677 Baron (1/2)
Shawshank Territory.
As the feudal lord of this territory, Baron Shawshank had a castle that was handed down from his ancestors.
It was constructed on top of a massif and completely built with granite. There was even a moat on the outside, with a watchtower and crossfire point. It would be a nightmare for anyone trying to attack it.
”With such a castle, as long as there's sufficient food, would hundreds of people be enough to defend against the siege of an army of thousands?”
Fang Yuan lifted his head and looked toward the black outline of the tall building.
Unquestionably, it represented the authority that the past Baron Shawshanks had on this land, and was more a guarantee of status.
”Even each baron may not necessarily be able to build a castle. This is the difference between the old nobility and the nouveau rich…”
From this, Fang Yuan thought of the strength of this Baron Shawshank.
Under his command were five knights. Inside the castle, there was even a squad of more than a hundred guards maintained throughout the year.
”A hundred person guard squad is the direct force under a baron. When faced with war, he could still enlist knights and squires, definitely adding up to more than two hundred. These are
professional soldiers! If we include those slightly trained militia, it can easily reach a thousand.
”Furthermore, this Baron Shawshank is definitely a member of the royalist party with deep connections to Grand Duke Stan.”
…
As he was thinking, the castle's suspension bridge lowered slowly, and a middle-aged nobleman came out to welcome him, ”Welcome, my knight!”
Fang Yuan carefully looked over and saw that this nobleman coming out was around forty years old. He was wearing a noble robe with light green and golden linings, had on a white-haired wig, and was currently opening up both of his arms toward him. ”And thank you for everything you'br done for Haier Village.”
”This is my required obligation.”
Fang Yuan bowed a knight's bow and let the squire present the gift.
”Ah… such beautiful pearls. I quite like them.”
The baron was obviously very pleased as the gloominess on his forehead completely dissipated. ”Come, my knight. I've already prepared a feast for you inside the castle. Everything is very safe here!” He stressed the words spoken toward the end. Evidently, he had obtained the hints of Sorcerer Heim.
”It'd be disrespectful to reject your offer.”
Fang Yuan bowed and followed Baron Shawshank into the castle.
The feast in the castle was naturally very grand. Among the five knights belonging to Baron Shawshank, three of them had also brought their families along.
Fang Yuan wore an impeccably cut long robe without additional accessories and naturally portrayed an elegant aura that greatly attracted a few noble ladies' gaze.
With the corruption in the current life of the nobility, as long as he showed slight interest toward some of the beautiful women swinging their fans at him, he would promptly have a splendid night.
However, he held his wine glass and instead politely rejected the many invitations while watching silently from the side, seemingly very antisocial.
”Knight Luhn, you seem to have saddened many ladies…”
At this moment, a tall man dressed as a knight in half body armor walked over. ”I'm afraid that from tonight onward, gossip and rumors of Knight Luhn being unromantic will soon spread across the land.”
”I am just… erm… not used to it,” Fang Yuan replied smilingly. ”Knight Gray, what's the matter?”
This knight was also one of the five knights of Baron Shawshank. However, what was different from Fang Yuan was that he directly served the baron, becoming the baron's commander as a knight and commanding all the guards, and definitely the most trusted subordinate.
In the Monger World, it was not embarrassing for a lower noble to serve a superior noble and collect compensation.
”I'm sorry for disturbing your party. However, Lord Baron wants to meet you in his study,” Knight Gray said with his usual flat voice.
”Okay.”
Fang Yuan nodded his head and left this uninteresting party, following Gray to the baron's study.
”Is it Luhn? Come in! Gray, you stand guard outside and do not permit anyone to enter, not even my wife,” Baron Shawshank said seriously, then instantly grinned at Fang Yuan. ”Luhn, you must have many doubts.”
”Not a lot, but I have a general speculation that the situation doesn't seem to be good.”
Fang Yuan nodded and sat across the baron. The baron even conveniently poured a glass of black tea for him.
”Truthfully speaking, after receiving the message from Sorcerer Heim, I was still very surprised…”
Baron Shawshank seemed to be organizing his excuses. ”Sorry. Although I believed that you'd achieve the standard of a high-level professional, I didn't expect it to be this quick. Furthermore, you've already become a Disaster Knight?”
”That's right.” Fang Yuan nodded.
In reality, this was merely his superficial achievements. His actual hand would not be showcased that easily to others.
”That's great!” Baron Shawshank clenched his fist tightly, completely not able to conceal his anger. ”That Earl Floren actually dispatched bandits to bring chaos to my land. I've already ordered a death sentence for those Mad Wolf Bandits and secret envoys, the crime being banditry!”
”This is your power and authority.” Fang Yuan shrugged.