Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

"Dennis, the news of my breakthrough must be kept confidential. Moreover, go to Alonso and inform him that I have successfully broken through to become a Great Knight,"

"Regarding the cost of that bottle of Beast Essence, I will pay him after the duel ends. Express my thanks to him for this." Baron Norman asked.

"Yes, Father!" Dennis nodded and said.

"By the way, what's happening with Reine?" Thinking of something, Baron Norman looked up and asked.

"He has been at the blacksmith's shop for five consecutive days," Dennis immediately reported.

Although he was initially puzzled, the fact remained that their several spies had gathered the same results.

Moreover, whenever Reine went to the blacksmith's shop, he would inevitably appear on the street; the spies could see him clearly, even noting that Reine's timings for entering and leaving the blacksmith were highly regular.

If one didn't know Reine, others might really think that Reine was a blacksmith himself!

However, this abnormal behavior naturally made many people curious.

But after Dennis bribed a blacksmith apprentice under the Crowley family, it was revealed through the apprentice that Reine seemed to be crafting knight armor.

At that moment, a thought surfaced in Dennis's mind.

Could it be that Reine had obtained some rare ore and thus wanted to create a suit of armor with strong defensive power to face his own father?

The more Dennis thought about it, the more he felt that this was very likely.

As the investigation progressed, Dennis discovered that the Crowley family was secretly collecting ice iron ore, further solidifying his belief beyond doubt.

"What? You're always at the blacksmith's shop?" Baron Norman was taken aback.

He thought that Reine must also be preparing intensely, either by rigorously practicing combat skills or by trying to make some breakthrough. Why was he spending all day at the blacksmith's shop working on iron?

This...

Seeing the confusion on his father's face, Dennis immediately shared his guess with the baron.

"Father, Reine is likely crafting a set of knight armor made from rare ore materials. He probably thinks this could increase his odds of winning."

"I see," Baron Norman pondered briefly, then his face showed a sudden realization.

It makes sense because significant improvements in strength usually require years of diligent practice. It's challenging to make considerable changes within just a few days. In the short term, acquiring a good weapon or a suitable set of armor can significantly increase one's chances of winning.

This is also a common practice before a duel.

"By the way, Father, the news of your bloody duel with Reine is already buzzing outside. You may not know, but many business leagues have jointly opened a betting pool, wagering on the outcome between you and Reine,"

"Currently, due to your breakthrough as a Great Knight not being widely known yet, the odds between you and Reine are still even."

"What do you say, should we..." Dennis looked eagerly towards his father, Baron Norman.

"Yes, let's mortgage all the liquid assets, and also mortgage the eight shops we own in the County Town," Baron Norman thought for a while and then nodded his head, agreeing to his son's suggestion.

If before this, his confidence in winning the duel was only fifty percent,

Now, his confidence in winning the duel was nearly a hundred percent!

-----------------

An hour later, in Alonso's study.

"That's great! Dennis, your father's success in advancing to become a Great Knight ensures his victory in this duel," Alonso Baron couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

"By the way, Dennis, would you be interested in taking up a nominal position in a business league under my name?"

Alonso Baron's offer immediately excited Dennis, and he couldn't help but smile slightly.

He certainly knew that this was Alonso Baron's way of showing favor.

Though it was called a nominal position, it actually meant easy money.

It seems that the influence of his father becoming a Great Knight was gradually spreading.

"Of course, thank you for your appreciation, Baron," Dennis said, bowing slightly.

"Moreover, my father is very grateful for your help in acquiring that bottle of behemoth essence. The related expenses will be sent to you after the duel," he added.

"Haha, Baron Norman, no need to mention it," Alonso said cheerfully, waving his hand.

...

After Dennis had left, Alonso turned to his butler Michel and said, "The news of Norman's promotion to Great Knight can't be hidden for long. Michel, how much liquid capital do we still have?"

After a moment's thought, Michel quickly reported a figure:

"We have left 18,343 imperial gold coins, mainly because we helped Baron Norman acquire a bottle of behemoth essence at the Yakesen Auction House, which was quite expensive."

"Additionally, hiring Master Holland, the potion master, to produce the behemoth essence also cost a lot, but, it is highly likely an incoming asset. Once it's successfully produced, it will be very valuable," Michel added.

Baron Alonso was very satisfied with Michel's professionalism. He nodded, stroking the seal ring in his hand, "Very well! Then let's add another 18,000 imperial gold coins!"

"As you wish, my lord, I will take care of it," Michel said with a smile, bowing before leaving.

-----------------

Lord Reine's new residence.

Jenny, dressed in a white floral dress, hurriedly ran to the room of the beautiful matron, lifting her long gown.

As soon as she entered, she said rather anxiously to the beautiful woman:

"Mother, there's trouble. You asked me to inquire about changes in betting from Agatha's side."

"I just got the latest news that the Norman family has increased their bet. I guess you were right, Baron Norman has probably advanced to Great Knight."

Since the Norman family had recently been on lockdown, the beautiful woman Jennifer couldn't gather any useful information, so she had sent Jenny to her close friend Agatha for inquiries.

The Wiggins family, where Agatha belongs, owns a large trading company, one of several joint venture companies opening books on the betting, therefore well-informed.

"Oh, Mother, isn't Lord Reine's condition a bit off?"

"You see him, he's been in the blacksmith shop crafting armor every day. You know, the bloody duel will take place the day after tomorrow."

"Lord Reine hasn't underestimated Baron Norman, has he?"

Hearing her daughter's query, the beautiful woman also frowned slightly and said:

"I know he's been forging knight armor in the blacksmith shop, but like you said, even the best knight armor cannot fend off every attack, especially those that might come from a Great Knight."

"I'll go to the blacksmith shop now."

...

Half an hour later, the beautiful woman arrived at the blacksmith shop.

"Hmm? You say Norman has succeeded in becoming a Great Knight?" Lord Reine, upon hearing this news, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he turned to look at the beautiful woman.

At first, the beautiful woman was worried about Reine, but she sharply noticed that in Reine's eyes as he looked at her, there was no trace of worry or fear, but rather something...

How could one put it?

Joy, happiness?

More precisely, it seemed... like a kind of triumphant pleasure!

But how could that be?

The beautiful woman was somewhat perplexed.

However, she quickly adjusted her mindset and nodded, saying, "While it's not 100% certain, from the increased bets, the Norman family seems to have gambled most of their estate."

"It appears they are extremely confident in winning the duel."

Lord Reine smiled and nodded at the beautiful woman, "Very well, this might be a rare good opportunity for us to make money."