Chapter 119: In the Midst of Promotion to Baron

"Even though I've only been here for three months, life here is already many times better than it was before."

"I heard they're opening a warrior academy next year. I hope the tuition is low enough that I can send my child there to study."

Listening to the boisterous chatter in the tavern, Lester chatted and laughed with those around him while quickly gathering information. From noon until dusk, by the time he left the tavern, he felt his investigation was effectively complete.

"It seems I won't need to ask them to make time for me after all. Now, I just have to wait for the other four," Lester stretched, watching the sky dim as he muttered to himself, "How relaxing. The next few days will be my own time."

Over the following days, the other four returned one after another to report to Lester. The results were surprisingly consistent: they only needed to wait for the main force to arrive, follow the standard procedures, and participate in the audit.

In mid-October, the audit team sent by the kingdom arrived at Star-Prayer Lake. Vaelin personally led his men to welcome them at Star-Prayer Town. As the key members of the audit team, Lester and his four companions had already donned their official uniforms. Mounted on white horses, they maintained a formal demeanor as they rode toward the town.

At that moment, a knight noticed the approaching audit team and whispered a report into Baird's ear.

"Is that true?" Baird turned to ask his subordinate.

"It is absolutely certain. You instructed me to keep an eye on outsiders for the past half-month. The lead inspector of that team spent the last few days drinking at the tavern, and I've confirmed his four subordinates are also currently with the team."

"It seems what the Lord said was not without reason."

Baird then approached Vaelin and whispered the report. Vaelin gestured for him to stand down and then rode his Red-Phosphor horse forward. "Inspectors from the kingdom, welcome."

Lester rode forward, smiling at Vaelin. "For Sir Vaelin to have developed these wildlands into such a prosperous territory—you truly are a promising young talent."

"You are too kind. It is merely the responsibility a pioneer should fulfill."

"Since Sir Vaelin is here, shall we begin the audit?" Lester had his subordinate bring over a clipboard and spoke to Vaelin.

"If that is what the inspector wishes, I am naturally happy to comply," Vaelin said gently. "You seem like such an interesting person, Inspector. I would love to make your acquaintance. Shall we have a glass of pine ale at the Adventurer's Tavern?"

Lester, hearing this, did not show any embarrassment at having been discovered. He replied with composure, "Hahaha, Sir Vaelin is quite amusing. I can hardly wait."

"Naturally. Then let us begin."

Inspector Lester saw to it that the other four officials followed Vaelin’s subordinates to Star-Prayer Lake to conduct their survey. As the head of the audit team, Lester wrote "High-Silver Tier Knight" in the section for the lord's strength before handing the document to the registrar.

"Aren't you going to verify my strength on the spot?" Vaelin shook his sword and asked Inspector Lester.

"Sir's strength is formidable. You led thousands of provincial troops at the Southern Deer Gate Mountains and crushed the elite monster clan army marching north from the Celop border. Your prowess is plain for all to see; why would I need to verify it again? It would seem entirely redundant."

Vaelin studied Lester carefully and commented, "You are somewhat different from the inspectors I've heard rumors about."

"It varies from person to person," Lester said magnanimously. "For someone like you, Sir, who has already proven yourself in war, you are naturally not to be compared to ordinary pioneers. As for those who are just making up the numbers and trying to cloud the waters, they must, of course, be strictly investigated."

"Since official business is concluded, how about a drink at the Adventurer's Tavern?"

Seeing Vaelin bring up the tavern again, Lester did not shy away. "Perfect. I haven't had a drink in a few days, and I’ve been missing that pine ale."

And so, while their subordinates remained busy with the audit, the two leaders retired to the tavern to steal a moment of leisure.

"Where are you from, Inspector?" In the tavern, Vaelin raised his glass to toast Lester, asking with a smile.

"My home is in Doles County of the Ilia Province. My family has been in the military for generations. Our highest honor is my second uncle, who is now a knight in His Majesty the King's Royal Guard."

"Impressive. There are only thirty-six members in the Royal Guard, and every one of them is a pinnacle of the Soul-Will rank. For your uncle to be one of them is truly a high honor."

"Not at all, not at all." Hearing Vaelin's praise, Lester could not help but feel a swell of pride, while at the same time developing a rather different perception of this scion of a great family.

"Is there some change behind the revision of the rules for pioneers to be promoted to barons this year?" Vaelin took the opportunity to ask Lester.

Lester looked around and whispered to Vaelin, "Sir, you must be aware of the monster attacks that broke out last year."

"Could it be that there were issues with the war on the front lines last year?" Vaelin had his own suspicions, but he still feigned ignorance as he asked the inspector.

"Sir's political intuition is indeed sharp." Lester finished the pine ale in his glass and continued, "Last year, the western border was assaulted by monsters. Most of the baronial fiefs serving as border outposts were fragile, and many nobles' first reaction was not to resist, but to flee."

"His Majesty the King was furious. He scolded these cowards for having lost the spirit of valor. Consequently, he stripped many nobles of their titles, and those without backing were publicly executed in the capital."

Vaelin took the bottle from the bartender and personally poured a drink for Lester. "How is it that I didn't hear about this?"

"Such things are not to be publicized. Besides, these nobles were executed on charges of incompetence in battle. These kinds of things happen every few years in the kingdom, so the news didn't spread widely. But starting this year, His Majesty personally issued an order to amend the rules for pioneers to be promoted to barons."

"I fear that in the next ten years, few noble scions will come to the west to pioneer."

Hearing this bombshell, Vaelin felt a sense of certainty. While the process differed slightly from his own conjectures, the result was effectively the same.

"Then it seems your work as inspectors will be much easier in the future," Vaelin poured another drink for Lester, raising his glass to him.

Lester raised his glass to meet Vaelin's, smiling wryly. "Fewer affairs mean that the staff will be downsized."

"Since you are so talented, brother, why not come work for me?"

"Heaven forbid," Lester waved his hands repeatedly. "I cannot go against my family's traditions. I appreciate the offer, Sir, but with my second uncle's connections, staying in the audit department is perfectly fine."

"That is a pity," Vaelin said with genuine regret.

"Come, let's drink. Meeting you today, Sir, is truly a great fortune in my life," Lester offered a toast.

Vaelin raised his glass as well, and as they drank and chatted, the conversation gradually shifted from politics to the gossip and scandals of the kingdom's various noble houses.