Chapter 103 – Exchange (Start)
Courtyard of Baronet DeMarco’s house.
“Fafnir, come then. Let me see your true strength!” bellowed some man, while advancing with sword in grasp. In his hand, this longsword was as if it was alive, twinkling with a cold light.
Fafnir’s right hand grasped his sword, his eyes held a concentrated look. A dash sounded. Throwing himself over.
“Cheng1!” sounded the longswords as they intersected.
The duo launched attacks respectively without ever stopping. After a while, Fafnir began to give up ground. But he persistently held on and did not give up.
As for Owenna, she was by the side and staring in rapture.
At the top of the stairs, Rumont and Baronet DeMarco were just watching. At this time, Sir DeMarco’s expression was serene and deep as he attentively watched the battle below. His mouth spoke of the history of a Knight: “Mister Rumont, a standard Knight’s armour would be equipped with a helmet, breastplate, armguards and legguards. The entire body would be completely protected that it could even defend against crossbows. As a result, the armour weight of a Knight is also astonishing, it will basically reach a weight of 25 kilograms.”
“With this kind of weight, an enormous demand is required of the horses, which is why Knight households would be eager for high quality horses. Additionally, they would emphasize the lineage of a horse. Only the ancient horses of a divine horse lineage will have these kinds of traits, able to bear the burden of a heavy Knight with ease.”
Rumont nodded and listened attentively.
“However, in the final analysis, it’s still a Knight’s fundamental capability. If they don’t have at least a Rank of 5 or beyond, the excessively heavy burden will instead lead to a Warrior losing their combat prowess. There have been many times when a Warrior that have yet reach Rank 5, that have worn on a Knight’s full armour into battle. The results were that they were speared off their horses by a long spear, before getting cut down———after falling down, they wouldn’t be able to crawl even if they wanted.”
“Sir DeMarco, then how do you reach Rank 5 eh? Also the so-called battle qi, what is it?” Rumont seriously asked. He glanced at Owenna, she was engrossed with watching the battle; an expression of incomparable concentration.
Baronet DeMarco praisingly said: “battle qi is divine favour. If we talk about Rank 1 and 2 Warriors, it is merely the training of techniques and of the muscles. Rank 3 and 4 Warriors, after a long period of training, their internal physiques have already accumulated energy, but this energy, is still classified within a normal person’s limit. Only the with utmost piety and convictions, would they then be able ignite this energy within the body, and refine it to a higher tier, resulting in battle qi. Once one produces battle qi, even if it is a 25 kilo armour, it still go from being heavy into being bearable; allowing Warriors to freely utilize their own energy, and additionally exhibit their truest might. 200 years ago, Qatar2 the third of my country, had once lead 370 Knights in wearing heavy armour, in an assault of routing 26,000 enemies. It is a glorious masterpiece.”
“Does it have to be the utmost piety and convictions?” Rumont couldn’t help but be amazed. He unrelentingly asked: “isn’t there a specific promotion method?”
“You can say there is, but there’s basically no difference. Battle qi is faith and the perfect refinement of the body. This was originally a secret, but 200 years ago, through the10th war against the Demons, this was then announced to everyone by the Church for the Lord of Radiance. However, even if this is done, those that could advance to Rank 5 is still a tiny few.” Baronet DeMarco said with a sigh. Abruptly, he fixed his gaze and revealed a thin smile: “……oh, seems like outcome is determined. However, your Commander truly is at the standard of a Rank 3 Warrior. I can sense that within his body, energy is already beginning to consolidate……”
In the courtyard, Fafnir repeatedly drew back in a battered and exhausted manner, it was evident his strength was exhausted.
The pair retrieved their swords and genuflected towards the people standing above the staircase.
This time when Rumont came, not only was it an expression for an apology to Baronet DeMarco, he had even brought along Fafnir to consult martial skills against the Knight household. As for Baronet DeMarco, he was also quite generous in giving out pointers.
But when he entered though, Rumont met with a big headache; he saw a certain Lady.
Lady Pelly’s3 husband was a Hereditary Knight, who possessed 5 Knight estates, as well as a manor within a city. But 2 years prior, he then let go of the secular world, leaving behind the estates, and a huge amount of properties to his only son.
But this legacy would naturally be safely entrusted to another before the son was fully 18 years of age. As for the guardian, it was precisely the Lady as it should be by all rights.
In regards to such a Lady, Rumont could only beam a smile.
Lady Pelly was roughly 30 years or so, her stature was tall and with a beautiful countenance. She measured Rumont from top down and revealed a thin smile: “oh, Rumont? I seem to have heard of you. Mm, I remember now. A 16 year old genius Druid, Rank 3! However, it’s said that you’re of a common background?”
This question was just a touch impolite, but Rumont spoke plainly: “yes!”
“No wonder, this won’t do. Each and every movement of yours gives off an uncouth vibe. If you don’t specifically learn etiquette rules, along with dance moves, you’ll have quite the difficulty in entering the upper society later on. Especially during the first time of officially entering into the social world, if by chance you gave a bad impression, then you’ll need to spend quite a bit of effort to eliminate it.”
Rumont couldn’t help but be embarrassed.
Baronet DeMarco then laughed and said: “aiya, Lady Pelly, currently this place isn’t your etiquette class. Come now, why are you so idle that you can come to the country this time?”
Lady Pelly laughed: “isn’t it because of Sandeman’s4 daughter, she wanted me to groom her. I had some time and thus came here for a look.”
Rumont promptly retreated a bit into the distance. Sitting on the sofa, he then saw Owenna. Owenna went to his side and sat down, saying: “aiya, Rumont, she’s a believer of the Love and Beauty Goddess, Ynes5. Of course, she’s also an etiquette specialist within the city. The nobility households in the city, and even the nearby estates, they all wish to invite her for instructing.”
It turns out it was just an occupational disease. Rumont suddenly realized and gave a grin: “it was really frightening just then.”
“It’s already not that bad. In regards to men, there’s a limit to the etiquette they can learn after all. It’s because men are world-renowned via power and intelligence; this was said by the great Libita6. But in regards to a girl, etiquette, dance, expressions, bearing, speech, grace, dressing and such, are all an intricate school of knowledge.” Owenna lowered her voice and complained: “better than learning this, I’m more fond of swords and cavalry. Of course, luckily I’m 14 years of age and I’ve gone from a lady to a Knight, otherwise, I don’t know if I’ll be bored to death.”
Evidently, this maiden had also once been strictly “educated”. Rumont couldn’t help but sympathize. He suddenly thought of something and asked: “you said that she’s a believer of the Love and Beauty Goddess, Ynes, right?”
Owenna blushed while staring into his eyes: “hrumph, I knew men would have such an interest in this. However, making a lady respond to such a question is really too lacking in manners.”
Saying this, she stood up and left, shortly making Rumont unable to make head or tail of it.
Over an hour, Lady Pelly took her leave and departed. When she went, she swept her gaze to Rumont and said: “aiya, Mister Rumont, if you want to polish your social skills, please come find me at number 15 Mountain street at the city.”
Rumont responded politely and watched her depart.
“Rumont, I heard you want to go to the city once?” asked Baronet DeMarco.
“That’s right, it’s nearly the end of the year. I need to go to the Adventurers Guild at least once, after all, I am a registered member.” Rumont replied: “I also have some friends to visit.”
“Since it’s like that, then I won’t persuade you to stay any longer.” seeing that the day wasn’t early, Baronet DeMarco also spoke quite generously: “later on when you come here to play, I’ll readily welcome you here.”
“Many thanks, Sir.”
After a moment, Rumont then lead on with Fafnir in mounting their horses, journeying towards the city.
The range of Appleseed city wasn’t big, the permanent population was about 10,000. But the non residential population was also about 10,000 or more; half of which were merchants and sailors that came and went.
This was Viscount Salwen’s7 heritage.
In this world, a Viscount wasn’t merely a type of nobility rank, its position was below an Count and was already a powerful vassal state. Its position and power was above the vast majorities of Barons.
Viscount Salwen’s territorial area really wasn’t big, but it was still roughly 300 square kilometres. Most importantly was that it possessed a vast coastline and further had an excellent port. Relying on trades from the sea, the city developed quite rapidly and became the jewel of Paquette region; its power was barely below Paquette region’s Count Campling8.
From the Knight’s estate to the city, it was roughly a half-day’s journey. The pair spurred their horses and galloped. By midday, they had entered the outskirts of the Viscount’s territory. When it was 2 in the afternoon, they had arrived at the city entrance.
“Even though I’ve been to the city a few times, it’s still so imposing!” the country bumpkin Fafnir was quite expressive of this matter.
Rumont pretended to not know, but was secretly laughing. Besides the first time, the other times didn’t cause any amazement. After all, on Earth, there were many more bigger cities than this. Even a town would have 50,000 people. This city of 20,000 was barely anything!
For the sake of holding his laughter, Rumont could only invest his gaze towards the middle of the city and say: “Fafnir, the Adventurers Guild isn’t open at night, I’ll go and settle my promotion first!”
Fafnir deeply thought it was so. The pair spurred their horses to the Adventurers Guild and also handed over their horses to the welcoming servants. Under the envious gazes of Adventurers, they entered the grand hall.
Quite soon, they arrived at the location for handling business matters.
Similar to the past, a few people were just in front of booths for consultations and inquiries, or handling business matters.
Moments later, it was then Fafnir’s turn to go up. The next one in line was then Rumont.
Rumont displayed his Adventure card.
“Your identity has already been confirmed and verified, you are a Rank 3 Druid. But you’ve only accomplished 5 missions this year, you haven’t reached 10 points. Please finish this quickly, otherwise you’ll then have the dangers of losing your qualifications as an Adventurer!” the lady inside said.
He was going to faint. There was still this matter.
The female seeing Rumont’s gloomy expression, also laughed and said: “actually, reaching 10 points is quite easy. You’re a Rank 3 Druid, you can take on Rank 2 prestige missions. This way you can immediately increase your points.”
“Oh, let me browse through the missions related to a Druid then.” Rumont said.
“Okay, please select.” after a moment, each of the missions related to a Druid was taken out. A large majority was to inspect crops at farmlands, eliminating pests and there were also ones for treating family pets……Rumont looked through casually. All of a sudden, a certain mission attracted his attention.
“A Druidic exchange mission. Requires Rank 3 and above. Possessing a forest or estate. 15 points.”
Exchange? Perfect. Himself also needed an exchange. Rumont selected this mission without the slightest of hesitations.
“The mission has already been filed. Within a month, there will be Druids that come forth for exchanges. Hopefully you’ll receive them with sincerity and finish the mission entrusted to the Guild!” said the female, as she filed it away.
1. [鐺]↩
2. [卡達 – Ka da]↩
3. [佩裏 – Pei Li]↩
4. [桑德曼 – Sang De Man]↩
5. [伊妮絲 – Yi Ni Si]↩
6. [理彼得 – Li Bi De]↩
7. [薩爾文 – Sa Er Wen]↩
8. [坎普林 – Kan Pu Lin]↩
Bo~ 
Thanks!
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