Xu Huo nodded, took the towel Winter had handed him, and wiped his hands. "Was there anything that needed taking care of while I was away?"
"Your baronial title has been recognized by the government, and the corresponding badge and identification documents have arrived. In addition, the widow of Duke Tar sent two invitations. One is to attend Duke Tar's funeral, and the other is to a charity dinner party. The Duchess plans to auction off the Duke's personal effects to raise money for a charity fund."
Duke Tar had also been aboard that ship. Xu Huo wasn't surprised he hadn't survived. He told Mr. Dong, "Call the Duchess back and tell her I'll visit in a couple of days."
The Duchess must have played a part in getting his baronial title approved so quickly.
Mr. Dong acknowledged this, then mentioned that several other nobles had invited him to go sightseeing or attend banquets. This time, though, they weren't doing it because of Madam Butterfly, but because of his status.
The Black Shoulder Badge had investigated Xu Huo after the ship incident. If he hadn't died aboard the ship, he must have entered a dungeon afterward. The Duchess's family had managed to marry into the Duke's family because several of its members were talented Players. Even with District 011's advanced weapons and equipment, a Player with considerable potential, even if their ability level wasn't high, was still worth courting.
Besides, the infighting aboard the ship suggested that the nobles were divided into factions. The Black Shoulder Badge's rise to power had, in fact, been the result of those factions' struggles. At a time like this, Players could make all the difference.
"Has Bai Kou come back?" Xu Huo asked.
"No." Mr. Dong's expression and tone remained unchanged.
Mr. Dong had