Chapter 41: A New Ambusher

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: A New Ambusher

"Vili, thank you."

Bamos rose to his feet and nodded to Vili.

A true nobleman would never feel ashamed for thanking a commoner, especially when that person was his savior.

"I was only doing my duty."

Vili also bowed slightly in return.

Although he had saved Bamos and captured the Snow Pattern Deer, Vili felt a pang of regret. ’I thought capturing the Snow Pattern Deer would grant me a new title from the Title Attribute Panel, but it seems I miscalculated.’ However, the feeling was fleeting. After all, he hadn’t come away empty-handed. Not only had he previously obtained the Junior Assassin title, but he had also won the favor of Bamos, the Baron’s heir.

Bamos made no verbal promises, but he was already forming a plan to cultivate Vili’s potential. ’He’s young, courageous, and intelligent,’ Bamos thought. ’His family background is clean, and he’s one of my own people. He can absolutely be trained into a capable subordinate. If Vili also possesses Knight Talent, he could even become the next Olay.’

"Let’s go. We’re heading back to the manor."

With the guards’ help, Bamos struggled onto his horse. His back was already festering from the frostbite and in urgent need of treatment.

The guards and hunters were all thrilled. After so many hardships, they had finally captured the Snow Pattern Deer. This meant a handsome reward for everyone involved.

At the Guard Captain’s command, a few guards reinforced the bindings on the Snow Pattern Deer, hoisted it up, and followed behind Bamos.

"Vili, find a horse and ride with me at the front."

Bamos said from his horse.

The surrounding guards and hunters all looked at Vili with envy. In their eyes, his daring rescue had just handed him the key to a prosperous future. Bamos was destined to become the next Lord of Diamond Town, and to be valued by him meant prosperity for one’s entire family. This was the dream of every commoner in Diamond Town, and now, Vili had achieved it.

A Guard squad leader gave his warhorse to Vili. After thanking him, Vili vaulted onto the horse and rode abreast of Bamos.

"You have a talent for Fencing."

Although Vili had used a Hunting Knife when he’d struck earlier, Bamos could clearly see that he was actually applying Fencing techniques.

"I only have a basic understanding. There’s still a huge gap between my skills and those of the Lord Baron’s Personal Guards."

Vili was telling the truth. His Fencing was at the Basic Knight Squire Level. Although he was proficient with it, it was still lacking compared to High Level Fencing. ’I have to unlock a new title as soon as possible,’ he thought.

Bamos smiled faintly. "Vili, I have a proposal for you."

"Please, go on."

Vili replied.

Bamos paused for a moment. "I want you to enter the Baron’s Manor and become one of my father’s Personal Guards. I will ask my Uncle Olay to be your mentor and personally teach you Fencing and combat techniques. What do you say?"

Vili was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Bamos to value him so highly.

Becoming one of the Lord Baron’s Personal Guards was no easy feat. First, one had to join the Guard Team, perform exceptionally, and gain recognition. Beyond that, one also had to pass the Junior Knight’s Squire examination and be deemed to have potential for further advancement before they could become a Personal Guard. But Bamos was letting him skip that entire lengthy process in a single step.

"It would be my honor."

Vili answered without the slightest hesitation.

Vili had long seen the social structure of this world for what it was. No matter how hard commoners worked, they were insignificant in the eyes of the nobility. Not everyone possessed a unique advantage like him, one that allowed them to leap up the social ladder as their strength grew. For most commoners, they were destined to live their entire lives under the control of the nobles, fundamentally unable to achieve even the simplest form of equality.

It was just like Lake and Mrs. Shaven. Their greatest wish was for their children to become skilled individuals serving the nobility—a desire dictated by the culture of their world. If they knew he had become one of Baron Kels’s Personal Guards, they would be beside themselves with excitement.

"Excellent."

Bamos was pleased with Vili’s response.

Their pace was slow, as they were carrying the Snow Pattern Deer. The commotion attracted the attention of some forest beasts, but none dared to attack such a large group. As a result, the journey was uneventful.

"We’re almost out of Bole Forest."

Bamos felt a burning sensation on his back. Even though it was frostbite, the pain was searing.

However, his mind wasn’t on his wound. He was wondering if Olay had driven Jarvis away yet. ’That man is a real problem,’ he thought.

Vili rode silently beside Bamos.

RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE...

Suddenly, Vili heard the sound of leaves rustling overhead.

In an instant, his mind flashed back to the ambusher from the previous night.

"Protect the Snow Pattern Deer!"

Vili shouted without any warning.

Everyone, including Bamos, was stunned and didn’t react immediately. But in the next moment, they understood exactly what Vili meant.

From the treetops, two figures leaped down, sharp daggers in hand, and plunged them toward the neck of the bound Snow Pattern Deer.

Their objective was clear: to kill the Snow Pattern Deer.

"It’s Baron Enton’s men!"

Bamos roared, instantly grasping the attackers’ intentions.

Previously, Baron Enton had sent a large number of men and even lost many of his elites in an attempt to capture the Snow Pattern Deer. In the end, he’d only managed to injure the beast before it escaped to Diamond Town. It was as if he had done all the hard work only to hand the fruits of his labor to someone else. Baron Enton was already on bad terms with Baron Kels, so he couldn’t let it go. He had secretly sent men to infiltrate Bole Forest with a clear objective: either bring the Snow Pattern Deer back to Blue Whale Town, or kill it so that Baron Kels couldn’t have it either.

Vili was the first to react. From horseback, he drew his bow, nocking and firing two arrows at once.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The two ambushers’ blades were just about to pierce the Snow Pattern Deer’s throat when they saw two arrows flying toward them.

They were forced to alter their movements, dodging Vili’s deadly shots. But in doing so, they also lost their best chance to kill the Snow Pattern Deer.

"Get them!"

The Guard squad leader shouted for his men to surround them as he charged forward, swinging his Cross Sword.

Bamos’s face was livid, clearly finding Baron Enton’s actions intolerable. "Kill them on the spot!"