The character of the Thunder Spear Knight was despised by many, but it was undeniable that he was a Great Knight with the potential to become Legendary.
Reaching his current position as a commoner was a legend in itself.
You see, even Official Wizards had to maintain the necessary respect for a Legendary Knight.
"No wonder!" Hibell mused, The front line is at a disadvantage, and Sigerno City could also be affected by the warfare. That’s why Robert dares to press so hard for a lower price.
"Yes," Carl nodded and reassured her, "But, Senior Sister, you don’t need to worry too much. After all, Sigerno City is not the frontline; the chances of it being affected are slim."
"There’s room for negotiation on the price."
This was the consensus among many; otherwise, the nobles of Sigerno City would have started moving to the rear long ago.
Profit-seeking and harm-avoidance are the instincts of the nobility.
Driving down prices was just a common tactic merchants used.
"Hmm," Hibell nodded in agreement. "Kolon and Gando, two countries, have battled for over a hundred years, yet Sigerno City has never once fallen."
"Now that Earl Barro of the Vick family has come to take charge..."
"Robert is a greedy echidna. He’s obviously so wealthy, yet unwilling to spend an extra penny!"
Her good impressions of Robert had been completely wiped away.
With a sigh, Hibell continued, "It seems that it will take some time to deal with the property left by the Tutor. We can only send a batch over for now. I will write and inform the Tutor of the situation here."
"You still owe twenty-seven Gold Coins. Can you settle the debt before leaving? If not, interest will be calculated."
"Twenty-seven?" Carl was startled. "That much?"
He remembered having already cleared his debt once, and his expenditures on witchcraft during this period were not considerable.
"Of course." Upon hearing this, Hibell shrugged and pulled out a thick ledger from beside her. Flipping to one of the pages, she said, "You bought materials needed for three Witchcraft Traps from me, plus one Zero-Circle Magic, Speed Writing..."
"I must say, you surprise me." Looking up, she regarded him with some astonishment. "In half a year, you’ve spent hundreds of Gold Coins on witchcraft knowledge—a sum that not every respectable family can afford."
"Er..." Carl chuckled awkwardly. "Senior Sister also knows that I am from a noble family. It’s only natural to inherit some of the wealth left by my ancestors."
"I’m not interested in where you get your money from," Hibell said with a smile, showing no intent to probe further. "Just as long as you pay."
"Yes." Carl thought for a moment and asked, "Senior Sister, do you have any Witchcraft Traps that can provide a warning?"
"Of course." Hibell spread her hands. "Every qualified Wizard Apprentice sets up Detect Evil and Danger Warning Witchcraft Traps in their own residence."
"These two types of Witchcraft Traps are expensive and require a lot of materials. Are you sure you want to learn them now?"
After dealing with the Tutor’s property, they were going to Black Swamp. Setting up traps now would be a waste.
From a frugal standpoint, it wasn’t cost-effective.
"Learn." Carl nodded. "I’ll figure something out about the money."
"Alright then." Hibell naturally had no objections. "Come by the manor when you leave. I’ll give you the necessary books, plus consumables for one use."
"The guest of honor has arrived."
The noise outside made her rise to her feet and gesture for Carl to exit the parlor with her.
"Welcome Earl Barro from the Royal City and the radiant jewel of the Sake Kingdom, Princess Du Na!"
Accompanied by cheers, a man and a woman, escorted by Earl Rekton, walked along the carpet of flowers.
The man was tall and robust. His soft armor exuded valor, and he wore his sword even to the banquet, declaring his martial identity.
In the Gando Kingdom, where the nobility has long lived in peace, few are still willing to take up arms against the enemy.
The lady was dressed in splendid attire. Her adornments glinted in the light, and her more pronounced facial features carried an exotic charm.
She should not have been there.
The unexpected guest caused murmurs of surprise among those present, who began to talk in hushed tones.
"The thirteenth daughter of the Sake King, what is she doing here?"
"I heard that to resist Kolon’s army, we have forged an alliance with the Sake Kingdom. It seems that must be true."
"We have frequent conflicts at our border with the Sake Kingdom, and now to achieve peace—it seems that in this world, there are no eternal enemies nor eternal friends, only eternal interests."
Carl did not stand alongside his Senior Sister.
Hibell was a rather ’traditional’ Wizard Apprentice, with no beliefs, and she looked down on ordinary people.
Her attire was often quite casual. Even at gatherings among the nobility, she merely wore a black Wizard’s robe.
In fact, if it were not for needing to meet with prospective buyers to sell her Tutor’s estate, she wouldn’t have attended at all.
This made her appear quite out of place amidst the crowd dressed in luxurious clothing.
Reclusive, arrogant woman! Oddity! These were the labels others gave to Hibell.
She was accustomed to the strange looks from others, but Carl did not want to endure this invisible pressure.
Before he could find a suitable spot, a familiar figure pulled him close as a fragrant breeze brushed his face. "So you’re here too."
Dana’s warmth surprised Carl a bit.
This officer’s appearance and build were quite attractive, but she often maintained a cold demeanor, rarely showing her feminine side.
But he quickly realized the reason behind it.
"Yes." Carl took a step back to indicate that their relationship was not close and bowed to greet the newcomer. "You’re here as well, Officer. And who is this?"