Chapter 75: Chapter 66: The Big Brother of the Knight Academy
Yiduo smiled. His mother’s health was poor, so he was never well-fed as an infant. When he got a little older, his father bought him goat’s milk and cow’s milk to drink.
Yiduo didn’t know why, but despite being a pure-blooded man of the empire, he liked goat’s milk more than the people from the steppe regions. This even led to him falling in love with the taste of goat’s milk wine the first time he secretly tried alcohol.
"That’s some beautiful armor you’re wearing. If I had to buy it myself, it would probably break my heart. For the same amount of money, I could arm more than sixty serfs."
The more Henry looked at Yiduo’s armor, the more he liked it.
Eastern bronze armor with chainmail, Copper Armor Shoulder Guards, reinforced leather bracers, Clamped Boots, and that "Desert Lord Helmet"—he looked like an elite. The Two-Handed Execution Axe and high-quality long steel sword he carried were also weapons Henry quite liked.
This was the typical attire of a former Aserai Mamluk Palace Guard. After the empire conquered and unified the civilizations of various regions, it also absorbed many of their cultural characteristics.
Yiduo smiled happily. Although the armor was issued by the royal family and didn’t completely belong to him, he was still very proud of it.
Being able to wear armor within the city was, in itself, a symbol of status.
"You’re not thinking of outfitting your future Personal Guard like me, are you? I think Southern Senior Infantry or Heavy Axe Soldiers from the Northern Lands would be a better choice."
Henry nodded. If he were to form an elite Personal Guard, he definitely wouldn’t choose the Palace Guard. Those soldiers were only good for guarding castles; on the battlefield, they’d easily end up like porcupines, just like Glen.
Aserai Senior Infantry... no, Southern Senior Infantry. They were clad in southern-style Zha Armor and equipped with shields, steel Long Swords, two-meter steel-headed Leaf Blade Axe Spears, and a bundle of Javelins.
Henry preferred to call them "missiles"! The empire’s conquest of the Aserai back in the day wasn’t exactly a glorious affair. The thought of all those Javelins blotting out the sky was terrifying.
After Henry and Yiduo agreed to meet at the tavern next to the academy for a small get-together, Henry headed there to book a private room.
Big cities really are different. The taverns even have private rooms for gatherings, unlike those in some places that only have a single great hall. Isn’t that right, Henry?
Henry walked the streets of the Royal Capital. Even after seeing it for three years, he still found this overwhelmingly powerful city to be a marvelous sight.
The wealth and prosperity of the Royal Capital weren’t just material; they were also reflected in its culture and arts.
The city boasted numerous theaters, museums, and libraries, attracting artists and scholars from all over.
After the unification of Caladia, you could find all sorts of things in the Royal Capital: poetry, literary works, paintings, unique regional customs, and so on.
When Henry walked into the "Riding Spear Charge Tavern," located two streets away from the academy, he was immediately swept up by the lively scene before him.
Inside the tavern, the sounds of laughter, cheerful chatter, and clinking glasses mingled together, creating an exciting stir.
Looking around, he noticed the decorations and furnishings were much more upscale than before. Exquisite paintings hung on the walls, and the tables and chairs, crafted from high-quality wood, seemed to give off a faint, pleasant scent.
’Am I really an NPC? How is it that the tavern gets renovated right after I leave?’
In the center of the tavern was a massive hearth, its roaring flames bringing warmth and comfort to the entire room, making one completely forget the winter chill outside.
In one corner of the tavern, a group of young men in Knight training uniforms were laughing and talking loudly. They held exquisite cups in their hands, savoring fine wine and delicacies, letting out occasional cries of admiration.
Henry glanced over and figured they were students from the academy—his juniors.
In another corner, a few merchants were discussing business. The expressions on their faces were so animated, you could tell at a glance they were crooked.
Henry found the manager, stated his noble status, and booked a private room.
The manager wasn’t overly respectful to Henry. This was the Royal Capital, after all, and right next to the empire’s only university. So many nobles came through here every day that the manager couldn’t possibly remember them all.
Besides, his boss was an honorary noble with royal blood, and even he, the manager, was an honorary noble himself.
Led by an attendant, Henry entered a private room on the second floor. The room’s decor was very refined. Paintings whose meaning Henry couldn’t comprehend hung on the walls, and a soft carpet covered the floor, making it feel very comfortable.
A round dining table stood in the center, covered with a patterned brown tablecloth and set with exquisite tableware and fresh flowers.
Surrounding the table were several large, comfortable chairs with backrests, perfect for relaxing and enjoying a meal.
Henry ordered some drinks and food, then waited alone in the private room.
After getting off work, Yiduo and six other Palace Guards, all graduates of the academy, quickly changed their clothes and hurried to the Riding Spear Charge Tavern.
After inquiring with the manager, they were led to the room by an attendant and saw Henry, who was currently arranging the flowers.
"Henry! We’re here!"
Henry smiled and rose to greet each of them, his eyes warm and gentle.
Yiduo and the other six all gave Henry a big hug. This was the undisputed big brother who had dominated them for three years.
Anyone who hadn’t been convinced had been taught a lesson by Henry on the training grounds, ending up bruised and swollen as they admitted their defeat.
The atmosphere at the gathering was very lively, with everyone sharing interesting stories from their work and lives. Yiduo and the other classmates not only admired Henry but were also filled with gratitude toward him.
Many of the offhand remarks Henry had made back then about how to deal with people had been a huge help to them. Since they didn’t possess abilities that surpassed others, understanding social intricacies was a very important supporting skill.
Henry was also very concerned about his old classmates. He listened attentively to everyone’s joys and frustrations at work, offering them his personal advice.
’They’re people who work at the royal court, after all. What if they can provide me with intelligence? In the entire empire, who wouldn’t want firsthand intelligence from the Royal Capital?’
As time went on, the atmosphere of the gathering grew more and more harmonious. Though they had been separated for half a year and their statuses had changed dramatically, it was as if they had briefly returned to their old school days.
After a while, a server entered the private room carrying platters of delicious dishes and drinks.
The dishes looked very exquisite and expensive. Henry and his classmates began to enjoy the sumptuous dinner, chatting as they savored the fine food.
"Boss, we heard you killed several thousand Half-Beastmen in the Battle of Zhiluo and the Battle of Tianyin. Is that true?"
As soon as Yiduo finished speaking, the others all turned to look at Henry, their eyes practically overflowing with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge.
Henry was so surprised by Yiduo’s words that he choked on his wine. He tilted his head slightly and asked, "Who did you hear that from? That’s too ridiculous. How could I possibly kill several thousand Half-Beastmen by myself... Though, a few hundred is probably about right."
