73: The idea of ​​'great filial piety'

“Owooh—!”

The Energy Slash instantly pierced the Black Armored Ape’s massive body. Accompanied by a mournful beast roar and the sound of spraying blood, the Black Armored Ape collapsed backward onto the ground with a 'thud'.

The sudden, shocking scene left everyone in Kelvin’s convoy dumbfounded.

After two or three breaths, Kelvin was the first to react, turning his head toward the direction where the clear, magnetic voice had come from.

He saw four figures, riding horses and bathed in sunlight, appear before him.

The handsome young man leading them curled the corner of his mouth and said, “Still doing well, Kelvin.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Kelvin, who had thought he must have been mistaken, exclaimed, “Lister, why is it you!”

“What, you don’t want to see me that badly?” Lister raised an eyebrow, teasingly.

“Well, no...” Kelvin was momentarily speechless. It took him a while to calm down, and he said with the joy of surviving a disaster, “I’m just too surprised. I never expected you to be the one who saved me. I honestly thought I was going to die here today.”

“Speaking of which, what are you doing all the way out here? Isn't your territory quite a distance from here? Could it be that...”

He paused here, then continued narcissistically, “Could it be the holy light god guiding you to save me, your one and only bosom friend?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, you still haven’t gotten rid of that narcissistic habit of yours.” Lister mocked him and then pretended to regret, “If I had known, I should have told Red to wait a bit longer after I saw you, just to let you suffer a little.”

Hearing this, Kelvin replied cheekily, “Ehh~, I know you wouldn’t do that. If you did, you’d become a lonely man forever.”

“Who else besides me, Kelvin, would be friends with a bore like you.”

“Get lost!” Lister said with a look of disgust, using a curse word rarely heard since he arrived in this world.

However, combining it with the feelings of friendship in his memories, he acknowledged Kelvin as a true friend in his heart.

Just then, Gregory, who had stood up while clutching his chest, forgot to greet Lister and exclaimed in surprise, “Red, you advanced to Silver Knight?!”

“It was all thanks to the dragon blood fruit bestowed by Lord Lister; it was just a lucky breakthrough!” Red’s tone was humble, but the corners of his mouth, which he couldn't keep down, revealed the pride of showing off in front of a friend.

Just then, Locke, standing nearby, suddenly chimed in, “I’m Bronze Eighth Rank.”

“dragon blood fruit, Bronze Eighth Rank!” Gregory, who had just managed to suppress his churning blood, was so shocked that he nearly coughed it up again.

Due to the relationship between Lister and Kelvin, their respective knights were also very familiar with each other.

He was very clear about the previous strength of Red and Locke. To see them improve so rapidly after such a short time was truly a blow to him.

The other surrounding knights and Kelvin, who had already gotten out of the carriage, also looked shocked.

“Lister, when did you get so powerful? Where did you get the dragon blood fruit?”

Seeing Kelvin’s face filled with curiosity, Lister smiled faintly and said, “Alright, let’s talk about it on the road.”

...Evening, training grounds.

To welcome Kelvin and his party, Lister specially hosted a welcome banquet.

As dishes were served one after another, culminating in the main course, the Ironclad Crocodile, Kelvin and the others, who had already grown numb from shock along the way, couldn't help but look surprised once more.

Looking at his friend, who seemed so calm and composed, Kelvin felt a complex, inexpressible emotion rise in his heart.

Just a month ago, when he saw Lister, he still had a dull and quiet personality. But now, the man had become profound and imposing, as if shrouded in a layer of mist, completely unfathomable.

Not only that, but everything Kelvin had seen and heard since entering Ironthorn Territory felt unbelievable.

Where was this?

This was the famously barren land—Ironthorn Territory!

The ability to manage a territory like this into such a state was proof of Lister’s extraordinary wisdom.

In contrast, he, the bosom friend who had previously been on the same starting line as Lister, or even slightly ahead, was now being left further and further behind in every aspect.

Could having a dead father activate one's potential?

This idea of ‘Great Filial Piety’ suddenly popped into his mind, but upon remembering that Dickens Kunte’s vigor hadn't diminished in the slightest during the night, he couldn't help but sigh softly.

Ah, what a pity... Just as he was lost in thought, Lister chuckled softly, “What, are you still worrying about going to the Western Frontier Territory?”

“No.” Kelvin shook his head gently and said with magnanimity, “I expected this day long ago. There’s nothing to worry about; life and death are destined. It’s just tough on Gregory and the others.”

Lister did not question Kelvin’s magnanimity, as he was indeed a very open-minded person in his memories.

Although, in the words of his father, Viscount Dickens, this was a sign of being heartless and damaging the family’s reputation.

But Kelvin never refuted it, because he clearly understood his status: merely an unentitled son.

Not to mention he had two older brothers above him, each more outstanding than he was, coupled with the fierce competition between them.

Thus, partly due to his nature and partly for self-preservation, he only wished for a stable life; ambition and the like had nothing to do with him.

Lister neither agreed nor disagreed with this notion, believing only that there were pros and cons to everything.

Knowing that there was no need for comfort, Lister changed the subject to something lighter, saying, “Did you intentionally come all this way without bringing me a gift?”

Hearing that Lister didn't even offer a word of comfort, Kelvin was speechless. “Damn it, Lister, you really are my bosom friend! Not only do you fail to comfort me, but now that you're doing so well, you ask a poor guy like me for a gift? I chose my friends poorly!”

“Hurry up and take it out, don’t dawdle.” Lister shrugged, speaking without reservation.

“Damn it, I’ve seen people act arrogant when giving gifts, but I’ve never seen someone act arrogant when demanding one! You shameless fellow.”

Although he was grumbling under his breath, he still ordered his attendant to bring over a large box.

Upon opening it, a long animal hide came into Lister’s view.

After examining it, he said with some surprise, “Could this be the skin of a Black Scale Snake?”

“That’s right.” Kelvin nodded proudly. “How about it? It’s a pretty good gift, isn’t it? Although it’s not particularly rare, it’s almost never seen in cold regions like the Northwest.”

Lister nodded slightly. It was true, as Kelvin said; due to the Black Scale Snake’s habitat characteristics, cold regions were unsuitable for its survival.

Its hide is often used to make armor. Compared to standard armor made of fine iron, it is much lighter and also possesses a certain degree of Magic Resistance.

fine iron armor completely lacks this feature, but the hide armor does have one drawback: it offers less protection against physical attacks.

Nevertheless, the flaw does not obscure the jade. Furthermore, judging by the length of this Black Scale Snake hide, it could probably make over a dozen sets of Black Scale Armor, which was definitely a pleasant surprise for Lister.

At that moment, Kelvin rubbed his hands together and chuckled...