Chapter 133

Since the deadline for the conscription order is tomorrow, today the nobles have nothing to do.

After such a long journey, their subordinates certainly need proper rest.

After setting up camp, everyone—including Gervas himself—except the sentries entered their tents to rest.

He slept until dusk, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

His subordinates had already begun cooking.

Seeing the hour was right, Gervas took several knights to the shore of Karl Lake and claimed the five gold coins.

This time, Gervas had brought Zhuiyue with him.

But since Zhuiyue was too conspicuous, he and Moxun Eagle hid deep in the dense forest several miles away.

During this campaign, Gervas would mostly ride Li Huo Ma into battle.

He would summon Zhuiyue only in special circumstances.

After all, the only two in the entire kingdom—one in the King's hands, the other in his own.

That's too conspicuous!

Of course, Li Huo Ma wasn't inconspicuous either, so it had been disguised.

A tailor had made a cover from colorful linen to conceal most of Li Huo Ma's body.

Thus, others might guess it was a fine warhorse, but it wouldn't draw undue attention.

"Huh? Lord Gervas?"

As Gervas was taking the five gold coins from Karl Lake and preparing to return to camp, a surprised exclamation came from beside him.

He turned to look and recognized the face vaguely, but didn't know the man.

"Lord Gervas, I am Baron Cain, lord of Cain Baronial Lands—your neighbor!"

"This is Baron Mil! Lord of Mil Baronial Lands!"

"Baron Cain? Baron Mil?"

Gervas immediately recalled these two neighbors; the familiarity came from having seen them once at Baron Beckert's auction.

"Lord Gervas, congratulations on winning Baron Beckert's iron mine."

"After the auction, we meant to pay you a visit as neighbors, but you left so hastily we missed the chance!"

"Your lordships are too kind—I should have been the one to call on you, but the development of Stormhold has kept me too busy."

Since they were so courteous, Gervas naturally responded warmly.

"Lord Gervas, we know the situation in Stormhold—you must be overwhelmed since your arrival."

"Also, when the locusts came, you sold us ducks at a low price—we still haven't thanked you. Lord Gervas, why not join us for a drink?"

"A drink?" Gervas hesitated slightly.

"Lord Gervas, tonight isn't just us—several other barons near Stormhold will be there too; you met them at Baron Beckert's banquet."

"Very well, your lordships, since you're so generous, I won't refuse!"

Remembering that distant relatives are not as helpful as near neighbors, Gervas accepted.

Besides, this was the first invitation—he had to show face, or risk being isolated.

After riding slowly for over twenty minutes, Gervas followed Barons Cain and Mil to the caravan district.

Coincidentally, the Braveheart Tavern was less than a minute's ride from his own camp.

What a prime location!

You could finish drinking and return to sleep immediately—ordinary minor nobles could only envy it.

"Lord Gervas, these are the great noble camps—how I envy these fellows, they can just go back to sleep after drinking!"

"If I were stationed here, I'd come for a few drinks every morning!"

Seeing Gervas glance repeatedly toward the great noble camps, Cain and Mil misunderstood and began explaining.

Gervas nodded, forcing back an unnatural expression.

The caravan district at night was dozens of times livelier than by day.

Fortunately, the open space was large enough—just a tarp and a wooden table allowed noble knights to drink freely.

Gervas and Cain's group sat down; other invited nobles arrived one by one, totaling seven—all barons.

As for viscounts, they likely had their own social circles.

Since most border nobles were new aristocrats, their status varied greatly—unlike the interior, where families had been stable for decades or even centuries, with deep ancestral roots.

These nobles were all very courteous upon seeing Gervas.

Though Stormhold was poor, Gervas had spent seven hundred gold coins at Baron Beckert's auction—so none dared underestimate him.

In fact, it was precisely because of that incident they had deliberately invited him to drink.

Otherwise, after two months in his domain, no one had ever come to pay him a visit.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere was still amiable—when a striking figure entered the Braveheart Tavern.

"Look! That's the current heir of the Violet Family!"

"Huh, it really is—Viscountess Violet is so beautiful; whoever marries her gains both wealth and beauty!"

Cain and the others immediately noticed the figure—since the tavern was nearly all male nobles.

Female nobles, especially such a beautiful one, were virtually nonexistent.

Katherine's arrival had been mentioned in the intelligence, but seeing her here surprised Gervas.

After all, based on his impression of Katherine, she wasn't the type to be so casual.

"Wasn't Viscountess Violet supposed to be extremely haughty? Why is she here tonight?"

"No one knows, but the Violet Family has been having a rough time lately—first, their young viscountess was kidnapped!"

"Though she was luckily rescued, the incident severely damaged the Violet Family's prestige and reputation!"

"Also, rumors say many nobles and merchant houses in Iron Wolf City are suppressing the Violet Family!"

"Is that so? But it's understandable—the Violet Family has only this one female heir, yet claims to be the wealthiest in the borderlands; naturally, many covet it."

"Exactly—unless Viscountess Violet finds a powerful patron, or even just marries into an equal family, her situation won't improve."

"Tsk tsk, I wonder which lucky bastard will get her—so enviable!"

"Whoever it is, it certainly won't be us barons—at minimum, it'll be a viscount family!"

Listening to the murmurs and exclamations of the nearby minor nobles, Gervas said nothing.

He could predict the Violet Family's recent troubles.

But their relationship was limited to that small debt of gratitude—he felt sympathy, but couldn't intervene.

Nor did he have the power to help, not yet.

Gervas was slightly drunk and prepared to rise and take his leave.

After all, the army's departure deadline was tomorrow—he needed rest to prepare.

Coincidentally, Katherine, who had just sat down moments ago, now stood up too, her face still cold.

"Look! Viscountess Violet looks furious—someone must have angered her!"

"No idea, but whoever it is, I'm glad—we can't have her, and neither can they!"

Gervas heard Cain and the others laughing loudly.

"Look! She's coming this way!"

"Huh! It really is!"

At that moment, Cain and the others changed tone.

Katherine's gaze had fixed on this direction—and she was walking toward them!