Chapter 43: Excited Baron

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Excited Baron

"Your Excellency Olay, your strength has earned my respect."

Outside the camp, Jarvis wore a smile. The edge of the Cross Sword in his hand glinted, and he looked completely at ease.

Olay’s expression, however, was grave. The arm with which he gripped his longsword was trembling slightly, a clear sign that he had struggled in their recent duel.

The ground around them was a chaotic mess from their battle.

Olay had never imagined that Jarvis, once hailed as the greatest genius of Blue Whale Town, would have grown so powerful. He was barely over thirty, yet he had already put Olay under immense pressure in their fight. In a few more years, Olay was certain he would be completely overwhelmed.

Thinking of the past grievances and rifts between Baron Enton and Baron Kels, Olay felt a flicker of worry.

"Jarvis, I have to admit, your talent is astounding. But don’t think you can do as you please in Diamond Town just because you have some martial strength. If you anger Baron Kels, you will pay a price you cannot afford. Not even Baron Enton can protect you then."

Olay’s gaze was ice-cold, but he wasn’t just trying to intimidate Jarvis.

Under the rules where nobles reigned supreme, even a true Knight like Jarvis would face the most tragic of ends if he openly challenged a noble’s dignity. Not unless his power grew to the point where he could ignore the rules themselves.

"Diamond Town is Lord Kels’s domain. Naturally, I wouldn’t dare act presumptuously."

Jarvis remained composed, neither humble nor arrogant, and with a carefree air, he said, "Sparring with Your Excellency Olay has been most enlightening. I hope to have another opportunity to experience your Fencing again. I won’t linger any longer. I’ll be returning to Blue Whale Town now." ℯℯ𝘭.

’Whether they succeeded or not, I have to leave Diamond Town. Otherwise, even I can’t withstand the fury of Baron Kels when he finally drops all pretense.’

"I won’t see you out."

Olay watched Jarvis’s departing figure, his eyes narrowing, a hint of coldness in his gaze.

He pondered for a moment, sheathed his Cross Sword, and prepared to head for Bole Forest. Olay was very worried now. If Jarvis’s men had succeeded, then Baron Kels’s wish for a Magical Beast would be ruined. Baron Kels was already troubled by matters on the border. If he received news that the capture of the Snow Pattern Deer had also failed, he would likely fly into a rage.

Just as Olay was about to set off into Bole Forest, he suddenly saw Guards and Hunters emerging from it.

Bamos and Vili rode side-by-side, and behind them, several men were carrying a bound animal.

The animal’s entire body was silver-white with deep blue stripes, and it had twelve antlers sprouting from its head.

"The Snow Pattern Deer!"

Olay’s heart skipped a beat.

"Uncle Olay, we’ve captured the Snow Pattern Deer!"

The moment he saw Olay, Bamos finally felt a wave of relief. He had completely forgotten his own injuries, his voice filled with excitement.

"Excellent!"

Olay laughed heartily, the pent-up frustration from his fight with Jarvis completely released. "Back to the manor! We’ll bring this good news to the Lord Baron."

...

Inside the Baron’s Manor.

Baron Kels sat at his desk, his brow furrowed and his expression grim.

He gazed at the intelligence report on the border defenses and fell into deep thought. The Wata Duchy had sent more troops to the border. Although they hadn’t launched an attack, the continuous buildup of their garrison was putting immense pressure on Baron Kels.

Other Lords could do as they pleased in their own territories, feeling no sense of urgency. But Baron Kels was different; he had to bear the pressure of defending the border. If the Wata Duchy truly started a war, Diamond Town would be the first to fall. And if Diamond Town was destroyed, he would no longer be a Baron.

"Someone, have Messenger Soldiers deliver this letter to Count Lumbar."

Baron Kels gave the order to someone outside the door.

Count Lumbar was his direct superior, so he had to report the predicament Diamond Town was facing in full detail. In the letter, Baron Kels described the current pressure on Diamond Town and requested reinforcements.

Soon, a member of his Personal Guard entered from outside and took the letter.

Baron Kels steepled his fingers, pressing them to his forehead, looking utterly exhausted.

"I hope I hear some good news soon..."

Baron Kels let out a faint sigh.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

Suddenly, there was a knock on his door.

"Enter."

Baron Kels’s voice instantly regained its authority. He couldn’t let anyone see his anxiety.

The door opened, and Bamos and Olay entered side-by-side.

Bamos still wore his battered armor, and his wounds had only been crudely treated.

"What is all this...?"

The moment Baron Kels saw them, he was slightly taken aback, but this was immediately followed by a flicker of pleasant surprise in his eyes.

’Could it be they’ve brought good news?’

Sure enough, Bamos said with a smile, "Father, we did not disappoint you. Uncle Olay and I have brought back the Snow Pattern Deer!"

Hearing this, the stern look on Baron Kels’s face vanished, replaced by an unconcealable smile. He let out a loud laugh and shot up from his seat. "Well done!"

At that moment, all his worries were swept away.

A Snow Pattern Deer! A Magical Beast! The Magical Beast he had always hoped to obtain!

If the Snow Pattern Deer could be tamed, Diamond Town would gain another Advanced Combat Power, comparable to a Knight’s Power! For a Diamond Town currently facing the threat of war, this good news could not have come at a better time.

"Congratulations, Lord Baron."

Olay said with a smile, standing to the side.

"Olay, Bamos, thank you."

Baron Kels walked over to them and clapped them both on the shoulder.

When he saw the frostbite on Bamos’s back, a flash of pity appeared in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant.

"Father, our success in capturing the Snow Pattern Deer this time wasn’t just due to Uncle Olay and me. More importantly, it was because of Vili. Without him, we would never have been able to capture it."

Bamos said.

Olay, standing beside him, nodded as well. On the way back to the manor, Bamos had already told Olay about Vili’s performance. Olay had been very surprised to hear it; he hadn’t expected the young Hunter who brought news of the ambushers to be so outstanding.

Before Bamos could even state his proposal, Olay had already decided to take Vili on as a student. In fact, an even bolder idea had surfaced in his mind. He would ask the Lord Baron for permission to teach Vili the Knight’s Breathing Technique. He wanted to personally cultivate a genius even more exceptional than Jarvis.