Chapter 337

"My lord, those fellows were absolutely hilarious! I bet they've never seen a viscount's family with so many cavalry!"

"Haha, my lord, Migen is right—those guys must've thought our status was fake, but they dared not say it…"

After entering Iron Wolf City, Migen and the other knights couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The guards' reactions had been clearly seen by all, and everyone understood the reason behind their strange expressions.

And now, all of them couldn't help but feel a touch of pride.

In days past, only the oldest families enjoyed such treatment.

And now, we too can experience this kind of prestige!

Gervas, listening to his subordinates' words, was also slightly proud.

He rarely left his domain, coming to such a crowded place.

For the first time, he felt that after half a year in this other world, the real powerhouse was himself.

Of course, compared to the established families, he still had to work harder.

…

Inside the Hero's Tavern of Iron Wolf City, voices roared like a storm.

Men in silk robes mingled with those clad in leather armor and carrying longswords.

Such an odd scene was rare elsewhere, but here it occurred daily.

This was due to Iron Wolf City's geographical position.

As the closest city to the Chaos Wasteland and the Death Mountains, its foot traffic, besides merchant caravans, consisted mostly of adventurers.

And the Hero's Tavern was the most upscale inn in Iron Wolf City, making it the favorite haunt of adventurers.

For those who lived with their heads on their belts, indulgence was key—after a big haul, they'd bring their gold coins here to enjoy fine wine and beautiful women.

Those in silk robes were nobles and merchants.

Though adventurers held low status, they carried profit, so nobles and merchants frequently came here.

"Columbus, how's it going? Found a patron yet?"

"Haha, I bet he hasn't—look at his empty cup, he won't even order another!"

"Haha, I agree—no fool would hand over six hundred gold coins based on a word or two!"

"That's right, Columbus, why not show us your treasure map? Then nobles and merchants can decide whether to fund you!"

"Exactly, Columbus, show us your treasure map so we can tell if it's real or not!"

In a corner of the tavern, several adventurers, faces flushed from drink, mocked Columbus.

Normally, adventurers wouldn't quarrel unless there was a conflict of interest.

After all, their lives were already dangerous enough—they didn't want to invite an enemy's ambush on top of it.

But Columbus was an exception.

Because Columbus was a sea adventurer.

Half a year ago, Columbus was still a top adventurer envied by all, for he owned a seaworthy ship.

Though profits from sea adventures had declined in recent years, Columbus had joined the sea trade at thirteen and possessed rare maritime experience.

This allowed his income to sustain his ship's operations.

But six months ago, his ship sank after an encounter with a sea beast, utterly changing Columbus's life.

Though he and most of his crew barely drifted to a nearby island and were luckily rescued by a passing merchant vessel,

they lost the ship essential to their adventures.

Thus, Columbus was no longer a sea adventurer—and fell into poverty.

Yet Columbus seemed unwilling to give up. He claimed to possess a treasure map, saying his shipwreck had occurred while searching for its treasure.

So he kept seeking patrons to fund another expedition.

But people weren't fools, especially not nobles and merchants.

They couldn't be sure if Columbus was using this as an excuse to swindle a costly ship, so no one was willing to fund him.

Especially when some nobles demanded to see the map first before considering support.

All were refused by Columbus, confirming in public's eyes that he merely wanted to trick them into giving him a ship under the guise of treasure.

As time passed, even some of his former crew members began to doubt him, unable to bear it any longer and preparing to switch to land adventures in the Chaos Wasteland.

Facing the drunken adventurers' mockery and taunts, Columbus had grown used to it.

So he had no intention of rising to defend himself.

"Bartender, tell Columbus to move—he's blocking our seat!"

At that moment, several new adventurers entered the tavern, finding all seats taken, and headed toward Columbus's corner.

Normally, this secluded corner saw little traffic, so Columbus chose it—he didn't order refills, but didn't disrupt the tavern's business.

But today, the number of adventurers exceeded usual, filling the tavern to capacity.

The bartender hesitated, glancing at Columbus.

Even without refills, he was still a customer.

Yet the newcomers were eight strong, clearly just made a big score and ready to spend.

They were undoubtedly tonight's premium patrons.

"Lord Columbus, I apologize—would you like a refill?" The bartender lowered his posture to the utmost.

But this question revealed everything.

He recalled how, once, he had been one of the Hero's Tavern's most honored guests.

Back then, not only would no one dare eject him—even a frown from him would make the bartender kneel and beg forgiveness.

But now…

Columbus had no more desire to stay in the tavern.

Perhaps it was time to abandon his delusions, accept reality, and turn to land-based adventures.

"Refill? Why refill? This garbage rum doesn't deserve Columbus's status!"

"I think only Red Earl's premium ale is worthy of a top adventurer like Columbus!"

"Red Earl's ale? That's ten silver coins a jug!"

Everyone froze, turning toward the voice.

The next moment, they saw a finely dressed young man enter the tavern.

But Columbus paid no attention—he assumed this was still someone teasing him.

So he lowered his head, stood up, and prepared to move aside.

The earlier adventurers, seeing this, wasted no time—fearing someone else would take the seat—immediately moved to sit down.

"Who gave you permission to sit?"

At that moment, a voice questioned them from behind.

The men froze, their faces darkening with annoyance.

Though not nobles, three among them were Bronze Knights, five were Great Knights.

And adventurers, who lived on the edge of death, rarely feared nobles.

They glared back, ready to confront whoever spoke.

But in the next instant, their anger vanished.

"Do you have a problem?"

Six fully armed knights had surrounded them.

Their aura barely released—each was a Title Knight.

More astonishing still, their leader was a Silver Knight.

One Silver Knight, five Bronze Knights as guards, and two rows of twenty fully armed soldiers stood at the door.

Which noble family's scion was this young man?

The eight adventurers instantly cowered. "Noble Young Master, we have no objections—you're right, we don't deserve to sit here. We're leaving at once!"

After confirming the knights made no move to stop them, the eight adventurers fled the tavern like hunted beasts.

The other adventurers in the tavern showed no contempt—instead, they looked at Gervas with reverence.

A minor noble? They could simply flee and settle elsewhere.

But the scion of a great noble? That was a being they dared not provoke.