Chapter 90: Change, Part 2

“What?”

Dean paused, looking at the Baron’s Advisor standing before him with surprise. Dean had just returned to the Knight Order’s headquarters in the morning, leading his subordinates, only to be greeted by this Advisor. Of course, it was not just a greeting; the other party also brought a piece of news that greatly surprised Dean.

“Miss Lily is preparing to go to Vauban County to attend the private auction hosted by Marquis Vauban five days from now. Lord Baron hopes that Regiment Commander Dean will escort Miss Lily there!”

Ikes repeated this, wearing a smile.

“But isn’t that Guard Captain Allenor’s task?”

Dean asked instinctively.

In fact, Dean, who already had new plans, did not want to be interrupted by such things—even though his planned destination was also Vauban City in Vauban County, going alone was a completely different concept from taking a Baron’s young lady and her servants with him.

Although he had only had brief contact with her, Dean had already determined that the Baron’s young lady, who had silently died in his previous life, was not a flower vase or an embroidered pillow that looked good but was useless. The fact that she managed the Baron’s finances was sufficient proof of her shrewdness and competence.

At the same time, Dean had begun to harbor some doubts about the Baron’s young lady’s death in his previous life.

After all, based on her performance, it was difficult for the Tax Officer to succeed in the end. Of course, that was all in the past now. With the Tax Officer dead by his hand, everything had already settled into dust.

However, this did not mean that Dean had no troubles.

On the contrary, Dean was not sure that his actions could be hidden from the Baron’s young lady.

First, their identities meant that Dean would be restricted.

Second, under the watchful eyes of the public, every excuse Dean made had to be handled with extreme caution. A slight oversight would reveal a flaw, and once the first flaw appeared, the second would follow immediately.

There was no need to doubt that Dean had seen too many people fleeing in panic.

And that was absolutely not what Dean wanted to try.

So, if he could, he did not want to take on this escort mission.

“Guard Captain Allenor has other matters… Although Lord Baron agreed to cancel the last hunt before the heavy snow blocked the mountains, some hunting parties had already entered the deep mountains. These people are Subjects of the Tier Territory and are willing to serve Lord Baron. Therefore, Lord Baron will definitely not let them down. A welcome ceremony of considerable status is a must… Although I recommended myself, look, my current body obviously cannot enter the snow-covered deep mountains!”

Ikes’s smile did not change. In fact, he jokingly raised his arms to show Dean his figure—slightly thin, but by no means frail.

The Longsword on the belt of his scholar’s robe was the best proof.

However, what could Dean say?

The other party clearly came prepared, bearing the decree of Baron Tier.

This left Dean no room to refuse.

Whether by Dean’s current identity as the Ferrchelen Knight Order Regiment Commander or by his personal status, the result was the same. The former indicated that he had accepted the Baron’s employment and should thus accept the Baron’s assignment. The latter meant that as a Freeman, he must obey the Lord’s arrangements.

What about his noble status?

Although acknowledged by that Baron, Dean knew what his situation was. Before obtaining the key item, he would definitely not ‘expand’ his influence.

After all, once it attracted the curiosity of certain people, his ‘noble status’ would be broken like glass with a single poke.

“So, what is our departure time?”

Dean asked.

“This afternoon. You need to depart this afternoon… Although I wanted to give Regiment Commander Dean more rest time, the journey from Tier Territory to Vauban County takes three to four days even with horses and carriages. And as Lord Baron’s representative, Miss Lily obviously needs more time to visit Marquis Vauban!”

A hint of apology appeared on Ikes’s face.

This apology was very sincere; after all, this Baron’s Advisor knew exactly what the young man before him had been doing earlier.

Those severed heads were enough to show what kind of battles he had gone through.

At least four battles!

The Baron’s Advisor estimated this secretly based on the changes in the wound patterns of the heads. At the same time, the hard-to-conceal exhaustion on the faces of the young subordinates of the Ferrchelen Knight Order around them told him that every battle was not as easy as imagined.

In fact, the Baron’s Advisor was very clear that even the simplest battles were quite draining on Stamina.

After all, this was brushing against death. One could not be careless about anything.

Therefore, the Baron’s Advisor’s face carried the most sincere apology.

“This afternoon? Around three o’clock, we will head to Tier Town!”

Dean thought for a moment and gave a precise time.

“I look forward to your arrival!”

Ikes bowed slightly.

“Although I wanted to give you several days of vacation, but… clearly, we have another mission. Mah, lead your subordinates to prepare bathing water for everyone, then prepare the most abundant food. Remember to include our Warhorses… Theron, Ike, you now only have about five hours of rest time. Go rest quickly. At lunchtime, Mah, you go wake them up!”

Dean gave loud orders, and the young people around him responded loudly.

Then, Dean waved to Huck, and the two leaders of the Ferrchelen Knight Order entered the Regiment Commander’s room.

“We need to formulate a route to Vauban County!”

As soon as he entered the room, Dean said this.

Formulating the route was the responsibility of the escort, especially for Dean as the person in charge. He needed to remember every single spot in it, even the smallest oversight.

Even if this was just an escort mission passing through various Territories.

Vice Regiment Commander Huck looked at his Regiment Commander with a serious expression and felt a sense of admiration once again in his heart. As for the ability and Strength of the young Regiment Commander before him, Huck no longer had any doubts.

And the other party’s dedication to every detail made him admire even more.

With such a Regiment Commander to follow, what dissatisfaction could he possibly have?

In fact, Huck was already full of gratitude just to have returned to the Knight Order. Therefore, as a true native of Tier Territory, Huck immediately helped Dean formulate this route.

“If we go to Vauban County, there are only two routes—one is to enter Jandu Territory from Janel Territory, and then enter Vauban County; the second is to enter Jandu Territory from Defendi Territory, and then enter Vauban County!”

Huck said this while tracing the route on the map with his finger.

“Do you have any suggestions?”

Dean asked. If he could obtain more valuable information, Dean did not think that asking subordinates was such a shameful thing.

After all, the current situation had changed.

At least, in his previous life, Dean had never participated in this escort mission. In fact, he hadn’t even heard of such a minor matter.

But no matter how small the matter, it needed to be handled with caution, right?

“I suggest we take the first route. Although Baron Janel is a bit annoying, compared to Baron Defendi’s hatred for Lord Baron, the former is undoubtedly more suitable for us… Although I don’t think an unpleasantness at a banquet can last this long!”

Huck spoke of everything he knew.

“Never underestimate the Nobles’ obsession with ‘honor’ and ‘dignity’!” Dean waved his fingers and continued to ask, “So, what is the deal with our Baron Janel?”

Hearing Dean’s question, the Vice Regiment Commander on our side made a strange face on his face. Under Dean’s surprised prompt, he only stuttered out, “That guy is a shameless old bastard… He is nearly fifty years old, but he loudly proclaims his admiration for Miss Lily in public. I really want to chop him with an axe!”

“Does he have offspring?”

Dean asked.

“He did, but they all died young—I think this is karma!”

Huck said very confidently.

“Is he preparing the entire Territory as a dowry?”

Dean asked again.

“Yes, this guy thinks everyone is as despicable and shameless as he is!”

A hint of contempt appeared on Huck’s face.

“Praise Lord Baron, who was not swayed by profit!”

Dean said sincerely.

“Yes! Although Lord Baron has various faults, he is much better than other Nobles… Of course, My Lord, you are the same. Only you and Lord Baron can truly be called Nobles!”

Huck also made such a comment.

Dean waved his hand and looked at the map before him again with a serious expression.

Perhaps, in the eyes of his deputy, taking the route from Janel Territory was a good choice.

But Dean, who knew the ‘temperament’ of some Nobles very well, did not think this was a good choice.

However, if they chose Defendi Territory, it would be too tactless.

Regarding the ‘temperament’ of Nobles, Dean was sure that Baron Defendi would make things difficult for them at every turn, and might even delay their journey indefinitely.

Until they missed Marquis Vauban’s private auction.

And this was clearly unacceptable.

Caught between two difficulties, Dean couldn’t help but sigh.

“Damn Noble ‘temperament’!”