Chapter 325 (2/2)

Just like how Baron Feli hard to revive his house It was too bad he wasn't as recklessly brave as Baron Feliht, he wasn't particularly talented in battleforce training In other words, he was only a talented tactician

He had come to participate in the tournament because he didn't have much of a choice As he put it, he was there to 'sell hiit Southern had been ruined by the war between the second highness and Duke Melein, and the province was overrun by beggars and deserters-turned-bandits Even though he came from an accomplished military family, he was helpless before the thousands of bandits and had to consider the safety of the women and children in his manor

That hy Bonawar finally decided to try his luck in the tournaood one Given his lack of martial talent, he didn't think that people would actively recruit him, so he could only rely on those who knew his reputation to come to him

It was too bad that he had been refused an audience with the queen, whose tiht He was similarly unable to meet Duke Fisablen, as busy with his own matters On the third day, he traveled around to socialize with the nobles of Southern hoiven Iblia's horrid state, there wasn't much room for him to use his skills

It was at that moment that Baron Felim made his visit and even came over for the next few days When Bonawar found out that House Feliion of 46 thousand in The Northlands, he was finally convinced Baron Feli the troops of the second prince perish under his lead was fine since they weren't his own, the house's new legion was one constructed with lots of effort and funding, so the baron wasn't willing to just throw it away Bonawar's style of command was cautious but effective, so Felim felt he was the perfect man for the job

Feliiance to his household He held banquets for three days straight Lorist was present throughout and even estions He offered to have Reidy, Josk, and a thousand of his own guards go along with the baron's own guard to transport the knight's family to their new home safely after the tournament concluded

Windbury regained some of its former livelihood thanks to the tournament It was far livelier than before, at least Even the marketplace looked rather prosperous The nobles had also partially gone back to their previous leisurelY lifestyles A large feast was held at the Rose Palace once every three days and a smaller party in

between Every night, there would be a ball where elaborately dressed nobleht

It all felt pointless to Lorist, which further exacerbated his boredo in the tournament, he didn't like to interact with other nobles either, especially those at the balls who greeted each other superficially wearing their fancy masks The noble ladies flocked about hi to share his bed, but not without some sort of rees like everyone else However, his current situation made it inappropriate for him to sleep around He had come to the city to win the princess's hand, after all Should he act promiscuously and carelessly, rumor would no doubt spread across the city only to incite the princess's anger

But for some reason, even after 12 days passed, Princess Sylvia had yet to return to Windbury Duke Fisablen was visibly angered, which prevented Lorist fro his proposal It frustrated Lorist greatly as well The silver lining was that the house's reputation grew by leaps and bounds during the tournament To no one's surprise, Josk had becoed to defeat a gold rank with his silver rank battleforce in ten-odd minutes, much to the shock of the audience

The jousting seg the three, had also just entered its second round Two of the top ten were knights of House Norton, with Fiercetiger Loze obtaining the champion's seat Lorist decided that, as reward, he wouldn't be punished The other winner was Els The two had successfully defeated their eneht to enter the third round, which would begin in a few days and would decide the ultimate winner

During the second round, Loze was faced with Count Dalek The two had clashed ed hundreds of blows before Count Dalek surrendered That evening itself, Lorist received word of Count Dalek and Count Chujway's departure for their dominions

Washis chin, Weird, those two see but the tournament, they left the moment they lost

Perhaps, he was being over sensitive about everything because he orried about Princess Sylvia

When the jousting's third round began, Tarkel came to Lorist

”Milord, Duke Fisablen left with a squad of guards for Eastwild early thisthe princess over After all, hthood tournament want to witness her fa and so about that the princess left because she was scolded by the duke That's probably why he has no choice but to go fetch the princess himself”

Duke Fisablen ed to rush back before the third round was over He was just in ti the cerehter seemed a little forced but everyone knew the reason was the princess's refusal to follow him back

The uards who said that the duke wished to meet him at the pavilion

”Your Grace, I wonder if I can be of service in any way?” asked Lorist when he saw the worn-out duke

Duke Fisablen breathed a long sigh before he said, ”Locke, I knohy you've co Sylvia, right?”

”That's right, Your Grace,” replied Lorist straightforwardly

”Tie already,” the duke mused, ”Itand caused her temper to develop like that It has been incredibly eh at my expense”

Lorist merely listened on, speechless

”I don't oppose an alliance with your house, nor a hter In fact, I a forward to it,” said Duke Fisablen

”Oh,” Lorist started, ”Your Grace, does that ree?”

”That's right I hold you in high regard, Locke The randpa, haha” the duke said before giving a hearty laugh, ”However, I'm a little curious about the kind of price House Norton is willing to pay in exchange for my precious and beloved Sylvia”

”Your Grace, please feel free to state your de as they are within my house's capabilities, ill definitely not let you down,” promised Lorist as he thumped on his chest

”Alright, I like how frank you are I only have three requests First, I will require House Norton start ten new factories in Wild Husbandry so House Fisablen will be self sufficient in two years Don't worry, I won't force you to build refineries, only factories for daily necessities Can that be done?”

”No problem,” Lorist nodded

Duke Fisablen stared at Lorist with his hawk-like eyes, stretched out his second finger, and said, ”Second, I want ten thousand sets of the aruard wears That's the minimum”

”Your Grace, we only ed to produce three thousand sets of these ourselves, yet you're asking for 10 thousand! That would aold Fordes already and is incredibly troublesoreed Lorist

”Haha, good,” Duke Fisablen cheered, ”My last request is not even worth , to be honest You know that Sylvia is the treasure of our household, so I wish for her to not suffer any discooes to you How about this, all you have to do is to have your concubines and illegitimate children leave House Norton to spareyour one and only”