Chapter 196 - 186: Middle Level Gatherer

Chapter 196: Chapter 186: Middle Level Gatherer

Upon hearing this, Count Lumbar let out a hearty laugh. "You misunderstand me, Mr. Fidel. While Baron Vili is a Hanged Man, his principle of Justice is not to punish evil like your Holy Light Knight Order. His Justice is to safeguard the lives and safety of his people."

"That is correct, Lord Fidel."

Vili nodded.

A look of regret appeared in Fidel’s eyes.

Most members of the Holy Light Knight Order practiced the Light Knight Breathing Technique. The Light attribute had a distinct advantage when suppressing darkness and Malice Power, which perfectly aligned with the Holy Light Knight Order’s principle of Justice.

However, there was another type of member within the Holy Light Knight Order. These members were valued more highly, had greater potential for development, and received more internal resources. They were Transcendents who possessed the dual abilities of a Knight and a Hanged Man.

That was why Fidel had noticed Vili’s uniqueness the moment he saw him.

A Senior Knight, a Two-Engraving Hanged Man, and exceptionally young.

A person like that, if recruited into the Holy Light Knight Order, would be cultivated as a top priority.

He had originally planned to ask Count Lumbar to release Vili so he could recruit him into the Holy Light Knight Order.

But after learning Vili’s principle of Justice, Fidel felt it was a great pity.

For a true Hanged Man, the principle of Justice was irrevocably set from the moment of their ascension.

Since Vili’s Justice was to safeguard his people, he was destined to be confined within the aristocratic system.

"What a true shame..."

Fidel sighed. After a moment of thought, he took an insignia from his cuff and handed it to Vili.

"This is..."

Vili accepted the insignia with both hands and saw that it was engraved with a sharp sword and a Knight’s Lance, crossed at the center.

Fidel looked at Vili. "Since you cannot join the Holy Light Knight Order, I will give this insignia to you. If you encounter difficulties in the future, you can use it to request the Holy Light Knight Order’s help on one occasion."

"This..."

Vili was clearly surprised.

"Every Knight and Hanged Man who holds Justice in their heart is a companion on our righteous path." Fidel’s eyes showed his appreciation for talent. "I hope you don’t let your gifts go to waste."

Even though such a talented individual could not be recruited into the Holy Light Knight Order, Fidel still offered his support.

Vili glanced at Count Lumbar.

Count Lumbar gave Vili an affirmative nod.

"Thank you, Lord Fidel."

’I never expected my status as a Hanged Man to bring me so much support.’

"In that case, Count, I shall take my leave."

Fidel said to Lumbar.

Upon hearing this, Lumbar escorted Fidel to the gates of the Count’s Manor.

Vili, meanwhile, followed closely behind Count Lumbar.

Watching Fidel’s departing figure, Count Lumbar turned to Vili and said, "Right, I’ve decided on your reward. I’ll take you to see it now."

"Thank you, my Lord."

Vili didn’t feign modesty and refuse.

However, to Vili’s surprise, the reward Count Lumbar was about to bestow upon him didn’t seem to be within the Count’s Manor.

Count Lumbar and Vili mounted their horses. Flanked by Guards, they rode out of the city.

"This is... a private forest?"

Soon, Count Lumbar had brought Vili to a place teeming with lush trees and thick undergrowth.

From the outside, however, the private forest didn’t seem particularly large.

"This is my private grove. You could also call it my armory."

Count Lumbar’s statement left Vili a little baffled.

’A private grove? An armory?’

’What’s the connection between the two...?’

"Let’s go have a look."

Count Lumbar spurred his horse onward, and Vili followed close behind.

Before entering the private grove, Vili took special note of the strength of the patrolling guards; even the weakest among them were Middle Level Knight’s Squires.

’The security here seems even tighter than at the Count’s own manor.’

Vili followed Count Lumbar into the grove, his eyes narrowing slightly.

There were many species of trees and plants, most of which he recognized.

However, there was a small portion whose species Vili couldn’t identify.

After all, the first title Vili had obtained upon arriving in this world was Basic-level Gatherer.

Vili recognized all sorts of common plants and even precious medicinal herbs, but now he found himself unable to identify certain plant varieties within this grove. This struck him as odd.

"Do you recognize these plants?"

Count Lumbar was still on horseback but had slowed his pace considerably, as if intending for Vili to admire the plants in the grove.

"I recognize some, but there are many I don’t."

Vili answered truthfully.

Count Lumbar nodded, seemingly having expected as much.

"As a reward, I’ve decided to give you three packets of seeds."

Count Lumbar said with a smile.

"Seeds?"

Vili mulled it over and began to have a vague idea.

’If I’m not mistaken,’ he thought, ’these plants I don’t recognize are likely ones with Extraordinary Attributes.’

’After all, I recognize all the basic plants. And since Count Lumbar is rewarding me personally, he surely wouldn’t give me something purely ornamental.’

"This is the mature product of the first type of seed I’m giving you."

Count Lumbar stopped before a patch of oddly shaped fruit trees.

"This is..."

Vili glanced over and realized he didn’t recognize this species.

He examined it more closely.

He saw that the fruit tree resembled a pine, with spiky, emerald-green leaves. The tree was laden with red fruits that looked like dragon fruit; some were slightly cracked open, while others were still tinged with green.

Vili noticed that the trees weren’t planted in ordinary fertile black soil, but in dry, cracked, sandy soil. There was plenty of this type of land in White Bear Town and on the nearby coastal islands.

’Is it because this fruit tree is suitable for growing near White Bear Town that Count Lumbar decided to give me its seeds?’

Vili edged closer, wondering to himself, ’But what exactly is this fruit tree...?’

"Hm?"

When Vili was less than two meters from the fruit tree, he suddenly felt a wave of scorching heat, as if the air had begun to steam in an instant.

’The air is heating up? It’s the Fire Element!’

Vili perceived it instantly.

The Frost Fighting Spirit within his body was highly sensitive to elements with this kind of scorching attribute.

’So it really is a plant with Extraordinary Power...’

Vili now knew his earlier guess was correct. Count Lumbar’s reward was indeed seeds from Extraordinary Plants.

"You sensed it?"

Seeing Vili’s reaction, Count Lumbar knew he had discovered the tree’s unique nature.

Vili nodded. "This fruit tree has a very dense concentration of the Fire Attribute Element."

"Go on, pick one of the fruits."

Count Lumbar added, "Be careful."

Vili acknowledged the instruction and leaped off his horse.

He walked up to the fruit tree and felt the aura of the Fire Element growing stronger.

’The aura of the Fire Element seems to be radiating mostly from the fruit...’

As he drew closer, Vili’s Perception became even clearer.

The fruit tree wasn’t very tall, so Vili could easily reach the fruit.

When his fingers touched the fruit, a warm sensation spread through his palm.

Vili didn’t hesitate and carefully plucked it. The moment he picked it, the Title Attribute Panel, which hadn’t appeared in a long time, materialized before his eyes.

"First time picking an Extraordinary Fruit. Acquired Title—[Middle Level Gatherer]. Reward: 0.5 attribute points."

"Upon acquiring the [Middle Level Gatherer] title, you will master skills such as Basic Extraordinary Fruit Identification and Basic Extraordinary Fruit Gathering Techniques, making you a qualified novice gatherer."

[Vili Ferren—Constitution: 14; Intelligence: 17; attribute points: 8.5]