Early the next morning, Locke took half the castle's knights and accompanied Velin on a tour of Abner Territory.
At the city gate, Velin looked at the horse Locke had prepared, stroked its mane to soothe its restless mood, then mounted it.
"Lord Velin, how about making Deda Ji Town in the north our first stop?"
Hearing Locke's question, Velin replied, "You are the host, and I am the uninvited visitor. You can decide."
Seeing this, Locke offered a polite remark, then directed more than thirty knights to mount up and led Velin toward Deda Ji Town, the northern border town of Abner Territory.
Deda Ji Town lay near the border between Viscount Abner's Territory and Sanlilan Viscount Territory. It governed more than twenty villages and manors, with a total population of over ten thousand.
Upon reaching the edge of the town, Velin reined in his horse and suggested, "Locke, such a large group of us won't see much by entering the town. Why not have them wait here while the two of us take a walk alone?"
"Lord Velin, as you wish," Locke replied with a smile. He then waved to the knights behind him, telling them to wait there.
Upon hearing this, the thirty-odd knights all lowered their heads in salute. Not one of them offered any advice, not even Locke's confidants.
They knew perfectly well what kind of person the one they served was.
Their lord detested anyone who dared defy his orders. Even if the order he gave was wrong, he permitted no voice of opposition.
However, although their lord was arbitrary and overbearing, his rewards were exceptionally generous. Nor did he indulge in luxury. Aside from items used to entertain guests, he exchanged everything else he obtained for Gold Coins and Transcendent Resources.
Walking along