Chapter 337

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

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

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

The guards' reactions had been seen by all, and everyone clearly 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 great 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 territory, 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 old-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 ceremonial robes sat side by side with those clad in leather armor and carrying long swords.

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

This phenomenon arose due to Iron Wolf City's geographical position.

As the city closest to the Chaos Wasteland and the Death Mountains, its foot traffic, besides merchant caravans, was dominated by adventurers.

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

For those who lived with their heads on their belts, indulgence in the moment was key—so whenever they struck it rich, they brought their gold coins here to feast on fine wine and beautiful women.

Those in silk ceremonial 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 any patrons yet?"

"Haha, I bet he hasn't found any—look at his glass, empty and he won't even order another!"

"Haha, I agree. No fool would hand over six hundred gold coins based on a single story!"

"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 with flushed faces 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.

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

This allowed his recent earnings to sustain his ship's operations.

But six months ago, his ship sank after encountering a sea beast, completely altering Columbus's life.

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

they lost the ship essential for 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, and that his recent shipwreck had occurred while searching for the treasure it marked.

So he had been seeking patrons to fund another expedition.

But people weren't fools, let alone nobles and merchants.

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

Especially when some nobles proposed first examining the treasure map before considering support,

all were refused by Columbus, making outsiders even more certain 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 endure it any longer and preparing to switch to adventuring in the Chaos Wasteland.

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

So he had no intention of rising to protest.

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

At that moment, several new adventurers entered the tavern, found all seats taken, and approached Columbus's table.

Normally, this secluded corner saw few patrons, so Columbus chose it—even without refills, he didn't disrupt the tavern's business.

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

The bartender looked at Columbus, troubled.

Though he hadn't ordered a refill, he was still a customer.

Yet the newcomers were eight strong, clearly fresh off a big haul and ready to spend.

They were undoubtedly tonight's premium patrons.

"My lord Columbus, I apologize—would you like another drink?" The bartender lowered his posture to the utmost.

But this question revealed everything.

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

Not only would no one dare eject him—even if he merely frowned, the bartender would kneel and beg forgiveness.

But now…

Columbus lost all interest in staying in the tavern any longer.

Perhaps it was time to abandon his fantasies, face reality, and instead seek adventure on land.

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

"I think only a premium beer like Red Count's could match a top-tier adventurer like Columbus!"

"Red Count's beer? That's ten silver coins a jug!"

Everyone froze, turning toward the source of the voice.

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

Of course, Columbus paid no attention to the words—he believed this was still someone teasing him.

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

The earlier adventurers who had demanded the seat, seeing this, wasted no time—afraid someone else would take it—immediately prepared to sit down.

"Who gave you permission to sit?"

But at that moment, a questioning voice came again from behind.

The group froze, their expressions turning sour.

Though not nobles, three of the eight were Bronze Knights, and five were Grand Knights.

Moreover, adventurers, who constantly walked the edge of life and death, were hardly afraid of nobles.

They glared back, ready to confront the speaker.

But in the next instant, their angry gazes changed.

"What, do you have a problem?"

Six fully armed knights had already surrounded them.

The aura radiating from these six was faint but unmistakable—they were all Title Knights.

More astonishing still, their leader was a Silver Knight.

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

Which noble family's scion was this young man?

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

After speaking, seeing the knights made no move to stop them, the eight adventurers fled the tavern like hunted animals.

The surrounding adventurers showed no contempt—instead, they looked at Gervas with reverence.

For minor nobles, they could simply offend and run, finding another city to settle in.

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