Chapter 44: Became the Village Chief

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Became the Village Chief

"Vili?"

Baron Kels’s brow furrowed slightly as he seemed to ponder who this person was. As a Lord with many duties, he could hardly be expected to remember an ordinary country boy.

"Vili is that young Hunter we recruited a few days ago. The boy from Xiangguo Village."

Bamos offered a gentle reminder.

A look of realization dawned on Baron Kels’s face. He suddenly recalled that Bamos held this young man in high regard.

"Are you saying that it was because of this young Hunter named Vili that you were able to bring back the Snow Pattern Deer?"

Baron Kels’s tone was laced with skepticism.

Seeing this, Bamos proceeded to give Baron Kels a detailed account of Vili’s performance. He recounted how Vili had discovered the assassins from Blue Whale Town, the crucial role he played in capturing the Snow Pattern Deer, and even how he had treated the deer’s injuries with a poultice. Bamos described everything without omitting a single detail.

"To think there was such an outstanding child in Diamond Town..."

After hearing Bamos’s full account, Baron Kels also wore a look of surprise.

In his opinion, not even his own eldest son, of whom he was most proud, could have accomplished so much at thirteen years old, despite being born into a noble family.

"Father, I’ve already recruited him into your Personal Guard Team and requested that Uncle Olay be his teacher."

Before entering Bole Forest, Bamos had already informed Baron Kels of this idea and received his consent, though at the time he hadn’t planned on recommending Vili as Olay’s student.

Upon hearing this, Baron Kels glanced at Olay, clearly taken aback. "You’ve decided to be this child’s teacher?"

Baron Kels knew Olay’s temperament well. He was a stern and proud man, yet now he had actually agreed to teach the child of a commoner.

"Yes, Lord Baron. Vili and I have spoken, and I am very satisfied with the boy."

On the way back, Olay had already confirmed the master-student relationship with Vili. Now, all that was needed was the Lord Baron’s official approval for Vili to join the Personal Guard Team directly.

The Personal Guard Team was the most important guarantor of Baron Kels’s safety. Every Personal Guard who joined the team had to receive the Lord Baron’s written approval.

"In that case, have someone prepare the paperwork for Vili to join the Personal Guard later. I’ll sign it."

Baron Kels nodded, then asked, "Is Vili at the manor right now?"

"He is waiting downstairs."

Bamos had long guessed that after acknowledging Vili’s contributions, Baron Kels would likely summon him personally.

Baron Kels smiled. "Have him come up. I want to reward him myself."

Downstairs from the Baron’s study, Vili was standing by the door, waiting. The other Hunters and Guards had already gone to rest. Only he had been instructed by Bamos to wait here for the Baron’s summons.

"The Lord Baron wishes to see you. Follow me up."

Vili was starting to get bored from the wait when a Personal Guard suddenly walked up to him.

The Personal Guard led the way, bringing Vili to the study on the third floor.

"The Lord Baron is waiting for you inside. Please, go in."

The Personal Guard spoke to Vili when they reached their destination.

Vili thanked him softly and knocked on the half-open door.

After receiving permission to enter, Vili walked into Baron Kels’s study.

As soon as he stepped inside, Vili saw three figures. He recognized Bamos and Olay, but not the middle-aged man standing before the desk. However, there was no need to guess the man’s identity. He was the most powerful person in Diamond Town, the man whom all the commoners of Diamond Town, including his own parents, looked up to: Baron Kels.

"Greetings, Lord Baron."

Vili bowed slightly. His demeanor was proper, showing not the slightest trace of fear.

After paying his respects to the Baron, Vili nodded to his teacher, Olay, and to Bamos.

The moment Vili walked in, Baron Kels’s eyes lit up, revealing his undisguised admiration.

Young, calm, and unafraid even when facing him—these were truly rare qualities.

"Vili, you did an excellent job during the operation to capture the Snow Pattern Deer."

Baron Kels got straight to the point. "Although you are about to become one of my Personal Guards, I will not be stingy with the reward you are due. According to the payment for this mission, you should receive one hundred Gold Rums. However, given your critical role in this operation, I am increasing your reward to five hundred Gold Rums."

Five hundred Gold Rums. Even Vili was struck by Baron Kels’s generosity.

When his older brother Sopps needed money, his parents had struggled just to come up with two Gold Rums. ’And now, with a single wave of his hand, Baron Kels is giving me five hundred. This is more money than the entire Ferren Family could save in a lifetime, even if they didn’t eat or drink. I can’t even imagine how Lake and Mrs. Shaven will react when they see this enormous sum.’

"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Baron."

Vili expressed his gratitude to the Baron.

Baron Kels just smiled and added, "In addition to this, I will also grant you one request as a further reward."

As soon as he finished speaking, Olay and Bamos exchanged a look.

They understood that Vili had earned Baron Kels’s true approval.

"Lord Baron, your reward is already more than generous. I have no other requests."

Vili knew his place and did not overstep.

Kels grew even more pleased with Vili. "In that case, I will designate the reward myself."

"Bamos, have the Bean seeds been introduced yet?"

Kels suddenly asked Bamos.

"They were introduced to Diamond Town a week ago. Fandou Village is currently under construction."

Bamos was very familiar with the affairs of the domain.

Baron Kels paused for a moment, then said, "Vili, I hereby grant you this Fandou Village. From this day forward, you are the master of Fandou Village. You may develop and build upon it as you see fit, on the condition that you submit the required quota of Beans each year. I hope you will become a worthy Village Chief and not disappoint me."

Hearing this reward, Vili was stunned for a moment. ’Baron Kels actually granted me a village?!’

The significance of this was far greater than the five hundred Gold Rums!

Theoretically, as the Baron of Diamond Town, Kels could grant the land here to anyone he wished. In reality, however, very few barons would do such a thing, because land was a noble’s most important resource—the very foundation of their status. Baron Kels was a generous Lord, but even he had only ever given away one village, and its master was Olay, his close companion of many years.

And Fandou Village was the second he had ever given away.