“No… there’s no need for another appraiser…”
Oleg returned the third-tier magic core to Banning, his hands trembling slightly.
In the relatively peaceful Wester Kingdom, one does not easily encounter a third-tier magic core… Oleg fully believed that Banning had presented the Rat King’s magic core.
“Ban… Lord Banning, so it really was you who…?”
“Yes, it was me.”
Banning affirmed nonchalantly, causing Oleg to question whether he was dreaming.
In Oleg’s perspective, Banning had indeed been an exceptional youth, possibly backed by the Scarlet Family, but that was all.
His exceptionality was relative to commoners of his age, but it wasn’t outrageous.
The outrageous ones, like Viviana of the Scarlet Family, were truly extraordinary.
Although Oleg had never seen Viviana in combat, he could sense an aura of greatness from her.
And now, Oleg seemed to sense something similar from Banning.
Recalling the battle in the North Sunny Wasteland, if it weren’t for Banning’s courage, intelligence, and selflessness, countless more would have been injured or killed.
Oleg attributed Banning’s success to bravery and wisdom, but now realized that was a hasty judgment. 𝑜𝓥𝓵ℯxt.𝗇𝓔t
Now, after discarding his preconceived notions about Banning, Oleg found his thoughts much clearer.
He carefully contemplated that, according to what he knew about Garvit, whether it was the diligent and serious Garvit of the past, or the flashy and arrogant Garvit of late, neither had any reason to fabricate a lie about Banning saving his life.
Therefore, since Garvit had said it, it must be true.
So, the only reasonable explanation for these strange occurrences was:
Banning had concealed his real strength.
— (If he’s hiding his real strength, then how strong is Banning really…?)
— (To defeat the Rat King and its horde alone, he must be at least a top-tier, level 90 third-tier… or even higher, a fourth-tier…?)
Oleg didn’t dare to continue this line of thought.
The eighteen-year-old youth in front of him was a human-shaped monster.
According to the common sense of the Prison Star world, an eighteen-year-old could be considered exceptional if he reached the full 20 levels of the first tier. If he reached the top level of the second tier, level 50, he would be a one-in-ten-thousand prodigy.
Banning had already surpassed prodigy status.
“Any more questions, Branch Chief Oleg?”
Banning’s voice pulled Oleg back from his thoughts. Seeing this cold-faced yet warm-smiling youth, he felt a hint of awe.
“I… I have no more questions… I apologize for my earlier rudeness, Lord Banning…”
Oleg was still panting heavily, his hands on his knees. Despite the physical discomfort, he bowed his head in respect.
“Ah, you don’t need to be so formal, Branch Chief. We’re still friends, right?”
Banning patted Oleg’s shoulder, each pat feeling like a weight on his heart, making him feel even more breathless.
Then, Banning turned back to Garvit.
“Garvit, you wish to pledge loyalty to me, correct?”
“Yes, Lord Banning!”
Garvit immediately knelt on one knee again, his head bowed low.
“Alright, you were panting too hard earlier and I didn’t catch everything… Knight Garvit, listen carefully. If you wish to pledge loyalty to me, swear your oath.”
Upon hearing Lord Banning’s acceptance of his loyalty, Garvit was moved to tears. Ever since his father’s death, he often felt lost, without a “direction” in life. But now, he knew, he had found his “new direction” in life.
“I, Garvit, Captain of the First Cavalry Unit of the Emerald City Cavalry, hereby swear to the Benevolent Deity…”
“From this moment on, I dedicate my life to serving Lord Banning.”
“I will love what he loves, despise what he despises, devoid of personal desires.”
“Every word I speak, every action I take, will be in accordance with Lord Banning’s will, without any defiance.”
“I will serve as Lord Banning’s sword and shield, vigilant till death!”
Upon finishing his vow, Garvit unsheathed the knight’s sword at his waist, and with his head lowered, presented it to Banning with both hands.
Banning accepted the sword, lightly tapped Garvit’s left and right shoulders with it, then returned the knight’s sword.
“Knight Garvit, I accept your loyalty. Rise.”
.
At this moment, following the simplistic swearing-in ceremony, Garvit officially positioned himself as Lord Banning’s attendant, standing contentedly behind him.
Caught in an awkward predicament, Oleg felt as if he should return to the town, but Banning, detecting his discomfort, swiftly moved on to the next matter.
Banning strode a few steps to the side, positioning both Oleg and Garvit before him, and then began to speak.
“Branch Chief Oleg, I have a request for you. Knight Garvit, I have an order for you.”
Banning used two different terms, but the content was the same — he asked both Oleg and Garvit to keep his hidden power a secret. In addition, when others were present, they should refrain from addressing him as “Lord Banning.”
Garvit immediately agreed, while Oleg, after a moment of consideration, also nodded assent.
For Oleg, assisting Banning in this matter was nothing but beneficial. Moreover, Oleg had another matter for which he sought Banning’s help, providing him with no reason to refuse.
Banning expressed his gratitude to both men. Then, he instructed them to proclaim upon their return to Sunny Town that Garvit, in his battle against the Poison Blade Rat King, was poisoned. It was Banning, who happened to be passing by, who provided the crucial antidote that ultimately allowed Garvit to triumph over the Rat King.
This evening, out of gratitude, Garvit had been searching for Banning throughout Sunny Town.
After this matter, Banning asked Garvit to collect the reward for exterminating the Rat King on his behalf, then transfer it to him through Oleg.
With that, Banning had said all he intended to. If there were no other concerns, they would disperse here and each return to Sunny Town.
At this moment, Oleg spoke up, mentioning he had a matter that required Lord Banning’s assistance.
.
“That’s the case, Lord Banning…”
Oleg took out a letter from his pocket, handing it to Banning. The seal on the letter was that of the Lord Azure Lizard.
“This express letter was delivered to me this morning… It was originally intended for Mayor Gideon, but as he’s no longer with us…”
Oleg paused for a moment, still regretful about the mayor’s demise, before continuing.
“The letter states that all towns within the Lord Azure Lizard’s territory must send a representative within a month to report to Delis Town… These representatives will form a team to explore and conquer the ‘Labyrinth: Labyrinth: Aqua Nest’ located near Delis Town.”