Chapter 167: Information

Miss Baron sat behind the table, still wearing the Formal Attire she had worn when she left in the evening. In her hand, she held a piece of parchment. When Dean walked in, the Miss was carefully reading it. However, seeing her slightly furrowed brow, Dean could feel that the information recorded on the parchment was definitely not good news.

“Good evening, Miss Lily!”

Dean greeted the Miss, while bowing slightly—the Miss’s previous help deserved Dean’s gratitude. Whether facing Baron Defendi’s ‘trap’ or later showing her sharp tongue in front of Grand Knight Anluo, it was all from Dean’s perspective.

Dean naturally knew this well.

Otherwise, even between a Lord and a County King, where the former had to show obedience while protecting their own interests in a special superior-subordinate relationship, it would not be enough for Miss Baron to step out like this.

As for what she was doing it for?

Dean, who knew this well too, could only smile bitterly.

Fortunately, the Miss did not linger on this question—

“Dean, look at this… It’s the record of those two Divine Church Knights!”

While speaking, Miss Baron handed the parchment to Dean. After nodding and expressing his gratitude again, Dean took the parchment.

The parchment recorded simply—

Gulodal, twenty years old, an orphan adopted by the Divine Church. He showed talent in Strength at a very young age. After training by the Divine Church, his Strength reached Knight level when he came of age at eighteen. Afterward, he began to travel through the Emerald Northland. He loved combat very much, recording ninety battles in total during his travels. Once, he fought evenly against a Grand Knight (specializing in Agility) in a direct clash.

Higgs, nineteen years old, an orphan adopted by the Divine Church. He was dull as a child but was later discovered to have talent in his hands, specializing in wielding two weapon s. Two Longswords allowed him to attack and defend simultaneously. At seventeen, he was considered ready to receive a ‘Knight’s Baptism’. However, he traveled through the Emerald Northland with his good friend Gulodal. He did not like to talk or fight and rarely showed his Strength.

“Both Gulodal and Higgs are very difficult to handle, especially Gulodal. His Strength is too powerful!”

Seeing Dean lift his head from reading, Miss Baron couldn’t help but say.

“I am more concerned about Higgs! Although Gulodal’s Strength is very noticeable, according to the record, it is not something I cannot counter. But Higgs is different; all we know is that he specializes in dual-wielding weapons, and nothing else—an unknown enemy requires more attention!”

Dean stated his viewpoint.

“We can give up on the unknown danger this time and focus on dealing with the known Gulodal—at least there are quite a few people in Vauban City who know his fighting style. Lord Marquis has promised to help find these people to serve as your sparring partners… Also, after this Baptism is completed, Lord Marquis has promised to give you corresponding compensation!”

Miss Baron persuaded Dean and brought the results of her ‘discussion’ with Marquis Vauban.

“Thank you for everything you have done for me!”

Dean paused, then stood up again to bow.

Although Dean did not know the process of the Miss’s meeting and discussion with Marquis Vauban, he could completely imagine that this process would not be easy.

Even Marquis Vauban would not truly endanger the Miss.

After all, as a County King, Marquis Vauban also needed to protect his own interests—in fact, Dean had always been extremely disgusted with the aristocratic rules between Lords, County Kings, and the King.

But for someone who had to step into this circle, even if disgusted, Dean had to follow some of the Rules within it and strive for the more beneficial aspects.

For Dean at this moment, before having absolute Strength, playing by the Rules was much better than simple survival of the fittest.

At least, with traces to follow, Dean would find more opportunities for growth, rather than being crushed without reason.

Of course, this did not mean that Dean would be very willing to participate.

Therefore, he sincerely thanked Miss Baron for her help.

“Just that?”

Miss Baron’s words carried a trace of faint but clear resentment.

“Please decline Lord Marquis’s good intentions. I do not need those people as sparring partners…”

Dean changed the subject as if he hadn’t heard.

“Why? This would increase your chances of winning!”

Miss Baron was successfully distracted by Dean and exclaimed.

“I have my own training methods. Besides, the ‘eyes’ here are definitely not just one pair!”

Dean explained, implying something.

First, Dean was not sure if the sparring partners found could truly ‘understand’ the Strength of his former opponent. After all, every Knight would hold back a trump card or two. Unless they encountered a life-and-death rival, they would never expose it—if Marquis Vauban could find that Grand Knight who fought Gulodal, Dean would be somewhat interested. But if it was someone else, Dean thought it best to forget it.

You had to know that there was a pair of eyes staring at them tightly right now.

And this was the point Dean was more concerned about—Baron Defendi.

Dean knew very well that Defendi would not mind watching his fighting style and moves, and then telling all of them to Bishop Deholl.

In fact, this was definitely one of Defendi’s most important goals for the next three days.

And Dean naturally would not let Defendi achieve this.

Finally, and the point Dean cared about the most—Higgs.

Compared to Gulodal’s combat, this young Knight who did not show off was even more dangerous to Dean.

He was like a venomous snake hidden in the bushes; its danger was far greater than one displayed in the middle of the Path.

As for Miss Baron’s suggestion to give up on the unknown and focus on the known?

If it were in other circumstances, Dean would not mind.

But that day, besides the ‘Knight’s Baptism’, there was also his ‘Knighting Ceremony’—the former was of great significance to a Knight, and the latter was equally significant to a Noble.

When both events happened to one person, as the person involved, Dean had to strive for perfection.

Because only perfection could allow him to gain more fame.

And only such fame could attract and Intimidate more people.

After all, once the Blood Moon War broke out, the treatment for someone with great fame and someone unknown would be completely different.

“Defendi…”

Miss Baron muttered softly. But the next moment, she said, “We can look for another place. Vauban City is so big, how could there not be a suitable place?”

“Miss Lily, you haven’t fully understood my meaning—no matter where we choose, eyes will follow us… Although Bishop Deholl is suppressed by Marquis Vauban in Vauban City, it does not mean he has no influence of his own. On the contrary, many people are happy to join his faction, and these people will all become eyes, making us unable to guard against them!”

Dean explained.

This time, Miss Baron remained silent.

Because she knew very well how large the ‘some people’ Dean mentioned were—it could be a wealthy merchant, an ordinary Mercenary, a Commoner, or even a beggar on the street, or perhaps… a Noble. Under the ‘radiance’ of the Divine Church, too many people were ‘bathed’ in it.

“So we do nothing? Or you…”

Miss Baron looked at Dean and asked with a serious expression—clearly, the clever Miss had realized something: Dean’s calm and steady manner obviously showed that he was full of confidence.

“I have confidence… because, I naturally Awakened in the previous battle!”

Dean spoke that lie which was not really a lie again. After all, he truly ‘Awakened’ in that battle.

“What?!”

Miss Baron could not contain her surprise, stood up straight, and asked subconsciously, “You really naturally Awakened?”

“Yes!”

Seeing the surprised Miss Baron, Dean nodded again.

Dean perfectly understood the Miss’s surprise; after all, in the three countries of Emerald, City, and Goth, besides age and ability, there was another extremely important standard to judge if a person had a future or Talent—whether they had naturally Awakened!

If a person had naturally Awakened without undergoing a Knight’s Baptism and was of the appropriate age, they had a unified title in the three countries: Genius!

And bearing such a title naturally brought extraordinary treatment.

This was the same for Emerald, City, and Goth.

Especially in City, any young person under the age of twenty who naturally Awakened could obtain a hereditary Lord title for life.

Although Emerald and Goth did not do this, the treatment they offered was extremely generous.

Even the two young Divine Church Knights, Gulodal and Higgs, when they reached Knight Strength, did not accept a Knight’s Baptism but went to travel instead. This was for the honor brought by natural Awakening, and also… Strength—everyone knew that natural Awakening would not result in low-level Talent.

“What Talent did you Awaken…”

Miss Baron asked almost subconsciously. However, after the words left her mouth, she felt it was abrupt—Talent was not something that could be asked casually by any Knight.

Dean looked at Miss Baron’s slightly curious yet embarrassed appearance and couldn’t help but shrug, raising his right index finger. A bright Flame began to dance on the tip of his finger.