Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

"Hm? You've already gotten to this extent?" Hamilton's eyes instantly lit up as he looked piercingly at Rein.

"Should be soon," Rein nodded.

Hamilton appeared contemplative but did not immediately answer Rein's question. After a while, he finally spoke:

"The biggest difference between a Great Knight and a Knight lies in..."

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

In the study of the Baron Norman's mansion.

Baron Alonso's butler Michel was paying a visit to Baron Norman.

"Lord Baron, I bring greetings from Baron Alonso, and first of all, congratulations on your strength restoration to its peak," Michel began.

"Thank Alonso for me," Norman replied with reserved pride, feeling a touch of displeasure in his heart.

If before, he needed to show some respect to the butler of the Earl's eldest son, Alonso, now that he had restored his strength and might soon become a Great Knight, that was no longer the case.

He thought that even if Alonso himself had come to congratulate him, it would be fitting, given his successful recovery through the secret potion. However, this time, like always, they had merely sent a butler over.

Although Michel wasn't strong, having been immersed in noble society for so many years, he could guess a bit of Baron Norman's true feelings from his attitude and expressions. After silently mocking in his heart, he said with a smile:

"Lord Baron, I have some news that I believe you'll find interesting. It concerns your upcoming duel with Rein."

"Oh?" Baron Norman raised an eyebrow, giving Michel a casual glance, not very concerned.

Because as far as Baron Norman was concerned, his current strength allowed him to completely disregard any news about Rein.

Still, since Michel mentioned it, he might as well listen.

"Today, outside the County Town, Rein single-handedly killed the leader of the Wilderness Brotherhood, the 'Beast Knight' Giovanni!" Michel announced gravely, delivering shocking news.

"What!" Baron Norman's originally calm face suddenly turned to one of astonishment, and he stared at Michel with intense eyes, involuntarily exclaiming.

Indeed! A smile crept at the corner of Michel's mouth.

That's what you get for pretending!

Shocked, aren't you!

Thinking you're all that just because your power has been restored!

You're merely a Longsword in the hands of Lord Baron Alonso, and what we are doing is simply making this Longsword sharper.

"Absolutely true. Our men witnessed it with their own eyes!" Michel suppressed the smile on his lips and spoke solemnly.

Baron Norman was no stranger to weathering storms; aside from his initial lapse, he quickly regained his composure.

He didn't speak for a long moment, instead frowning in thought.

Beast Knight Giovanni was not only familiar to Baron Norman, but a long time ago, due to a matter involving a family caravan, they had even crossed swords.

At that time, Norman had not been injured and was at his peak, but he still found himself slightly inferior in the fight, though Giovanni, wary of his strength, had retreated on his own.

So, even with his strength now restored to its peak, Norman did not dare claim he could defeat Giovanni.

Yet Rein had already done so.

This sent Norman's mood plummeting from the crest of a wave down to the trough.

He had thought that the upcoming bloody duel in a week's time was a done deal!

Rein, no matter how talented, if I don't give you the chance to grow and nip you in the bud early, wouldn't that solve the problem?

But now, it seemed he had misjudged; Rein's growth rate was simply too astonishing!

This level of talent, even if placed in the provincial city of Mingster, would be quite explosive.

It took a while, but finally Butler Michel spoke with a beaming smile, "Lord Alonso means that whatever you need from us, just ask. Our goals are aligned; we all want you to emerge victorious in the bloody duel next week."

Norman nodded his head.

It seemed from this.

His original plan had to be advanced.

Originally, his idea was to kill Rein in the bloody duel and then, riding on the momentum of victory, take the 'Giant Beast Essence' potion and strive to break through to become a Great Knight in one fell swoop.

For someone his age, this was likely the greatest opportunity to break through to the rank of Great Knight.

If he failed this time, there would be no secret potions left to restore him to his peak strength.

But facing Rein, who could already kill Giovanni, it seemed the only way to achieve victory was for him to break through and become a Great Knight!

Although two days ago, he had already placed an order through his special channels for a bottle of Giant Beast Essence, at the very least, it would take half a month to be delivered to Meister.

There just wasn't enough time.

After considering, Baron Norman spoke up, "I need a bottle of Giant Beast Essence, and the sooner the better! At the latest, it must be delivered the day before the bloody duel, can you manage it?"
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"What!" Michel's face showed shock; he immediately understood Baron Norman's intention—the other party wanted to challenge the Great Knight realm in advance.

If successful, he could simply crush Rein in the bloody duel to claim victory.

Truly worthy of being an elite from the imperial navy, tsk tsk, he underestimated the man; such courage, risking his life for victory!

"Alright, I will inform Baron Alonso immediately. Though it will be difficult, I believe Lord Alonso will find a way."

"There is no time to waste, Baron Norman, I must take my leave now." Knowing the gravity of the situation, Michel chose to leave immediately.

...

When Michel arrived at Baron Alonso's study and relayed the details of the meeting, Alonso pondered and said:

"There should still be a Giant Beast Heart in the family treasury. I will request it from Lord Father immediately, and then, Michel, you take it to Master Holland."

"Also, contact the Yakesen Auction House for me and inquire whether they have any Giant Beast Essence. No matter the cost, we must secure it."

"Yes, respected Baron!"

...

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

Late at night, in Fishing Port Town of Meister County.

Bright moonlight scattered across the sea, sparkling on the waves.

A small boat 'swooshed' onto the sand.

Seven or eight fully armed men quickly disembarked the boat, scanning the surroundings. Following that, a squad leader-looking man whispered, "General Parix, all clear! You may disembark."

No sooner had the squad leader finished speaking than a gleaming suit of plate armor stepped out of the boat's cabin, crushing a hermit crab into a pulp under his boot on the sandy beach.

Looking up the shining armor, a burly man in half-plate was seen exiting the cabin.

After surveying his surroundings, he asked, "Have you made contact with our liaison in Meister, Magis?"

"Where are the people coming to meet us?"

"That fool Andre, to be wiped out in one fell swoop, such an embarrassment! Now I have to come and clean up his mess..."

It appeared that General Parix was quite dissatisfied with being sent by the rebel faction to oversee the overall operations in Meister County!