Chapter 176: Building Hype, Part 1

“Indeed, indeed, it is as expected!”

After hearing Dean’s response, Marquis Vauban murmured softly. The next moment, he raised his head with bright, eager eyes and let out a string of laughter.

Anyone could hear the pleasure in this Lord Marquis’s words.

On the contrary, Bishop Deholl frowned deeply, his gaze fixed on Dean, with hidden killing intent flashing in the depths of his eyes.

As for Baron Defendi?

He sat in his chair with a look of disbelief, his facial expressions changing rapidly like a chaotic general store.

Baron Defendi knew the Knight Talent [Giant Transformation] all too well.

The superhuman strength, the almost infinite Stamina, and the body invulnerable to blades and arrows!

Every point about it was familiar to Baron Defendi.

In fact, as a top-tier Knight Talent, its number was merely a dozen or so, and every Noble was familiar with them.

Moreover, what Baron Defendi understood even better was that the other party’s future prospects had truly become incredibly vast.

Once he awakened a top-tier Talent, even if he could not be considered a Gold-rank Expert immediately, he would certainly be a reserve force for a Gold-rank Expert. Furthermore, since he had already awakened a natural Talent earlier… all of this seemed to suggest that another new Gold-rank Expert was about to be born.

“Damn it!”

Baron Defendi scanned the surroundings. When he saw the Knights led by Baron Jandu and Silver Knight Shiva beginning to show that strange look of admiration in their eyes, he could not help but curse silently in his heart.

Baron Defendi could completely imagine what kind of shock would ripple through the entire Vauban County, and the entire Northland of Emerald, once the news of today spread.

Those people who had an innate desire to follow the strong would flood into Vauban County like a tide.

In addition, since everything Dean had done previously conformed to the Way of the Knight, more rigid-minded individuals would also start to feel restless.

After all, a future Gold-rank Knight who followed the Way of the Knight was worth anyone’s pursuit and loyalty.

“No, no… I must kill you. For Churd… damn Tier, how could you have such luck… Wait! Being a future Gold-rank does not mean being strong now… There are no geniuses who do not exchange potential for Strength. Those outsiders from beyond Emerald will definitely not hesitate to intervene and strangle such a genius in the bud!”

Aside from cursing, Baron Defendi’s chaotic mind was filled with jealousy and hatred. However, the next moment, after a pause, he reacted and understood.

When Baron Defendi raised his head, he happened to see the same look flash in Bishop Deholl’s eyes.

Instantly, the two exchanged a knowing smile.

They sat there and stopped speaking.

None of this escaped the eyes of that Silver Knight. He frowned and immediately whispered something to his superior.

A trace of regret flashed across Marquis Vauban’s face, but it quickly disappeared. He stood up, gestured to Dean, and then led Dean toward the room behind the hall.

As for the remaining people?

The side hall was already preparing food and drinks.

Furthermore, according to the previous arrangements, there was one more thing to do after the luncheon: Dean’s Knighting Ceremony.

Following that would be the dinner banquet.

That was the schedule for the entire day.

If people had any dissatisfaction with Dean’s Knighting Ceremony before, it had all vanished now. Only two topics remained: ‘Giant Transformation’ and ‘future Gold-rank Expert.’

Even the Miss of the Tier Baron Family, who had been worried, could not help but join in the discussion.

There was a thick sense of pride on her face.

…

“I’m sorry, Dean!”

In Marquis Vauban’s Study, Marquis Vauban said with an apologetic expression to Dean, who had just sat down.

“It doesn’t matter. Even if you hadn’t asked, that Bishop could have guessed it. After all, the characteristics of ‘Giant Transformation’ are too obvious!”

Dean, sitting there, bowed slightly, comforting the Old Marquis opposite him.

In fact, Dean was the one who should have been full of guilt!

After all, he knew his own situation best. His so-called ‘Giant Transformation’ was merely a simulation based on the high-level [Power Burst] and [Tough Physique], along with the judgment bonus from [Dragon Swordsmanship: Indomitable].

Although it looked extremely similar, this similarity was only equivalent to a low-level [Giant Transformation]. There was still a certain gap compared to the [Giant Transformation] that had truly reached the Silver or Gold-rank levels. At the very least, he did not have that endless Stamina, and his actual Strength and Defense were slightly inferior.

However, because he was facing only a Knight-rank opponent who practiced the [Cross Sword Technique], such shock had occurred.

If it had been a Grand Knight who practiced the [Cross Sword Technique], Dean would absolutely not have chosen to withstand the attack directly or remove his Armor earlier.

True [Giant Transformation], once initially awakened, was not afraid of the [Cross Sword Technique] of a Grand Knight. If the [Giant Transformation] Talent advanced further, let alone the [Cross Sword Technique], even the [Desolate Cross Sword], which had penetrating power and cutting effects, would be useless.

Dean, knowing all this, had to do it anyway.

Because he needed more supporters and followers—for the Blood Moon War!

And what could attract more attention than a future Gold-rank Expert?

Moreover, Dean was confident that the ‘Knightly Virtues’ displayed by the Ferrchelen Knight Order Regiment Commander he was portraying had enough appeal—Knights wandering among the common people or those belonging to certain factions, or those close to the Knight-rank, would certainly not mind following such a person.

As for experts of a higher level?

Dean had not expected that. It was only possible if he became a Grand Knight or Silver Knight now.

But a Knight who had just completed a ‘Knight’s Baptism’, even with a bright future, could not possibly have that kind of appeal.

Of course, there were not only benefits!

Being in the Emerald faction, the sudden appearance of a reserve for a Gold-rank Expert was clearly unacceptable to other nations. In fact, certain special forces might try to strangle him.

Dean was well aware of this.

A tall tree catches much wind!

Not only was there a gentle breeze brushing his face, but also fierce winds that sought to blow down and break the tree.

As this tall tree, Dean not only had to feel the breeze brushing his face but also needed to use the fierce winds to ‘temper’ his branches, making himself stronger.

He knew that the Experience he currently needed could not be satisfied by the Thieves near the Tier Territory.

At least, he needed some experts of the Grand Knight level.

Only then could he ensure ‘quality and quantity’!

Of course, merely Grand Knight level was not enough. Once surpassing the Grand Knight level…

It was not that Dean belittled himself. Even his trump card, [Dragon Swordsmanship: Dragon Flame Breath], facing a Silver Level opponent, could only cause injury and not truly eliminate the opponent.

This was not because [Dragon Flame Breath] was not strong!

It was due to his overall weak Strength—the characteristic that converted his own Strength into Flame inevitably meant that [Dragon Flame Breath] was closely related to his personal Strength.

So, Dean needed to seek a guarantee.

And the higher-ups of Emerald would definitely not hesitate to provide such a guarantee—

“Rest assured, I will notify the Emerald Grand Duke. Once you have truly grown stronger, there will definitely be proper protection!”

Marquis Vauban promised solemnly.

“I am extremely grateful for this!”

Dean nodded again.

“No, no, this is what I should do. After all, whether from the perspective of the County King of Vauban County or from the perspective of the entire Emerald Kingdom, you, Dean, are an indispensable part of us… Emerald has been suppressed for too long!”

Marquis Vauban waved his hand and said with a mournful expression.

Compared to the countries of Goth and City, Emerald, possessing only two Gold-rank experts—the Emerald Grand Duke and that Marquis Ceylon York—was always considered the weakest.

If another Gold-rank expert appeared, although there would still be a considerable gap with City, it would be close to Goth!

For Emerald, which had always been weak, this was obviously a matter that could inspire confidence.

At least, it could give the army more morale, and make Goth and City more cautious when dealing with Emerald.

Just one more Gold-rank…

The obsession in Marquis Vauban’s heart made the look in his eyes become fervent as he looked at Dean.

“Rest assured, I will do what I should do!”

Although Dean really wanted to tell the Old Marquis in front of him that Goth and City were not as simple as they appeared on the surface, seeing the fervent and expectant look in the Old Marquis’s eyes, he finally spoke in a tone that best suited his identity and attitude.

Receiving what seemed to be a promise from Dean, Marquis Vauban smiled again—

“Come on, Dean, follow me!”

This Marquis Vauban invited Dean again.

“Where do we need to go?”

After leaving the Study with Marquis Vauban, Dean looked at the increasingly unfamiliar buildings around him and could not help but ask.

“Didn’t Lily tell you?”

Marquis Vauban asked with a smile.

“What?”

Dean paused.

“Compensation! You took such a big risk for me in the conflict with Deholl. It is only right that I compensate you!”

Marquis Vauban continued to smile.

Then, he quickened his pace and stopped in front of a building guarded by more than twenty Guards—

“This is my new Treasury. Although it is slightly worse than the previous one, once perfected, it will definitely be more secure!”

Marquis Vauban told Dean bluntly, then directly took out the key.

Squeak!

With a slightly heavy friction, the door to the Treasury was pushed open by Marquis Vauban.