Chapter 235: Observations

Chapter 235: Observations



As Rain looked up, he saw a group of Templar Knights escorting Archdeacon Rudolf, who was about to arrive at the manor's entrance.

Without hesitation, Rain stepped forward and smiled, saying, "Archdeacon Rudolf, why did you go through the trouble of coming here personally?"

Rudolf smiled warmly at the young man before him, thinking to himself that he hadn't expected Rain's progress to be so rapid in just a few months. Now, even he couldn't fathom the depth of Rain's abilities.

"Baron Rain, I'm here on Bishop Shane's request to see you off. I hope you'll successfully join the Imperial Swordsmen this time and bring glory to Myester."

"Oh, and here's a personal letter from Bishop Shane for Brandon, the Disciplinary Knight of Minster Cathedral."

"Brandon is a long-time friend of Bishop Shane. If you encounter any difficulties in Minster, you can seek his assistance with this letter."

Rudolf smiled as he spoke and took out a book sealed with red wax from his pocket, handing it over to Rain.

"A Disciplinary Knight?"

Noticing Rain's slightly puzzled expression, Rudolf smiled and explained, "A Disciplinary Knight is a specialized title within the Church for knights who excel in combat."

"I see."

"Thank you, Archdeacon Rudolf. Please convey my gratitude to Bishop Shane for his concern," Rain said with a slight bow.

A Disciplinary Knight? Rain somewhat understood Bishop Shane's intention, although it was a bit cryptic. The underlying message was that he hoped Rain would consider joining the Church, and this Brandon might become his mentor.

The double-pigtailed maiden's eyes narrowed as she thought to herself that Rain seemed to have a deep connection with the Goddess Church.

Soon, it was time to depart. Rain bid farewell to his teary-eyed mother, Emma, his father, Old Rain, and his sister, Mint.

He also exchanged hearty pats with Has and waved goodbye to Jennifer.

The group set off immediately.

This time, Rain didn't ride his black horse but instead traveled in a luxurious carriage specially arranged by Jennifer.

At this moment, there were three luxurious carriages in the entire convoy: one for the pair of best friends, Jenny and Agatha, one currently occupied by Rain, and the other brought by Veronica from Rosby County.

However, the three girls of similar age were chatting happily, so Veronica joined Jenny in her carriage.

Rain, on the other hand, didn't mind being alone, as he had some things to ponder.

But in the afternoon, Veronica made her way into Rain's carriage, ostensibly to discuss the examination.

However, women have a keen sense in certain matters.

As Veronica entered Rain's carriage, Agatha couldn't help but nudge Jenny, who was sitting next to her, and said, "My lady! Your competitor has entered Baron Rain's carriage, and you show no reaction at all?"

Jenny glanced at her friend with her beautiful eyes and thought to herself, 'What reaction could I possibly have? Baron Rain is already my mother's boyfriend. What reaction should I have?' But she knew she couldn't reveal this secret, not even to her best friend.

So, Jenny huffed and said, "Agatha, what reaction do you expect me to have?"

"Shouldn't you also find a reason to get into Baron Rain's carriage?" Agatha asked, assuming it was obvious.

"Thanks, but no need!"

Hearing Jenny's immediate refusal, Agatha looked at her best friend and scrutinized her carefully before saying, "Jenny, I think something is off with you!"

"For a while, weren't you quite smitten with Baron Rain? Why have you been so distant lately?"

"Oh, as your best friend, I have to warn you! If you truly aren't interested in Baron Rain, then I might just go for it," Agatha said, her face slightly flushed.

"What do you mean?" Jenny stared at her friend with wide, beautiful eyes.

After all this, does her best friend also have feelings for Baron Rain?

Hearing Jenny's words, Agatha rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Jenny, don't you know how popular Baron Rain has become in the county recently?"

"I can assure you that if Baron Rain doesn't go to Minster this time, there will be a line of noble ladies visiting him every day!"

After hearing Agatha's explanation, Jenny remained expressionless.

But Agatha hadn't spoken incorrectly.

"Baron Rain is so handsome..." Agatha's face flushed as she spoke, and her slender legs, visible under her short skirt, tightened slightly.

Seeing her friend's dreamy expression, Jenny placed her delicate hand on her forehead and said with a mix of exasperation and annoyance, "Go ahead then! Just don't blame me for it!"

"But you agreed!" Agatha replied, having seen Jenny wave her hand dismissively. She then happily left the carriage without looking back.

After all, as good friends, she couldn't openly compete for her best friend's crush.

But now that her best friend has decided to let go, things are different. Agatha's sense of guilt has greatly diminished, so it's time for her to take action.

As for Miss Veronica, she's a strong competitor, but the problem is that before their relationship is confirmed, she still has a chance, right?

At this moment, since there are only two people in the carriage, Rain and Veronica, Rain takes the opportunity to ask his question.

"Veronica, how did you obtain the Imperial Swordsman Examination invitation letter?"

Hearing Rain's question, Veronica couldn't help but giggle.

"Sir Rain, don't you know? Our Ulbrack Academy, as a medium-sized Wizard Academy that is on good terms with the Empire, has a certain number of spots every year to obtain examination invitation letters from the Empire's various special departments."

"The Swordsman's invitation letter is a bit more difficult, but Master Enius helped me get it."

"Of course, it's just the qualification to take the exam. Whether I can enter in the end still depends on my performance during the exam, but I'm quite confident about that." Veronica waved her small, white fist and said confidently.

"I see." Rain smiled and nodded.

This is pretty much what he had expected.

"I thought your mentor, Master Enius, was an advisor to the Southern Sea Fleet, so you would choose to join the Imperial Navy."

Hearing this, Veronica paused for a moment. Her watery eyes looked at Rain and said, "My mentor originally wanted me to join the Imperial Navy's 'Tide Surger' after a while. But last time I heard that you, Sir Rain, were going to take the Imperial Swordsman Examination, so..."

"Knock knock knock!"

A familiar and crisp female voice sounded outside the carriage door, "Sir Rain, I'd like to ask you about some business matters. Is it convenient?"

Veronica raised her eyebrows. It was her best friend Jenny's voice.

Hearing that Agatha was suddenly coming to Rain's carriage, although Veronica was always immersed in wizardry research, but her female instinct quickly made her understand what was going on.

Ask about business?

What a poor excuse.

"Come in." After thinking about it, Rain said.

Although Agatha's timing was not ideal, he couldn't refuse her.

After all, Agatha had once helped him collect spiritual texts, and the Wiggins family is currently a shareholder of the Hammer and Rose Merchant Guild.

Although Veronica's words were not fully expressed, but her meaning was clear to Rain.

As Agatha entered the carriage, Rain smiled and said, "Miss Agatha, I don't mind. I let Jenny come too, she's a bit bored by herself."

Hearing Rain's words, Agatha felt a little depressed, but she had no choice but to nod, "Of course, Baron Rain."

A minute later, Jenny, a little dazed, was invited into the carriage by the small Mateo. The three girls then sat with Rain in the same carriage.

With the company of three noble ladies, Rain's originally dull journey became more lively and interesting.

If they were traveling from Myester County to the provincial capital of Minster, it would normally take ten days at the speed of the carriage.

Today, until the last day of the month of Vitality, there were still twelve full days left, and Rain had reserved two extra days.

According to the map, Myester County and the provincial capital of Minster were separated by Wales County, meaning Rain's group only needed to cross Wales County to reach the provincial capital of Minster.

Since the official main road between counties was well-maintained, the road conditions were relatively good.

Along the way, there were indeed some bandits who attacked the caravan, but Rain didn't take any action at all. He simply let the Lynx Battlehound and Bloodfeather Horned Eagle do a 'ground-air combo', and the bandits were defeated.

Of course, the bandits weren't completely useless, as they at least contributed some experience points to Rain's Beast Taming profession.

Seeing the dog and eagle's formidable combat, Mateo's eyes widened in surprise, and from then on, he took even better care of them.

"Wow, Sir Rain's strength is getting stronger, and even this dog and eagle's strength have surpassed mine!"

"Oh!"

Mateo couldn't help but recall Rain's frail figure when he first joined the Night Watch in Maxwell Town. Now, looking at Rain, it was as if he had become a different person.

Six days later, Rain noticed that the environment on both sides of the road was gradually changing.

If most of Myester County was hilly, as they entered the central region of Wales County, the surroundings began to turn into plains.

Originally, through the carriage window, one could occasionally see traces of snow on the hilltops, but now, the surroundings were mostly covered in newly grown green grass.

The dense forests also gradually thinned out, and in their place, there was a vast plain.

The farmers of Wales County had already begun preparations for spring plowing.

In terms of security, it seemed the closer they got to Minster, the safer it became.

Action: Additionally, while on the road, Rayne doesn't forget to cultivate himself.

In his previous life, there was a proverb, 'Keep your fists and songs close.'

So, unless it's a special situation, Rayne practices meditation and breath techniques every day.

The effects of his practice are quite significant.

After today's breath technique cultivation, two system notifications sound in succession:

【Congratulations! Your physical attributes have been enhanced!】

【Congratulations! Your strength attribute has been enhanced!】

Rayne sees his physique +1 and can't help but nod.

Not bad, it's like getting back the -2 physique back to 1 point, and his physique has reached 29 points again.

Also, when camping, Rayne takes the time to practice axe and shield techniques. After seven days, Locke's axe and shield combat skills have already reached level 4.

Three days later, Rayne and his party are about to leave the edge of Wales County and are about to enter the land of Minster.

Looking into the distance, they see more and more small roads converging onto the main road.

After passing a huge boundary stone, the road width gradually expands from the original six or seven meters to over ten meters.

At the same time, as the side roads converge onto the main road, the traffic on the main road also increases. There are both single riders and small merchant groups like Rayne's.

There are small merchant groups of three to five large wagons, and there are also groups that can't even be considered merchant groups, just nearby farmers transporting fresh vegetables and fruits with one or two horse-drawn carts.

Of course, there are also large merchant groups with more than twenty wagons, guarded by escorts. Rayne even senses several times that a wizard apprentice riding a fast horse passes by his wagon, their faint spiritual power waves can't escape his perception.

After all, his spiritual power is now as high as 36 points.

Also, there are occasionally noble knights.

Action:

Action:

In addition, when camping, Rayne takes the time to practice axe and shield techniques. After seven days, Locke's axe and shield combat skills have already reached level 4.

Three days later, Rayne and his party are about to leave the edge of Wales County and are about to enter the land of my body.

"Noble knights," Rayne sees several fully armed knights several times, some with one or two attendants, and some alone, quickly passing his wagon and riding towards the front.

After the whole team passes a steep slope, Rayne hears exclamations from the front of the team!

This immediately attracts the attention of the four people in the carriage.

From the sound, it seems more like surprise than distress.

This makes Rayne and the three girls curious, as they lift the curtain and look out the window.

They see a huge green plain, a winding river crossing the center of the plain, and farmers working diligently in the plain.

In the distance, there is a continuous gray-white mountain range.

What's astonishing is that at the foot of the main peak of the mountain range, there is a huge city built with white stone blocks, relying on the mountain.

Obviously, this is the capital city, Minster! Although Rayne has heard various descriptions of Minster before, he is still quite shocked to see this scene.

The establishment of the magnificent city in front of him must have involved extraordinary power.

However, after the three girls marvel for a while, they are soon attracted by the huge blue lake in the distance.

The lake is right next to the road, not far from the team.

Due to the clear weather, the lake surface reflects the blue sky and white clouds at a certain angle, giving it a 'sky mirror' feel.

"Baron Rayne, let's rest by the lake for a while," Jenny speaks first.

"Of course."

Facing the three girls' joyful and longing expressions, Rayne immediately nods in agreement.

Soon, the team sets up camp by the lakeside.

At this time, they also learn from the conversation of the nearby travelers that this lake is called Stillwater Lake, one of the famous lakes in the capital city of Minster.

As Rayne and the three girls get off the luxurious wagon, the girls' beautiful appearances and crisp laughter immediately attract the attention of several people nearby. There are two groups of people, one in noble robes and the other in knight armor, probably a noble or their heir. The other group, after fetching water, is now preparing to set off again.

Since it's a rest stop, Rayne naturally lets Matteo release the Lynx Battlehound Cookie for some fresh air.

When the tall Lynx Battlehound, as small as a pony, gets off the other wagon, one of the people in noble attire seems to be eager, frequently glancing over.

After a while, a middle-aged man dressed as a guard comes over, holding a dark bottle, probably containing fine wine.

"Respected sirs and ladies, this is a gift from my master to you, the famous Bordeaux Vintage from Wales County."

Among them, a handsome young man in a fitted noble hunting attire raises his wine glass, gesturing to Rayne and his group.

Rayne slightly nods, allowing the small Matteo to receive the fine wine.

At this time, the young man in noble hunting attire whispers a few words to the middle-aged man beside him.

The noble hunter looks at Rayne and his group with a rather surprised expression.

After a few minutes, the noble hunter gracefully walks over and says with a smile:

"Please excuse my boldness, sir, but this dog must be a mutated Brutalized Beast from an ordinary Lynx, right?"

This is truly a rare sight. I wonder if I could convince you to part with it. I'm willing to offer a thousand imperial gold coins."

At this offer, many nearby couldn't help but gasp.

This was a thousand imperial gold coins, an amount beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

Rain smiled and shook his head, "I'm sorry, Cookie is my partner."

"That's truly a shame." The noble youth wasn't upset by Rain's refusal, and after some casual conversation, he returned to his group.

After setting up camp, Jenny seemed to remember something and turned to Rain, asking, "Sir Rain, will our stay here affect your participation in the Imperial Swordsman Examination?"

"I mean, do you need to arrive earlier?"

"It won't affect it. Time-wise, the examination is actually tomorrow." Rain smiled and shook his head.

He wasn't worried about the preliminary test.

By the campfire, another group of several young people, upon hearing that Rain was also there for the Imperial Swordsman Examination, looked over in surprise.

They glanced at Rain and then paused at the three women. A woman in leather armor muttered, "This doesn't look like someone here for the examination. They must be the offspring of some great noble."

"It's possible, but look at their emblem, a hammer and a sword? It doesn't seem like a great noble." A young man looked puzzled.

Another person nodded, "Yeah! I don't recall any Marquis in Minster having this kind of noble emblem. As for the Duke, it's even less likely. The emblem of the Duke of Minster is a coiled serpent shield."

Soon, their conversation turned back to the examination.

"I heard from the grapevine that in this Noble Investiture Examination, there's a young man with incredible strength. They say he's far ahead of the runner-up in terms of scores."

"Noble Investiture Examination? No, no, Steve, you might not know this, but generally, in the Imperial Swordsman Examination, the strongest group is actually from the military."

"Hmm? Is there some special reason for that?"

"Normally, young people who participate in the Imperial Swordsman Examination have an age limit of twenty-eight in the Empire. But you might not know that for those serving in the military, this age limit can be extended to thirty-five."

"So, our biggest competitors in the examination aren't the young people who gained entry through the Noble Investiture Examination, but the elite from the military. They've been honed through real combat, and their various extraordinary combat techniques and wizardry are extremely refined."

"Of course, some of the third-rank wizard apprentices from the major wizard academies are also very powerful."

"Alas! It seems our chances are slim. I hope the Goddess of Luck blesses me and helps me pass the examination!"

Rain, with his exceptional perception, almost heard all of their conversation.

Military elites?

Third-rank wizard apprentices from wizard academies? Interesting.

After a short rest, the caravan continued its journey.

As the saying goes, 'You can't see the whole mountain until you reach the top.'

This was a perfect example of that saying.

They had seen the towering city from afar, but it still took Rain and his group nearly a full day to travel from the lakeside to the city gate.

As Rain gazed up, he could see a gigantic bird of prey soaring in the sky.

"Is that a griffin?" Veronica, standing beside him, also spotted the bird and, as an expert on birds, recognized it as a griffin at first sight.

"Yes," Rain nodded. This was his second time seeing a griffin.

At that moment, the Blood Feather, flying in the sky, also noticed the griffin and let out a loud cry, seemingly unafraid and even eager to test its strength.

Half an hour later, the caravan reached the city gate.

There, a thirty-meter-tall obsidian statue stood at the entrance, depicting a fully armed human knight holding a sword and shield.

Beside it, a brightly dressed minstrel was explaining to a group of young people, "This is the first Grand Duke of the Bavaria family from over two thousand years ago, and he was also a close friend of His Imperial Majesty at the time."

"He made outstanding contributions to the stability of the Minster Province."

Rain's gaze shifted to the massive city gate, which had one large and two smaller gates, totaling three entrances.

The smaller gates on the sides were likely for pedestrians or single riders, while caravans would need to enter through the main gate, which was arched and about fifteen meters high with a width of seven to eight meters.

Of course, nobles had the privilege of cutting in line.

So, the caravan quickly entered the city.

"Sir Rain, thank you for your escort all this way. Agatha and I will head to the Horizon Inn now."

"If you need anything, you can always find us at the Horizon Inn," Jenny said with a slight bow.

"Alright, Miss Jenny, Miss Agatha, we'll see you later then," Rain smiled and nodded.

After Jenny settled her business matters, they would rent or purchase a residence, and the short man, Matt, would also temporarily stay at the Horizon Inn.

The lynx battlehound and the blood feathered eagle were also left in Matt's care for the time being.

After bidding farewell to Jenny and Agatha, Rain headed to the address indicated on the invitation.

Minster, Promenade Avenue 1.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end