Chapter 268 - 266: New Followers

Chapter 268: Chapter 266: New Followers

Duane returned to the Golden Crown Opera House and found Jasmine accompanying Natalia in the reception hall as she recorded some information.

Outside the reception hall stood seven people. Upon seeing Duane, their expressions turned solemn, and they greeted him in unison, "Count, good day!"

Duane was a bit surprised and sized up the group. Some wore simple linen clothes while others were in Light Armor, their statuses unknown.

"And you are?"

As one, the group knelt on a single knee and announced their names.

They came from different backgrounds, but their purpose was the same: they all wanted to become Duane’s followers.

Duane understood. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. ’It seems the effects of winning the tournament are already starting to show.’

Hearing the commotion outside, the maid, Jasmine, came out. "My lord, Miss Natalia is handling the registrations for you!"

Just then, a girl was sitting across from Natalia. It was unclear what they were discussing, but it looked just like an interview.

"Please wait a moment," Duane said, before walking into the reception hall.

"Thank you, Natalia. You’ve been a huge help."

Natalia glanced up, but her gaze darted away the moment it met Duane’s, and she seemed quite flustered.

This struck Duane as odd. ’She was perfectly normal yesterday. Why is she so shy today?’

Meanwhile, the girl being "interviewed" straightened her posture, immediately rising to give a slight bow and a somewhat timid greeting.

Natalia composed herself and made the introduction.

"This is Dina, nineteen years old, the daughter of Knight Levin. Although she hasn’t awakened any Extraordinary Abilities, she is well-educated and proficient in reading, writing, and law. Is your Territory in need of someone like her?"

’Of course I need someone like her!’

"Does your father approve of you coming to Black Forest Island?"

Dina immediately replied, "My father brought me here himself. He had hoped to meet you, but you weren’t in. He waited for a while but eventually had to leave for other business."

Duane nodded slowly. "Black Forest Island needs someone with your talents. If you’re certain you want to join, you are welcome anytime. Given your knowledge of the law, I am prepared to create the position of Legal Officer, and I want you to be the one to fill it."

The population of Black Forest Island was growing, and the number of disputes was bound to increase with it.

Although Duane had already established a security patrol, having Jack and John enforce the crude rules Julian had devised, the Territory lacked a comprehensive legal code, let alone a court system.

With the Territory’s development, it was time to establish these roles.

"Really, Count?"

Dina’s face lit up with pleasant surprise. She had only come today to try her luck and never expected to actually succeed.

"Go home and prepare. If there are no issues, you can come over in the next day or two."

"Yes!"

After watching Dina leave, Duane asked with some curiosity:

"Dina is only nineteen and presumably unmarried. Knight Levin actually agreed to send his daughter to Black Forest Island?"

Natalia gave a charming smile and teased, "If she were to catch your eye, she’d become a Baroness... oh, no, a Countess, I should say."

For the daughter of a Knight Clan to marry a famous and powerful Kingdom Baron, the tournament champion, and an Honorary Count—what a tremendous honor that would be.

"Oh, that’s bad. In that case, I shouldn’t have agreed."

Duane sat down beside Natalia. "I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong idea."

"What wrong idea would I get?"

Natalia’s cheeks flushed. She quickly handed Duane a few sheets of paper from the table, along with a letter.

She changed the subject, "This is the information on the seven people outside. The most high-quality follower among them is Lord Lune of the Holmes Clan. He is twenty-four and advanced to an Earth Tier Warrior yesterday after receiving the Great Blessing Technique."

Duane’s eyes lit up. "Baron Rickson and I had a brief chat last night, and he mentioned this. I didn’t expect him to come today!"

He tore open the envelope and quickly read the contents.

Besides introducing and praising Lune, and offering some flattery, the letter stated that the Holmes Clan would lend its political support on certain matters, such as the issue with Count Kudro.

While the Holmes Clan lacked the strength to oppose Kudro directly, they could cast a vote of protest against him.

Voting rights were a scarce resource in their own right.

’I thought he was just being polite last night. I can’t believe they actually followed through.’

Very satisfied, Duane continued to look through the information on the remaining pages.

Human Tier Warriors Clint and Ross.

The former was an older commoner, while the latter was the descendant of a bankrupt Manor Knight.

Advanced Warriors Hubert and Bowen. The former was the son of a wealthy merchant in the spinning and textile business; the latter was one of the Free People, from a family with a large amount of arable land.

Finally, there were two Basic-level Warriors: Gael and Gerhard.

"Viscount Martin recommended them?"

Natalia nodded. "Viscount Martin had to leave on business. He specifically asked me to tell you that they are the sons of two of his friends. While their cultivation talent is lacking, one is skilled in Forging and smithing, and the other comes from a family of builders."

"They’re all excellent! These are exactly the kinds of people I need!"

Looking at the clearly recorded information on the pages, Duane said, "Natalia, I need a person like you helping me even more."

"Uh..."

Natalia, caught off guard by the sudden turn in conversation, was taken aback. But then she steeled herself, gathered her courage, and said, "Then you should be telling my father that."

It was such a direct signal that Duane understood immediately.

’It seems the Count must have indicated something on his end,’ Duane thought. ’Otherwise, Natalia wouldn’t have brought it up so proactively.’

"Hahaha, you’re the one who said it!"

He said with a laugh, "As soon as I’ve handled things here, I’ll go find the Count."

"My father went to the Royal Palace," Natalia said, losing some of her nerve.

Duane didn’t mind at all. "That’s fine. I’ll just wait until this evening."

"F...fine!"

Natalia stood up. "Eleanor, let’s go find Zelina and the others."

Duane didn’t press her, simply taking the records and heading back outside.

The seven men standing outside had been filled with envy when they saw Dina leaving with a smile.

Their decision to follow Duane was a gamble on their own futures and those of their families.

Now, seeing Count Duane emerge, their hearts filled with apprehension.

"Natalia has filled me in on all of you!"

Duane stood before the men. "I thank you for your trust, and I acknowledge your skills and specialties. However, there is something I must say up front."

He scanned the seven men, paused, and then continued, "I don’t care what your motives are for following me, but once you join Black Forest Island, you will obey my commands, abide by my rules, and put my interests first!"

Lune led the way, dropping to one knee and declaring solemnly, "I swear on the honor of the Holmes Clan that my loyalty is yours alone!"

The others quickly followed suit.

"Excellent!"

Duane declared, "In that case, welcome to Black Forest Island!"

Amidst the men’s joyful cheers, Duane laid out the terms of their compensation as his followers.

He then briefly outlined his preliminary plans.

Lune, Clint, Ross, Hubert, and Bowen, all of whom were at or above the level of Advanced Warrior, would naturally serve as Military Officers.

As for Gael and Gerhard, Duane planned to put them in charge of managing construction projects.

The massive construction project that was the Lord’s Mansion on Black Forest Island only had one professional builder, Adams, so they were short on manpower.

Having received their clear instructions, the seven men took their leave to go home and prepare.

Just then, Randy David arrived at the Golden Crown Opera House on a swift horse.

"Count Duane, His Majesty requests your presence at Cyan Snake Fortress to discuss an urgent matter."

"Oh?"

Duane was puzzled. ’What could the King want with me? Is it about the Silver Jade Territory? Or is he going to keep trying to mediate my relationship with Earl Bloom?’

"When?"

"If it’s convenient for you, you may accompany me now. His Majesty is waiting for you at Cyan Snake Fortress."

"Very well."

’What could be so urgent?’ Duane wondered. He turned and called out, "Jasmine, tell Natalia that His Majesty has summoned me. I most likely won’t be able to see the Count tonight."

"Yes, my lord."

Listening from the side, Randy understood everything.

’Although Count Kais never said who he had his eye on, it’s obvious now that it must be Duane. Otherwise, an unbetrothed daughter of a Count would never be so close to an outsider.’

"Alright, Sir Randy, let’s go."

"After you!"