Probing the Truth

As far as he knew, Saint Brieuc Fortress's annual tax revenue was about two hundred gold coins. After deducting daily expenses, the remaining funds were less than one hundred gold coins.

This meant that Baron Hamilton would have to save for two or three years just to afford one Epic Insight Scroll, and this scroll was single-use, only serving to probe an opponent's strength.

Renard immediately slumped onto the sofa. He knew very well that he had no choice but to submit to the System's oppressive power.

Just as he was about to redeem a Beginner Insight Scroll, the System suddenly prompted, "If you don't want to spend dinars, you can exchange it with random draw chances."

"Get lost!" Renard refused without hesitation, a cold sneer on his face. "You're trying to scam me. Are there any items in the store cheaper than the Beginner Insight Scroll?"

System: "..."

After purchasing the Beginner Insight Scroll, Renard was still contemplating how the System would deliver it when he felt something appear in his hand. Looking down, he saw it was the Beginner Insight Scroll he had just redeemed from the System store. "Sp-Spatial Transfer?"

The Insight Scroll was similar to a regular parchment scroll. To be precise, it wasn't similar; it was a parchment scroll. The scroll was only palm-sized and unremarkable.

No one around noticed the item that had suddenly appeared. Selina was still making vanilla milk tea, the two lackeys were discussing their experiences over the past two days, and Tracy had gone to tidy her room with the servants.

Renard scanned his surroundings. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he took a deep breath and quietly slipped the scroll into his pocket. He thought to himself that in the future, he should find a hidden place before redeeming items, as it would be difficult to explain if someone discovered it.

After doing this, his tense nerves finally relaxed. He looked at the two lackeys and asked, "Has Gilbert made any unusual moves recently?"

Ben was the first to react and replied, "He's been acting completely normal, just more arrogant and complacent than before. Two captain guards are very close to him, and even Mr. Wilson seems to be getting close to him."

Tommy, not to be outdone, added, "Also, Baron Hamilton seems to be intentionally distancing himself from young master Gilbert. Although I don't know the reason, it's good news for us."

The two lackeys recounted their observations in detail, holding nothing back.

Renard rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought. After a long while, he sighed. It seemed he really wasn't good at schemes and calculations. Faced with the current situation, he didn't know what to do.

Fortunately, he had already decided to make strengthening his power his top priority. He would not let his guard down before defeating Gilbert.

He walked to the window and looked out at the training grounds hundreds of meters away, his eyes flickering.

Others might have thought he was lost in thought, but he was actually communicating with the System. "System, what is the maximum release range of the Beginner Insight Scroll?"

System: "Get lost! This System has no obligation to inform you!"

Renard: "..."

To ensure that the scroll he spent a large sum of money on wouldn't be wasted, Renard decided to take a risk and personally approach Gilbert to release it.

Gilbert was in a particularly good mood today because he had finally surpassed his useless brother in certain aspects, such as appearance and strength.

Even when Renard approached him, Gilbert was no longer as wary as before.

After their last encounter, he was completely convinced that his useless brother had merely been wasting his time at Constantinople Academy. His strength had not only failed to improve but had become much rustier than before.

As a martial artist, he could clearly sense that this wasn't an act. His confidence had returned. The only regret was that his father had been distant towards him recently for some unknown reason. Fortunately, it wasn't a major problem; his mother was very good at influencing his father.

"One day, I will get what I deserve," he thought fiercely, his heart still filled with jealousy. "If only I could study at Constantinople Academy..."

Gilbert was lost in his fantasies when he snapped back to reality and found Renard standing not far away, holding a tattered parchment scroll.

He immediately became vigilant and sternly demanded, "What are you doing here? Haven't you had enough beatings? What is that thing in your hand?"

He put on a fierce expression, clearly intending to intimidate the other party.

However, Renard ignored him, put away the parchment scroll, and turned to leave.

Gilbert looked utterly bewildered. His brother was not someone who would easily back down. Why did he retreat so easily after being threatened today?

Little did he know that Renard's purpose in coming here was only to probe his strength, not to cause trouble.

"Target: Gilbert, Profession: Beginner Swordsman, Attributes: Strength 28, Agility 29, Intelligence 12, Charisma 18."

Although the data revealed by the Beginner Insight Scroll was very simple, it was clear and straightforward. It showed a significant gap in strength between the two, one that couldn't be closed in a short period.

"The road ahead is long!" Renard sighed and walked towards the castle.

As he reached the castle entrance, he saw Selina and the two lackeys standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching him. He knew they were worried he might get hurt by Gilbert and were keeping an eye on the situation from afar.

He felt a faint sense of gratitude. Regardless of their motives—for money, power, or something else—if they wished him well, he didn't need to overthink it; he should accept their concern.

However, as a superior, he couldn't show too much emotion, nor could he be harsh or ungrateful.

He strode into the hall and asked with a sneer, "What, afraid I'll get beaten up?"

"How could that be? Young master is wise and valiant. How could that scumbag Gilbert be your opponent?" Lackey Tommy immediately flattered him, his expression incredibly sincere. If one didn't know his true nature, they would be deceived by his superb acting.

"Your shamelessness has quite a bit of the spirit of my youth," Renard said, patting Tommy's shoulder.

He then added, "The old man gave me half a brick of tea, saying it's from the Eastern Continent. Even half a brick is worth dozens of silver coins. I'm not used to drinking it, so you two can split it."

Tommy and Ben exchanged glances, their faces beaming with joy. They quickly thanked him, "Thank you, young master."

Tea bricks from the Eastern Continent are expensive; this is common knowledge on the Northern Continent.

Fortunately, the Kingdom of Arthur is coastal and is the first stop for merchants from the East trading on the Northern Continent. Therefore, the price of tea here had not yet reached exorbitant levels.

If one were to go to the Constantinople Empire in the central part of the Northern Continent, a brick of tea could almost be exchanged for its weight in gold.

It wasn't just tea bricks; they were practically gold bars!

If you like this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.