The young knight before them was truly handsome, even more so than Laine.

He had a noble forehead, a face like a jade crown, and a pair of blue eyes that looked particularly sincere, able to instantly win people over. There was a faint magical quality in his words that made the guards and Kasenberg almost believe him right away.

More importantly, his aura was faint, his vitality overflowing, clearly having just advanced to the Legendary Tier recently, with an unstable breakthrough, causing his body's vitality to overflow uncontrollably.

The guards subconsciously felt that traveling with such a young and charming knight would surely be delightful, and they were almost about to agree.

Only Laine remained calm, smiling as he first looked at the young knight named Mathew Bade, then at the roadside sign.

Another thirty kilometers to Bodlukes.

"Uh... Mr. Mathew Bade, it's only thirty kilometers to Bodlukes, and there are sentry posts and inns all along the way. I don't think we need to travel together, do we?" Laine gently declined the young knight's request: "This is not the wilderness, we have family with us, not very convenient to travel together, please understand, Mr. Mathew Bade."

"Aha~ it seems I was a bit presumptuous, please forgive me, Holy Grail Knight," the young knight's smile faltered momentarily, but he said sincerely: "Sorry, I didn't understand the situation."

"It's okay, if it were just the two of us, I would certainly be willing to travel together, but right now it's not very convenient." Laine looked regretful, but his refusal was clearly evident: "I think Mr. Mathew Bade can surely find a knightly group willing to travel together..."

"No, no, I should just find a place to rest!" Mathew Bade responded with cheerful demeanor, appearing unconcerned by the matter: "It's getting dark, time to rest!"

With that, the young knight didn't press further, instead turning his horse towards a nearby inn.

"Let's keep moving and rest at the next inn." Laine motioned for everyone to continue ahead.

"Yes, my Baron." Nobody dared to oppose the Holy Grail Knight's order, especially with Laine's growing prestige.

After traveling a while, Laine suddenly turned to his steward and said: "You might be wondering why I turned down that young knight's request to travel together. He seems to be about my age, quite strong, and polite."

"Indeed, my Baron, you must have your reasons, right?" Kasenberg said.

"Yes, I have my reasons." Laine nodded, lowering his head, pursing his lips: "Because he's too perfect, which makes me find it strange."

"Strange?"

"Yes, Kasenberg, don't you think so? A Ranger Knight, not a Mission Knight, carrying a shield with the emblem of the Connet Duchy, yet appearing so perfect... From his controlled expressions, fitting attire, to his conversational skills, he seems too perfect. His performance is almost flawless, and he possesses a Half-Elf Warhorse, a sword made of Mithril, and a shiny set of full plate armor..." Laine frowned: "It seems a bit abnormal."

"Indeed, as you say, my Baron, it does seem a bit abnormal." Kasenberg finally snapped out of his previous confusion and, after thinking carefully, also found it strange: "If it's as you say, even a Count from a poorer territory couldn't afford such a young man, and there's no reason he wouldn't have an escort."

"Perhaps he does? Just unwilling to let us see?" Laine pondered further: "Then the question arises, why wouldn't he want us to see his escort? Instead choosing to approach us alone to join our group?"

"Maybe he's truly alone?" Kasenberg instinctively wanted to defend the young knight, but quickly realized the contradiction, and the issue circled back: "Alright, my Baron, now I, too, find him a bit strange, his words seem to hold some magic, I almost believed him without thinking."

"If I were traveling alone, observing him would be no problem." Seeing Kasenberg understood his point, Laine continued: "But now the situation is different, Miss Surya and others are in the carriage, I must consider their safety, a knight's duty is to protect."

"I respect your wisdom and judgment, my Baron, the choice you made is correct." Kasenberg finally accepted Laine's view with sincere admiration: "Your considerations are always so far-reaching."

"You must always be cautious, wouldn't you agree, Abel?" Laine inquired of the accompanying Demon Hunter's opinion.

"I have no objections to Lord Laine's decision." The Demon Hunter carrying dual swords nodded.

"I have a premonition, that young knight named Mathew Bade isn't that simple, we'll meet again at the banquet soon."

That night, Laine and his group found an inn to lodge at. The Boldro Duchy had a relatively dense population, especially as Duke Bodric, as the Divine Chosen Champion of Sea God Manannan, commanded over 80% of the Knight Kingdom's regular navy. The maritime trade and products of Boldro Duchy were extremely abundant. Meanwhile, he was also an excellent manager, and perhaps his only regret was not becoming a Holy Grail Knight.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.