Chapter 46: Chapter 46: John’s Request
Duane didn’t handle everything personally.
On the contrary, ever since he moved into this courtyard, he had handed over many administrative matters to Julian and the others.
At most, he would offer a few of his own opinions when others reported on their work.
Take the handling of Monbodt, for instance. He had only said a word on the matter and didn’t inquire about the specific execution.
Monbodt was just an ordinary person. He might have a couple of thugs under his command, but if he wanted to live under Duane’s nose, he had no choice but to yield.
Besides, all he was facing now was the confiscation of most of his land. The thirty mu left for him were enough for his family of eight to live on.
Duane spent most of his time training. He could have been more leisurely before, ensuring he got seven or eight hours of sleep each day.
But things were different now. As the seven-day duel approached, his rush to increase his Skill Level became more and more frantic.
Now, he was lucky to get five hours of sleep a day.
It was just that in the eyes of outsiders, this "diligent training" of his made it seem like the Lord had some peculiar habit, or that there was something seriously wrong with him.
I ask you, who has ever seen a nobleman flipping a wok in the kitchen in the middle of the night?
You probably wouldn’t find such a person even in the books written by bards.
But today, Duane had been in the kitchen since the afternoon—prepping vegetables, washing them, and cooking.
From vegetables and meat broth to roasted meats and baked bread, he was trying his hand at everything.
Mara was completely baffled. ’Is the Baron trying to steal my job?’
’Or does the Baron think we have more food in the territory than we can eat?’
Kaelon, Raymond, and the others didn’t understand either, but when faced with questions from the Guards, they had to force an explanation—the Lord was thinking, gaining insight.
In any case, it was a special method of thinking and gaining insight that they could neither understand nor replicate.
「Midnight.」
The moonlight was exceptionally bright tonight.
By the pond outside the courtyard, a figure was practicing basic stances.
He held one pose for several minutes before switching to another.
Perhaps the long training session had exhausted him, making it a struggle, but from the determined look on his face as he gritted his teeth, it was clear he had no intention of giving up.
Persevere!
Persevere!
The sound of rustling footsteps approached, and a tall figure, bathed in moonlight, walked over.
"John, why are you still training in the middle of the night? You’re not on guard duty today, shouldn’t you be resting?"
John straightened up and wiped the sweat from his forehead. A gust of wind blew by, chilling his back.
"Guard Officer, I couldn’t sleep, so I came to practice my Basic Swordsmanship."
He sighed with emotion. "The Lord’s Spirit Swordsmanship is already about on par with yours, but my Basic Swordsmanship is still at the Entry level."
Spirit Swordsmanship was much more difficult than Basic Swordsmanship.
They had started learning at roughly the same time, yet the gap between them was immense.
Kaelon had to admit it, too. Two days ago, he and Raymond had taken turns training with Duane day and night. In just those two days, Duane’s Spirit Swordsmanship had improved significantly.
Now, neither he nor Raymond, while completely suppressing their strength, could gain an absolute advantage over him in a swordsmanship spar.
This also made the two of them wonder if the Lord was actually gaining enlightenment in swordsmanship by stir-frying.
"The Lord is a swordsmanship genius. Of course we can’t compare to him!"
Kaelon clapped him on the shoulder. "You need to balance hard work with rest. Get some sleep."
But John shook his head. "It’s so late, and the Baron is still in the kitchen comprehending the sword. I can’t afford to slack off!"
Many people were skeptical that one could comprehend the sword by stir-frying, but John truly believed it.
Kaelon laughed. "Alright then, do as you see fit. Just don’t let it interfere with your official duties tomorrow."
With that, he started to walk away. He was on watch for the first half of the night and needed to make a patrol round.
"Sir!"
But John called out to Kaelon, stopping him.
"What is it?"
John looked hesitant, hemming and hawing.
He was a timid person by nature, but thanks to Kaelon’s long-term guidance, he had opened up quite a bit after getting to know him.
The young Guard finally mustered his courage and said, "Sir, I’d like to ask you to pass a message to the Lord for me. Just say that I... I don’t want to drink the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup anymore!"
"Hm?"
Kaelon’s brow furrowed. He walked back to John and stared in astonishment at the Guard he had trained for so long.
"What do you mean?"
Fire Source Beast Bone Soup was a great boon for ordinary people.
After all, from the first to break through, Jack, to Michele later on, and then Willie just yesterday, the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup had likely been the final push they needed for their breakthrough.
Being questioned, John hung his head and said in a low voice, "I feel like continuing to drink the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup is just wasting the Lord’s trust and money."
He shook his head as he spoke, seemingly very disappointed in himself.
"I was in the first group to drink the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup. Jack broke through long ago, and then Michele, and even nineteen-year-old Willie broke through after drinking it for just one day. But there’s still no change with me!"
Kaelon understood. The young man felt he had failed the Lord who was investing in him.
"The Fire Source Beast Bone Soup just strengthens a person’s constitution; it’s not a guarantee that you’ll break through after drinking it. Besides, the Baron hasn’t blamed you, so you shouldn’t overthink it."
Tears welled in John’s eyes. ’That’s right, the Lord has never once blamed me. But that’s precisely why I feel even more guilty.’
"I’ve already wasted too many of the Lord’s resources. If this opportunity were given to someone else, the Baron might have even more Basic-level Warriors under his command by now!"
He looked up at Kaelon. "So, Sir, can you pass the message to the Lord for me?"
Then he lowered his head again. "I’m afraid to talk to the Lord, and I don’t dare look him in the eye."
Kaelon was in a difficult position. After all, John had been with him for a long time, and it was a pity to give up an opportunity like this.
But undeniably, the young man had a point.
The ingredients for the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup were limited. If this chance was given to others, they could indeed gain a couple more Basic-level Warriors.
And given the current situation on Black Forest Island, they truly did need more Extraordinaries.
"I can pass the message for you. But are you sure you want to give up this resource?"
John nodded firmly. "I’m sure!"
"Alright!"
Kaelon agreed. "After I finish my patrol, if the Lord is still awake, I’ll pass on your message."
"Thank you so much!"
John felt a sense of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted.
’What an honest kid.’
Kaelon thought to himself, then offered encouragement. "Even if you don’t drink the soup, don’t give up, and don’t slack off on your training. Even as an ordinary soldier, you can still do a lot for the Baron!"
"I will!" John said solemnly.
Kaelon clapped the young man’s shoulder once more, then left.
The young Warrior looked up at the full moon, took a deep breath, and resumed his training.
At that moment, Duane was still in the kitchen, stir-frying.
"My Lord, if you keep cooking like this, I won’t have to prepare the Guards’ meals for the day after tomorrow~"
Mara was too anxious to sleep. She was even starting to feel bad for the firewood in the kitchen.
Duane ignored her and continued to cook with his head down.
「Half an hour later.」
He plated the last dish and looked at the text that appeared before him, letting out a sigh of relief.
[You have completed Stir-fried Potatoes and Carrots. Basic Cooking Skill Level +1]
[Congratulations, your Basic Cooking Skill Level has reached Perfection.]
[Attribute points +0.5]
[Perfection Level Basic Cooking has granted you an Enlightenment. You have obtained the "Delicious Fish Soup" recipe. Attribute points +1]
