Chapter 429: 403 Don’t you think so?
By now, anyone not completely cut off from news would know that not long ago, the royal family of the Ginas Kingdom had awarded a Sword Saint medal to an individual, officially making him the seventh Sword Saint of the nation.
This person is only seventeen this year, making him the youngest Sword Saint in history.
He is not a noble, nor was he a swordsman before; he was just a rural child from a countryside domain who suddenly transformed, demonstrating overwhelming swordsmanship skills and gaining recognition from the high ranks of the kingdom, considered to have reached the realm of a Sword Saint.
This person is named Reiger Brillhaut, known as the Thunder Light Sword Saint. He had set up a challenge in the capital city for nearly a month, facing a thousand matches a day without a single defeat up to this day.
Because of his formidable combat records, legends began circulating that "when the Thunder Light appears, defeat is imminent," a phrase used to describe the reputation of this young Thunder Light Sword Saint.
Such feats spread not only within the Ginas Kingdom but also swiftly through neighboring countries.
Though the Meipros domain and Letais domain are not close to the capital Yalev, given the matter concerned the seventh Sword Saint of the Ginas Kingdom—a figure of such legendary status—let alone the well-informed and positioned nobles, even the common people at the bottom had heard of these deeds.
It’s worth mentioning that although this Thunder Light Sword Saint is a newly emerged Sword Saint, his popularity is definitely no less than that of the other Sword Saints.
The reason is simple; the fact that the Thunder Light Sword Saint is so young has inspired many young people to worship him and set him as their goal to strive towards, seeing him as a driving force for their progress.
"If someone can become a Sword Saint at the age of 17, then so can I."
This thought unanimously occurred to the young boys and girls who had not yet been devastated by the harsh realities of society, those who still harbored grand ideals and spirited hearts.
In such circumstances, Reiger’s emergence had sparked a sensation in the Ginas Kingdom and even in the surrounding countries, causing quite a few young people to begin making a name for themselves.
Therefore, when Reiger mentioned his name, and the family crest sponsored by Yuri on the carriage was also spotted, his identity was practically exposed.
After all, anyone well-informed would know that the famous Thunder Light Sword Saint did not hold a royal office or serve the kingdom but had a good relationship with Yuri Franzel, the strategic magician of the Franzel family, even staying at his place for several months.
Gel and Fannie, being from the viscounty realms, had slightly better knowledge than the average person, so they did not recognize Reiger’s identity immediately.
But Nipede was different.
He recognized the Franzel family crest on the carriage, and combined with the name Reiger had given, he almost guessed Reiger’s identity instantly.
Reiger, basking in Nipede and others’ astonished gazes, thought about whether he should remove the crest from the carriage, meanwhile nodding at Nipede.
"Yes, it’s me."
Reiger didn’t hide it, admitting it outright.
Hiding his identity wasn’t his intention; he just didn’t think to advertise it.
Thus, it didn’t matter if others didn’t recognize him, but since he was recognized, Reiger wouldn’t go so far as to deny it explicitly.
"I am indeed remiss."
Nipede’s attitude underwent a complete transformation.
Previously, Nipede had regarded Reiger as a fascinating young man, in plain terms, as a junior or a child.
Only at this moment did Nipede start to see Reiger as being on the same level as himself, giving him a formal bow.
"So, it is the Thunder Light Sword Saint himself; no wonder you can offer demon meat so freely."
Nipede’s tone became respectful and polite.
"It has nothing to do with being generous; I was just helping out this time," Reiger chuckled and said, "But Jialan, do you just believe my identity like that?"
"Of course," Nipede stroked his beard and smiled, "I had been suspecting your extraordinary background, and seeing the Franzel family crest now, how could I not believe in your identity?"
"Is that so?" Reiger responded indifferently, then suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Then, who might this be?"
Reiger was naturally referring to Ophelit, who had approached to a certain distance but had not yet introduced himself.
Seeing this, Ophelit seemed to freeze completely, unable to move until Reiger looked in his direction, jolting him into hurrying over.
"I’ve seen, seen Lord Brillhaut!"
Perhaps because it was so sudden, or perhaps because the identity Reiger revealed was so shocking, Ophelit’s speech became disjointed.
"I’m Ophelit Hatite, the first son of the Hatite Earl!"
Ophelit appeared a bit flustered, even his bowing seemed a bit clumsy.
"Hatite?"
This time, Reiger had not heard of this surname.
"Hatite is a noble responsible for managing this city of Karudi, a vassal of the Meipros family," Nipede seemed to notice this and took the initiative to explain to Reiger, "The current Earl Hatite is Ophelit’s father, and the Earl’s sister is the wife of Marquis Meipros."
Hearing this, Reiger took another look at Ophelit.
Marquis Meipros is the Border Guardian Sword Saint, the lord of the Meipros domain.
If the current head of the Hatite family’s sister is the wife of the Border Guardian Sword Saint, then the Hatite Earl is the Border Guardian Sword Saint’s brother-in-law.
That means, this Ophelit is the nephew of the Border Guardian Sword Saint, Marquis Meipros, making him the city’s most prominent second generation.
Of course, that’s not the main point.
The key point was, if Reiger’s intuition hadn’t failed him, that was someone who had just looked at him with a hint of hostility, right?
He clearly didn’t know the man, yet the man held hostility towards him?
What was the reason?
Reiger’s gaze towards Ophelit gradually became more meaningful.
And being stared at by Reiger like that, Ophelit couldn’t help but swallow hard, cursing in his heart.
"Damn it, why did I have to run into this person?"
This was a recently famous figure, just like his uncle, one of the strongest swordsmen who had been honored with the title of Sword Saint.
Such a significant figure was definitely not someone he could afford to offend.
Not to mention himself, even his father or his uncle would likely not dare to offend him easily?
After all, the other party was not only the youngest Sword Saint in history with a limitless future, but he also had the backing of the Franzel family.
What was the Franzel family?
Like the Meipros family, they were a Marquis family, and the current Family Head was a famous talented young woman, Yuri Franzel, who had become a strategic-level magician two years ago.
This person, whose strength and influence were not inferior to the Meipros family, perhaps even slightly surpassing, if offended by him, would likely make his father rush to Bessare overnight to seek help?
As for himself?
Not being thrown out of the house with broken legs would already be quite good!
Thinking of the consequences of provoking this person, Ophelit’s heart suddenly filled with panic, and he barely forced himself to calm down.
"It’s okay, there’s still time, I haven’t made a move against him yet."
This was the only thing Ophelit was thankful for, giving him a feeling of having survived a huge disaster.
Immediately, Ophelit formally bowed to Reiger once again.
"So it is the Sword Saint who graces us with his presence, what an honor for our Karudi. Please wait a moment, and I, no, I will inform my father right now to prepare a grand welcome ceremony for you."
As he spoke, Ophelit took out a communication magic crystal, truly ready to directly inform his father.
"No need," Reiger, naturally uninterested in any grandiose welcoming ceremony, deeply looked at Ophelit for a while, causing Ophelit to break out in a cold sweat, then finally said lightly, "I am just passing by here, and will be leaving soon, there’s no need to go to the trouble of welcoming me."
Reiger looked around at the refugees.
"Instead of spending money on an unnecessary welcome ceremony, why not use it to buy some food and aid the people here, don’t you think so, Mr. Ophelit?"
That statement from Reiger, cryptic in its meaning, forced a strained smile to appear on Ophelit’s face.
"Y-you are right." Ophelit could only respond, "I will tell my father to increase aid to the refugees here."
Reiger appeared non-committal.
Obviously, he held little hope for that promise.
Not just Reiger, but nearby, Nipede and Hadi were also skeptical of this claim.
If there truly was the intention to aid, the Hatite family would have acted long ago, not allowing these refugees to gather and live exposed to the elements.
But for Reiger to say this still made Nipede and Hadi feel a certain amount of admiration for this newly titled Sword Saint.
"Although excessively young, having him as a Sword Saint is a stroke of luck for the Kingdom of Ginnas."
Nipede thought so.
"So, he is the Thunder Light Sword Saint?"
Hadi continued to curiously assess Reiger, his gaze now filled with a completely different meaning from before.
After glancing at Reiger, who remained calm and unruffled, and then at Ophelit, who was drenched in sweat and pale, Hadi instantly judged a total defeat for Ophelit.
There was absolutely no comparison.
Someone like Reiger was the kind of important figure Hadi imagined in his mind.
In contrast, Ophelit’s current behavior only served to make Hadi dislike him even more.
"Don’t just stand here." Nipede spoke again, "Why not find a place to sit down?"
Reiger glanced over at Liz and the others, seeing that their business was not yet concluded, and nodded.
"Alright, let’s sit down and talk."
With that, the whole group left the area.
Ophelit, walking at the back, looked towards Liz’s direction, his eyes brimming with reluctance.
He knew that his most favored prey, up until now, was probably lost.