Chapter 175 - 171: Enfeoffment as Marquis?
Chapter 175: Chapter 171: Enfeoffment as Marquis?
Mingzhu Street, Kane Mansion.
Lis and Arsen hurried back in a carriage, only to see Duke Hade sitting in the drawing room of his own house.
Joyce was not by his side.
It seemed that as Lis became aware of his identity, he gradually stopped maintaining the demeanor of a butler.
Another servant stood by.
Fusis, slowly sipping his tea, smiled at Lis and said,
...
“You’re back. I thought you would be home this morning, but to my surprise, you were out.”
“There was a minor matter at the White Dove Chamber of Commerce, Duke Hade.”
Lis politely responded, walking over and sitting on the sofa opposite Fusis.
“No need to be so formal, you and Arsen are friends, just call me uncle.”
Hmm?
Why did it feel like Duke Hade’s attitude was even better than last time?
Lis was curious, but still nodded and said,
“Good to see you, Uncle Hade. May I ask what brings you here this time?”
“Haha, if we are to speak frankly, it indeed is a matter of great importance.”
Fusis set down his teacup, his expression turning a bit more solemn.
“Lis, you know that tomorrow the Kingdom will be hosting the Sacrificial Festival celebration at Triumph Square, right?”
“Yes.”
Lis nodded. It was one of the most important festival celebrations in Bright City each year, and everyone living in Bright City would thoroughly enjoy those days.
“Well, there are two main issues.”
“Firstly, the business with the All Beast Church has greatly angered His Majesty the King.”
Fusis gave Lis a meaningful look, then continued,
“Quite angry indeed.”
“The Sacrificial Festival is just a few days away, and the All Beast Church dares to attempt to summon the avatar of the Evil God at this time; they all deserve to die.”
“It’s good that you, Lis, noticed the All Beast Church’s scheme in advance. Otherwise, if the Master of Ten Thousand Beasts had successfully descended his avatar in the Lower City District of Bright City, the destruction would have been much worse.”
Lis nodded; he understood this clearly. In his previous life, the devastation caused by the Master of Ten Thousand Beasts to the Lower City District was extraordinarily severe, even causing the kingdom’s external conflicts to stall for some time.
“Thus, His Majesty the King has strictly ordered a thorough investigation into the activities of the Evil God Church in Bright City, with a resolute aim to eradicate these scoundrels entirely.”
“His Majesty the King also asked me to tell you that if there is similar intelligence, please be sure to inform the Kingdom in time.”
Fusis’s expression was quite grave, seeming also greatly annoyed by the All Beast Church’s plot this time.
Lis had no special thoughts, only continuing to nod.
Saying so much, it would be better to settle his reward first; surely the Kingdom wouldn’t think to merely offer words of comfort and leave it at that.
And to have Duke Hade personally make such a solemn visit just for this matter?
Guessing what Lis might be thinking, Duke Hade smiled and then said,
“That is but a minor part, the main point is the second issue.”
“Do you still remember the procedure of the Sacrificial Festival?”
“Hmm?”
Lis was somewhat unclear on Fusis’s intention.
Fusis smiled and continued to explain to Lis,
“Typically, after the initial rites of offering and prayer, His Majesty the King gives a speech, and during it, he bestows new noble titles and promotions.”
Oh?
Lis was suddenly alert.
He was aware that His Majesty the King conferred new nobles and conducted some Court Nobles’ title promotion ceremonies during the process of the Sacrificial Festival celebration.
This was also why the Kingdom requested all nobles of Bright City to be present at the ceremony.
Previously, there was a segment for the deprivation of guilty nobles’ titles, but to encourage the common people to serve the Kingdom, this part had been abolished by the current His Majesty the King.
Thus, Duke Hade coming to find him at this time, and Arsen even hinting that it was with the intent of His Majesty the King, what could it mean…
Fusis smiled and said,
“Actually, after you were received by His Majesty the King last time, His Majesty had already thought about making you a Court Earl,”
“After all, you did save Princess Taya’s life, but unexpectedly, before the Sacrificial Festival, you had already made such a significant contribution to the kingdom.”
Lis didn’t doubt what Fusis had said.
These were all just excuses, after all; having merit was only one of the prerequisites. The main thing was the will of those in higher positions.
Lis’s teacher was none other than “Judgement Flame,” and His Majesty the King couldn’t wait to elevate Lis’s rank to make his ties with the Feis Kingdom even closer.
It was a matter of when, not if; there was no thought of holding him back at all.
Lis had indeed overlooked this situation previously.
“With the matters involving the All Beast Church this time, Lis, you have made great contributions to the kingdom,”
“Therefore, His Majesty the King has decided that tomorrow at the Sacrificial Festival, you will be officially titled Marquis Kane!”
A direct leap in rank—His Majesty has quite the boldness!
Lis thought to himself, feeling somewhat surprised as well.
Although this Marquis title was likely still among the Court Nobles, with no hereditary estate, it was still quite impressive.
Not to mention the substantial increase in the annual royal stipend, Lis felt there would likely be a new Legend Level reward; it was quite enticing.
“Thanks to Lord Morton’s great favor,”
Lis nodded, speaking respectfully.
Since he had benefited, maintaining a good attitude didn’t matter.
“Haha.”
Fusis gently laughed, seemingly saying inadvertently:
“Lord Morton also specifically told me to have you take more initiatives!”
“If you’re thinking about marrying the princess, a Duke’s level would be more suitable.”
Hiss—
What are you talking about, you old geezer?
Oh, His Majesty said it? Then, it’s fine.
Lis scratched his head; he really hadn’t considered this.
Seeing that Lis had heard, Fusis didn’t say more.
“Prepare yourself; tomorrow at the Holy Festival celebration, His Majesty will be the first to confer your title; just be psychologically prepared.”
“Dress formally; the kingdom will prepare everything else.”
“I understand.”
Lis nodded; after all, he didn’t need to prepare anything himself, the maid Rossi would take care of everything.
Seeing that Fusis had no more instructions, Lis thought for a moment and asked:
“Uncle, there’s something I would like to consult.”
“What is it?”
“About that area in Mingzhu Street, what does the kingdom plan to do with it?”
Lis asked without changing his expression.
“That, the kingdom is also troubled; rebuilding it will cost the kingdom a lot of resources!”
“Can I buy that land?”
“Hm? What would you do with it, since all the houses there are destroyed?”
Fusis asked, somewhat puzzled.
Because the world is very vast, the value of land here isn’t very high.
In the city, unless it’s a prime location like Feis Street, the value of the land mostly lies in the buildings on it.
“It’s for the guild’s preparation, the location is good,”
Lis said; as long as he could secure it, it would be a huge win. Mingzhu Street’s location in Lower City District was indeed convenient, even though the initial investment might be substantial.
“Alright, I’ll keep an eye out for you,”
Fusis said, not really caring much.
After all, the Great Nobles of Bright City all have their own areas of influence, and Mingzhu Street was just being cleared out.
Lis was also about to become one of the Great Nobles; it would be suitable for him.