Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

"So, I actually think that this Baron Norman may not necessarily be a match for Lord Rein."

Despite her daughter's reassurance, the beautiful woman's brow was still marked with worry. Shaking her head, she said,

"It's different, this opponent is not like any Rein has faced before."

"Baron Norman is from the same generation as your father. His strength is formidable — he once had the chance to attain the rank of Great Knight in his youth. But due to severe injuries sustained in naval combat, along with lingering internal wounds after healing, his attempt to become a Great Knight failed, leading to his retirement."

"Now, through some rare secret potion, he has recovered the combat capabilities of his peak years. Such an opponent, with his wealth of combat experience and formidable power, is probably unlike anyone Rein has ever encountered before," the woman explained with a look of concern.

Hearing her mother explain this way, Jenny couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Mother, why would this Baron Norman issue a bloody duel challenge to Lord Rein?" Jenny tried to comfort her mother in vain and changed the subject, as this question had also been on her mind for a while.

Baron Norman, being of the same age as her father, would theoretically have little to do with Rein. How could he have suddenly issued a duel challenge to Rein?

Fortunately, the guards at Rein's new residence were from her family's lineage. They recognized the importance of the situation immediately and reported to her mother first.

Now, Rein's parents and sister are still unaware of this news.

After discussing with her mother, she felt that informing them would only cause unnecessary worry.

Of course, ultimately, it was up to Rein to decide what to do about this matter.

"I'm not entirely sure of the specifics, but I sent someone to inquire about it, and this matter is beyond reconciliation. Along with issuing the challenge to Rein, Baron Norman has also filed a formal request with Count Habs," she explained.

"Additionally, I have heard that he directly rejected Count Habs's attempt to dissuade him."

"Which means that right from the start, he was determined to refuse any mediation and proceed with this bloody duel!"

"Ah, this..." Jenny suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

How could there be such a deep hatred between two Barons who are at least a generation apart in age?

"Mother, is Baron Norman's current strength at the level of a Peak Knight, or...? Have you investigated?"

"Yes, he could be considered a Peak Knight, but the difference between him and a Great Knight is not that significant. I've bribed a servant from the Norman family and learned that he seems to be gearing up for an attempt to become a Great Knight in the next few days. He is currently preparing some necessary items."

"The exact timing, I'm still not quite sure," the beautiful woman added.

"Ah? What if he succeeds, then what do we do?" Upon hearing this, Jenny couldn't help but cover her mouth with her small hand in shock.

This made her worried as well.

You must understand, we are talking about a Great Knight here!

Within a pool of dozens of formal knights, it's rare to find even one Great Knight. A Great Knight is a significant figure whether within the Empire's military or its administrative bodies.

-----------------

Three days later.
Discover hidden tales at empire

After crossing this forest and traveling for another half a day, Rein would reach Meist County City.

At the moment, along the narrow path stretching through the dense woods, scattered individuals could be seen. They were traveling in pairs of two, seemingly watching and searching for something.

"Look, Haji, isn't that the man the Wilderness Brotherhood told us to keep an eye out for?" a thin middle-aged man asked his partner, tilting his head.

"It should be! A black horse, carrying two weapons; one greatsword and a Two-Handed Warhammer, everything matches up. Go report this!" the man named Haji said with a pleased expression.

...

Rein had noticed the occasional measuring glances cast his way, and after entering the forest, these glances had become more frequent.

He knew that it wouldn't be long before the other party would make a move!

As expected, not far ahead a large group of individuals dressed as mercenaries, carrying all kinds of weapons, blocked his path.

He, riding his horse, also slowly came to a halt.

However...

Rein merely swept a glance over these people before shifting his gaze away from them, focusing instead on a large carriage behind them.

Although Rein couldn't see through the carriage, his Level 3 'danger perception' was subtly alerting him to the threat.

He knew that the real threat was inside, and that the group outside was just 'trash fish.'

In the carriage, a tall and lean figure sat, dressed in a grey knight's plate armor set. Even while seated, his height was close to 1.9 meters, and his knight helmet nearly touched the top of the carriage.

Resting on his knees was an extremely strange, long-handled weapon, resembling an elongated sickle, with a handle about one meter long and the blade of the sickle itself also measuring a meter.

Outside the carriage, a bearded burly man peered through a small window and said to the person inside,

"Chief Jo, if we kill this kid, do we really get a reward of two thousand Imperial Gold Coins?"

As the burly man asked, he looked at Rein's youthful face and his eyes flickered with the desire for money.

"Eh? Captain Sim, are you interested in having a go? Of course, if your Wolf Bandits can take him down, two thousand Imperial Gold Coins is yours to keep," said Giovanni from within the armor, a meaningful smile crossing his hidden face.

He would naturally welcome someone else taking the lead.

"Chief Jo, leave it to us," said the bearded burly man, confidently patting his chest.