Chapter 263: The Benefits
Chapter 263: The Benefits
Ever since the Noble Assembly was transformed into a command post, it has become a bustling hub of activity, frequented by the wealthy and influential.
Karl and the fat man entered the room.
Bastian, noticing their entrance, pulled his daughter closer into the corner, clearly uncomfortable with the lavish atmosphere that seemed at odds with their humble demeanor.
"Another one seeking a title, I presume?"
As the two waited, a lethargic voice from the adjacent room chimed in:
"It's useless!"
"That fat man is a greedy echidna, always yearning for more. Getting a title from him is as unlikely as peeling off his last layer of skin."
"Ah!" Rita exclaimed involuntarily:
"But won't Grandfather Karl be disappointed?"
"Hey!" The man in the next room chuckled softly:
"Re-registering as a noble isn't limited to this place. Perhaps in other locations, it wouldn't be as troublesome."
"Don't even mention re-registering..."
"In the past few decades, countless nobles have died under mysterious circumstances, some even replaced by imposters. Titles and lands are bought and sold, so what's the big deal?"
Rita was left speechless by this revelation.
In her mind, noble lords with titles were always from prestigious families, with generations of heritage. The information the man next door revealed shattered her preconceived notions.
Could titles and nobility be bought and sold?
"Then..."
"Shh!"
As Rita was about to ask another question, Bastian gently tugged at her sleeve and shook his head slightly:
"Don't talk nonsense. Look where we are. Just wait quietly for Baron Karl to come out."
As a mature adult, he had witnessed various forms of darkness and knew that nobility didn't necessarily equate to moral superiority.
In fact, the opposite was often true.
The man next door wouldn't have spoken up without reason; he likely held a grudge against the fat man.
His intention was to warn Karl not to waste time with the fat man, as it would be a futile endeavor.
"Hmm?"
Just as the two were thinking, the door opened, and a refined Karl stepped out, walking slowly.
He nodded slightly at the two and smiled faintly:
"Let's go!"
"Grandfather Karl." Rita hurried to his side:
"Your title..."
"Rita." Bastian huffed:
"We'll talk outside."
"Yes." Rita pouted, but a smile returned to her face after Karl rubbed her head.
The three left the Noble Assembly and climbed back into the carriage.
"Baron Karl."
Only then did Bastian speak:
"Someone just warned us that the fat man is a greedy echidna, and we shouldn't trust him."
"Mhm." Karl removed his hat and set down his cane, stretching his muscles slightly before nodding:
"You're right, that fat man is indeed very greedy."
"Ah!" Rita looked disappointed:
"But won't Grandfather Karl's title be lost forever?"
"Not at all." Karl shook his head with a smile, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a thin booklet:
"I've retrieved our family's belongings, and we've even been promoted to an earl."
"Ah!"
"What?"
Both of them were taken aback.
"Heh..." Karl chuckled softly:
"At my age, I've met many people from the Noble Assembly, but I won't be stopped by a youngster.
"Yes." After his initial surprise, Bastian became more restrained:
"Karl... Earl, you're no ordinary person."
His words were genuine.
Ever since meeting Karl, Bastian knew he wasn't ordinary. How could an ordinary person remain calm so close to the battlefield, even keeping their clothes clean?
Reflecting on their journey, though brief, and the few events they encountered, Karl's demeanor remained unchanged, as if he had the confidence to handle any situation.
"Wow!"
But Rita didn't share his enthusiasm, her face a picture of surprise. "So, Grandpa Karl is already an Earl?"
"Yes," Karl nodded.
"Some military merits go unclaimed on the battlefield, and some are even bought and sold. With a little money, one can buy their way up to a title."
"But only up to an Earl. It gets too complicated after that, and the Church won't allow it."
This was the way of the wizards.
With a simple spell, they could make people obedient and even willingly give up their military merits.
They wouldn't even realize anything was amiss afterward and would actively find reasons for their actions.
The day was already fading into night.
The two of them escorted Karl to the finest hotel nearby and agreed to meet here early the next morning.
---
"It's true that you can't cast spells casually, even simple spells will have some reaction."
Karl's body sank into the soft bedding, and he gently caressed his chest. "As long as it finds an opportunity, it will take action. It seems that taking my life is now bound to it."
---
"But..."
"There's also an advantage!"
A smile graced Karl's face as he thought of something.
"With the owner of this thing absent, as long as I can suppress it, I can refine it into my own tool."
"Soul Centipede!"
"A Tier 3 Peak construct, once it pierces the body, even a demigod will be in pain for half a day. In the Otherworld, it can be a powerful trump card."
"Sleep!"
The Divine Realm Fragment couldn't be stayed in for long, as human emotions would gradually be erased. So, apart from cultivation, Karl rarely lingered inside.
Moreover, he had already forgotten what it was like to stay in a hotel.
Early in the morning, soft bread, sweet jam, and various foods were served.
Along with three of the latest newspapers.
"Ruffle..."
Karl held a cup of milk in one hand and unfolded a newspaper with the other, scanning the headlines.
The Clone Empire had hosted the latest Academy Tournament, showcasing various new research and insights.
Were there already primitive computers? Gando even had its own cannons, and there were even tanks. Rumors of angels appearing on the battlefield circulated.
...
"Interesting," Karl smiled. "These three newspapers have different comments on the same event, indicating different supporters behind the scenes."
"But they all support technological creations. However, as long as the gods are present, technology will be suppressed."
For the gods, mortals were tools for harvesting faith, while technology contradicted faith.
In this time of war, technology could be appropriately advanced for victory, but it must not hinder the gods' harvest.
"Newspapers, factories, pollution..."
"The most important thing is still the war."
Putting down the newspaper, Karl gathered his things and slowly walked out. Bastian and Rita were already waiting at the hotel entrance.
"What's wrong?"
Glancing at the two, Karl asked, "What happened?"
"Grandpa Karl," Rita pouted and burst into tears. "Our things were taken away by our aunt. She broke her promise and stole our money."
Bastian remained silent, his body trembling, his eyes filled with anger and fear.
Having his life's savings taken away was infuriating.
But thinking of the days ahead...
Endless fear gripped him.
His health wasn't the best, and he often needed medication, which he couldn't afford without money. Rita was still too young to take care of herself.
"Then..."
Karl paused, then spoke, "I plan to buy an estate in the capital to retire. If you have nowhere else to go, why not work for me?"
(End of Chapter)
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