Chapter 65: Storm Town

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Storm Town

Finlay’s face lit up with joy. "When would it be convenient for you?"

Vili thought for a moment. With Olay currently away from Diamond Town and Hudier sick at home, he didn’t seem to have any pressing matters tying him down.

"I’m available anytime," Vili replied.

Seeing this, Finlay’s favorable impression of Vili instantly doubled. In his eyes, Vili was extending goodwill toward the Divar family.

"In that case, let’s head out now. The carriage is waiting downstairs." Finlay made an inviting gesture.

And so, Vili and Finlay walked out of the Personal Guard Bureau, one after the other.

When Vili saw Finlay’s carriage, he couldn’t help but marvel at the Divar family’s immense wealth.

It was drawn by four magnificent, snow-white warhorses. They were striking in appearance, with beautifully defined muscles and manes as smooth as flowing water.

The carriage itself was equally impressive, so massive that from the outside, it looked like a small cabin. Crafted entirely from exquisite wood and painted in striking black and gold, it exuded a dazzling opulence. A small set of stairs had been set up at the front of the cabin.

This was more than just a step up from Bamos’s carriage.

Two guards stood around the carriage. Mounted on warhorses and equipped with Cross Swords at their waists, their imposing momentum was undeniable. With a single glance, Vili could tell that both men possessed at least the physical caliber of a Middle Level Knight’s Squire.

"Please get in, Mr. Vili," Finlay said, personally lifting the carriage curtain to guide Vili inside. He then ordered one of the guards, "Bring word back to the family immediately. Tell them Mr. Vili is coming to visit and have them prepare."

The guard acknowledged the order, bowed respectfully, and galloped off.

Stepping inside the cabin, Vili was once again left speechless.

Within the spacious interior sat ornate, high-backed seats. A small, fixed wooden table stood in the center, laden with fruits and liquor. Beneath the table was a compartment holding sealed cakes and other pastries.

"Please help yourself, Mr. Vili." Finlay personally poured him a glass of fragrant wine.

Vili didn’t stand on ceremony. He gave it a light sniff before slowly taking a sip.

He didn’t know much about red wine, but he could easily taste its rich, sweet flavor.

Vili had previously tried the wine Lake hoarded. Not only was the taste muddled, but it also contained impurities. Back then, Vili assumed this world’s brewing techniques were simply subpar. But after tasting Finlay’s wine, he finally understood that the alcohol of the rich and the alcohol of the poor were two entirely different concepts.

The carriage was already moving outside. Though its pace was swift, the cabin remained remarkably stable.

"Did you travel all the way from Storm Town specifically to study under Mr. Hudier?" Vili asked casually.

Finlay nodded. "Teacher Hudier is highly accomplished in literature and history, and his reputation spans several neighboring towns. Because of this, my father introduced me to him when I was five or six, and I became his student. Before I turned twelve, I spent almost all year round by Teacher Hudier’s side. After I turned twelve, I began getting involved in family affairs, so I only return to study under him from August to October every year."

Of course, this was only the surface reason.

Hudier was a man of immense prestige. He had taught many formidable students; even Baron Kels had studied history under him in his youth. Because of this, most of those under Hudier’s tutelage possessed extraordinary backgrounds. It was precisely with this in mind that Finlay’s father, Lacas, had sent his young son all the way from Storm Town to Diamond Town.

Vili nodded. Although Finlay only shared the superficial reasons, he could guess the deeper implications.

Since the journey wasn’t short, Vili and Finlay kept up a light conversation, mostly discussing the Divar family’s business ventures.

About three hours later, with the sun high in the sky, the carriage finally rolled into Storm Town.

Storm Town, Diamond Town, and Blue Whale Town were the three Baron’s domains located in the southwestern-most corner of Dawei Province, under Count Lumbar’s territory.

Both Diamond Town and Storm Town bordered the Wata Duchy, leaving their respective Barons constantly dealing with headaches over the friction between the two states. Only Baron Enton of Blue Whale Town lived a relatively carefree life.

Blue Whale Town was vast—larger than Diamond Town and Storm Town combined, rivaling some Viscount domains. The southernmost edge of Blue Whale Town marked the entrance to the ocean. Although the terrain made building a proper port impossible, the town boasted many docks, a highly developed fishing industry, and abundant resources, making it the wealthiest of the three towns.

Furthermore, Blue Whale Town had a substantial population. Around five thousand people lived in the town itself, and counting the surrounding villages and settlements, the total population exceeded ten thousand—a figure that made many Viscounts envious. By comparison, Diamond Town only had a little over two thousand residents, barely scraping together five thousand even when including the outskirts. It didn’t even amount to half of Blue Whale Town’s population.

Rumor had it that this was because the first Baron of Blue Whale Town—Baron Enton’s great-great-grandfather—had served Count Lumbar’s ancestors and made great contributions, earning him this fertile territory as a reward.

Because of Blue Whale Town’s affluence and Baron Enton’s domineering style, both Baron Kels of Diamond Town and Baron Nando of Storm Town held a certain distaste for him. As a result, the relationship between Storm Town and Diamond Town was much closer.

"As expected of the number one family in Storm Town..." Vili muttered as he looked out the window at the Divar family manor.

Grand and luxurious—that was his first impression.

Lush green trees and blooming flowers shaded the grounds, complementing an array of breathtakingly opulent pavilions that left onlookers yearning for such a life.

The carriage came to a halt.

"After you, Mr. Vili." Finlay stepped out of the cabin first and held the curtain open.

As soon as Vili stepped off the carriage, he was greeted by the sight of a smiling man in a black formal suit. An elderly man dressed as a butler stood by his side, while rows of male and female servants lined up behind them, all maintaining a respectful bow.

It was Vili’s first time witnessing such a spectacle. Not even at Baron Kels’s manor had he seen a display like this.

However, Vili didn’t show too much surprise as he walked down from the carriage.

"Mr. Vili, I am Lacas. On behalf of the entire Divar family, allow me to extend our deepest friendship to you."

Lacas bowed slightly toward Vili, and the butler and servants behind him moved in perfect unison, bowing even lower.

Lacas?

Vili hadn’t expected Lacas, the number two figure in the Divar family, to personally welcome him.

Knowing better than to act arrogant, Vili nodded and bowed in return. "Vili Ferren of Diamond Town. It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency Lacas."