Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

In the midst of shock, the Rein family's dinner was still ongoing, although the atmosphere had turned a bit strange.

It was like winning five million in a lottery in a previous life, where the whole family would be very happy.

But if they had won a billion, the family would, amidst their happiness, start to think a lot, especially the adults.

At that moment, old Rein and Emma's minds were still in chaos, bombarded with various thoughts.

For instance, what should she wear if she became the mother of a baron?

Additionally, what manners and behaviors must be noticed to not disgrace Rein?

Would other nobles ridicule them as country bumpkins?

...

Only sister Bo He continued to eat joyously as always.

Suddenly, Bo He's big eyes fluttered twice, as if she had thought of something, and said, "Oh yes, brother, that beautifully dressed Jenny sister came looking for you today."

"I told her you weren't in, and then Jenny sister didn't say much and just left."

"Hmm?" After thinking, Rein nodded, indicating he understood.

....

Meanwhile.

In Meist County City.

In a luxuriously decorated study on the second floor of the Baron Norman's mansion.

Baron Norman, clad in noble hunting attire, frowned as he looked at a stack of documents on the desk.

On these pages, one name appeared over and over again—Rein.

Then, a knocking sound came from the door.

"Enter!" Baron Norman's eyebrow quirked as he spoke.

His son Dennis entered with a joyful expression, saying, "Father, I feel I've touched upon a certain bottleneck; I should be able to try taking an advanced magic potion now."

Hearing this news, Baron Norman managed a slight curve on his face, saying, "Not bad."

However, Dennis was deeply disappointed inside. He had been expecting high praise from his father, not just a calm utterance of the words "not bad."

In the scene he imagined, when his father showed high approval, he would take the opportunity to bring up the matter of an alliance through marriage with the Crowley family.

Lately, while using Divine Blood for his training, he had often thought of Lady Banon Crowley, quite a beauty.

But now, the reality was far different from what he had expected.

Dennis didn't dare say anything; he read his father's expression, which although still as emotionless as a statue, allowed Dennis, as his son, to sense that his father's mood wasn't that great.

Thinking over, just as he was about to inquire, out of the corner of his eye, Dennis suddenly noticed the familiar name on the desk documents—Rein!

Huh?

All these documents are about Rein?

Dennis's pupils suddenly constricted!

He then realized that his usually strong father was troubled by this farmer's son!

Dennis was a bit puzzled.

This matter, hadn't his father said it was handled by an almost infallible old friend?

Why....

Lips mumbling, Dennis eventually asked, pointing to the documents on the table, "Father... is there a problem with this?"

Baron Norman's expression darkened, he sighed and nodded.

This made Dennis feel even more anxious.

Another problem indeed!

Damn!

The heck, could this farmer's son be the illegitimate child of Lady Luck?

His family had dispatched numerous people time after time, yet none could finish him off!

"Father, how... how is this possible!"

"Didn't you say your friend once even had a record of killing a Great Knight?"

"Even if your friend's strength has waned, killing a full-fledged knight should be as simple as slaughtering a chicken, right?"

Upon hearing his son's question, Baron Norman didn't immediately reply; he had been pondering this issue just moments ago.

The study fell into an eerie silence for a moment.

After a long pause, Baron Norman seemed to have organized his thoughts, only to hear his deep voice begin:

"The other day, since I hadn't received any news from Adams, I felt concerned and decided to check on his shop."

"As I expected, there was a problem."

"Then, I obtained this information through a few friends who hold positions in the functional departments."

Saying this, Baron Norman pointed at the documents on the desk.

Dennis immediately reached out, picked up a document, and saw a passage that appeared to be copied from some official document:

"....Ten days ago, fugitive Adams, sought by the Empire, was successfully killed in a coordinated siege by Hamilton, the security chief of Flashgold Town, Deputy Chief Rein, and dozens of elite Night Watchmen..."

"A coordinated siege?" Dennis murmured upon seeing these words.

No wonder it failed; it was an ambush!

Dennis seemed to find a reasonable explanation.

After all, the Empire's semi-military force—the Night Watchmen—isn't some uncoordinated group of bandits, but a tactically cohesive fighting collective, where one plus one surpasses two.

Of course, the main reason was the significant decline in his father's old friend's strength...

Just as Dennis was lost in thought, Baron Norman added a sentence that was almost 'shocking'!

"Moreover, I've received the latest news from Alonso that this Rein has just passed the nobility investiture exam of Mingster Province and has been granted the title of a baron!"

"What!"

"A baron???"

Hearing this news from his father, Dennis's eyes suddenly bulged like walnuts, and his wide-open mouth could almost fit an entire roast chicken.

Dammit, can things be this outrageous!

He was still taking pride in being able to consume advanced magic potions when this commoner suddenly transformed into a noble!

And a baron at that!

This was the same title as his father's!

This former commoner's status had now surpassed that of his own, a baron's son!

At this moment, Dennis felt the towering 'sense of superiority' he had always harbored, utterly collapse!

"Impossible, this can't be possible! There must be a mistake!" A few seconds later, Dennis, red-faced and chest heaving, emotionally retorted.

"The imperial dispatch arrived at the county town two days ago, handled by Alonso, and the relevant documents have been handed over to Count Habbs," Baron Norman stated calmly, without any rebuttal.

Like being doused with a bucket of ice water, Dennis shook a few times then immediately calmed down.

He knew that even if his father and Baron Alonso could make mistakes, Count Habbs wouldn't; the empire wouldn't...

The thought of having to salute Rein first and address him as 'Lord Baron' in the future made Dennis feel sicker than if he had eaten lukewarm dog feces!

After being dazed for quite a while, Dennis finally snapped back to reality, reluctantly asking, "Father, what do we do now..."

"Later, I will find a friend."

Hearing this, Dennis barely restrained the urge to question his father; still looking for a friend?

However...

Pausing, Baron Norman continued, "If that fails, I will directly propose a 'bloody duel' to Rein!"

At this statement, Dennis's spirits soared, he had long wanted his father to act and directly eliminate this farmer's son.

As for why his father couldn't openly challenge Rein to a duel earlier, he understood that too clearly.

Because a noble challenging a commoner to a duel would be condemned by other nobles and even the imperial senate.

Moreover, the crucial point is, a commoner could refuse such an unfair duel request.

But now that Rein has become a baron, equivalent in rank to his father, it made the duel suddenly feasible.

Moreover, among the nobles' duels, there's 'bloody duel' and 'ordinary duel,' the ordinary duel ends when one party admits defeat, whereas a bloody duel ends only with death!

However... a bloody duel must be approved by the local governor, and it needs to take place in a specified location under the supervision of numerous observers.

"Father, are you confident?" Dennis, although having absolute faith in his father, who had a rich and fierce battle record, couldn't help but ask.

"I recently paid a hefty sum for a secret potion, and now there is news from the Imperial City that a potion master is willing to make it. Once I consume this potion, it will heal my internal injuries and restore my peak combat strength."

Baron Norman didn't directly answer Dennis.

"That's great! If you can regain your peak condition, Father, Rein will undoubtedly lose!" Dennis exclaimed excitedly, his face flush with excitement.

"Alright, I need to step out."

....

Baron Norman was then seen riding in a carriage to a heavily guarded low building—Meist County Prison.

Baron Norman alighted from the carriage and, after being announced by the guards, found himself in an office.

Soon, Magis, the middle-aged man dressed in the prison warden's uniform, appeared.

Upon seeing Baron Norman's arrival, a trace of almost imperceptible surprise flashed across Magis's eyes.

Why are several nobles from Meist County suddenly interested in contacting their Zaral Resistance all at once?

After some pleasantries, Baron Norman stated his purpose:

"....So, if your organization can eliminate this newly appointed Baron Rein, then the previous request made by your organization can be agreed to by the Norman family," Baron Norman said gravely.

Magis was so surprised that he almost exclaimed!

But his years of experience as a spy managed to suppress this impulse.

Rein again?

What exactly had Rein done?

Why did both Alonso and the Baron Norman here want him dead?

If he is as they described, then... could there be a way to assimilate Rein into the organization? An idea suddenly crossed Magis's mind.

After all, faith is something that can brainwash, no, can be converted!

Magis calculated the time; it had been five days, and surely within a week, there would be a result.

Moreover, he hadn't expected that one issue could serve two favors; thus, confidently gesturing with an index finger, he said:

"Of course, no problem, one week! Baron Norman, I can give you a definite reply within a week!"

Baron Norman looked at this liaison for the resistance with a scrutinizing gaze; he always felt that just a moment ago, the other's look was strangely peculiar.

Moreover, the other's response was too certain, so certain that he somewhat didn't believe it.

After all, he had come here with an attitude of just giving it a try...

Years of naval combat experience told him that the most reliable thing was still one's own strength.

Once he returned, he would still rush the secret potion.