Chapter 241 - 221: Diamond Town and an Old Friend

Chapter 241: Chapter 221: Diamond Town and an Old Friend

「The next morning.」

An elegant, spacious carriage slowly rolled out of White Bear Town.

The carriage was surrounded by armored Guards. Each held a Long Spear, a Cross Sword hanging at their waist, and they rode warhorses clad in Iron Armor.

This was Vili and his entourage, on their way to Diamond Town.

Accompanying Vili on this trip to Diamond Town were Benduin and Colson, as well as Sandoor.

Sandoor was traveling on official business.

He planned to meet with the Diamond Town Hall to discuss potential collaborations in agriculture and mining.

The carriage did not pass through Fandou Village, instead taking a more direct route.

However, Vili decided he would visit Fandou Village on the way back to White Bear Town to check on the progress of the spring planting.

The carriage picked up speed after leaving White Bear Town, reaching the borders of Diamond Town in less than half a day.

"Lord Baron, there’s a party waiting in formation up ahead."

Just as Vili figured they had entered the territory of Diamond Town, he heard the voice of a Guard outside.

He knew at once that Baron Kels had sent men to receive him.

Two days prior, Vili had written to Baron Kels expressing his desire to visit Diamond Town. Baron Kels had, of course, gladly agreed and extended a warm welcome.

"Baron Vili!"

The carriage stopped. Just as Vili leaned out, he saw a handsome young man on a white horse, reining it in as he rode toward them.

A friendly smile appeared on Vili’s face when he saw who it was.

It was Bamos, the future heir of Diamond Town and Baron Kels’s eldest son.

Vili and Bamos had a long history. In the very beginning, it was because Bamos had recognized his potential that Vili had gotten the opportunity to distinguish himself. While the existence of the Title Attribute Panel meant Vili was bound to stand out from the crowd eventually, Bamos’s patronage at the time had certainly saved him a lot of trouble.

"Bamos!"

Vili jumped down from the carriage, a smile on his face as he went to greet him.

Seeing this, Bamos leaped from his horse, and the two men shared a friendly embrace.

"Welcome back to Diamond Town!"

Bamos’s tone remained warm and friendly.

In truth, he was very happy to see Vili. Vili hadn’t let his change in status affect his attitude toward him in the slightest. Their rapport was as easy and relaxed as ever.

"It was very thoughtful of Baron Kels to have you welcome me in person," Vili said with a smile.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, then Vili commandeered one of his soldier’s horses and rode alongside Bamos toward Baron Kels’s Manor.

Vili’s action left Benduin, Colson, and Sandoor feeling rather awkward inside the carriage.

It was a strange feeling, sitting in the Lord Baron’s carriage while he himself rode a horse outside.

’It’s been a long time since I’ve been back.’

Vili felt a surge of emotion as they arrived at the gates of Baron Kels’s Manor.

The first time he had come here was after successfully hunting a Snow Pattern Deer.

He remembered how apprehensive he had felt when he first entered. Now, times had changed, and Vili had a Baron’s Manor of his own.

"We’re here!"

The moment the carriage stopped, Benduin, Colson, and Sandoor scrambled out.

They had already made up their minds: on the return trip to White Bear Town, they would definitely be riding horses. No more carriages.

"Are these the two Secret Masters accompanying you?"

Bamos had learned from his earlier conversation with Vili that two Secret Masters and Sandoor were accompanying him.

Bamos had originally been unaware of the existence of Secret Masters. It wasn’t until Vili became the Hanged Man that Baron Kels had informed him about them.

"Esteemed Secret Masters, Diamond Town welcomes you," Bamos said, greeting Benduin and Colson with a smile.

In fact, the status of these two Secret Masters was comparable to that of Bamos, a baron’s heir—and arguably even slightly higher.

Even though they were Vili’s subordinates, Bamos still had to show them the utmost respect.

"Greetings, Sir Bamos."

Benduin and Colson responded in kind.

In truth, their deferential attitude was simply because Bamos was an acquaintance of Vili’s.

There was no practical reason for the two of them to be in Diamond Town; they were simply there to serve as Vili’s retinue.

"And Sandoor, it’s been a while."

Bamos then turned his gaze to Sandoor, his tone softening.

Strictly speaking, Sandoor had once been one of Bamos’s own men. During a personnel selection back then, it was Bamos who had assigned Sandoor to Vili. In other words, Bamos had a direct hand in creating Sandoor’s current opportunities.

"Master Bamos, it’s been a long time."

Sandoor truly felt a sense of gratitude toward Bamos. He gave a slight bow to express his respect.

"Alright, let’s head inside. My father and Uncle Olay are already waiting for us," Bamos said to Vili after greeting the others.

Without wasting any time, the group headed for the reception hall of Baron Kels’s Manor.

Before they even reached the reception hall, Vili saw Baron Kels and Olay waiting at the entrance. A Guard had obviously announced his progress to them.

"Baron Kels. Teacher."

Vili quickened his pace to greet them, observing the proper etiquette for a junior.

"Vili."

Baron Kels and Olay came forward, beaming.

Olay, in particular, couldn’t stop smiling. Vili’s current success had far surpassed his expectations. After all, Vili was his personal student.

"You’ve grown even more impressive," Baron Kels said with a smile, shaking Vili’s hand.

By now, neither Baron Kels nor Olay could sense any fluctuations in Vili’s aura.

Vili’s current Realm was now completely beyond their ability to perceive.

Vili also felt a sense of warmth at seeing Baron Kels and Olay, whom he hadn’t met in a long time. This was especially true for Baron Kels, as it had been a very long time since the two had last seen each other.

Although White Bear Town and Diamond Town were close, nobles rarely visited another Lord’s territory by custom. They might only travel outside their own lands once or twice a year.

For instance, when the map was delivered, it had been Olay who came, not Baron Kels himself.

"Perhaps we should have lunch first," Baron Kels suggested.

"An excellent suggestion," Vili replied with a small smile.

And so, the two Lords of White Bear Town and Diamond Town, along with their key retainers, enjoyed a sumptuous lunch.

The conversation during the meal was lively and the atmosphere was cheerful and harmonious.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the group returned to Baron Kels’s reception hall.

Back in the reception hall, Vili suddenly said to Baron Kels and Olay, "Baron Kels, Teacher, I’ve brought some small gifts for you this time."

Baron Kels laughed heartily at his words. "Let me guess. Is it dried Soya Yellow-striped Fish? I remember Olay couldn’t stop praising it after his last trip to White Bear Town. It’s made me quite eager to try some myself."

"I doubt it," Olay said, his tone just as lighthearted. "Soya Yellow-striped Fish are incredibly rare. I was lucky just to have tasted it once. I think it might be Star-Spotted Snow Root. That’s the good stuff. It’s said that the Count and certain Viscounts take it regularly. You know, Fandou Village is a major producer of Star-Spotted Snow Root these days."

Vili shook his head with a smile at their banter. "I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you both. This time, I’ve brought neither Star-Spotted Snow Root nor dried Soya Yellow-striped Fish. What I’ve brought is much more interesting."

"Oh?"

Baron Kels and Olay exchanged a glance, their smiles fading.

Vili’s tone had seemed quite serious.

"Guards! Bring in the gifts I brought."

Vili clapped his hands and called out to his men from White Bear Town waiting outside the reception hall.

Soon, armored Guards brought in three exquisite wooden boxes.

"Put them on the table, then you may leave," Vili instructed his men.

Baron Kels’s eyes were fixed on the three wooden boxes. After a moment’s thought, he also addressed the servants and guards in the room, "All of you, leave us."

Soon, only Baron Kels and his son, Olay, as well as Vili and his trusted retinue, remained in the vast reception hall.

"What are these?"

Olay rose from his seat, walked over to the wooden boxes, and lightly touched the surface of one.

These wooden boxes were not the chests Vili had brought back from the treasure site of the Cold Lion Royal Family, but new containers he had prepared himself.

"They’re from the place on the treasure map you gave me... They’re items I brought back from the site of the lost Cold Lion Royal Family treasure," Vili answered calmly.

’The site of the lost treasure of the Cold Lion Royal Family?!’

"You went there!?"

Baron Kels and Olay exclaimed almost in unison.

Although they had given the Treasure Map to Vili, they had never expected him to complete the exploration so quickly.

They had assumed Vili would spend years preparing for the expedition and wouldn’t act for a long time to come.

They never imagined he would have already returned, and with rewards in hand.

Olay and Baron Kels were stunned.

Sandoor and Bamos, who were also in the room, were equally stunned.

Sandoor was shocked because the treasure the Lord Baron had been searching for was actually a legacy of the Cold Lion Royal Family; he had initially assumed it was just an ordinary treasure site.

As for Bamos, his shock was mixed with bewilderment.

’A lost treasure of the Cold Lion Duchy’s Royal Family? And the map was a gift from Father and Uncle Olay?’

Until this moment, Bamos had no idea that Diamond Town had ever possessed such a precious Treasure Map.

For a moment, the room fell completely silent.