Chapter 148 : Chapter 148

Chapter 148. An Ordinary Man’s Conviction

After ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Baron Nathan completed the handover, he excused himself on the grounds that logistical affairs were keeping him busy.

He ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍politely declined Count Habe’s invitation to stay for lunch, bowed once more, and hurried away.

Count ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Habe instructed the butler to prepare the meal, then turned his gaze toward his grandson Nick, his face carrying a little helplessness.

“You ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍child, why did you still come running here?

Did ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍I not tell you long ago that you should all stay safely in Obsidian City and did not need to come?”

When ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Nick heard his grandfather’s words, an aggrieved expression appeared on his face, and he defended himself in a low voice.

“Grandfather, I just… I just wanted to come and see whether I could help you. Do you not need more manpower right now?”

Count Habe looked at his grandson’s expression, and the helplessness on his face turned into affection. He sighed softly.

“Very well. Since you have come, stay by my side and watch and learn more.

Remember, without my permission, you absolutely must not run around on your own. Things are not as they usually are now. Do you understand?”

Seeing that his grandfather had relented, Nick immediately turned from worry to joy and hurriedly nodded in assurance.

“Yes! Grandfather! I will definitely listen to you and absolutely will not run around!”

Count Habe nodded in satisfaction, then pointed at Eli and Ron beside him and introduced them to Nick.

“These two are Baron Eli Pendragon and Baron Ron Hohenzollern.

They are both young and promising talents. They are examples for you, so you must learn from them properly.”

When Nick heard that Eli, who was close to his own age, was already a baron, unconcealed surprise and admiration appeared on his face.

He hurriedly bowed to Eli and Ron. “Yes! Grandfather! I will definitely learn well from the two lord barons!”

After Count Habe said this, Eli and Ron hurriedly smiled and waved their hands humbly.

“You praise us too much, Count Habe.”

“Brother Nick, there is no need for such a ceremony.”

At this moment, the butler also led the servants into the dining room with a sumptuous meal and filled the table.

“Good. The matter has finally come to a pause for now, so let us eat first. After a busy morning, I imagine everyone is hungry.”

Count Habe smiled and invited everyone to take their seats.

The atmosphere at lunch was much more relaxed than at breakfast.

Nick was clearly very curious about Eli and Ron. While eating, he could not help asking a few questions about their territories.

Eli and Ron also chose what they could say and gave simple answers.

Count Habe merely kept smiling as he looked at this lively scene before him, enjoying this rare warmth.

When lunch had only progressed halfway, the butler entered again to report.

“My lord count, Supervisor Amber of the Mercenary Association has brought quite a few people outside the residence and requests an audience.”

When Ron heard this, a surprised expression appeared on his face. “So quickly? He found all two hundred people already?”

This efficiency was indeed somewhat beyond his expectations.

Count Habe laughed heartily, seeming to be in quite a good mood. “That lad Amber is truly enthusiastic in handling matters.

It seems he has learned all his father’s connections and ability. Let us go. Come with me and take a look.”

He stood, then seemed to suddenly remember something and gave the butler another instruction.

“Right, immediately take people and thoroughly clean out the unused courtyard beside the residence.

Then send people out to purchase food for several hundred people, especially meat and bread. We will need it tonight.”

When the butler heard this order, his face went blank for an instant. But he quickly reacted and bowed to accept the command.

“Yes, my lord.” He then quickly withdrew to make arrangements.

The group arrived outside the residence gates.

They saw Supervisor Amber standing there, and behind him was a dark mass of people arranged in a relatively orderly formation.

At a rough glance, there were indeed around two hundred people.

Although these mercenaries were dressed differently, most of them had strong builds and sharp eyes.

They carried a fierce aura born from having experienced killing, and they did not possess the loose, noisy manner commonly seen among ordinary mercenaries.

Count Habe swept his gaze over this team, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.

When Supervisor Amber saw Count Habe come out, he immediately brought four people who looked like leaders forward to greet him.

“Count Habe, the matter you entrusted to me has been handled.

Everyone is here, two hundred people in total. They are all quick with their hands and feet and know the rules.

These three are the leaders of their respective mercenary groups, and this one is the captain jointly recommended by the other scattered brothers.

Moreover, all four of them once served in the Western Frontier Legion. They are experienced veterans, so they will also be convenient for you to command in the future.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the four leaders behind him stepped forward together and gave Count Habe a respectful military salute. “Count Habe!”

When Count Habe heard that all four of them had military backgrounds, the appreciation in his eyes grew stronger.

He nodded to Amber and smiled. “Well done!

Amber, you handle matters carefully and thoroughly. You and that simpleton of a father of yours are practically two extremes.”

Amber was a little embarrassed by the praise and laughed foolishly. “As long as you are satisfied, Count Habe.

Then… if there is nothing else, I will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave first.”

Count Habe nodded gently. “Good, good. Give my regards to your father.”

Supervisor Amber bowed, then left.

Count Habe then called the two hundred or so mercenaries into the spacious courtyard that had already been prepared in advance.

Just then, someone came to report that the people who had answered the call to join the patrol team after being recruited at the square had already begun arriving one after another.

Count Habe nodded, then signaled to Eli and Ron. “The recruited people have arrived.

You two will be responsible for guiding them and bringing them to the courtyard next door as well. As for after that…”

He stroked his beard, and a trace of amusement appeared on his face.

“I am old, and I truly cannot manage everything at once. Simple division into teams and initial formation training will also be left to you.

Mm… I want to see the initial results tonight. After all, I will assign their specific patrol duties based on the situation then.”

Eli and Ron exchanged a glance and both saw helplessness in each other’s eyes.

But this was the task Lucius had assigned, and Count Habe was indeed advanced in years.

They could only smile wryly and nod in agreement. “Yes, Count Habe.”

Eli took the previously registered list and went to the front of the residence, responsible for verifying identities and guiding the applicants as they arrived one after another.

Ron remained in the courtyard, responsible for the initial arrangements and the following group divisions.

Very quickly, all three hundred members recruited from among the citizens arrived and gathered in the courtyard.

Compared to the more than two hundred mercenaries beside them, who radiated a fierce aura, these people were likewise strong, but their temperament was clearly much more plain and honest.

Under Eli and Ron’s command, these three hundred people were quickly divided into six large teams, with five small groups under each large team.

The captains and group leaders of each team and group were basically chosen from the more than twenty ranked knights,

as well as a few people who looked steady and capable and had similar experience.

The wandering knight of the Mid-Bronze Tier was naturally appointed as one of the team captains.

After that, Eli stood before everyone and clearly explained the patrol team’s basic duties, disciplinary requirements, as well as the response procedures and reporting mechanisms for various situations.

Ron mainly led them through simple formation and obedience training.

Time passed before they realized it.

When the sun set in the west and the sky gradually darkened, Count Habe came to the courtyard with Nick supporting him.

He looked at the three hundred members before him, who could not yet be called elites but at least had much more orderly formations.

Then he gave Eli and Ron an approving look. “Mm, you have done well.”

He then announced to everyone, “Good. Today’s training ends here!

The team captains will come with me to receive the assignment of your mission areas. As for everyone else, dinner!”

The members, who had long since been starving and had been tormented for half the day by the aroma of food drifting over from the neighboring courtyard, immediately let out enthusiastic cheers.

“Oh! Training is finally over!”

“We can finally eat!”

Count Habe called the ten team captains to the side. Based on the map and explanation Baron Nathan had left behind, he assigned each of them the patrol areas and routes they would be responsible for, and once again carefully emphasized the key points and discipline.

The ten team captains accepted the orders with full enthusiasm, then could not wait to join the meal as well.

Only then did Count Habe look at Eli and Ron, who had been busy for the entire day, with a sincere smile on his face.

“Hahaha, the two of you have worked hard today.”

The two hurriedly waved their hands, indicating that this was only their duty.

Ron, in particular, could not help staring eagerly at the large pots that had already been set up in the courtyard, his Adam’s apple unconsciously bobbing once.

When Count Habe saw him like this, he could not help finding it amusing and waved a hand.

“Enough, Baron Ron. Hurry and take Nick to eat as well. You do not need to worry about anything else here.”

As though granted amnesty, Ron happily answered and pulled Nick along, quickly heading toward the direction of the fragrance.

Soon, only Count Habe and Eli remained inside the room.

Count Habe looked at Eli gently. “Baron Eli, it seems… you have something you wish to ask me?”

Eli smiled wryly and did not deny it. “Yes, Count Habe. I do indeed have a question.

I would like to know why you specifically requested Lord Lucius to let the two of us assist you in completing this recruitment and reorganization task.”

Count Habe seemed to have long since guessed that Eli would ask this question. The smile on his face deepened, carrying both scrutiny and gratification.

“Hahaha, there is no harm in telling you.

The Habe Family has always been one of the La Roche Family’s most loyal vassals.

So I, this old man, was inevitably a little curious. What sort of character does someone favored by Lord Lucius truly possess…?”

“So… you saw it?” Eli asked.

“Mm, I saw it.” Count Habe restrained his smile somewhat.

“Baron Ron is loyal, upright, and brave. The glory of the Hohenzollern Family is perfectly embodied in him.

But he inevitably has some common flaws as well. For example, he is too straightforward and is easily led by his sense of honor into overlooking reality…”

“But that is no matter. With more tempering, he will become the pride of the Hohenzollern Family, just like his uncle, Marquess Marcus.”

Eli nodded in agreement. Count Habe’s evaluation of Ron was indeed incisive.

Count Habe’s gaze returned to Eli.

“As for you, Eli… you are steady, intelligent, and know how to judge the hour and size up the situation. You handle matters flexibly and effectively.

I observed you for an entire day, whether at the Mercenary Association, in the square, or just now…

I seem unable to see any obvious flaws in you… or any outstanding strengths…

But instead… that makes me even more curious about your future.”

Eli felt somewhat embarrassed by his words and hurriedly waved his hand.

“Count Habe, you are exaggerating. It is not so dramatic. I also have many shortcomings.”

Count Habe looked at Eli’s humble appearance and narrowed his eyes. No one knew what he thought of, but he suddenly laughed again.

“Hahaha, the way you are now, in certain aspects, truly does resemble Lord Lucius when he was young…”

He quickly calmed down again, his gaze becoming deep and peaceful.

“Eli, my life, the life of one named Aesop Habe, has been mediocre and monotonous…

I have never established any illustrious achievements, nor have I had any earth-shaking adventures.

I merely carefully upheld the duty of a vassal and guarded my family…

But… you are different. You are still young, and your future holds limitless possibilities.”

He paused, and his voice slowed. “I cannot give you any profound insight or guidance.

But I hope that no matter how far you go in the future, and no matter what choices you face… you can follow your own heart.

Do not make a decision… that you will feel regret over when you think back on it someday.

That is why… I came, and why I had to come, even if I must pay a painful price for it…”

He raised his head and looked out the window. “This is not difficult to understand. Even ordinary people have things they hold fast to, whether responsibility, faith, or family…”

He turned gently toward Eli. “Eli… no matter how far you go… do not forget them…”

When Eli heard this, he restrained the smile on his face, and his expression became solemn.

He could feel the sincerity and goodwill behind Count Habe’s words.

He stepped back half a pace and bowed respectfully to this wise old man.

“I, Eli, will remember your teachings.”