The next morning.
Kane was strolling through the garden, looking at the holographic window that appeared before him.
[Beginner Express Pass – 01:03:45]
It had already been a month since he started using the express pass.
He had really made the most of it.
Not just training while cooped up in the mansion.
He even ventured into hidden territories and engaged in intense training.
Thanks to that, he maximized the efficiency of the Beginner Express Pass.
"Money is the most important shit."
He had already spent 4 million gold on the Territory.
And that wasn't even for constructing buildings.
It was just to set up 400 wooden fences.
That number wasn't enough to cover the entire western front.
At least 1,000 were needed.
The Rehinar Territory was frequently invaded from the outside.
Especially since many mutated monsters appeared there, it wasn't easy to fend them off with just the castle wall.
That's why a primary defense line like wooden fences was necessary.
"It'll take a while for the Territory to generate revenue."
Currently, only these three items brought in any money from the Territory:
– [Agriculture (Lv.1) – (21100) ]
Baor Farm
– [Commerce (Lv.1) – (10100) ]
Blue Trading Company
– [Guild (Lv.1) – (14100) ]
"Should I loot the places where treasures are buried?"
Artifacts were hidden all over the continent.
Some of them contained enough gold and silver treasures to buy a kingdom and then some.
Even when he was Ray Hatzfeld, he had looted a few places and made a tidy profit.
Now seemed like the perfect time for another looting expedition.
The midpoint between Rehinar and Philaec.
There, unimaginable treasures hidden from the empire lay buried.
"This time, I should also acquire the 'magical engraving technique'."
* * *
Around That Time…
A group was passing through the newly developed magical field.
"Captain, how does it feel to be back in your hometown after such a long time?"
One knight on horseback asked the man leading them.
"It disgusts me. I can't understand why I have to come to this filthy place."
The man in the lead frowned deeply, exuding an aura of displeasure.
"Rivan's news has been cut off. What else can we do? We have to step in."
"But why us? There's also the Holy Tree Knights…"
"The Holy Tree Knights have to protect Dyer. We're meant to handle these trivial matters."
The leading man gritted his teeth.
His name was Theo Lion, a native of Rehinar and a former candidate for the position of Captain of the Shield Knights.
"Are we some kind of cleanup crew?"
"You're absolutely right."
"I don't like this at all. We had to take the southern gate and make a detour because the eastern gate won't open without Rehinar's permission."
They had left Philaec and were circling around to reach Rehinar.
"What gives that crumbling family the right to detour us?"
Theo had many complaints.
Although he was born in Rehinar, he was raised in Dyer.
To someone as talented as him, Rehinar felt too small and confining.
This was why he left Rehinar to join Dyer.
"Please calm your anger, we're almost there."
"If it weren't for Camilla, I wouldn't have come here."
"Is she really that beautiful?"
"Beautiful? She's one of the most beautiful women in the Fresia Empire."
Theo puffed up his chest, as if boasting about his woman.
"Just thinking of seeing her in person excites me even more."
She had a face that made one smile just by thinking of her.
On top of that, she had a kind heart.
She was the perfect woman in every way.
If she weren't in Rehinar, he wouldn't have come here.
"If only she had come with me to Dyer, she could have lived comfortably."
"Why didn't she follow you?"
"She said she has to take care of that dullard forever."
"You mean Kane Rehinar, the one known as the Dullard Young Master?"
The subordinate's eyes widened.
Kane was famous across the continent, not as a genius, but as a fool.
Rumors had it that the famous Guardian Family couldn't recover because of Kane Rehinar, the rarest of fools.
Rehinar had been declining ever since, and the rumors had become reality.
"Isn't it baffling?"
"Yes. No matter how well they treat her, staying in a declining Rehinar…"
"I've tried to persuade her many times, but it was useless."
"Indeed."
"But this time, I will definitely take Camilla to Dyer."
"Is that why you're obediently following orders?"
"Why else would I come to this remote place, which holds nothing but bad memories for me?"
While they were talking,
They arrived at the southern gate of Rehinar.
"Open the gate."
Under the city wall, a soldier emerged through a small door to confirm their identity.
"Where are you coming from?"
"Can't you tell by our armor?"
Their armor was distinctive, a harmonious blend of silver and green. In the center of their chest plates, a wolf was depicted.
"This is Theo Lion, the Captain of the Holy Sword Knights."
"I'm sorry for not recognizing you. I haven't been on duty for long…."
"If the captain weren't so magnanimous, you'd be dead by now. Remember that."
"Of course."
The soldier bowed repeatedly. Dyer was a rising power. It wouldn't hurt to be on their good side.
"Go inform your superiors that the Holy Sword Knights from Dyer have arrived and should be welcomed."
"What?"
"Did you not understand me?"
"Oh, yes, I understand."
The soldier hurriedly ran inside. Simultaneously, the southern gate opened, and the Holy Sword Knights slowly entered Rehinar.
* * *
Upon hearing the report from the panting soldier, Sara frowned.
"I didn't mishear, right?"
"You heard correctly," Camilla responded with a stern face.
The two women were together in the family's training grounds.
"Where is my brother?"
"He's walking in the garden."
"I hope he doesn't leave the Territory."
"Should I keep him there?"
"That would be best."
Just as Camilla was about to go to Kane, she saw him walking from a distance.
"Miss… it seems we're too late."
Sara had a look of dismay on her face.
"Why does he choose now to come out after lounging around the Territory all day?"
He even appeared to have heard the soldier's report. Since Kane's transformation, the two women had learned to read his mood through his eyes. When his eyes turned into crescents, it was a sign of trouble. Just like now.
"He's practically begging to be killed."
They had anticipated how the situation would unfold. But hearing it directly was still shocking. It wasn't the head of Dyer family, but just the Holy Sword Knights. Who did these mere mid-tier 3rd-class knights think they were?
They need a fucking welcoming party?
"I thought I misheard."
"These clueless fools."
Kane's pupils dilated into a deep purple. A fierce glint emanated from his eyes, exuding a terrifying aura. Despite being in the Beginner-tier 3rd-class, his presence transcended that level by far.
"What… are you going to do?" Sara asked nervously.
"They called for a welcoming party, so I'll go out."
Suddenly, Kane's expression calmed.
Dyer was an insignificant family in his eyes. His sole focus was Hatzfeld.
Yet here were these upstarts without any pedigree were acting as if the lion had lost its teeth.
"But the price for their audacity will be steep."
Kane emitted a chilling presence as he moved forward. Upon reaching the main gate, he saw the Holy Sword Knights arriving on horseback.
At the forefront,
[Theo Lion (Level 40) (MAX) ]
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Age: 25
Occupation: Captain of the Holy Sword Knights
Mana Affinity: Wood Rune (D+) (1 Rune)
Affinity: -9 (Displeased)
– Basic Abilities –
[Health: D]
[Mana: D+]
[Physical: D-]
[Strength: D]
[Agility: D+]
Trait: Self-Healing (D-)
Skill: Swordsmanship (D)
"He's boasting with such trashy stats."
He was a High-Tier 3rd class Knight.
His level was maxed out, so his stats wouldn't increase anymore.
It meant he had reached the limit of 2 stars.
Such abilities weren't enough to ask for a welcome party from Kane.
"Brother, do you know why Theo holds a grudge against us?"
"Is it about his father fleeing from the battlefield and dying?"
"I know." Kane nodded
"Who do you blame for dying while deserting the army in secret?"
The Holy Sword Knights stopped and stood in front of the three people.
Theo unexpectedly laughed when an unexpected figure came to meet him.
"Oh, Miss Sara, did you personally come to greet me?"
Sara Rehinar, a highly regarded figure of the fallen Rehinar Family.
Because of her innate talent, she was a woman even the emperor kept an eye on.
"Welcome to Rehinar."
Sara had been at the reception but hurriedly moved here.
The clothes were dry, but there was still moisture in her hair.
The Holy Sword Knights couldn't pull themselves together at the sight of her.
"Hugh-Hugh."
Theo coughed, turning his gaze away.
"Camilla, it's been a while."
Theo remained in the same arrogant state, still not descending from his horse.
He consistently displayed an arrogant attitude.
If he came as a guest, he should have dismounted from his horse to speak properly.
However, he treated them as if they were beneath him.
He continued the conversation, sitting astride his horse.
The moment Camilla tried to speak,
A fist-sized water droplet flew toward Theo Lion.
Theo, who was on his horse, swallowed his empty words.
"Haa!"
"Let's see how strong the captain of the infamous Holy Sword Knights is…"
He drew his sword and blocked the fist-sized water droplet.
"Huh!"
However, in an instant, Theo's face turned red.
He tried to cut through the water droplet,
But it was like solid iron.
It solidly blocked his path, making it impossible to burst through.
It was even unexpectedly heavy.
Instead of cutting through the droplet, Kane's upper body was pushed back by the water droplet hitting his sword.
Realizing he couldn't cut through the water droplet, he lowered his upper body.
Then fell from his horse with a thud.
The moment his feet touched the ground,
The water droplet burst in midair.
The stream of water fell straight down, drenching Theo from head to toe.
"How dare you!"
Theo squinted his eyes and looked behind Sara and Camilla.
There stood Kane, his arms crossed.
Just as Theo was about to take a step forward in fury,
A voice of his subordinate echoed in his ear.
[Captain, please calm down.]
It was a secret communication.
A technique anyone with mana could use.
[What?]
Theo kept his eyes on Kane and spoke.
[The Dullard Young Master just used mana.]
[What's the big deal about nobles using mana?]
[The problem is, the infamous Dullard knocked you off your horse.]
As Theo's subordinate spoke, his eyes widened gradually.
From anger to puzzlement.
[Kane Rehinar couldn't even handle Class 1 mana properly, right?]
[That's why I intervened to calm you down, Captain.]
[What happened exactly?]
[We'll have to find out step by step, won't we?]
Upon his subordinate's words, Theo, who had been about to explode with rage, sheathed his sword as if nothing had happened.
Then he politely bowed his waist.
"I showed a moment of indiscretion. Please forgive me."
In an instant, he had returned to his old dignified self..
Looking towards him, Kane opened his eyes in a crescent shape and said,
"Are you a psychopath? Making a fuss all by yourself."