Chapter 199: ‘White Rose’

Ethel Delta stood silently outside the Ferrchelen Knight Order’s base, observing everything inside.

In fact, this observation had begun about a day earlier—not out of ill intent, but as a matter of instinct for Ethel, the Grand Duke’s Swordsmanship Commander.

As the Swordsmanship Commander for the Emerald Grand Duke, she had a habit of wanting to understand the personalities of those around her to teach them accordingly.

And hidden observation was undoubtedly the most effective way.

After all, people usually show their true nature without guard at this time.

Of course, if certain behaviors were unacceptable, Ethel would also be ruthless—just as she was revered as the ‘White Rose’, appearing delicate on the surface but always carrying thorns.

Fortunately, Ethel’s evaluation of Dean was quite good—

“He treats his subordinates well and holds himself to high standards… This is a young man who follows the Way of the Knight. However, he is very persistent in pursuing strength. He spends most of his day training, and it is Goth’s Body Forging Technique…”

Ethel recalled everything she had seen from the previous day up to now in her heart.

The Grand Duke’s Swordsmanship Commander had no objection to Dean training in Goth’s Body Forging Technique.

After all, many people who could not obtain Advanced or High-level Secret Techniques chose to train in Emerald, Goth, or even City Body Forging Techniques to enhance their Strength.

“However, this will waste your Talent… After all, that is [Giant Transformation]!”

Ethel sighed in her heart, as she had no good solution for this. Even though she was sent by the Emerald Grand Duke to act as Dean’s bodyguard and instructor, it was the same.

After gathering the information she wanted and suppressing her regret, Ethel no longer hid her figure. She stepped out of the Shadow and walked toward the Knight Order base.

“Stop! Who’s there?!”

A young man at the entrance of the Knight Order base shouted loudly. The hidden sentry nearby had already drawn his bow and arrow—everything was exactly as Dean had taught.

“Ethel Delta. I want to see Regiment Commander Dean Ken. Here is an introduction letter from Marquis Vauban!”

After scanning the archer in the shadows, Ethel took out the certification issued by the Old Marquis from her bosom.

“Wait!”

After exchanging a glance, one of the two young men walked over, took the letter, and then ran back into the base; the remaining young man and the hidden sentry continued to perform their duties meticulously.

“Although still weak, his discipline is strong. He has the potential of a veteran soldier… To train a group of hunters and farmers to this level in such a short time… Dean Ken has certain command capabilities!”

Ethel made another evaluation.

Before coming to Tier Territory to observe Dean personally, the Emerald Grand Duke’s Swordsmanship Commander had already learned about Dean’s life. Especially after arriving in Tier Territory, she had carefully reviewed a series of events several times. As for before coming to Tier Territory? Ethel directly believed that Dean was hiding his skills. He did this to leave the Capital of Emerald and create space for himself to fulfill his inner wishes. After all, if that were not the case, the difference before and after would be too large.

As for being replaced?

A day of observation was enough for Ethel to see that Dean was not wearing a Human Skin mask or using any special Potion.

And what about Secret Techniques that could not be observed with the naked eye?

Dean had been out of people’s sight for less than a month. According to Ethel’s knowledge, none of the Secret Techniques that could not be seen with the naked eye could be completed within a month.

“He knows how to endure… If he grows up completely, he can become Your Highness’s and the Emerald Kingdom’s best assistant!”

After adding this point to her evaluation, Ethel formed a temporary summary of Dean.

Why temporary?

Because all of this had a premise: Dean needed to grow up.

Footsteps sounded, and the Knight Order member who went to report back returned. Behind him came Dean, Huck, and two young Captains, walking quickly.

Almost all the most important members of the Ferrchelen Knight Order arrived at the same time.

“Welcome, My Lord ‘White Rose’!”

Dean welcomed the Emerald Grand Duke’s Swordsmanship Commander with a Knight’s Salute. Huck and others behind him did the same—although they had never met before, they had all heard of the ‘White Rose’, especially since she and another ‘Black Rose’ were collectively known as the left and right arms of the Emerald Grand Duke.

For Dean, however, his understanding was deeper… and more profound.

After all, they had fought side by side and had watched her die alongside the Emerald Grand Duke in Falling Moon Valley.

Of course, the depth of his understanding was not only due to this, but also due to the lessons learned from her ‘frivolity’ in his previous life.

A extremely painful one!

Therefore, facing this Lady with silvery-white hair, delicate features, and a soft appearance that made her look like a doll, Dean was extremely vigilant in his heart.

Even after he revealed his ‘Giant Transformation’ Talent, he had prepared himself in his heart—the two most famous Silver Knights under the Emerald Grand Duke were the ‘White Rose’ and the ‘Black Rose’. The latter had a temper more irritable than a typical brute. The Emerald Grand Duke would obviously not let her act alone.

Therefore, it could only be the ‘White Rose’. After all, the ‘White Rose’, holding the position of Swordsmanship Commander, had teaching abilities far surpassing other Silver Level experts, including the ‘Black Rose’.

And as long as the Emerald Grand Duke wanted a future Gold-rank Expert to grow vigorously, he would definitely send a subordinate who had both strength and teaching ability.

The ‘White Rose’ was naturally the choice.

This was something Dean had thought of when he loudly announced his ‘Giant Transformation’ Talent in the Ancient Castle of Marquis Vauban back then; but after seeing her, Dean recalled the painful lessons of the time, and his heart was still tense. At the same time, the recent feeling of being watched in his heart also explained the reason.

Dean knew this seemingly fragile ‘White Rose’ very well.

Dean even suspected that, just like the two roles he played as a ‘Knight’ and ‘Assassin’, her fragile appearance was also a disguise.

Of course, Dean had not verified such suspicions.

“For the coming period of time, I will have to trouble you, Regiment Commander Dean Ken!”

Ethel spoke softly. That frail feeling made it hard for people to believe she was a Silver Level expert.

“It is my great honor to have your presence!”

Dean responded in the posture of a ‘Knight’ and invited her into the Knight Order. However, instead of entering the main hall that also served as a dining hall, they went straight to Dean’s Regiment Commander room.

Huck, Theron, and Ike returned to the main hall of the Knight Order as usual under Dean’s instructions—believing that with Dean as the Regiment Commander, everything would be fine.

Of course, they could not help but be amazed by the ‘White Rose’.

Previously, outside in the dim light, her appearance was not very clear. But when they reached the place with lights and her face was fully revealed, even including Huck was quite amazed. Especially the young men, who seemed somewhat distracted. The ‘White Rose’ saw all of this.

Therefore, she appreciated Dean’s ‘calmness’ even more.

However, when she saw the vessels placed on the table in Dean’s room, our Swordsmanship Commander frowned. She reminded him: “Dean, you should not waste your Talent!”

“My Family was once famous for Alchemy and potions. However, the Inheritance of Alchemy had long been broken. Only the potions remained, and there were only a few kinds… I want to restore the glory of my Family. Some things must be inherited!”

After inviting the ‘White Rose’ to sit down, Dean spoke with a prepared excuse.

“But your Talent is even more promising!”

Ethel advised gently.

“No, no, you misunderstand my Talent. ‘Giant Transformation’ was just an accident. My real Talent is the ‘Flame’ that our Family has always inherited!”

Dean raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and a flame flower suddenly bloomed.

Looking at that flame flower, the ‘White Rose’ seemed dazed. Her heart spun rapidly: “A Family skilled in Alchemy and potions, with a Talent for Flame…”

However, obviously, Emerald had a history of a thousand years and had spawned countless similar Families. Even the well-read ‘White Rose’ could not think of all of them at once.

“I need to ask those scholars for help!”

The ‘White Rose’ almost immediately made a decision in her heart—confirming Dean’s Family would surely be a major matter for the Emerald Grand Duke.

After all, the future Gold-rank Expert of an ancient Family was naturally easier for the Emerald upper class to accept than a Commoner.

“You are training in Goth’s Body Forging Technique?”

The ‘White Rose’ asked suddenly.

“Um, it is hard to make progress with Emerald’s Body Forging Technique in a short time. I had no choice but to look for other ways… After all, my Family’s Body Forging Secret Technique was also lost in the long years!”

As he spoke, Dean’s face appropriately showed a sense of loss and regret.

But in his heart, a sense of expectation grew.

You see, this ‘White Rose’ before him also had another identity: the Emerald Grand Duke’s Swordsmanship Commander!

Almost everyone in the Three Southern Counties with some knowledge knew that apart from her own great strength, this Swordsmanship Commander was best at teaching others.

Moreover, she was not only proficient in Emerald, Goth, and City Military Swordsmanship, but she had also mastered more than ten Secret Inheritance Sword Techniques and Body Forging Secret Techniques. These were not incomplete fragments, but complete versions that could guide practitioners from the most basic level to the peak.