Shamelessness Was Also a Virtue

Li Ang fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "If I'm not mistaken... Grand Duke Alma is plotting against your territory?"

Oden's eyes widened in surprise. "What a clever lad! That's right, he's fighting me for control of Long River Town, and he often colludes with bandits to harass my lands. But I'm tied down at the Noble Council... What a pity I only have one daughter. Otherwise, I really would have wanted you to become my son-in-law too!"

Li Ang looked at Oden's large nose and tiny eyes, then at his balding hairstyle. His heart filled with sympathy for Sir Rayman—if this was what he looked like, then the daughter he had produced...

Fortunately, he only had one daughter.

"I choose to become a Pioneer Lord. But I am willing to form an alliance with you, Your Excellency. If you are willing..."

Without further hesitation, Li Ang gave his answer.

Oden nodded. "Then, when you pass through Fletcher Village, I hope you'll wipe out the bandits entrenched there..."

Bandits?

They were probably Duke Alma's men...

Fletcher Village bore Oden's family name, so it was clearly one of Oden's core territories.

It seemed that, in his private struggle against Duke Alma, Earl Oden was at a disadvantage.

That probably had something to do with his lack of a direct heir. A newly risen noble without a solid foundation, and without a son besides—once he grew old, naturally people would start eyeing his holdings.

"Since bandits are harming a village, then of course I cannot refuse... But why not have Sir Rayman..."

"Ryman is the deputy commander of the Lion Knight Order. Before he becomes Grand Commander, he cannot come into direct conflict with other high-ranking nobles." Oden shook his head, looking somewhat helpless.

Li Ang understood.

The Lion Knight Order was a national order of knights. Its Grand Commander had to be elected by all the high-ranking nobles, so Sir Rayman needed to maintain relatively good relations with Grand Duke Alma.

Moreover, one hundred and fifty years ago, it was the Horton Family of Duke Alma that had helped Alfred the Usurper win the allegiance of the Lion Knight Order. Grand Duke Alma had considerable influence within the Lion Knight Order.

After several seconds of silence, Li Ang suddenly broke into a grin. "There probably aren't many people willing to offend a Grand Duke with real power..."

Oden seemed to catch a whiff of something unpleasant, and his sharp gaze fixed on Li Ang.

But Li Ang wore a foxlike smile. "Perhaps I'm the best candidate? Maybe even the only reliable one? Since that's the case, could you sponsor... ah, no, lend me some military funds, so I don't run into any difficulties dealing with those bandits..."

Oden's tone was no longer gentle. "Are you trying to extort me?!"

"No, no, no... A loan. Just a loan..."

Oden rolled his eyes. "Kid, has anyone ever told you that you're a bit shameless?"

"Thank you for the compliment..." Li Ang gave him a knight's salute.

Oden flew into a rage. "In your mind, is shamelessness a virtue too?!"

The two began staring each other down.

One glared furiously, while the other grinned.

"A thousand denars should be enough! Remember to pay it back!"

Oden finally spat out the words, blowing his beard and glaring.

"I'll definitely pay it back, definitely..." Li Ang smiled ingratiatingly, his attitude exceptionally good.

Oden clenched his fist, his face twitching. At last, he opened the certificate on the table, wrote "Long River Forest" on it, and stamped it with the steel seal of the Noble Council.

"If you encounter danger, you may seek aid at Brave Shield Fortress or any village or town under my rule. Likewise, if my territory is in danger, or if I encounter matters where my people cannot conveniently show themselves, I hope you can offer assistance. You will gain the friendship of the Fletcher Family because of this... But remember to pay back the money!"

"Fine, it's a deal!"

In truth, Li Ang's original plan had been to develop Long River Forest anyway...

The meeting place he had agreed upon with Kloze and the others was Long River Town.

Long River Forest was indeed dangerous. Jatu nomads, Misty Mountains barbarians, Noldo Elves, and forces of many other factions all appeared nearby.

But precisely because it was dangerous, shadowy figures such as assassins and heretics rarely showed up there instead.

Li Ang feared daggers from behind. He was not truly afraid of battle beneath the sun.

By the time he left the Noble Council, it was already evening. The fiery clouds at the horizon were swallowing what little light remained.

Li Ang had gained two more things.

A small Pioneer Lord badge, and an enormous money pouch.

The one seeing him out was still that smiling young attendant, and it was the attendant who handed him the thousand denars.

Perhaps because he had not expected Li Ang to come to the Noble Council and, rather than offering a customary gift, leave with money from the Noble Council, the attendant was unusually enthusiastic. He even volunteered to carry Li Ang's money pouch to his horse.

But Li Ang declined his kindness.

Gold...

A huge bag of gold!

Li Ang greatly enjoyed the heavy, solid feeling of holding gold in his arms... To him, it felt roughly the same as holding a fairy with the body of a temptress.

But in reality, the small badge he had casually tucked into his chest was far more valuable than that bag of gold coins.

It was a silver badge shaped like a lion, representing that Li Ang had obtained the status of a Reserve Baron. It was broadly equivalent to knighthood. From then on, he could cut the swallowtail from his banner and become a member of the ruling class.

Of course, this still required inspection and assessment. If he failed to establish his territory successfully, his title would be revoked.

Many years ago, one could pass inspection merely by throwing together a wooden castle somewhere along the border. But that would no longer work.

These days, the standards for inspection had become extremely complicated.

The land occupied had to lie beyond the national borders. There had to be a permanently settled population within the territory, as well as troops and structures sufficient to protect the residents.

There also had to be a level road leading to the territory, and he had to ensure there were not too many bandits in the surrounding area.

After all, the envoys responsible for on-site inspection had to make sure the journey was safe too...

The thousand denars Li Ang had knocked... borrowed were actually only enough to purchase supplies and construction materials.

The spoils from the pirate camp were mostly things the pirates had either not had time to sell or had kept for their own use. Only the dozen or so extra sets of Meitengheim Infantry armor were relatively valuable.

But those oversized sets of equipment had remained unsold even after the pirates had tried for more than a month... Now that they were in Li Ang's hands, they naturally would not be easy to turn into cash either.

Besides, he also had to consider the feelings of the Meitengheim people under his command, so he could only let Kloze and the others carry them along slowly.

Li Ang looked at the darkening sky, then calculated Kloze and the others' pace. He decided to find an inn and stay the night first. After traveling for several days, both man and horse were exhausted.

The Adventurer Inn—or rather, tavern.

In these times, inns and taverns were one and the same.

This seemed to be a signboard found in most cities across Pendor, though it was certainly not some chain hotel...

After all, even on the more commercially developed Buckley Continent, the concept of chain stores had only just begun to emerge. Over here in Pendor, it was practically unheard of.

When Li Ang had first "arrived" on this continent, he had considered opening a chain hotel. But later, being hunted made it too inconvenient, and Mistveil City's dreadful public safety made him abandon the idea.

Because inns these days were places frequented by thieves and "energetic social groups."

And assassins and slavers from the Crimson Brotherhood could be found in nearly every tavern—this was where they solicited business.

So Li Ang deliberately chose this inn beside King's Avenue, figuring it would be relatively safe.

Even as he entered the inn, Li Ang remained extremely cautious.

Not only because he might encounter assassins who wanted his life, but also because he was carrying far too much money...

But, but...

Whether one was deliberately cautious or completely unguarded, as long as a person was unlucky enough, accidents would always happen...