Chapter 33: The Baron’s Eldest Son

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: The Baron’s Eldest Son

"Fifteen people. More than I expected."

Bamos looked at the fifteen remaining hunters and said with satisfaction, "Since that’s the case, as a thank you for your assistance, I’d like to add to the rules for the reward. In addition to the five Gold Rums payment, whoever discovers the creature’s tracks in Bole Forest will receive an additional reward of ten Gold Rums. Whoever captures the creature directly will receive an additional reward of one hundred Gold Rums."

The crowd erupted.

Bamos’s words had instantly set everyone’s hearts ablaze. One hundred Gold Rums!

If they could capture that creature, their hunting careers would be over. They could retire early and enjoy life.

"Hmm..."

Amidst the crowd, only Vili remained calm and unfazed. He had even gleaned a deeper meaning from Bamos’s words.

’Bamos said to *capture* the creature, not kill it. If I’m right, then Baron Kels’s motive must be to raise and tame it.’

After seeing the hunters’ ecstatic reactions, Bamos also noticed Vili’s composed expression.

’What an interesting young man... He must be around the same age as my third sister, yet he gives off an impression of being unusually mature.’

Bamos felt more and more that there was something extraordinary about Vili.

He had seen many outstanding young people, but Vili seemed to be the most unique of them all.

While Bamos was sizing up Vili, Vili was, in fact, studying Bamos in turn. He felt that this Senior Knight’s Squire of the Baron’s Personal Guard Team didn’t seem like a simple Personal Guard. He had an innate confidence about him, and his words and actions were very proper. Even when facing a group of rugged, boisterous hunters, he remained respectful and friendly. ’He must have received a formal education.’

"Next, please wait on the first floor. A dedicated attendant will be there to lead you to the guest rooms in the Baron’s Manor. For the next two days, you will rest and prepare there. The Baron will provide you with fine food and drink."

Bamos’s words once again made the group feel Baron Kels’s generosity.

Soon, Vili went downstairs with the other hunters. This time, people began to strike up conversations with him willingly, a far cry from the previous situation where he was looked down upon. His earlier display of skill had earned him the respect of everyone present. No matter where one was, only those with true ability would be respected by others.

Helai had also chosen to stay. He almost subconsciously kept his distance from Vili. Right now, Helai had only one thought in his mind: he had to find a place to shave his head completely. Otherwise, walking around with this strange hairstyle was just too humiliating.

Only Bamos and the Record Officer remained in the room.

"Take this list to Uncle Olay."

The Olay that Bamos mentioned was the Personal Guard Captain of Baron Kels’s Personal Guard Team.

The Record Officer nodded humbly. "Understood, Young Master Bamos."

「Baron Kels’s Study.」

At this moment, Baron Kels was sitting at his desk, dressed in loose, exquisite clothing and flipping through a thick book.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

At the sound of knocking, Baron Kels’s brow furrowed.

He hated being disturbed while reading, but the restraint demanded by noble etiquette made him say calmly, "Enter."

The door opened, and a handsome, tall young man wearing Light Armor walked in.

When he saw who it was, all of Baron Kels’s prior displeasure vanished, replaced by affection and pride.

The visitor was his eldest son, his most beloved child, and also the future heir of Diamond Town.

"Father."

If Vili had been there, he would have recognized the future heir to the barony as the very same Bamos from before.

Because this matter concerned the Snow Pattern Deer, his father, Baron Kels, considered it extremely important. Thus, Bamos was directly involved in preparing every stage of the capture. The selection of hunters was a crucial step, so Bamos had handled it personally. However, to avoid drawing too much attention to his status, Bamos had claimed to be a Senior Knight’s Squire in Baron Kels’s Personal Guard Team.

"I have already screened the hunters who applied. Fifteen remain."

As he spoke, Bamos placed the list in his hand on Baron Kels’s desk.

Baron Kels only glanced at it briefly, not bothering to read it over. He had complete faith and trust in whatever his eldest son, Bamos, did.

"You’ve worked hard."

Baron Kels said with a smile.

In fact, in all of Diamond Town, the only ones treated so amicably by Baron Kels were the Personal Guard Captain, Olay, and his eldest son, Bamos. None of his other children received such treatment.

"Father, I have a question." Unlike his other siblings, Bamos was not overly reserved in Baron Kels’s presence; he acted very naturally. "Now that we’ve found the hunters, why don’t we go look for the Snow Pattern Deer immediately? After all, the sooner we act, the sooner we’ll find its tracks."

Baron Kels shook his head gently. "This Snow Pattern Deer was already heavily injured when it fled from Blue Whale Town. Given its cautious nature, it certainly won’t leave any obvious trail. Searching for it directly right now would only heighten its vigilance. It would be better to wait for it to think the danger has passed and expose itself."

Bamos nodded. "Your considerations are far more thorough, Father."

"Oh, right, Father. Among the hunters who applied this time, there was a very interesting boy."

Bamos said to Baron Kels, as if he had just remembered something.

A look of surprise appeared on Baron Kels’s face. "A young man? There was a child among the hunters this time?"

"Yes. I investigated his background. His name is Vili Ferren, thirteen years old, from Xiangguo Village. He has a brother named Sopps Ferren, who was just selected for your Personal Guard Team a few days ago."

At that moment, Vili could never have imagined that Baron Kels already knew the name of a country boy like him.

"I witnessed his skills today; they were no less than any veteran hunter’s. More importantly, he displayed a maturity and decisiveness that don’t match his age," Bamos continued. "I believe he has great potential, so I plan to recruit him into the Personal Guard Team for training after this Snow Pattern Deer capture operation is over, to become a retainer of our Aure Family. I hope for your approval."

"I trust your judgment."

Baron Kels didn’t treat this as a particularly important matter. After their brief exchange, he suddenly gave a reminder, "Bamos, you must persevere in your practice of the Frost Knight Breathing Technique. You cannot afford to relax. It is the foundation upon which our Aure Family has been passed down, the source of true Knight Power." ℴ

A solemn expression covered Bamos’s face. "I will, Father."