again. Otherwise, why do you think the pirates were so cooperative with our actions last time? It's because the Church of the Sea God was supporting them from behind the scenes," the Archpriest explained.

Lamar's expression showed sudden realization.

No wonder during their previous operations, the timing of the pirates' attacks and the church's Flameblaze rituals had been so synchronized, diverting a significant portion of the Empire's official forces in Myester County.

He hadn't understood why the pirates were so accommodating to the church's plans, but now it made sense—the Archpriest had contacted the Church of the Sea God.

"Lamar, go to Baron Alonso and take care of this matter. Our priority now is to prepare for the Flameblaze Prayer ceremony," the Archpriest said after a brief pause.

Lamar bowed and retreated, saying, "Yes, Archpriest. I'll take care of it right away."

---

Rosby City, Navy Home Inn.

The tall Has was bidding farewell to Rain.

"Rain, I currently reside in Lachmond Harbor, near the Golden Coast. If you head south from Rosby City, it's about a two-day journey. Remember to come and find me when you have the time."

"Oh, and don't forget to try the stewed giant salmon, a specialty of our region. I'll make sure you get to taste it when you come," Has said, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly as he mentioned the stewed giant salmon.

Rain was surprised to discover that Has was a food enthusiast.

The term 'Golden Coast' caught Rain's attention, as it was mentioned in Claire's letter regarding the swordsmanship master, Gunther, who was said to be living in seclusion there.

It seemed that Rain might have the opportunity to meet Has again in the near future.

Rain had been considering whether to continue south from Rosby City after the examination to seek out Master Gunther or to return home first.

After some thought, Rain decided to go home first.

If he were to study under Master Gunther, it would take at least a month, if not several months, and he didn't want to worry his parents without prior notice.

Moreover, as the deputy sheriff of Shangjin Town, he needed to inform Hamilton if he were to be away for an extended period.

"Sure, Has. I'll definitely come and find you when I have the chance," Rain said with a smile.

"Fair winds and following seas!"

After seeing Has off, Rain began to wander around Rosby City.

He had already explored the area around the Navy Home Inn on his first day, gaining a basic understanding of the city.

From the city's scale, Rosby City was nearly twice the size of Myester City and much more prosperous, a common trait of trade port cities.

In general, coastal trade cities tend to be more prosperous than inland cities, as long as maritime trade is smooth.

With three days to spare, Rain wasn't in a hurry. He planned to explore some bustling alleys or areas near taverns first.

Perhaps, just like Bat Marketplace, this time, Nightingale Marketplace might also be hidden within the bustling city.

Under the warm winter sun, a gentle sea breeze carrying a hint of saltiness blew by, and Rain set off. Along the way, he noticed a more diverse array of seafood, shell products, and goods from remote islands on the stalls than he had seen in the Myester City streets.

After wandering for quite some time, Rain surprisingly couldn't find the entrance to the Nightingale Marketplace, which puzzled him.

He had already covered most of the bustling and lively areas in Rosby City during his exploration.

Could it be that the Nightingale Marketplace was located in the opposite direction, amidst the noble mansions or the affluent district? Rain pondered for a moment, but quickly dismissed this possibility as unlikely.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Rain. He realized he might have overlooked one particular location.

The docks!

Rosby City had multiple docks, such as the Naval Dock, the Fishing Boat Dock, and the Cargo Ship Dock, and there were even two Fishing Boat Docks.

So, Rain began his search, checking each dock one by one.

Soon, as Rain approached the Cargo Ship Dock, he spotted a sign with a nightingale emblem near a tavern called Sailor's Home.

Rain's face lit up, and he made his way towards it.

Just like the Bat Marketplace, Rain stepped through a magical array and found himself in a marketplace, filled with that familiar scent.

The place was bustling with people, most of them wearing hoods or veils to conceal their identities. Some moved about openly, but they were in the minority.

The marketplace was crowded, but everyone spoke in hushed tones.

At that moment, the red-haired maiden Evelyn was also at the Nightingale Marketplace, shopping for ingredients to make potions. Soon, she noticed a familiar figure wandering around.

"Hmm? What's he doing here?"

Evelyn paused upon spotting Rain, who seemed to be casually exploring the marketplace.

To be honest, Evelyn was quite curious about Rain, the young man who had caused the ship explosion during the Ennoblement Examination.

Although she was a bit introverted and proud, it was understandable given her circumstances.

Being almost the top-ranked among the noble heirs of Rosby City in terms of strength, it was inevitable for her to feel a bit proud and reserved when dealing with most so-called 'talented youths'.

But Rain was different. His performance during the Ennoblement Examination had been astonishing, and Evelyn couldn't help but admire him.

Rain, with his keen senses, noticed Evelyn's gaze. Despite her hood, the glimpse of red hair and the familiar bright eyes were enough for Rain to recognize her as the red-haired maiden, Evelyn.

Their eyes met.

Rain smiled slightly, and Evelyn immediately returned the smile.

After a moment's thought, Evelyn approached him and said, "Greetings, Knight Rain. I'm Evelyn. Your performance during the Ennoblement Examination was truly remarkable."

"You flatter me, Evelyn. Has has told me about your strength and beauty. Compared to you, I merely took a shortcut."

Evelyn covered her mouth and giggled, saying, "Knight Rain, I thought someone as powerful as you would be busy training and not be good with words. But it seems I was wrong."

"By the way, Rain, if you don't mind me asking, what brings you to the Nightingale Marketplace? Perhaps I, as a local, can be your guide." Evelyn offered.

Evelyn was surprised at her own reaction to Rain's compliment. Usually, she would hear flatteries from various people, but none of them made her feel the way Rain's simple words did.

Perhaps it was because of his exceptional strength, Evelyn thought to herself.

"Of course, it would be my honor to have the beautiful and powerful Knight Evelyn as my guide," Rain agreed with a smile.

Furthermore, Rain thought that there was no need to hide anything.

After all, their presence at the Nightingale Marketplace indicated that they were both part of a similar circle, and Evelyn was likely a wizard apprentice, though he didn't know her specialization.

"I'm looking for a suitable wizard model, but after searching around, it seems there aren't any powerful spells here," Rain continued.

Evelyn smiled and explained, "Of course not. At this level of mysterious marketplace, you won't find powerful spells or first-level wizardry. However, sometimes, you can find some decent beginner-level spells."

"Hmm? Is there a reason for this?" Reyn asked, slightly puzzled.

"The actual managers behind these markets are jointly managed by the Empire and some wizard schools, and some things are still restricted." Evelyn explained.

"I see!" Reyn nodded in understanding.

No wonder! He remembered the last time at the Nightingale Market, when he had taken a large bundle of items from Adams' shop and was stopped by two market managers.

However, after he introduced himself, he was allowed to pass without issue.

Indeed, as he had guessed, these mysterious markets were all under some form of imperial management.

Looking at the red-haired girl, Evelyn, Reyn couldn't help but think of another noble girl, Jenny.

However, Jenny's status was slightly lower, and she was purely a noble lady who lacked martial prowess.

In contrast, Evelyn was not only a viscount's heir, a rank higher than a baron, but also possessed impressive personal strength.

Reyn had a feeling that Evelyn's abilities might not be much weaker than his own.

Like Reyn, Evelyn was both a wizard apprentice and a knight, and her status exceeded that of an ordinary master knight.

"So, if I want to learn powerful wizardry, what paths are there?" Reyn asked, seeking further guidance.

Evelyn's beautiful eyes widened as she covered her mouth and laughed, "Reyn, you're asking a question you already know the answer to."

"What other ways are there? Generally speaking, there are two paths. One is to join an ancient wizardry school, and the other is to serve in the Empire's enforcement agencies and hold official positions."

"By serving in those positions, one can naturally access many secrets, including confidential wizardry, combat techniques, and research materials."

As they chatted and strolled, they quickly became more familiar with each other.

Evelyn also learned that Reyn was not a noble heir, which suddenly made her realize why Reyn had asked so many questions earlier, which she now understood were basic inquiries.

However, as she thought about it more carefully, she became even more surprised!

How could a commoner's heir possess such impressive abilities? Evelyn found Reyn even more enigmatic.

She knew that both the path of a knight and a wizard apprentice required substantial resources, and for a commoner's heir to reach Reyn's current level would be extremely challenging.

2. Reyn's keen interest in the 'Wizardry Model' at the Nightingale Market reminded him of his past life's experience of searching for antiques at the Panjiayuan Market.

Finding a genuine treasure among the fakes? The chances were slim, and one needed a sharp eye.

"You're welcome, Reyn. It's just that it's not easy to find good items here. You need a keen eye and some luck," Evelyn smiled and explained.

---

Myester, the capital of Myester Province.

Envoy Javier Stuart received the ennoblement examination materials from Theo in Rosby City and was momentarily surprised.

The top name on the list was Reyn.

He had expected Reyn to perform well, but his score of over 2000 points truly astonished him; he knew the significance of such a score.

After some thought, he quickly stamped the word 'Agreed' and sent someone to immediately report to the capital.

Two days later.

Baron Theodorus was initially delighted after receiving the Imperial Senate's response.

However, there was also an invitation-style document that immediately made Viscount Theo's expression turn solemn, and he exclaimed, "It's an invitation from the Imperial Swordbearers!"

He shook his head slightly and sighed, "It seems that General Silva's favor has not been earned after all."

After some thought, he felt that he should inform General Silva of this 'bad news' as soon as possible to prevent him from doing unnecessary work.

Just as he arrived at General Silva's office door, he heard the general's voice, tinged with anger, from inside.

"That idiot from Myester County actually rejected my transfer order! I went to see the person who rejected it, and it turns out to be a Baron named Alonso Habsburg."

"Hmm! Habsburg? This person should be a direct descendant of Count Habsburg."

When he mentioned 'Habsburg', General Silva was clearly taken aback, because although he was in Rosby County, he was well aware of Count Habsburg, the person in charge of the neighboring county.

Due to the current administrative authority of Rain, it naturally fell under the jurisdiction of Myester County, and all transfer orders for Rain had to go through Myester County.

For horizontal transfer orders, Myester County had the right to reject them.

Unless it was from the Minster Province or a higher-level authority.

Hearing this, Viscount Theo, who was standing outside the door, was surprised and knocked on the door quickly.

"Knock knock knock!"

"Come in!"

"Viscount, your timing is perfect!" General Silva, upon seeing that the visitor was Viscount Theo, repeated his previous complaint.

"No way! If the Sixth Fleet's reputation is not enough, I'll issue the transfer order in the name of the Imperial South Sea Fleet, and I'd like to see who in Myester County dares to reject it!"

However, after listening to General Silva's complaint, Viscount Theo could only smile bitterly and console him,

"General, I think there's no need to be angry. Perhaps, you should take a look at this first."

General Silva, puzzled, took the invitation from Viscount Theo.

He saw an invitation he was familiar with but rarely saw, it was an invitation from the Imperial Swordbearers.

On the invitation, there was a drawing of five colorful dragons flying in the sky.

"This is an invitation from the Imperial Swordbearers, and it came so quickly!" General Silva exclaimed in surprise.

General Silva's original plan was to buy some time, to recruit Rain before the special departments of the Empire discovered this talented individual.

After all, on an imperial level, the South Sea Fleet was a formidable force, responsible for the security of the Empire's territories. By transferring Rain to his fleet, even if the special departments wanted to recruit him, it wouldn't be that easy.

At the very least, they could drag their feet and negotiate for some form of compensation.

But now, his transfer order from the Sixth Fleet had been rejected by Myester County, and the Swordbearers' invitation had already arrived.

These past few days had been a waste of time.

"That's right, General. Once Rain receives this invitation, he will become a candidate for the Swordbearers. So, even if you succeed in recruiting him, it won't be of much significance."

General Silva thought for a moment and sighed, "Indeed, it's better to nurture our own talent."

"Viscount, when the announcement is made, I won't go to Rain's side. I'll leave it to you."

As for Rain, he was unaware of the twists and turns that had occurred.

Rain had no idea that he had missed an opportunity to embark on a grand voyage, to experience the vastness of the sea and engage in battles with pirates.

Navy Home Inn, second floor, a certain guest room.

A rhythmic yet steady knocking sound echoed through the room.

Rain opened the door and was surprised to see the person standing before him. It was the person in charge of the knighting ceremony, Viscount Theo, dressed in noble hunter attire and sporting a goatee. This title, 'Viscount', was what Second Lieutenant Marika had told him.

"Viscount, good day!"

Viscount Theo's visit must mean there was something important.

Viscount Theo entered the room with a smile, glanced around, and noticed that although Rain was staying in an inn, his belongings were neatly arranged, showing a sense of order. This couldn't help but add to the Viscount's approval.

Who said Rain lacked discipline? This clearly showed he had it!

"Knight Rain, I just received a letter from the Imperial Knighting Ceremony Committee. Your excellent performance during the ceremony has been approved, and you will be granted the title of Baron."

"Thank you, Viscount!" Rain was overjoyed, and his fists clenched involuntarily.

The dust had settled, and from this day forward, he was a noble, a baron!

"However, Knight Rain, perhaps what you'd rather see is this." Viscount Theo, with a smile, handed Rain a document in the style of an invitation.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end