Chapter 87: The Baron’s Trump Card and the Senior Knight’s Squire

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: The Baron’s Trump Card and the Senior Knight’s Squire

When Vili and Weibun stepped out of the tent at the same time, Weibun suddenly called out to him.

"Vili, do you have a moment to talk?"

Vili was a little surprised, but he nodded his assent.

In Vili’s opinion, Weibun was a rather peculiar individual. He seemed more like a scholar than a Personal Guard Captain.

The two walked along the garrison line, stopping near the edge of the central camp.

"Ricker is an ignorant man."

Weibun said abruptly.

Vili didn’t respond. He sensed that Weibun had more to say.

"Therefore, your conflict with him was utterly meaningless."

Weibun advised Vili, his expression nonchalant. "Perhaps you feel you’ve established your authority in Diamond Team Six, but what good will that do? Do you think that will enable you to lead Diamond Team Six to defeat the enemy and safeguard the peace of Diamond Town?"

"Isn’t that the case?"

Vili’s brow furrowed slightly. ’This Weibun is far too composed.’

"You’re wrong."

Weibun shook his head. "Whether Diamond Town can survive this war doesn’t depend on this so-called defense line. The five hundred Guards on the border are merely a tool to slow the war’s tempo."

Vili gave Weibun a long, hard look. ’It seems he thinks everything we’re doing right now is pointless.’

"Then what will decide the outcome of the war?"

Vili retorted.

"You’re at the level of a Middle Level Knight’s Squire, or perhaps a Senior Knight’s Squire?"

Weibun didn’t answer Vili’s question directly.

"I’m close to the level of a Senior Knight’s Squire."

Vili answered.

"So, how many ordinary Guards do you think you could defeat on your own?"

Before Vili could answer, Weibun spoke again, as if to himself. "Ten men. At least ten. You could kill them with ease."

Vili fell silent and nodded.

In truth, with his strength, he could still turn the tables even if surrounded by a dozen men, all thanks to his own abilities.

"And what about a true Knight? How many ordinary men can he kill?"

Weibun’s words made Vili’s pupils contract.

A single, true Knight defeating a hundred men was no exaggeration. In other words, the five hundred Guards on Diamond Town’s border defense line couldn’t even match five true Knights.

"I’ve considered that," Vili responded. "Although a Knight has the strength to take on a hundred men, we’ll never be able to gather enough Knights for the coming war. We’ll still have to use the lives of ordinary men to fill the ranks."

Weibun’s smile tightened. "And what if we *could* gather enough Knights?"

"But the only ones in Diamond Town with the strength of a Knight are the Lord Baron and Teacher Olay."

Vili retorted.

"Did you know the Lord Baron is requesting reinforcements from Count Lumbar?"

Weibun’s tone was calm and unhurried.

"I did..."

Vili felt as if he’d already guessed what Weibun was about to say.

"The Lord Baron didn’t request ordinary Guards for reinforcements. He requested Knights—five of them!"

"How is that possible?"

Vili couldn’t accept it. "Five Knights are far too valuable. They should be used in a more critical location, like Kuangjin City. Why would Count Lumbar possibly send five Knights to Diamond Town?"

"No, it’s possible. The Lord Baron has already secured the reinforcements... in exchange for a Snow Pattern Deer."

Weibun’s response was firm.

Vili finally had no rebuttal. If a Snow Pattern Deer was gifted to Count Lumbar, he would certainly agree to dispatch five Knights as reinforcements.

Trading ownership of a Bronze Level Magical Beast for the temporary loan of five Knights was an incredible deal.

The value of a Bronze Level Magical Beast was beyond imagination. Many Barons, and even Viscounts, might go their entire lives without owning a single one. It was said that even Count Lumbar, who ruled all of Dawei Province, did not possess many Magical Beasts.

Vili just never imagined Baron Kels would be willing to give the Snow Pattern Deer to Count Lumbar. ’That was something the Baron had always coveted. Even if he couldn’t control it now, there would always be a chance in the future.’

"Is this a secret order from the Lord Baron for all of you?"

’If Weibun hadn’t told me, I never would have known that Baron Kels had already secured powerful reinforcements in secret.’

"No, it was an order given to me alone."

Weibun’s answer took Vili by surprise.

Vili didn’t know if he should press the issue.

’Before this, I didn’t know much about Weibun, just his name. He’s very low-profile, and there are no rumors about him circulating.’

’Yet this unknown man is so trusted by the Lord Baron. If I’m not mistaken, only Baron Kels, Olay, and Weibun know about the reinforcements. Even Bamos might be in the dark. After all, before I came to the Northwest Defense Line, Bamos seemed even more anxious than I was.’

"But why tell me? This information should be classified. The five reinforcing Knights are our trump card."

Vili voiced the question on his mind.

"I just don’t think you should let these trivial matters get in the way of your training in the Frost Knight Breathing Technique."

To Vili, Weibun’s smile was unfathomable.

"You even know about that?"

Vili grew increasingly curious about Weibun’s identity. ’Is he really just a Guard Captain? Absolutely not.’

’Thinking it over, Weibun’s attitude toward me has been unreasonable from the start. As one of the Baron’s veterans, his normal reaction to a newcomer like me should be resentment, since my rise could affect his status and interests in Diamond Town.’

’Cres, as the Commander, needs to balance everyone’s interests while carrying out the Baron’s will, so it’s normal for him to show me some favor.’

’But Weibun has been exceptionally friendly from the very beginning. It doesn’t add up.’

"Now that you know what will truly decide this war, you should focus your energy on practicing your Knight’s Breathing Technique."

Weibun chose not to explain his identity. He paused, as if remembering something. "You haven’t learned the Fencing techniques for a Senior Knight’s Squire yet, have you?"

"That’s right."

Vili nodded.

"Then stay here for three days. I’ll do my best to teach it to you. That Olay... he’s getting lazier and lazier, pawning this kind of thing off on me."

Weibun muttered under his breath.

...

Vili returned to the northwest border three days later.

That night, Vili stood alone in his resting tent.

With a flicker of his will, the Title Attribute Panel appeared before his eyes.

[Vili Ferren—Constitution: 3.7; Intelligence: 1.5; Remaining Attribute Points: 2.3]

He was now a genuine Senior Knight’s Squire.

"Attribute points, allocate!"