59: The Knights arrived

This time, Kim brought many Slaves—ten full wagons, totaling over a hundred people.

Transporting so many Slaves for sale at once, and from the West to the Royal Capital, was clearly no easy feat; it required both capability and connections.

From this, Lister could see that this slick, worldly middle-aged fat man had great ambitions to rapidly expand his Slave industry.

However, compared to the last batch of Slaves, the quality of this group was significantly lower, with few possessing any specialized crafts.

Under Kim's rapid and detailed introduction, Lister finally heard the name that had appeared in the divination information: the forging genius with Dwarven blood, Jimur Arnold.

Through the prison wagon, he sized up the young man before him. He was slightly older than Lister, and his stature was much shorter compared to other males.

At first glance, he had nothing outstanding about him; he was just a very unremarkable, ordinary Slave.

If it weren't for the divination information, it would have been impossible to associate him with a forging genius possessing Dwarven blood.

Looking at Kim's expression, it was clear that he hadn't discovered the man's extraordinary nature either.

In about ten minutes, Lister had acquired a rough understanding of the basic information of all the Slaves.

Under Kim's expectant gaze, Lister pondered for a moment before speaking, "Deacon Kim, although the quality of the Slaves this time is average, our Ironthorn Territory is still short on manpower, so I'll take them all. Give me a price."

Hearing this, Kim's lips curled into a grin. While inwardly marvelling at Lister's generosity, he also felt immense self-admiration for his wise decision to take this detour.

And so, amidst Jacques's shocked expression nearby, Lister and Kim quickly completed the transaction.

Originally, Kim wanted to use the favor of saving his life to give Lister a fifty percent discount, but Lister refused. His stance was that business is business, and there was no need to do so because of other matters.

Talking about money hurts feelings!

In truth, Lister's thought was that he couldn't let this favor be repaid so easily; it had to be saved for a critical moment.

After finishing the transaction, Lister bid farewell to Kim and led his people to begin arranging the various subsequent matters for the Slaves.

Watching his departing figure, Jacques was somewhat dazed. He truly couldn't understand how a Baron of such a small territory could have the audacity to buy so many Slaves in one go.

These weren't pigs; the price wasn't cheap. Even with a labor shortage, one shouldn't buy like this.

The astonishment in his heart eventually transformed into admiration and curiosity toward Lister.

Kim was unaware of his nephew's thoughts; at this moment, he was in high spirits because the Slaves were all sold out.

Not in a hurry to leave, he took Jacques and the group of guards and handymen to be generous for once, staying to rest at the best inn in Ironthorn Town while waiting for tomorrow's return journey... Evening.

Lister, having finished handling the Slave matters, had just returned to the castle.

A Soldier hurried over and reported to him: "Lord, a squad of knights has appeared at the edge of the territory. They claim to be knights of the Radiant Knight Order belonging to Earl Elsid Fland, and they are here to escort Miss Daisna back. The leading knight requests entry into the territory."

"Have they already arrived? According to the time in the divination information, it seems about right," Lister murmured to himself.

Then he ordered, "Hurry back to the edge of the territory and bring them to the castle."

"As you command."

After watching the Soldier leave, he turned and entered the castle, heading toward Daisna's room on the second floor.

Knock, knock, knock!

Lister asked while knocking, "Daisna, is it convenient for me to come in?"

"Come in," a soft female voice came from inside the room.

Opening the door, Lister saw Daisna playing with Bai Ze, Lianna, and Livia.

Daisna asked while holding Bai Ze, "Lister, is something the matter?"

"Yes." Lister nodded and continued, "Your father, Earl Elsid Fland, has sent people to pick you up. They should arrive at the castle in a short while."

Daisna's hands holding Bai Ze suddenly stiffened. Her originally joyful eyes dimmed a bit, as if she wasn't very happy about the arrival of this 'good news.'

Seeing her suddenly fall into silence, Lister, sensing something, didn't know what to say, so he mentioned something trivial.

"By the way, the ones coming for you are the Radiant Knight Order led by Ellis Clifford."

"Tsk tsk, to have a Golden Knight personally come to pick you up, such treatment truly makes a small Baron like me very envious."

Hearing his slightly teasing words, Daisna's mood seemed to improve. She spoke in a mock-haughty tone, "Scared now? My backing has arrived. From now on, you'd better try to please me, otherwise... hmph hmph!"

"Of course, Lister is at your disposal." Lister performed the etiquette of a male noble and played along, "I wonder if the noble, clever, beautiful, and generous Miss Daisna is willing to go with me now to welcome Sir Clifford's knightly squad?"

"Of course. Uncle Ellis came to pick me up despite his busy schedule; I cannot lack courtesy," Daisna said as if it were only natural.

After speaking, the two of them headed toward the first-floor hall of the castle together.

Half an hour later, a knightly squad with an imposing aura and intense pressure slowly entered Ironthorn Town.

The subjects along the way couldn't help but feel fear when they saw them. The powerful aura and thick murderous intent radiating from them were like the descent of the Grim Reaper.

Jacques, who was wandering around with Kim, said with a shudder, "Uncle Kim, the aura of those knights is so terrifying."

"Of course it's terrifying. Do you know who they are?" Kim stared in shock at the leading knight and said in a quite surprised tone, "That is the Radiant Knight Order of the Tulip Territory. The knight in the lead is their commander, the Golden Knight Ellis Clifford."

"I saw him once from a distance when I went to Aetheria before, but I didn't expect them to come here. Has something happened in the West?"

"But it shouldn't be. We just came from the Western Frontier Territory, and it didn't look like any war was about to break out."

Jacques guessed, "Uncle Kim, looking at the direction they're heading, it seems like they're going to the Lord's castle. Could they be going to see Lord Howard?"

"Unlikely. Although Lord Howard is generous and capable, this is the renowned Radiant Knight Order. How could a Baron with no background have any dealings with them?" Kim shook his head, thinking Jacques was talking nonsense.

However, he was still somewhat uncertain. Next, he and Jacques kept a close eye on the direction of Ellis's knightly squad.

Under their gaze, after the knightly squad reached the end of Ironthorn Town, they did not turn their horses around but continued up the only road connecting to the castle.

At this moment, the trace of doubt in Kim's heart vanished, replaced only by shock.

According to the rules of the kingdom, a Golden Knight never took the initiative to meet a Baron, yet this scene was actually happening before his eyes.

He knew very well what this implied. For a moment, a thought he had never had before emerged in his heart.