As far as he knew, Saint Brieuc Fortress brought in about two hundred gold coins in taxes each year. After daily expenses, less than a hundred gold coins remained.
In other words, after working hard for two or three years, Baron Hamilton could only afford one Epic Insight Scroll—and that scroll was single-use, with the sole purpose of probing an opponent's strength.
Renard slumped onto the sofa. He knew perfectly well that he had no choice but to submit to the system's tyranny.
Just as he was about to exchange for a Beginner Insight Scroll, the system suddenly prompted him, "If you don't want to spend dinars, you can use a random draw to exchange for this item."
"Get lost!" Renard refused without hesitation, his face curling into a cold sneer. "Are there any items in the shop cheaper than a Beginner Insight Scroll that you're trying to rip me off with?"
System: "..."
After purchasing the Beginner Insight Scroll, Renard was still wondering how the system would deliver it when he suddenly felt something in his hand. Looking down, he saw the Beginner Insight Scroll he had just exchanged for in the system shop. "S-S-Space Transfer?"
The Insight Scroll looked like an ordinary parchment scroll—or rather, it wasn't merely similar; it was parchment. It was only the size of his palm and didn't attract attention.
No one around him noticed the sudden appearance of the item. Selina was still preparing herbal milk tea, while the two lackeys chatted about what had happened over the past two days. Tracy had gone with the servants to tidy up her room.
Renard glanced around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he took a deep breath and quietly slipped the scroll into his pocket. Next time I exchange for something, I need to find a secluded place first. It'd be hard to explain if anyone saw.
Once he had done that, his tense nerves finally relaxed. He looked at the two lackeys and asked, "Has Gilbert done anything unusual lately?"
Ben answered first. "Nothing out of the ordinary. He's just become even more arrogant and conceited than before. Two guardsmen have been spending a lot of time with him, and even Mr. Wilson seems to be drawing closer to him."
Tommy wasn't to be outdone. "Also, it seems the Baron is deliberately distancing himself from Young Master Gilbert. We don't know why, but it's good news for us."
The two lackeys recounted everything they had seen and heard in detail, holding nothing back.
Renard rested his chin on his hand and pondered. After a long while, he sighed. It seemed he really wasn't good at schemes and intrigues. Given the situation, he had no idea what to do.
Fortunately, he had already resolved to make improving his strength his top priority. He absolutely couldn't let his guard down before defeating Gilbert.
He walked to the window and gazed at the training ground several hundred meters away, his eyes shifting as he thought.
Anyone watching would have thought he was deep in contemplation. In truth, he was speaking to the system. "System, what's the maximum range of a Beginner Insight Scroll?"
System: "Get lost! This system is under no obligation to tell you anything!"
Renard: "..."
To make sure the expensive scroll he had bought wouldn't go to waste, Renard decided to take a risk and use it right beside Gilbert.
Gilbert was in an especially good mood that day. He had finally beaten his useless older brother in certain respects, such as appearance and strength.
He was no longer as wary as before, even when Renard came over to him.
After their last fight, he had become completely certain that his useless older brother had been wasting his time at Constantinople Academy. His strength hadn't improved at all—in fact, he was even rustier than before.
As a martial artist, Gilbert could clearly tell that it wasn't an act. His confidence had returned. The only disappointment was that his father had been somewhat distant lately for reasons he couldn't fathom. Still, it wasn't a big problem. His mother was quite skilled at whispering in his father's ear.
One day, I'll get what I deserve, he thought viciously, still consumed by jealousy. If I could study at Constantinople Academy, perhaps...
Gilbert was lost in his fantasies. When he came back to his senses, he saw Renard standing not far away, holding a worn parchment scroll.
He immediately grew wary and barked, "What are you doing here? Haven't you had enough of getting beaten? What's that in your hand?"
He put on a fierce expression, clearly trying to intimidate his brother.
But Renard didn't even bother responding. He simply put away the parchment scroll and turned to leave.
Gilbert looked utterly confused. His older brother wasn't one to take a loss. Why had he backed down after being threatened this time?
How could he have known that Renard had only come to assess his strength, not to pick a fight?
"Target: Gilbert. Class: Beginner Swordsman. Attributes: Strength 28, Agility 29, Intelligence 12, Charisma 18."
The Beginner Insight Scroll revealed only simple information, but it was clear enough to show the vast gap between them—a gap they couldn't close in a short time.
"The road ahead is long," Renard sighed as he headed toward the castle.
When he reached the castle entrance, he saw Selina and the two lackeys watching him from in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. He knew they were worried Gilbert might hurt him, so they had kept an eye on things from afar.
He felt a faint warmth in his heart. Whatever their reasons—money, power, or something else—as long as they wanted him to be all right, he didn't need to overthink it. He could simply appreciate their concern.
But as someone in a position of authority, he couldn't show too much emotion. Of course, he also couldn't be cold and ungrateful.
He walked into the hall and asked with a mocking laugh, "What, were you afraid I'd get beaten up?"
"Of course not. Young Master, you're a man of great wisdom and power. How could that trash Gilbert possibly be your match?" Lackey Tommy immediately offered a flattering remark. His expression was utterly sincere. Anyone who didn't know what he was really like would have been fooled by his superb acting.
"Your shamelessness reminds me of myself when I was young," Renard said, patting the lackey on the shoulder.
Then he added, "The old man gave me half a tea brick. He said it came from the Eastern Continent and that half of it was worth dozens of silver coins. I don't like the taste, so you two can split it."
Tommy and Ben exchanged glances, their faces bright with delight. They hurriedly thanked him. "Thank you, Young Master."
Everyone in the Northern Continent knew that tea bricks from the Eastern Continent were expensive.
Fortunately, the Kingdom of Arthur lay close to the coast and was the first stop for Eastern merchants trading in the Northern Continent, so tea hadn't yet become outrageously expensive.
In the Constantinople Empire, in the middle of the Northern Continent, a tea brick could be exchanged for nearly the same weight in gold.
That wasn't a tea brick—it was a gold brick!
Before you continue