Chapter 178: Building Momentum, Part 2

To avoid unnecessary small talk and questions, Dean did not truly attend the subsequent luncheon. Instead, he went to the small hall prepared by Marquis Vauban. There was enough food prepared, and even rare foods in Vauban County like oysters and fresh shrimp appeared. Furthermore, a pot of a drink with a unique fragrance, which only existed in Dean’s memories, was placed beside the dining table.

“My grandness overwhelms me!”

Looking at the amber-colored tea soup, Dean thanked Marquis Vauban.

It could be confirmed that these Green Teas from White Night, which existed only in his memory, were worth as much as gold. One ounce of tea leaves equaled one ounce of gold.

The tea leaves put into the teapot in front of him were definitely more than one ounce.

A newly minted Gold Pulton was approximately 6 grams.

Simply put, the value of this pot of tea was around 20 Gold Pulton. The final annual income of a hunter’s family of five in Tier Town was barely close to one Gold Pulton.

One pot of tea exceeded the income of an ordinary family for 20 years.

The extravagance of a County King was shown to the fullest in these small details.

“These are what I have saved up. I usually couldn’t bear to spend them—the drinks in the outside hall were mostly Horned Sheep milk and local inferior wine… Um, it smells so good!”

Marquis Vauban sat there, explaining to Dean.

Seeing Marquis Vauban holding the tea cup, sniffing it carefully for a moment, and then taking a small sip, Dean believed what he said. After all, that kind of heartfelt intoxication could not be faked.

Therefore, after Dean also took a small sip, he permanently kept thoughts like “ten yuan for half a pound of tea dust” in the bottom of his heart.

It was really too much to say such scenery-ruining words under the other’s generous hospitality.

Dean could not do such a thing.

However, tasting the slightly sweet bitterness on his tongue, he always remembered the scene of throwing a big handful of tea dust into boiling water, instantly filling the air with tea fragrance, and then using a ladle to scoop it up and drink it directly.

Perhaps it was thousands of times different from this kind of delicate work wrapped in gold leaf and cut with a silver knife, but the former made Dean feel more “in the human world.”

“Lord Marquis, I need some vessels for brewing Potions, and some necessary herbs, there are…”

After a slightly melancholic sigh, Dean returned his heart to its usual calm state, and he listed the names of several herbs according to his plan.

“Um, no problem. However, you will need to wait one or two more days!”

Marquis Vauban nodded without hesitation.

“I will have Miss Lily and the others return to Tier Town first!”

Dean said this, and then, seeing the questioning look in Marquis Vauban’s eyes, he smiled faintly: “After all, I am not suitable to travel with Miss Lily now… After today’s news spreads, all kinds of people will come out. If I am alone, I can handle it, but if Miss Lily is there…”

Dean’s words were unfinished, but Marquis Vauban nodded with understanding.

“That’s right. Although I can still control things inside Vauban Castle, once we leave Vauban Castle, today’s news will definitely spread at an extremely fast speed. I can only guarantee that I will do everything possible to deliver the news to the Emerald Grand Duke. During this period, Dean, you stay in Vauban Castle. After all, with Shiva here, most situations can be handled!”

“This is a good proposal, but I think I am the same in Tier Town; after all, the movement of Silver and Gold-rank Experts takes time. During this period, the only ones who can be mobilized are Grand Knights and Knights… Fighting opponents of this same level is every time an opportunity for growth for me!”

Dean refused Marquis Vauban’s kindness, stating his reasons.

Marquis Vauban did not mind that Dean classified Grand Knights and Knights as opponents of the same level as himself. This Old Marquis held the tea cup and thought for a while, then looked up at Dean: “This is very risky!”

“But it is still within a safe range!”

Dean smiled.

“Rebuilding your Family, restoring the family’s glory. You already have all the foundations now. A family with a Gold-rank Expert is destined to be brilliant. There is no need… no need to gamble with your life!”

The Old Marquis still advised.

“The heat brought by the goal in my heart only allows me to strive and hurry, rather than… waiting!”

When he said this, Dean’s face was more serious than ever before, which made the Old Marquis shake his head helplessly—on those stubborn young people, he always saw such expressions.

Some of these young people succeeded, achieving fame and success.

More of them failed, and in the end, their bones were completely gone.

He absolutely did not want to see the latter on Dean, because the other party was a hope, a hope for Emerald to become strong again.

“I will keep a close watch on Deholl, but you need to be careful with others… Even if the Grand Duke sends people, it will take at least two weeks!”

The helpless Marquis Vauban gave his promise, while reminding Dean again.

“I will be careful!”

Having achieved his purpose, Dean nodded, then apologetically raised his tea cup to signal the Old Marquis, who sighed again in response.

In fact, what made Dean most nervous in the entire Vauban County now was Bishop Deholl of the Divine Church. The other party had the ability and determination to kill him.

As for the rest?

Time was needed, a period for news to travel from Vauban County to its destination, then be discussed, and finally acted upon; and this period was enough for the Emerald Grand Duke to send reinforcements.

Of course, this did not mean there were no dangers.

On the contrary, the dangers were far higher than at any normal time, because apart from these open major power s, there were more hidden Strengths and lone rangers participating.

They either sought fame, or profit, or a mix of coercion and inducement.

All of this needed Dean to face.

Even after the Emerald Grand Duke’s aid arrived, it was the same.

Dean knew this well.

But, he absolutely did not regret it—facing death, Dean would absolutely hesitate, but some things had to be done even if it meant death.

The tea cup was filled to the brim. Dean held it and did not continue to taste it. Instead, he raised it high towards the sky, then respectfully placed it on the table.

Seeing this behavior full of “mourning,” Marquis Vauban did not speak, but merely had the Attendant bring new tea ware for Dean. Afterward, the Old Marquis intentionally or unintentionally steered the topic towards a more cheerful direction.

“A young man with a heavy heart!”

After lunch ended, the Old Marquis evaluated.

According to today’s schedule, after lunch, it was Dean’s Knighting Ceremony. This time, absolutely no one opposed anything, and the entire process was extremely smooth.

The only thing Dean needed to keep in mind was the Family Crest.

However, because he had decided not to travel with Miss Baron from the Tier Baron Family, the design of this Family Crest did not need to be rushed. He had ample time to discuss with Marquis Vauban’s subordinate painters and carvers.

After the Knighting Ceremony ended, Baron Jandu did not participate in the following dinner. After bidding farewell to Dean and the others, he returned to his Territory first.

Although the distance to Vauban City was very close, it was obviously inappropriate for a Lord of a Territory under construction to leave for too long.

After the dinner, Baron Defendi also proposed to leave.

This Baron’s reason was more sufficient—

“Churd may have been kidnapped. If I stay here, those kidnappers, due to the Lord Marquis’s prestige, will definitely not appear. But it’s different if I return to my own Territory!”

Such matters were obviously better done early than late. Therefore, no one stopped this Baron, and he set off that night.

Miss Lily from the Tier Baron Family and the others set off on the second morning, and that Good-for-nothing Baron naturally returned with them—

“Huck, pay attention to safety on the road. Baron Defendi leaving so early is definitely not out of good intentions!”

Standing by the carriage, Dean reminded his subordinate.

“Um! I understand, Regiment Commander!”

Huck nodded very seriously, and then the young people bid farewell to their Regiment Commander one by one.

When the carriage was about to start, a window on the carriage opened, revealing the delicate and beautiful face of the Baron’s Miss.

“I will wait for your return!”

Such a headless and tailless farewell, full of misunderstanding, could only make Dean awkwardly wave his hand as a goodbye.

Dean stood in place, his gaze watching the caravan disappear until the very end, then slowly walked back to his room.

Although Marquis Vauban invited him to go to Vauban Castle, Dean still insisted on staying in this temporary residence—after all, some of his items could not be seen in public.

As for the emptiness after most people left?

It simply did not exist.

Just at noon, Grand Knight Anluo moved in with a team of Vauban Castle guards.

In this regard, Dean could only express his gratitude again.

Especially when that Grand Knight acted as his guide once more—

“Need to buy gifts?”

Grand Knight Anluo pushed the frames on his nose. It was a pair of glasses made of a Silver frame and polished glass. The Silver frame fitly grazed the bottom of the glass lenses, forming the structure of the entire glasses. At the temple of the glasses, a thin golden braided rope was connected, allowing people to hang it around their necks when not wearing it.

In fact, Dean could be sure that Grand Knight Anluo beside him absolutely did not need to wear it.

A Grand Knight having vision problems?

That was simply a joke.

However, Grand Knight Anluo was calm and composed, and occasionally smiled at the Ladies and Misses passing by, watching their slightly red faces.

Dean seemed to understand a bit why Grand Knight Anluo wanted to wear those glasses.

In this regard, Dean’s mouth twitched slightly.