Chapter 324: 323 Different Destinies with the Viscount

“Roar!”

At that moment, You Lin descended from the sky and stopped right above Shane’s head, glaring at the knights who surrounded Shane and his companions, emitting an angry roar.

“Eek…!”

Among the encircled knights, it seemed someone couldn’t help but let out such an embarrassing sound.

But they couldn’t be blamed.

With a fierce demon lurking overhead, capable of killing everyone in an instant, and bellowing out a roar, who could withstand it?

If it weren’t for the fact that these knights were battle-hardened warriors from the Second Knight Order of the Duke Sterling’s Domain, second only to the First Knight Order stationed at the border, they might have already started to flee.

As the saying goes, like being in a dragon’s prison, You Lin had merely released a bit of her aura, and that alone was enough to scare these Level 50 knights half to death.

Just as Triss had thought, such a dragon could easily lay waste to a city, let alone You Lin, who was nearly an invincible King of Demons.

Therefore, Triss had no choice but to issue an order.

“Lower your weapons!”

Triss’s voice carried a hint of reluctance.

It was indeed a bit shameful that the Second Knight Order of the Duke Sterling’s Domain was forced to lower their weapons and compromise to someone who was merely a youth in his early twenties, accompanied only by a child and a maid.

At least, Triss had never been humiliated like this before.

But there was no other way, who would have a dragon that terrifying as a mount?

Such a creature indicated that the person had the support of either a very large power to provide such a mount or someone who possessed a high-Level “Taming” Skill as a Taming Master.

Either of these identities was not something Triss could provoke, and even the Sterling Family he relied on might not be able to afford the risk.

And with the real threat that dragon presented, if Triss didn’t know when to back down, then he would be out of his mind.

But still…

(Could he be a Taming Master who can tame real dragons?)

Triss had never heard of a Taming Master of such level.

No, that’s not right…

(Recently there were rumors saying that one appeared in the Royal Capital, capable of taming dragons, right?)

Triss suddenly recalled this matter.

Could it be…

“Are you Viscount Beizut, sir?”

After hesitating for a moment, Triss chose to ask.

“Oh?” Shane just then smiled and said, “So you know of me?”

Know of you.

Of course, I do.

After all, according to the rumors, this Viscount, although low-ranking, was incredibly impressive. It seemed as though he had the support of a powerful figure from the Demon Realm, and even the Royal Family showed great favor towards him.

What’s more, it was said that he had a good private relationship with the Kingdom Treasure, the object of countless people’s admiration.

Triss still remembered, when he heard the news, many offspring from Noble Families let out cries of anguish and disbelief. It caused quite a stir in the domain.

Even his own son had pestered him for a while about this issue, asking him to gather information to verify the truth, so Triss had some impression of Shane.

Now, Triss understood why he had found the name Shane so familiar.

He was the one from the rumors, wasn’t he?

“My apologies.” Triss’s mind was racing, but he spoke politely, “So it turns out we are both from the Kingdom. I thought you were part of the invading forces from a neighboring Marquis Family. Please forgive any offense.”

“Not at all.” Shane replied with a smile, “It’s me who should be ashamed for letting my mount cause such a commotion and startling everyone so badly.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

“But there is, there is.”

Shane and Triss exchanged these humble courtesies, and it felt like the interaction between nobles dealing with each other.

Anyway, Ai Yi was standing nearby looking utterly disgusted.

“This guy, hasn’t he always hated this sort of pretense?”

Who was it that had constantly complained about the hypocrisy of the nobles?

Now aren’t you just living out the very image you once despised? Tui!

While Ai Yi spurned such behavior, Lasha remained calm and aloof, quietly standing there, not saying a word, the perfect picture of a follower.

In this fashion, Shane and Triss went through the pleasantries and finally got to the point.

“May I inquire what brings Viscount Beizut to Jeliteli? If there is anything you need help with, feel free to ask.”

Triss expressed thusly.

Shane did not beat around the bush any longer and returned to his usual demeanor.

“My visit this time is mainly at the behest of the Princess. I’ve come to learn about the situation with the Old Demon Clan Faction within Duke Sterling’s Domain.”

Shane unapologetically leveraged the name of his wife and secured his position.

“At the behest of the Princess?”

Triss’s eyes narrowed slightly.

It seemed that this Viscount was indeed, as the rumors suggested, on good terms with the Princess.

Triss had never heard of anyone being entrusted by her to run errands in such a far-off place.

If his own wastrel son learned of this, he would probably be driven to a jealous rage.

Ever since his visit to the Royal Capital, where he encountered the Princess, his son had become thoroughly obsessed, endlessly clamoring to go to the Royal Capital and claiming he would one day break free from their dependency on the Sterling Family, leading their own family to settle in the Royal Capital. The true objective behind this was blatantly obvious.

Triss hadn’t opposed the idea.

He knew just how unrealistic it was.

Was gaining entry to the Royal Capital so easy?

Let alone Nobles, even commoners, wishing to reside and work in the Royal Capital, had to have good connections and spend a significant portion of their wealth. Although the Jijiale family was a Viscount, countless Nobles had tried and failed to enter the elite circles of the Royal Capital. It was by no means an easy feat.

Therefore, there was a distinct difference between the Nobles who were stationed in the Royal Capital and those who were not.

Even if they held the same status and rights, the former had much better connections, wealth, and access to opportunities, making it entirely appropriate to consider them the upper crust of the Nobility.

In this world, there were Viscounts with vast fortunes as well as those on the brink of bankruptcy, penniless.

Thus, if his son truly managed to establish himself in the Royal Capital, he would be overjoyed rather than opposed.

But, pitifully, he was under the illusion that settling in the Royal Capital would bring him closer to the Princess. Little did he know how slim those hopes were.

Countless Great Nobles had been developing their influence in the Royal Capital for centuries, yet even they couldn’tn’t win the favor of the Princess. What chance would a newly settled Viscount have?

Not to mention they hadn’t even made the move yet!

So, if Triss wasn’t afraid of shattering his son’s beautiful dream and sapping his motivation, he would have woken him up to reality, urging him not to dream too much.

Yet, here was a man who, just like himself a Viscount, had not only made a name for himself recently but actually had a private connection with the Princess. If his son found out about this, wouldn’t it drive him insane?

(It’s best to get him out of here quickly.)

Triss resolved to do so and spoke up.

“As for the appearance of members from the Old Demon Clan Faction within the domain, I have also heard of it,” Triss said, “Apparently, since their arrival in the territory, there have been some strange occurrences everywhere. Your arrival is truly a timely reinforcement for Duke Sterling’s Domain.”

Upon hearing this, Shane ignored the flattering tone in the other’s words and focused on the key point.

“Strange occurrences?” Shane looked at Triss and inquired, “What kind of strange occurrences?”

“This… I don’t have much information,” Triss said somewhat awkwardly, “After all, Jeliteli is located on the border of Duke Sterling’s Domain, at the very edge. News from inside the domain usually arrives here last. We’ve never experienced those rumored strange occurrences, so I’m not very clear on what exactly they are.”

“Alright then.” Shane didn’t seem to expect to get any useful information from Triss, but nodded and said decisively, “If that is the case, where would be the best place for me to learn more about this matter?”

This question made Triss frown and think hard for a while.

Then, an idea came to Triss.

“I’ve heard that the Old Demon Clan Faction members were first spotted in Cosmos, and the rumored strange occurrences also began there. Duke Sterling even dispatched troops, which are still dealing with the issue. Perhaps, Lord Beizut might find some answers there.”

Triss offered this clue.

“Cosmos?” Shane’s eyes lit up, and after pondering for a while, he said, “I remember that’s a border city quite close to the Ragna Empire, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Triss truthfully informed, “I’ve heard that even the Imperial People are taking action over this incident. Rumors are spreading that everything that’s happening is orchestrated by the Ragna Empire from the shadows. If you plan to go there, you’ll have to head north, crossing the entire Duke’s Domain.”

Great, another long flight ahead.

Realizing this, the brightness in Shane’s eyes dimmed slightly.

But this trip was necessary.

So, if that’s the case…

“Then I thank Viscount Jijiale for his guidance.”

Shane chose to thank this leader of the Order.

“Is Lord Beizut planning to go there right now?”

Triss tried to probe a little.

Shane shook his head firmly.

“After flying all the way here from the Royal Capital, both I and my companions are tired. I’ll rest here tonight and then see.”

That was Shane’s plan.

“Shall I help arrange accommodations for My Lord?”

Triss still offered his hospitality.

“No, there’s no need. We will take care of it ourselves.”

Shane took the hands of the two beautiful girls, one tall and one small, refusing Triss’s offer.

“Very well.”

Triss could only nod in disappointment.

Shane then took Ai Yi and Lasha with him, leaving the place.

The Knight Order promptly parted ways to allow Shane through their ranks.

“Roar!”

You Lin let out a roar, giving all the attendees a good scare as it followed Shane away.

Watching the dragon-escorted figure depart, Triss’s enthusiasm faded from his face.

“Notify the townspeople that the dragon is a Noble’s mount and there is no need to worry, but also to behave themselves and not cause any trouble.”

Triss gave this order to the Knights nearby.

“Yes!”

The Knights received the command and hurriedly set off to execute it.

Triss cast another glance in the direction Shane had departed, eyeing the dragon that followed. He couldn’t help but feel an immense amount of envy.

If he had a dragon for a mount and had the Princess as well as the powerhouses from the Demon Realm as backing, could he not walk with the same arrogance?

Life was indeed unfair.

No, it should be said, it was a matter of fate between Viscounts.