Chapter 925 - 873: Duke William’s Bestowal of a Surname for Recruitment
Da Fei finally arrived at Elk Manor which, rather than a manor, was more like a fortress built in the forest.
The guards at the fort’s entrance stared in surprise at Da Fei striding forward. Da Fei didn’t wait for them to speak and directly took out the Duke’s card given by the bishop: "I have an urgent matter to meet with Duke William!"
Without waiting for the guards’ response, an NPC who seemed to be a steward shouted from inside the city gate: "Welcome, honored guest!"
Honored guest! It seems the bishop has indeed negotiated things. Da Fei hurriedly said, "I am pressed for time and need to discuss the most crucial matters with the Duke immediately."
The steward smiled and said, "The Duke is always ready to discuss important matters with honored guests. Sir, please come in quickly!"
Hence, Da Fei followed the steward quickly into the fortress, which looked like a garden, and then saw something resembling a Teleportation Array at the fountain square in the garden.
So that’s how it is, they indeed have an internal Teleportation Array, this way I don’t have to endlessly search for a toilet.
Then, Da Fei met a thin, frail middle-aged human at the entrance hall of the luxurious manor, wearing gold curls and a narrow ceremonial dress adorned with treasure beads, and holding a gemstone-capped staff.
Da Fei’s eyebrows jumped in surprise. Is this a person who would fall over with a gust of wind?
The steward, surprised, said, "Duke, how come you came out in person?" Then quickly turned to Da Fei and said, "Warrior, this is Duke William."
Before Da Fei could speak, the frail middle-aged man reached out eagerly and said, "Are you Mr. Da Fei? I heard you’ve embarked on a mission for the Elf Kingdom, but didn’t expect to meet you visiting now, forgive the inadequate welcome!"
He really is the Duke! Wasn’t it said he’s in his thirties? As Da Fei shook his gaunt hand, his heart shook deeply; how is this hand different from that of an old man on his last legs? This instant, Da Fei thought of the dwarf hero Hangeval saved from jail. It seems the Duke has been tortured beyond recognition over the years! Well, tortured by Lilim, that’s almost romantic even as a ghost.
Without skipping a beat, Da Fei presented the golden bear fur as a greeting gift: "Duke, I happened to encounter this monster blocking the road on my way and took care of it."
The Duke laughed heartily, "No wonder the bishop speaks so highly of the hero. Excellent! Steward, prepare a gift to thank the gentleman immediately!"
"Yes, my lord!" The steward took the bear skin and hurried away.
Not bad, hopefully the gift is worth a bottle of Dragon Blood Potion. Da Fei directly said, "Duke, nice to meet you for the first time! Or perhaps not the first time. I don’t have much time; I came from the sea passing through Nightmare Space back to the city. I have to return before sunrise when the Nightmare Space portal closes, so I’ll be direct. I have a request that involves your power.
The Duke hurriedly said, "Please speak."
Da Fei said directly, "Nightmare Space is temporarily under my control, and I want to develop it. I need many children to add material to Nightmare Space through painting, imagining, or dreaming. Once I fully control Nightmare Space, I can rescue your soul sealed by the demons."
The Duke trembled excitedly and asked, "I heard you’ve engaged my soul in battle. What’s its strength like?"
Indeed, longing for his lost power! Yes, that’s the effect I’m aiming for.
Da Fei replied solemnly, "It was a Poker Aces Hero, very strong! Were it not for the strong angel in the array and a large Poker Reserve, I couldn’t have repelled it! So, Duke, the opportunity is in our hands. I need your full cooperation!"
The Duke, choked with emotion, said, "Countless nights, I’ve dreamed of the place where flames and poker fly, waking in terror from the burning lava. I’ve had enough! That scene is etched in my mind!" Then, gritting his teeth, said, "Tell me, sir, how many children do you need?"
Hey, hey, don’t make it sound like I’m the bad guy harming children!
Da Fei said solemnly, "The more, the better! The sooner, the better. The tormentor might be the high-level demoness Lilim, who might return to Nightmare Space at any time."
The Duke replied gravely, "Very well, I will go all out, even if it means selling all my assets to accomplish this."
Da Fei smiled, "Great, with your word, I can return immediately." Meanwhile, he glanced around, thinking the steward was too slow!
The Duke immediately said, "There’s still some time before dawn. Please wait a moment to express my gratitude! By the way, I’m curious about your flawless disguise. Generally, Divine Artifact can’t achieve such great efficacy, right?"
Truly worthy of a Duke, recognizing valuable things! Showing off before someone knowledgeable is very satisfying!
Da Fei laughed, "Duke, you have good eyes. This Divine Artifact constantly absorbs Demon God power to maintain its function."
The Duke nodded, "I see! It completely changes one’s appearance. Does your disguise have an identity or name?"
Da Fei was startled, "Disguise has an identity name?"
The Duke replied, smiling, "Of course! Just like spies with aliases, those with dual citizenship often have dual identities."
Disguise has such intricacies? Da Fei wondered, "My disguise should be nameless."
The Duke replied, "In that case, how about I arrange an identity for your disguise? This identity will be recognized anywhere in the Bright Alliance."
Da Fei nodded blankly, "Sure, sure, it’s always nice to have an official surname."
The Duke laughed and said, "That’s great then! From now on, your surname will be Nicholas Steel Hand! You can choose your own first name, how about it?"
Da Fei’s eyebrows jumped in surprise, "Nicholas!? Is this a Royal Family surname of the Lionheart Empire?"
The Duke said gravely, "Royal Family can bestow their surname upon their most loyal and valiant knights. If you accept, you’ll be my knight in name. Nicholas is the family’s surname, whereas Steel Hand signifies your knightly status, distinguishing you from the rightful Princes and Princesses. These two surnames are enough to express your identity, and the first name you choose doesn’t need to appear in any occasion."
—System Prompt: Duke William bestows the surname "Nicholas Steel Hand", do you accept?
Da Fei’s jaw dropped to the ground! Oh my goodness, meeting someone who instantly made me a trusted aide! Even though both are Dukes, why is the difference between William and teacher Makar so great? It’s fundamentally because Makar isn’t human!
Alright, I’ve instantly climbed to become the de facto Crown Prince and clearly in the midst of adversity, follows my commands obediently—this is finding the Bright Lord, wahahaha!
Da Fei rejoiced, "Great, thank you Duke for considering me worthy. Since this is the case, I should certainly help you solve your difficulties."
The Duke was overjoyed, "With your assistance, there’s hope for my recovery!"
Just then, the butler finally appeared holding a box, "Duke, the reward has arrived."
The Duke personally opened the box, took out a document, and sighed deeply, "I once published a bounty in town, whoever can kill this mad giant bear threatening my manor, I’ll hand over the management rights of the woodland estate to them, I’ll only take 50% of the dividends. Now that this bear is killed by you, you deserve it without a doubt. So, may I ask, to which name should the woodland management rights be transferred to? I suggest using the bestowal surname, so that when you’re away, we can manage it for you."
Da Fei’s eyebrows jumped in surprise, really!? Killing a bear nets an estate!? That’s some insane bounty, no matter how formidable the BOSS, even a Demigod couldn’t withstand endless troops, let alone this bear not even reaching Demigod level, what’s the secret of this territory?
Da Fei exclaimed, "Couldn’t the Duke dispatch an army to exterminate this bear? Is such a massive reward necessary?"
The Duke shook his head and sighed, "This bear hides in the Otherworld, exceptionally sensitive to armies and magic. If either appears, it absolutely won’t show up, must rely on a Warrior to fight alone, a huge challenge. Anyway, the bear’s background is complex, no time to explain now, you should determine the woodland’s ownership."
Seems it’s not entirely Mad God’s fault? Okay, anyway, got a free industry without energy to manage, so I’ll follow your suggestion.
Da Fei laughed and said, "Then let’s use the bestowal surname!"
—System Prompt: You use bestowal surname "Nicholas Steel Hand" to receive the woodland management rights of Elk Manor. You receive 50% dividend share.
Haha, wahahaha! Sweet!
Da Fei was satisfied and said, "Alright, time is tight, I need to head back."
The Duke laughed, "Now the Teleportation Array of our manor is also open to you, you can use it to return. Wishing your voyage to be smooth sailing!"
"Thank you, Duke, for your kindness!"
Da Fei waved, urgently stepping onto the Teleportation Array, in a flash of light, returned to Buck Town’s square. Feeling stirred inside, he stopped to listen to reactions.
Sure enough, the town channel was still full of curses, "Stupid Mad God Guild, failed the scene reservation! Serves you right!"
"Players from Mad God Guild better quit now, otherwise in a few days a large guild will come and clear the scene. This is tit for tat, don’t say you weren’t warned!"
Da Fei sighed inwardly. These middling guilds indeed hover between success and failure, one defeat might lead to dissolution, so let them dissolve.
Then, teleporting all the way, finally returned to Divine Punishment City. Still with Angel Leader’s astonished gaze, he walked out of the hall and entered Nightmare Space.
At this moment, Elda impatiently said, "Lord City Lord, time is short, hurry up, if a war breaks out in Nightmare Space, there’s no telling if the exit will close early."
Closing early, don’t scare me! Da Fei hurriedly said, "Alright, I’ve handled Duke’s matters, keep an eye on the space’s progress."
Elda nodded, "Got it!"
Da Fei hurriedly entered Nightmare Dream, the scene changed, the view ahead became blurry, returning to the Radiant Wings tavern.
Hilda clapped her hands, a group of tavern beauties bowed in unison, "Welcome back, Lord City Lord!"
Hilda smiled, "During your absence, the voyage was peaceful."
Da Fei couldn’t help but let out a long exhale, despite being in the Nether Sea, it feels like home, nice!
(Qidian will implement a series of strict measures against various charts and "Annual Selection," to ensure the Qidian charts and Qidian authors enjoy a fair, just creative environment to the utmost extent. This was today’s notification.) (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)