Chapter 328: An Easy Order

Rowning and Karada arrived at a corner of the lawn.

“Thank you for rescuing me.”

The common knight, who had just endured mockery, remained remarkably calm—as if nothing had happened.

“Who were those people just now?” Rowning asked.

“They are the eldest son of the Viscount of Maple Hill, Griffin Wylen. His family runs a textile business, owns vast flax fields, and produces many noble gowns.”

Karada knew the man’s background well: “It’s him the Viscount Lud wants.”

Rowning snorted. “He’s unworthy of Lady Misi.”

“I feel the same.”

Karada smiled, looking at Rowning for the first time with genuine attention. This youth, younger than himself, carried a demeanor and manner he could not decipher.

“I just saw Viscount Lud approach you. So—what’s your decision now?”

Rowning laughed heartily. “While Lud values fleeting advantage, I value enduring loyalty. Karada, my stance toward you hasn’t changed. I still want you to join my domain—Ubei has what you need.”

Karada drew a deep breath and spoke gravely: “I have no objection to your previous terms. But I wish to be granted the title of Honorary Knight before I turn twenty-eight. Of course, I will offer my loyalty and strength.”

“No problem!”

Rowning agreed at once.

Granting land and noble status within Ubei required careful thought—but bestowing the title of Honorary Knight was simple.

As long as his men earned sufficient battlefield merit, he could confer it.

Perhaps, after Ubei’s next victory, he could reward his knights with such honors.

Hearing Rowning’s affirmation, Karada sank to one knee.

Once, he had no choice but to languish in the Royal Knights’ Corps, training tirelessly, waiting for an opening.

Yet he knew—even if he joined now, in two years he might never earn enough glory to rise from commoner to Honorary Knight.

But now—he had a better path.

With a voice ringing clear and strong, Karada declared: “Honorable Count of Ubei, I, Karada, pledge my service to you. From this day forth, your will shall be my driving force!”

He had dreamed of this moment since he was twenty—but never imagined it would take five years to find a noble worthy of his allegiance.

Let this be a good beginning.

Rowning’s face lit up with a brilliant smile as he stepped forward and helped Karada to his feet. “Welcome, Karada. Ubei is far more splendid with you in it!”

Far away, Viscount Lud’s expression darkened.

Logically, a fledgling domain like this needed gold above all else.

With gold, supplies and population would follow.

He never imagined Rowning would make this choice.

“Typical youth—always acting on impulse.”

Misi appeared beside him, dressed in a light ceremonial gown, her voice soft. “Remember your promise, Father.”

“Oh, I’ll remember.”

Lud found his daughter exasperating. In any other noble family, a father could simply command his daughter into a marriage alliance.

But Misi had trained day and night to defy him—not only had she grown formidable in skill, but through her friendship with the Princess, she’d secured a place in the Gryphon Knights.

Even as her father, he dared not force her.

“Don’t forget who raised you,” Lud snapped. “I still believe the Wylen family is far more suitable.”

Misi scoffed. “That cringing fool you just saw? Father, have you lost your mind?”

Lud said nothing. He did despise Griffin—but he coveted the Wylen family’s wealth.

Rowning and Karada spoke a while longer, mostly about plans after the birthday banquet—preparing to leave Goldfeather City and Oxhorn Bay.

Then Rowning returned to the grand hall.

No sooner had he entered than Blanqi, resplendent in full attire, approached him.

“I’ve been searching for you everywhere. I thought you’d already left.”

“I had some business to attend to.”

Rowning smiled. “You’re more confident tonight—and more beautiful than ever.”

Blanqi’s cheeks flushed. “Thank you for the compliment.”

She stepped forward and linked her arm through his. “Come, Champion Knight—I’d like to introduce you to someone.”

“Oh?”

Rowning followed, puzzled.

Soon, they entered a private lounge.

The moment he stepped inside, Rowning caught the scent of perfume. He glanced around—and realized the room was filled entirely with women.

He was utterly bewildered. What was Blanqi doing bringing him here?

“There he is! Our Flame Knight has arrived!”

A noblewoman spotted him and called out.

Instantly, the entire room surged toward him.

He nearly jumped—half-convinced Blanqi had arranged a harem for him.

One by one, the noblewomen introduced themselves—wives of barons and viscounts, daughters of officials, all firmly entrenched in aristocratic circles.

“You want clothing made of silk?”

Rowning finally understood Blanqi’s purpose.

Truthfully, he’d hoped to use her to promote silk goods—but worried the shawls alone wouldn’t make a strong enough impression.

He hadn’t expected this unexpected windfall.

“Yes, my lord! I’d love one of those shawls!”

“If possible, I’d like a full silk gown!”

“Could you make me several pieces—both formal gowns and everyday wear?”

One after another, the ladies voiced their desires.

Rowning’s smile widened.

“Of course! The silk produced in Ubei this year can easily satisfy all your needs!”

It was late September. The silkworm cocoons in Zi Guo Village had all been harvested. Liya and the others were likely busy unraveling and weaving even now.

Two or three hundred thousand cocoons could yield over a hundred garments—plenty for these ladies.

Still, Rowning hadn’t decided how much to charge.

Rare things command high prices—and these women already had expectations.

So he set the starting price at fifty gold coins per silk gown, with final pricing depending on design.

The ladies were not in the least deterred by the price; each one wanted to place an order.

The lounge became an office.

Ronin took pen and paper and meticulously recorded each woman’s request, promising delivery to Jin Yu City before next June.

Once the ladies departed, satisfied and radiant, Ronin gazed at the list—eighty garments of every hue—and could not resist pulling Blanche into his arms, burying his face in her for a long, deep kiss.

Only when she grew limp in his hold, cheeks flushed crimson, did he pull away.

Blanche cast a nervous glance toward the door, scolding softly, “What if someone sees us?”

“Don’t worry—I’ve got excellent hearing,” Ronin chuckled. “You’re incredible! You’ve secured me such a massive order all at once!”

If every item on the paper sold as planned, he stood to earn at least four thousand gold coins.

Do not dismiss four thousand gold coins merely because his championship prize had been fifty thousand.

The former was a stroke of fortune, unrepeatable; the latter was sustainable—and with these ladies and young misses as living advertisements, Ronin knew next year’s silk trade would flourish even more brilliantly.

All that remained for him was to urge Horn to expand mulberry cultivation, secure more silk, and hire additional weavers and tailors to ramp up production.

Blanche, emboldened, wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. “I’ve helped you so greatly—you owe me a proper thanks.”

“Of course, of course—I’ll thank you properly!”

Ronin grinned wickedly and lowered his head once more. (End of chapter)