Chapter 156: Seeing the King Again
Pruck City was the political heart of the Kingdom.
Although the Nobility usually remained within their own Territories, the more powerful among them all had vassals and spies stationed here to keep a constant watch on major events and stay abreast of the latest news.
Count Kais was a High Lord of the Kingdom and a representative of the Neutral Faction. His unannounced arrival in the Royal Capital clearly signified that something was afoot.
Immediately, the vassals and spies of the Nobility sprang into action, trying to uncover the purpose behind his visit.
But after a busy night, all they could find out was that the Count’s trip to the Royal Capital seemed to be related to Baron Duane of Black Forest Island. The specific details, however, remained unknown.
The next morning, after finishing breakfast at the manor, Duane accompanied the Count to the Cyan Snake Fortress.
Garrot, serving as both hostage and witness, was naturally brought along.
Speaking of whom, the once-dashing Earth Tier Warrior had started to become a bit mentally unstable lately.
This was understandable. After all, he had been brought by Duane to the Royal Capital of the Pruck Kingdom and was about to come face-to-face with the king of a foreign land.
Even if Garrot were a complete fool, he knew what kind of situation he was about to face.
At first, he was filled with regret—regret for being so certain that the assassination attempt on Duane would succeed, and regret for being so eager to achieve merit.
He knew that while he would have been punished by the Viscount for failing to bring back enough goods, he wouldn’t necessarily have lost his title as a Knight or his position as corps commander.
Now, it was too late for all that.
Having failed the assassination and been captured instead, his fate would be completely different.
If King Eric used this as a pretext to declare war, the Akutas Kingdom, in order to avoid conflict, would likely sacrifice him and his entire family to appease the Pruck Kingdom’s wrath.
Even if Viscount Freddy wanted to protect him, he could not defy the will of the Crown Prince.
Garrot had spent more than ten long days drowning in this despairing regret.
As his mind began to fray, the regret faded, replaced by nothing but endless resentment.
Whenever Duane was present, Garrot would stare at him with cold, murderous eyes.
Even with his calm mindset, Duane felt a chill run down his spine as he walked ahead of him.
At the entrance to the Royal Palace, after going through the routine procedures, Duane, Count Kais, and Lloyd walked into the Cyan Snake Fortress.
"Your Majesty, Kais offers you his highest respects!"
Count Kais bowed to the man on the throne, offering a sincere greeting.
Duane did the same.
"Kais, if I recall correctly, the last time we met was two years ago. How time flies!"
Eric’s tone was as casual as if he were chatting with an old friend.
He stood up from the throne and walked down. "But you’re still the same—composed and elegant."
"Thank you for your praise."
Kais responded, "And Your Majesty has become even more valiant!"
Eric laughed heartily. "I can’t hide it from you. My strength has improved recently."
Kais immediately offered his congratulations, "This is a joyous occasion for the Kingdom!"
King Eric had been an Earth Tier Warrior. If he said his strength had improved, then he must have become a Celestial Tier Warrior.
A Celestial Tier Warrior in his fifties was quite a rare sight.
Duane couldn’t help but wonder. ’I wonder if His Majesty’s breakthrough is related to Grand Mage Clement.’
After all, the man was from the Sunset Continent, where the study of Magic Potions was far more advanced than on the Shadow Mist Continent.
"Duane!"
The King’s call broke Duane out of his thoughts.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Duane bowed again.
Eric walked up and clapped Duane warmly on the shoulder. "I never expected you to pull off something so astonishing!"
Duane just smiled faintly and said nothing.
"I’ve also heard about what happened at Elwin’s banquet. I didn’t realize that on top of your exquisite painting skills and superb Archery, you’ve also become an Advanced Warrior. When did this happen?"
Duane’s heart skipped a beat. ’His Majesty knows exactly what happened at Elwin’s banquet. He must have spies in Silent Shore, right?’
After all, Count Kais wouldn’t report such things in minute detail.
As for the King’s question, he was already prepared.
"I had a fortunate breakthrough back in August."
He explained, "To be honest, if it weren’t for my weak constitution since childhood, I wouldn’t have always seemed like an ordinary person."
Eric nodded slightly. He didn’t know much about the old Duane, so such a situation was plausible.
"I always said, how could the son of someone as young and outstanding as Carter be anything less!"
He said this with a mix of emotion and a hint of regret.
"Had I known you were so exceptional, I never would have sent you to a perilous place like Black Forest Island."
Duane quickly replied with reverence, "The dangers of Black Forest Island forced me to never let my guard down! If not for Your Majesty’s arrangement, I would not have made such great progress."
"Mm, not bad!"
Eric was very pleased with Duane’s attitude; the latter hadn’t gotten carried away by these changes.
Besides, based on current intelligence and Duane’s own strength, he was no longer an insignificant Little Baron. It was worth improving their relationship.
"By successfully turning the tables and capturing a Foreign Noble Knight, and taking core members of the Gale Corps prisoner, you have not only brought great honor to the Kingdom but have also presented it with an excellent opportunity."
The King spoke as he walked back to his throne. "As your King, I must reward your courage and meritorious service!"
Putting on an air of not daring to take credit, Duane immediately replied with humility, "Your Majesty, I came to the Royal Capital seeking your protection. That in itself is the best reward for me."
"Protecting my vassals is my duty. I would do so even if you hadn’t asked."
Eric sat down, gesturing for the two of them to take the chairs to the side.
"Due to certain past events, the Brian Clan lost its manor in the Royal Capital. I will now compensate you with a new one. This way, you’ll have a place to stay when you return to the capital, so you won’t have to stay at an inn or trouble Count Kais."
Count Kais smiled slightly. "Baron Duane and I have some business partnerships, so it’s no trouble at all. However, Your Majesty’s reward is both fair and reasonable."
"Your partnership is for that Hot Spring Mountain Tea, isn’t it?"
Eric said with a smile, "Do you have any samples? I’d like to try its effects for myself."
Duane was now certain that the King had spies in Silent Shore, and they reported back to him quite frequently.
Just a few days ago, the Count had announced his partnership with Duane to manage the Hot Spring Mountain Tea at the banquet, and the King already knew about it.
Count Kais was clearly well aware of such things and showed no sign of surprise.
In fact, it was commonplace for High Lords and Grand Lords to have their own intelligence networks spying on one another.
The Count laughed. "The Baron has entrusted me with the management of the Hot Spring Mountain Tea. I happened to bring some with me on this trip to the Royal Capital to present to you."
"That is something to look forward to!"
Eric said this, then looked back at Duane, returning to the matter of the reward.
"If you have any requirements for the manor, just tell Lloyd. I’ll have him arrange for someone to select one for you."
Duane fell into thought.
’In truth, a manor isn’t much help to me.’
’Even without it, I can just stay at the Royal Inn. It would just cost a bit more money, that’s all.’
’Besides, if I accept the manor, I’ll have to spend money hiring servants to maintain it, which is just an unnecessary expense.’
Thinking this, he put on a hesitant expression, as if he wanted to say something but was reluctant to.
Seeing this, Eric said directly, "If you have any concerns, speak up. As long as it’s reasonable, I can grant it. After all, this is what you’ve earned!"
His reward this time was meant to improve the relationship between the Royal Family and this new Baron.
While Black Forest Island was currently insignificant, Eric didn’t mind giving some benefits to a Lord with potential.
Besides, what was a mere manor to him—a place for someone to stay?