Moreover, he’s not just an ordinary citizen.
"Yes, I’m a member of the Iron Guard Knights and have received orders from higher-ups to assist in establishing the 11th outpost."
This isn’t a secret.
So when Bard mentioned it, he spoke straightforwardly, with a hint of barely perceptible pride on his face.
Although he was quite envious, even a bit jealous, of Gauss being a level 3 professional at such a young age, just one small step away from him.
But not just any professional can mingle into the Iron Guard Knights.
This is the name of the elite knight group directly under the Cold Jade Province, directly loyal to the highest ruler of the province, Governor Augustine Xavier.
Talent alone isn’t enough; one must also go through rigorous selection.
Among those who signed up with him back then, his talent wasn’t the best, yet he made it to the end and relied on the resources of the knight group to advance from an ordinary level 1 professional to his current level 4.
In his lifetime, he might even catch a glimpse of the level 5 threshold.
Level 5 professionals, the strongest force among elite adventurers, is almost the pinnacle an ordinary person can achieve in their lifetime.
If he could reach level 5, personally, he might die without regret.
As for level 6... forget it; he doesn’t dare to think about it.
A level 6 professional might even get an audience with Count Xavier, achieving the rank of a true land-owning "knight" through power and merit, becoming the smallest class of nobility and achieving a real life transformation.
Reaching that point would mean truly establishing a family.
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but glance at Gauss again.
Well, in the end, he was still a bit "envious" of Gauss’s talent. If he had the young man’s talent, he would have probably become Bard already, right?
"Iron Guard Knights..." Gauss, however, didn’t notice the complex emotional fluctuations in Bard and instead murmured the name softly.
He had vaguely heard of this knight group’s name before.
It’s said that all members are professionals, and to become an officer, one needs elite-level strength.
Of course, behind the resource investment, the price is to swear allegiance to the Xavier family and lose some freedom.
He didn’t have much envy for this.
He just thought of the Jade Forest; despite having such a powerful elite guard and rapid response force, they hadn’t dared to take action against the demon forces of the Jade Forest before, maintaining a relatively peaceful state for over a hundred years.
Apparently, the number of elite-level demons in the Jade Forest cannot be underestimated either.
Fortunately, this level of power is meant for an entire region, a province, while for the 11th outpost he’s about to visit, it’s just an unremarkable corner of a long border line.
Gauss seized the opportunity during the journey to continuously inquire with the cavalry captain Bard about Falinum, the count’s family, and various information about the Jade Forest.
....
Forest Crown Town is not exactly close to Gray Rock Town. With the additional escort of ox carts carrying goods, it wasn’t until two days later that Gauss and his party saw the silhouette of the town’s buildings on the distant horizon.
"We’ve finally arrived."
Even the energetic chocobo seemed a bit tired after the two-day journey.
Gauss casually fed his mount Gold Spike a couple of carrots.
After crossing the last gentle hill, the town gate of Forest Crown Town finally appeared before Gauss.
Unlike Gray Rock Town, which was initially built relying on a mine and although eventually exhausted, still had a primary structure of rugged stone, Forest Crown Town seemed to have grown as part of the forest.
The town’s entrance was a massive archway, not made of stone but formed by the naturally curved and grafted giant ancient trees, with vines and lush greenery entwining at the top, creating a vibrant "vegetation gate."
The lintel was carved with wooden sculptures of forest spirits and beasts, full of a sense of nature worship.
This is a city that has been in existence for hundreds of years, with richer cultural heritage, rather than merely developing as a human outpost.
Gauss and others queued to enter the town.
The air was filled with a strong scent of forest, the fragrance of earth, grass, and wood, as well as a tranquil aroma akin to sandalwood, with a temperature slightly cooler than outside.
Perhaps it was an illusion, but Gauss felt the magic power within him seemed to become a bit more active.
"We’ve arrived, Forest Crown Town." Cavalry captain Bard breathed a sigh of relief, his voice carrying a sense of relaxation from completing a stage task. "We’ll rest here for the night, replenish some supplies, and have a good rest. Tomorrow morning, we’ll officially head to the outpost; the final stretch of the journey requires caution."
"Then, Captain Bard, let’s part ways for now."
Bard still needed to regroup with other Iron Guard Knights, and Gauss wisely suggested saying goodbye.
After Bard and his party left, Gauss finally had the time to appreciate this unfamiliar town he was visiting for the first time.
His gaze turned to the streets and buildings.
The scenes here were even more astonishing.
Many buildings were not built from the ground up but ingeniously constructed in reliance on massive trees.
Treehouses were commonplace, some even using thick branches directly as support and foundation, constructing multi-storied buildings connected by suspension bridges or spiral wooden stairs.
The roofs were covered with thick moss or turf, harmoniously blending the architecture with the environment.
Sunlight filtered through the towering forest canopy, creating soft beams of light scattering over the town’s streets and squares.
The dappled light bathed this layered, complex yet aesthetically pleasing town in an eternally tranquil and hazy ambiance of light and shadow.
The townspeople wore primarily linen, animal skins, and dark cotton fabrics, with a style closer to nature and practicality. Many had weapons on their waists or backs, suggesting they might also hunt nearby regularly.
Neither Aaliyah nor Serdur among the three had ever pulled through here.
It took a bit of time to adapt to this lively and energetic town.
On the streets, there were many other adventurers whose attire was just as out of place as theirs.
Besides adventurers from Gray Rock Town, those from Black Water Town and Bitter Wormwood Town would also be arriving at Forest Crown Town in the following days, setting out from there on the final leg to reach the site of the 11th outpost.
"Uncle Mo, book me the best hotel in town." A young warrior clad in elite armor, shimmering all over, entered through the town gate, dismounting and speaking to the middle-aged man beside him.
Gauss turned his head to look.
This person exuded an aura of wealth from head to toe, and even his white horse seemed to glow, evidently possessing some special lineage.
"Yes, young master."
Several other relatively quiet adventurers were also in their group, but their gear and weapons were clearly not ordinary either.
Are these the scions of nobility rushing in from the inland areas?
Their intention to conceal their identity was nonexistent; their actions and attire were highly ostentatious, allowing Gauss to naturally deduce the rough status of the group.
Especially the middle-aged man called Uncle Mo, who gave him an extremely strong sense of pressure.
When he concentrated on observing.
The middle-aged man in a white robe also turned his head to look in his direction.
Upon seeing this young man’s face by the roadside, he couldn’t help but slightly furrow his brow.
His peripheral vision subtly took in the badge levels of the three individuals, a hint of confusion flashing across his face.
"I’m hungry, let’s find somewhere to eat first."
The young noble, perhaps sensing the middle-aged man’s gaze, also followed his gaze toward Gauss.
After seeing that the trio’s equipment and strength appeared rather ordinary, his eyes swept over them with a calmness neither curious nor dismissive, as if just looking at air.
"Yes, young master."
The group passed by Gauss and his companions.
Aaliyah made a snorting sound.
"So arrogant, these inland folks."
"Don’t even know the saying about not flaunting one’s wealth."
Of course, she wasn’t a fool; she only quipped after the group was far away.
Gauss chuckled.
He had long grown accustomed to being overlooked by others.
"Let’s also find an inn to settle in."