NO_NAME
patreon
Chapter 222: The Trouser Knight
🕑 Added 2024-09-21 08:46:12 +0000 UTCRhett met Hogus's gaze and shrugged, saying, "I don't know which White Hat you're referring to. All I know is that Reilly met someone recently who told him to call him White Hat."
Hogus smiled as if realizing something, "Ah, so it really is a small world…"
Sensing something was off, Rhett asked, "Does White Hat have another identity? Could he be someone from the royal palace?"
"Not quite." Hogus shook his head, then pondered for a moment before asking, "Have you heard of Karina, Count Rhett?"
The name was familiar. Rhett recalled that when he was promoted to count, Grand Duke Augustus had visited his territory and mentioned this name while presenting him with a detailed map. Rhett thoughtfully replied, "I believe she’s a water-element Archmage and also a highly skilled painter."
"Correct." Hogus nodded, "Karina is the chief artist of the royal palace. She joined the royal family midway through her career. I’ve had some interactions with her, and she once mentioned a memorable experience from her youth—when she first showed interest in painting, she encountered a mentor who taught her much about the art.
Unfortunately, one day, that mentor left without saying goodbye, leaving her heartbroken.
Karina even said that not being able to find her mentor is one of the greatest regrets of her life..."
"I see, so White Hat and Archmage Karina share this history…" Rhett mused, then added, "It seems White Hat is indeed a great person, a selfless teacher."
Hogus glanced at Rhett with a look of admiration and gave him a thumbs-up, "Well said! Very insightful!"
By evening, a lavish feast was laid out on the long dining table in Darkrock Castle.
Given that Hogus was such an important guest, Rhett had prepared an entire feast of aquatic magical beasts. The aquatic beasts in Cold Crystal Lake had grown in number, now reaching nearly a thousand, enough to support such a grand banquet.
Dishes included Fire-patterned Fish sashimi, steamed giant tooth scallops, garlic scallops, shrimp and crab meat lasagna, white asparagus and crab roe soup, coconut milk Fire-patterned Fish with pineapple, seafood pie, seafood salad...
Nearly twenty dishes were laid out, causing Tucker's eyes to light up with excitement! If not for Rhett’s repeated reminders to maintain his noble demeanor and not lose composure in front of esteemed guests, Tucker’s mouth would have likely been watering already.
Even Tyrus, who hadn’t seen such a grand seafood feast in a long time, couldn’t help but lick his lips in anticipation!
However, for Hogus and his entourage, this was just an ordinary meal—nothing out of the ordinary compared to what they were used to in the royal palace.
Moreover, for people of their level, banquets and gatherings were just formalities. The true significance lay in the conversations that took place during the meal.
As the lights flickered and glasses clinked, Rhett and Hogus engaged in lively conversation.
One was keen on recruiting talent, while the other was eager to align himself with a powerful patron. Their exchanges were filled with warmth and camaraderie.
With the harmonious atmosphere, the banquet ended on a high note.
Later that night, Hogus and Rhett found themselves on a terrace connecting the main castle and the annex.
Rhett had initially been there alone, enjoying the breeze and the moonlight, when Hogus joined him, smiling as he said: "Count Rhett, you're quite the romantic, admiring the moon at this hour!"
Rhett turned around and greeted him, "Good evening, Prince Hogus. How did you find tonight’s dinner?"
"Absolutely satisfying. It's the best meal I’ve had since leaving the palace," Hogus replied earnestly, though the taste had only been average.
"Oh, that’s good news! I’ll make sure to give Chef Maru a bonus—this will be the highest praise she’s ever received!" Rhett chuckled.
"You’re a generous lord," Hogus remarked as he leisurely walked over to stand beside Rhett, gazing up at the moon before suddenly saying, "Count Rhett, I’ve heard that after leaving the battlefield, you haven’t remarried?"
Rhett froze for a moment, then nodded lightly, his expression tinged with sadness.
"I don’t mean to intrude. I just think that starting a new relationship might help you move on from the past. You have a long and brilliant future ahead of you. It’s worth trying to find someone new to accompany you..." Hogus suggested. If Rhett agreed, Hogus could introduce him to the most distinguished daughters of noble families in his faction, potentially even consolidating a family alliance.
"Thank you for your kindness, Prince Hogus, but I’m not inclined to do that," Rhett replied softly. Not only did he have no desire to remarry, but he also knew his three sons would likely not be pleased to see a stranger enter their family, disrupting the household dynamic.
Hogus glanced at Rhett’s profile and shrugged, "Alright, it’s your choice. But even if you don’t seek a new wife, if you ever need anything, I could introduce you to some stunning maids—each one a real beauty. It could add a bit of fun to your leisure time, don’t you think?"
Rhett remained silent for a long time before finally shaking his head, "There’s no need to mention this again. Prince Hogus, it’s late. I’m going to retire for the night."
"Alright, it seems you really are as devoted as the rumors say," Hogus chuckled as he watched Rhett turn and walk away decisively. "I was just testing you—I didn’t mean anything by it.
In fact, I have another matter to discuss with you..."
Couldn’t you have said that earlier? Instead of beating around the bush for so long... Rhett’s mouth twitched, but when he turned back around, his expression was calm and neutral, with a hint of curiosity, "Prince Hogus, what is it?"
Hogus took two steps forward, "I want to invite you to become my confidant, secretly. You would be the most promising talent in my faction!"
Rhett had long been accustomed to such direct approaches. In situations like these, important decisions were rarely clouded by long-winded discussions or unnecessary formalities.
Feigning surprise, Rhett widened his eyes and said:
"Are you serious, Prince Hogus?"
"Of course!" Hogus replied earnestly, then asked, "Does Count Rhett lack confidence? Or are you still unaware of your own value? With your potential, you’re qualified to be courted by anyone. Even my brothers and sisters, upon learning of today’s events, would make the same offer.
But trust me, I value you more than any of them. I don’t just appreciate your talent—I admire your character as well. I believe that with your help, both our futures will be brighter."
Rhett pretended to ponder deeply, carefully weighing the offer before finally replying with conviction:
"Prince Hogus, you possess the qualities of a king!"
Hogus paused, then chuckled:
"Haha, becoming king is still a distant dream. My father is in his prime, and with the longevity of a Saint, there’s little hope of that happening anytime soon."
Rhett remained silent; this was not a topic he could comment on further.
Hogus continued, "So, Count Rhett, have you made up your mind?"
Rhett remained quiet for a while longer, not wanting to appear too eager, which might arouse suspicion.
He furrowed his brow in deep thought, as if seriously contemplating the offer, maintaining this contemplative state for about ten minutes.
Hogus waited patiently by his side.
Finally, Rhett placed his hand over his heart and bowed, saying, "Of course, I’m deeply honored by Prince Hogus’s favor!"
With the help of a prince, both he and his territory would undoubtedly advance much faster!
Hogus’s eyes lit up, "Congratulations, Count Rhett! You’ve made a decision you’ll never regret. You’ll be my most important ally on the southwestern frontier."
"Indeed. I’m happy to serve," Rhett responded respectfully.
Hogus, beaming with joy, waved grandly, "If you need anything, just let me know, and I’ll see what I can do to help."
This was the moment Rhett had been waiting for. Though he had anticipated it, he still feigned elation. After a moment’s thought, he said:
"If I could have a few more talented alchemists, that would be ideal. The alchemical capabilities of my territory are still somewhat lacking."
"Simple. When I return to the palace, I’ll send you a few of my trained mid-level alchemists. I’m sure after working in your territory for a few years, they’ll greatly enhance your development!" Hogus readily agreed. On the one hand, he genuinely wanted to assist Rhett. On the other, this would also curb any future demands from Rhett. While Rhett had agreed to align with him, Hogus still needed time to assess his loyalty. Though he trusted Rhett, he wouldn’t be showering him with too many benefits upfront. The most reasonable approach was to offer more support gradually, as their relationship deepened.
Rhett appeared overjoyed, "Thank you, Prince Hogus!"
"Haha, it’s no trouble at all," Hogus smiled, adding, "Additionally, when I return, I’ll send you some Aurora Potions. With your talent, you must take good care of yourself. I hope to see you reach the level of an Archmage soon."
"Thank you!" Rhett expressed his gratitude even more sincerely, though he hesitated for a moment before asking, "Could you also send me some Moonlight Potions and Boiling Potions? I have three sons who also need to train..."
"Don’t worry, I’ve got that covered. I’ll send those along as well. In fact, in the capital, Moonlight Potions and Boiling Potions are not particularly valuable, nor are any of the other lower-grade potions. With so many alchemists in the capital, the production of lower-grade potions has reached a very high level," Hogus remarked casually.
Rhett offered another round of thanks.
The two then chatted about various topics.
Since Hogus now considered Rhett one of his own, their conversation became more relaxed.
As they talked, Hogus suddenly remembered something related to the southwestern frontier and asked:
"Count Rhett, I recall you returned to the Canyon Defense Line battlefield last year, correct?"
"That’s right," Rhett nodded.
Hogus fell silent for a moment before continuing, "I also heard… it was you who uncovered the traitor hidden among the human forces?
Or rather, it was the mysterious person who gave you the note, telling you about the traitor hidden in the rear?"
As a prince, Hogus had access to some insider information. Without waiting for Rhett to respond, he added, "Now that it’s just the two of us, I want to know the truth. Rhett, are you sure... it was that mysterious person who gave you the note?"
Rhett feigned surprise and frowned slightly, "I’m sure. Why, is there a problem?"
"Hmm." Hogus furrowed his brow, "When I first heard about it, the commander of the Coldstream Defense Line had his doubts about you. He suspected that it might have been a ruse by the orcs to plant a deeper spy within our ranks."
"What?" Rhett’s expression changed, and he couldn’t help but exclaim. Being labeled a traitor was no small matter! If this misunderstanding wasn’t cleared up, it could be a ticking time bomb, ready to explode and bring disaster.
"What happened next?" Rhett pressed, then added firmly, "I can assure you, I have no connection with the orcs. I fought on the front lines for over a decade—how could I be an orc spy?
It’s absurd, utterly absurd!"
"Calm down, I believe you. In fact, the commander’s suspicions were quickly dismissed by others. The consensus was that the likelihood of you being a spy was extremely low," Hogus shook his head, "Especially after meeting you in person today, it’s even more unlikely. A genius like you would never become a spy for the orcs. It just doesn’t make sense."
Hearing this, Rhett breathed a sigh of relief, "The royal family is wise!"
However, he still felt uneasy and asked, "Could you tell me more about the investigation into the traitor? How far has it progressed? I’m also very curious about who could be so capable of developing a traitor within our ranks."
"I can share some details, but you must keep them confidential!
Currently, there are three main theories. The first is that a Saint-level orc is secretly cultivating spies within our human forces. This has happened before, though it wasn’t made public. And it’s not just in the Kingdom of Ginlund—other kingdoms have experienced similar incidents!" Hogus’s expression darkened as he spoke of the orcs, then added, "This first theory is the most likely, and it’s the primary focus of the investigation. But I’m not in charge of the matter, so I don’t have access to the latest information."
Rhett nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging that Hogus’s reasoning made sense. These were secrets he hadn’t been privy to before.
"The second theory is that it might be the work of a Saint-level magical beast. Saint-level magical beasts can also take human form. While we humans don’t provoke Saint-level beasts, many ordinary magical beasts die at the hands of humans each year, so relations between us have never been particularly harmonious."
This sounds like a conspiracy theory—at least there’s no evidence or clear reasoning... Rhett thought to himself, though he couldn’t entirely rule out the possibility that a Saint-level beast was behind it all.
"And the third theory?" Rhett asked again.
But Hogus didn’t respond as quickly as he had before.
Seeing Hogus fall silent, Rhett suddenly had a bold thought. They had already considered orcs and magical beasts, but there was one major power that hadn’t been mentioned yet!
He blurted out, "Could it be that there’s an internal human...?"
He couldn’t finish the sentence, trailing off as he narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, but the Saints of our Kingdom of Ginlund are excluded. If there’s any treachery, it could only be from the Saints of another kingdom..." Hogus’s eyes flashed coldly.
"Indeed, those traitors deserve death!" Rhett echoed fiercely.
"Exactly. The worst thing is a traitor within our own ranks. They all deserve nothing less than death," Hogus’s voice carried a chilling edge.
Then, as if remembering something, Hogus hesitated before asking, "Rhett, that mysterious person—did you ever catch any clues about them? Like their silhouette, voice, or any distinguishing features?"
I know. His name is Goldenfinger... Rhett shrugged, "No clues at all. In fact, I’m just as curious about who he is. Has the royal investigation turned up anything?"
"How could it? This is even harder to figure out than identifying a traitor. That mysterious person is so elusive that, ironically, it led to you being suspected at first..." Hogus shook his head.
Perhaps realizing he had said too much, Hogus exhaled softly, glanced at the moon and stars, and remarked:
"Count Rhett, it’s getting late. Time to rest. And remember, if that mysterious person contacts you again, please report it to me!"
"No problem!" Rhett placed his hand over his heart and replied, "Good night, Prince Hogus!"
"Good night, Count Rhett!" Hogus waved and walked away.
Watching Hogus leave, Rhett glanced back up at the moon and fell into deep thought: "So they haven’t found anything? That’s actually good—it keeps the mysterious persona truly 'mysterious.' I have a feeling I might need to use that identity again in the future..."
Hogus only stayed in Rhett’s territory for three days before heading back, a slight difference from what had happened in the simulation.
During his stay, Rhett personally accompanied him on tours of the territory.
Hogus had instructed him not to reveal his visit or their relationship.
On the third day, as they were saying their goodbyes, Rhett mounted Black and joined the group.
As they passed through a clearing in the woods, Hogus stopped and turned to Rhett: "Count Rhett, there’s something I need to tell you. Since you’re stationed on the southwestern frontier, I have some agents planted years ago who might be of help to you."
Rhett looked intrigued.
"In fact, you know this person. You might be quite surprised when I tell you who it is," Hogus said with a slight smile.
"Oh? I know them? Surely, it’s not one of my own family members," Rhett joked.
"Hmm, you could say that..."
The words hung in the air.
Rhett’s smile froze.
But before he could speak, Hogus shook his head and said, "Carol—you know her, right?"
So, it’s her... Rhett’s expression changed slightly, "Of course, Gaile’s wife, Trina’s mother. Of course, I know her. Are you saying she’s one of your agents?"
Hogus’s smile became somewhat cryptic, "Yes, Gaile’s wife is someone I trained over a decade ago. While she doesn’t play a major role, she’s responsible for monitoring and gathering information within the noble circles of the Brain region..."
Rhett’s eyes flashed with surprise. It’s hidden deep, indeed. Curiously, he asked:
"How does Carol gather information for you? Through social gatherings with other noblewomen?"
"Something like that. In the lower noble circles, noblewomen find it much easier to gather intelligence than men."
"Why is that?"
"Hehe, they only need to establish 'special' relationships with certain nobles to achieve their goals," Hogus chuckled playfully. "After all, I need information that covers a wide range. Exploiting physical desires is an easy way to do that."
Rhett raised an eyebrow, calming himself as he looked directly at Hogus, asking, "Are you saying Carol...?"
"No, she’s not involved in that. But if you ever need 'other' services, I can arrange that too," Hogus grinned wickedly, "What do you think? Exciting, isn’t it?"
Exciting? Do all of you in the royal family play these kinds of games? Rhett thought to himself, secretly grateful for Gaile—at least he hadn’t ended up with a wife who was unfaithful...
He shook his head, "No need. You know me well. If possible, I’d even prefer you to withdraw Carol as an agent to avoid any future complications. Trina would be heartbroken if she ever found out the truth."
The surrounding guards had overheard the conversation, each with different thoughts.
Jelsen sneered internally, "You only live once—indulging in every pleasure is the way to live. Sleeping with a woman is no big deal. You should go all out for excitement. Holding back like Count Rhett is such a waste of talent!"
Meanwhile, the earth-element Archmage Zelos’s eyes flickered with admiration, "Steady, not arrogant, not indulgent—Count Rhett has the qualities of a great leader. Jelsen, on the other hand, lives for his trousers. Perhaps the title 'Trouser Knight' suits him better..."
Previous Chapter | | Next Chapter
