The Duke turned back and realized that Vivian had arrived at some point and was standing there, seemingly watching for a while.
He realized he had been a bit careless, letting his guard down because he was in the manor.
Fortunately, it was Vivian who came; if it had been an enemy, he would have inevitably suffered some losses.
Vivian was still dressed in full armor, but she didn’t have her giant axe, only a delicate longsword at her waist.
"Miss Vivian!" The Duke placed his right hand over his heart in salute.
Vivian walked over and said, "I initially taught you this combat skill on a whim, wanting to see your potential. I didn’t expect much, but I’m surprised you managed to train to this level. How’s your progress with the breathing technique?"
"I’ve recently reached the fifth level of the breathing technique," the Duke said.
"Good, very good, the Nightingale has gained another high-ranking knight attendant. You have the potential to become an official knight," Vivian remarked after a moment of silence.
"Are you planning to spend the winter here alone?" Vivian asked.
The Duke nodded and said, "Yes, I have no other place to go."
He had no relatives in this world, utterly alone.
"Today, I brought some gourmet food and wine to visit the soldiers remaining at the manor. Seeing your name on the list, I thought to check in on you as well, and I ended up with a pleasant surprise," Vivian said.
Earl Hardy is very considerate of his own people, ensuring those who stay at the manor during these cold winter months receive some attention.
Aside from good food and wine, there will also be some money given out.
Earl Hardy is a straightforward person who never speaks too many pleasantries or makes empty promises. As long as there is merit, he gives rewards, usually in gleaming gold coins.
This is one of the reasons many people are willing to risk their lives for him; as long as they do the work, they will be rewarded, and even if they die unfortunately one day, they need not worry about their families being unattended.
The Duke now had some understanding of the surrounding situation and knew about the conditions of other territories.
In many territories, soldiers do not receive such good treatment. Generally, it is taken for granted that personal soldiers sacrifice their lives for the lord.
Even if they die in battle, they only receive a small amount of silver coins as a consolation.
The Jade Province does not currently have a Duke, with Earl Hardy holding the highest title. At present, Earl Hardy’s Maple Hill County is the largest, most well-armed, and strongest territory.
The Duke also learned that, apart from internal threats from bandits and magical creatures, there are external threats from other territories.
Several surrounding territories are eyeing Maple Hill County covetously, always hoping to one day take a bite out of this piece of juicy meat.
Maple Hill County is vast, with large plains that produce a lot of food.
The Duke initially reaped wheat on those plains, which are the largest grain-producing areas in Maple Hill County.
In this era of material scarcity, food is the most important strategic resource.
Many territories are eyeing Maple Hill County, seeking to capture this grain-producing land.
The Vera Kingdom turns a blind eye to the wars between these minor nobles, or rather, they do not have the ability to govern them.
So far, apart from knowing that the royal family of the Vera Kingdom is the Wright clan, the Duke knew nothing about the royal family.
The majority of the commoners in Maple Hill County, from birth to death, hardly hear any news about the capital.
To them, who the king is does not matter; they only care about who their lord of Maple Hill County is.
Vivian then checked on the Duke’s training progress, having him demonstrate the Giant Whale Breathing Technique and the effect of the Dragon Spine Burning Wave Sword Technique once more.
She seemed quite satisfied, then took out an exquisite oval glass bottle from beneath her armor and said, "This is the Giant Whale Secret Potion, you can use it. When practicing the breathing technique, apply a few drops to any part of your body to absorb it."
The Duke took the exquisite glass bottle, which still held some warmth. Upon closer sniffing, he could smell a faint fragrance.
Vivian explained, "The Giant Whale Secret Potion is specially paired with the Giant Whale Breathing Technique and can significantly accelerate your progress with the breathing technique. It’s made with Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance and the blood of the Twilight Deer as the main ingredients."
The Duke only then understood why Vivian had issued the task of capturing Twilight Deer, originally thinking she meant to keep them as pets for fun.
"Miss Vivian, I will strive to become an official knight soon and will not disappoint your expectations," the Duke solemnly said.
When Vivian took out the Giant Whale Secret Potion, she truly started treating the Duke as one of her own to train.
Many nobles have control over the heritage of breathing techniques, and these techniques generally have exclusive secret potions that complement them so that the cultivation process becomes more efficient.
However, the secret potions are generally extremely precious and scarce in quantity.
The Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance, which Vivian mentioned, is an expensive spice, an exclusive luxury of the royal family and grandees, even the Flying Eagle Commerce Association finds it difficult to procure such an item.
This small bottle of the Giant Whale Secret Potion given to the Duke was made at the expense of an unknown amount of Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance, the value of which is immeasurable.
Vivian did not say anything more; after giving the Giant Whale Secret Potion, she departed from the place.
The Duke, holding the bottle of the secret potion, watched Vivian leave.
He returned to the house and opened the bottle of secret potion, releasing an exceptionally enticing aroma into the air.
The fragrance was not overwhelming, creating a very pleasant scent, and even his spirit felt much more relaxed.
The Duke carefully dripped a drop on the back of his hand, rubbed it in, and began practicing the Giant Whale Breathing Technique.
...
[You completed a session of Giant Whale Breathing Technique practice, proficiency +17]
[Giant Whale Breathing Technique: LV5 (18/2000)]
The Duke widened his eyes at the number, wondering if he had seen it wrong.
Eating high-level magical beast meat to aid practice only added four or five points of proficiency per time, yet now he managed to increase it by seventeen points in one go.
At this rate, within less than half a month, the Duke would be able to elevate the Giant Whale Breathing Technique to the sixth layer.
The Duke glanced at the potion in the bottle, estimating that it would last just for half a month.
If he could have the Giant Whale Secret Potion to assist in practice every day, the Duke felt it wouldn’t take long to reach the Great Knight’s level.
However, this was just a thought, as this bottle of Giant Whale Secret Potion was clearly Vivian’s own, only gifted to the Duke on a whim.
Another point is that while the Giant Whale Secret Potion’s current improvement effect is significant, it might not remain the same later on.
Just like with magical beast meat, initially, mid-level magical beast meat had a better effect, but later it required high-level magical beast meat.
The Duke was finding that the effect of eating high-level magical beast meat was already reduced; what used to add four or five proficiency points now only added two or three.
For him, he likely needed to eat transcendent-level magical beast meat to have a better effect.
But transcendent-level magical beasts are of the official knight level of strength, and are generally even more formidable than official knights.
The meat of such level magical beasts is no longer a matter of price; it is unavailable regardless of price.