Chapter 232: A Changed Martial Arts Tournament
Although the ambush had passed without any real danger, Duane’s passenger ship had inevitably sustained some damage.
The ship’s carpenter was busy with repairs while the sailors and security team members talked amongst themselves, reliving the battle.
They marveled at the Baron’s impressive display, but they also recounted their own parts in the fight.
The three archers who had shot down enemies were especially surrounded by compliments after receiving their rewards.
They had all grown a little from the experience.
The rest of the voyage was smooth, and the group finally arrived at Silent Harbor in mid-June.
"Haha, Duane, you’re finally here!"
As soon as the ship docked, Sharp Knight, the Time Closet partner in charge of transport and trade, came forward to greet him.
This took Duane by surprise. "Long time no see! What are you doing here?"
"When someone as important as you is visiting, we have to roll out the red carpet!"
Duane understood as soon as Sharp explained.
Before leaving Black Forest Island, he had written to Natalia. She had estimated his arrival time and discussed it with the other partners.
Since Sharp had been busy at the harbor recently, the task of welcoming Duane naturally fell to him.
"Come on, let’s go. We’ve already arranged a place for you to stay, not far from the clothing workshop. It’ll be your base of operations here in the Silent Shore, and it’s also where the rest of us meet up sometimes."
Duane laughed. "Sounds like Time Closet is coming along even better than I imagined. You even have a proper office now!"
"With Miss Natalia leading the charge, and no shortage of resources, of course things are going smoothly!"
Sharp lowered his voice. "To be honest, when I heard your idea for a fashion show, it was a real eye-opener. I never imagined you could sell clothes that way!"
A fashion show. Even though it was a new term, it wasn’t jarring; anyone with a bit of sense could figure out what it meant.
"Seriously, my friend, I’m really impressed!"
Duane burst out laughing at his words, but replied humbly, "I just did a little thinking. You all are the ones doing the hard work to make the money!"
"Don’t say that! My father always told me brains are worth a lot more than brawn!"
Laughing and chatting, the two boarded the Knight Clan’s luxurious carriage and headed for the villa.
Duane couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic.
The last time he was in Silent Harbor, he had stayed in a nearby inn.
This time, however, not only did he not have to worry about lodging, but someone was even waiting at the docks to personally receive him.
They talked a great deal on the way.
Duane learned from Sharp about the situation with his father, Legion Commander Marles.
Due to preparations for participating in the exploitation of Freddy’s Secret Realm, only a little over half of the Silent Shore’s navy had been recalled.
The rest were still on assignment in Flowing Silver Fjord.
According to Sharp, even after the operations in the Secret Realm stabilized, warships from the Silent Shore would still need to travel there frequently.
As a result, Knight Marles’s life had become quite busy.
However, to maintain stable relations with the Pruck Kingdom, the Akutas Kingdom wouldn’t pull any strange stunts regarding the Secret Realm’s development.
So, while Marles was busy, there wasn’t much risk involved. After accumulating a few years of merit, he would be able to secure a title for himself in the Silent Shore.
According to the Kingdom’s laws, a Count can enfeoff one Viscount, five Barons, and twenty Knights.
Currently, Count Kais’s Viscount title is vacant, and he only has two Barons under him.
Marles himself is a Knight and a Celestial Tier Warrior who serves as the Legion Commander for the Kennedy Clan’s fleet. His qualifications are more than sufficient.
He just needs to earn some more merit, and the third barony in the Silent Shore is sure to go to the Knight Clan.
Duane’s thoughts turned to his own situation.
He was a Baron, and according to the Kingdom’s laws, a Baron could enfeoff three Knights.
Logically, two of those three positions should definitely go to Kaelon and Raymond.
After all, they were strong and loyal, and they had been part of his core retinue since he first came to Black Forest Island.
As for the third spot, he planned to give it to Simone.
Simone was the only one of his subordinates with a noble background, so it was only right to show him special consideration.
"By the way, Duane, His Majesty the King changed the rewards for the tournament. You probably haven’t heard about that yet, have you?"
Duane paused. "No, I haven’t. What happened?"
"The news just came out a few days ago. You must have already left Black Forest Island by then. Miss Natalia wanted to let you know, but there was no way for you to receive the message."
Duane nodded. "What rewards were changed?"
Sharp said, "Previously, only the champion would be made a Baron and granted a territory. But at the suggestion of some nobles, the second and third-place winners are now eligible as well!"
Duane was surprised. "Giving out three territories at once? The Kingdom hasn’t done that in many years, has it?"
"That’s true, but this is the sixtieth anniversary of the Kingdom’s founding, after all. It’s only natural for things to be a little more grand."
Duane couldn’t help but ask, "Has Cyan Snake Fortress announced the specific locations of the three territories?"
Sharp shook his head, but then added:
"The specific locations aren’t clear yet, but the general areas have been decided. One is on the western side of the Silent Shore, facing the Starfall Islands."
"The second is in the central part of Fernando Province, likely also facing Flowing Silver Fjord."
"The third is in the northernmost part of Fernando Province, at the Three Realms Lakefront. It’s said to be quite close to Count Kudro’s territory."
Duane pondered this, visualizing the map of the Kingdom in his mind.
Adding new nobility on the shores of Flowing Silver Fjord would provide more naval strength in a future conflict with the Akutas Kingdom.
As for Three Realms Lake...
That was the border where the Pruck Kingdom, the Kasa Kingdom, and the Akutas Kingdom all met. It was the source of the Michaelson River.
Establishing a new barony there would be convenient for moving north or south.
But from Duane’s perspective, the third location was not ideal.
If he were to get that territory, he’d have two options to transport supplies from Black Forest Island. He could either travel all the way north up the Michaelson River, or he could pass through Flowing Silver Fjord, land in Duke Hughes’s territory, and then transport everything overland.
Although traveling upriver was more convenient, a one-way trip would take at least twenty days or so.
"Have you heard how they plan to assign the three territories?" Duane asked.
He was very interested in the answer.
"There’s a rumor about that. The champion gets to choose, while the second and third-place territories will be assigned personally by His Majesty."
Duane breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
’As long as I win first place, I can pick the most suitable territory.’
"Duane, Natalia told me you’re incredibly strong. You signed up for it, right?"
Sharp asked with a wide grin, "So? Are you confident you can make it into the top three?"
"Haha, I’ll do my best!"
Duane asked humbly, "What about you? You’re an eighteen-year-old Advanced Warrior. Your talent is quite remarkable."
"Forget it!"
Sharp shook his head quickly. "If the age limit were twenty and under, I might have a chance to place. But now that it’s open to anyone up to twenty-five, I’m clearly out of my league."
He lowered his voice. "Marquis Sean’s second son, Keldert, is twenty-four years old, and he’s an Earth Tier Warrior!"
"Then there’s Count Kudro Hassa’s daughter, Tara. She’s also twenty-four and an Earth Tier Warrior! And on top of that, there’s the Crown Prince’s friend, whose strength is unknown but is definitely formidable..."
Sharp shrugged. "Those three have basically locked up the top three spots!"
Duane was secretly alarmed. ’So there are some real monsters in the Kingdom’s younger generation.’
Duane murmured, "No wonder His Majesty raised the age limit to twenty-five."
"Yeah!"
Sharp complained, "If you ask me, His Majesty is just opening a back door for those two!"
Duane secretly nodded in agreement.
The Shawn Clan was located in the Kingdom’s northeast. A territory in Flowing Silver Fjord would make it easier for them to project their family’s influence toward the Akutas Kingdom.
The Hassa Clan was in a similar position. Plus, if Tara made it into the top three, she’d be the first Lady Baroness in the Kingdom’s history to earn her title through personal strength. That would surely cause a huge sensation!
As for the Crown Prince’s friend, Duane didn’t know their identity or motives, so he had no idea what they would do with a territory.
As they spoke, the carriage began to slow down.
Sharp pulled aside the curtain and glanced outside. "We’re here. Come on, I’ll give you a tour of our clothing workshop!"
"Miss Natalia, Zelina, and Derek are all coming over tonight. We’ll have a proper get-together!"