Chapter 263: Benefits

Since the Noble Council was converted into a command center, it was inevitable that people would come and go, and those who came and went were mostly powerful and influential figures.

Karl and the fat man went into the room.

Seeing this, Bastien pulled his daughter to the corner, they were clearly uncomfortable with the noble atmosphere that permeated the place, and the rustic air about them did not match the temperament here.

“Another one coming to beg for a title?”

Just as the two were waiting, a lazy voice came from the next room:

“Useless!”

“That fat man is just a greedy echidna, his desires will never be satisfied. If you want to get a title from him, it’s impossible without stripping off the last layer of skin on your body.”

“Ah!” Rita said subconsciously:

“Then wouldn’t Grandpa Karl be disappointed?”

“Hey!” The person next door chuckled:

“Re-registering a noble isn’t only done here, going somewhere else might not be so troublesome.”

“Don’t even mention re-registering…”

“In recent decades, who knows how many nobles have died mysteriously, or even had their identities stolen. Even the buying and selling of titles and territories happens from time to time, so what does this count for?”

Rita listened in stunned silence.

In her impression, the noble lords with titles were all from illustrious families, with lineages that stretched back many generations. The information revealed by the person next door undoubtedly shattered her preconceived notions.

Can titles and nobility be bought and sold?

“Then…”

“Shh!”

Just as Rita was about to ask again, Bastien gently tugged her sleeve, while shaking his head slightly:

“Don’t talk nonsense, and don’t look at where you are. Just wait quietly for Baron Karl to come out.”

As an adult, he had seen all kinds of dark sides, of course he would not think that nobles represented noble character.

In fact, quite the opposite.

And the person next door would not remind them for no reason, most likely he had a grudge against that fat man.

So he wanted to remind Karl through them not to waste time on that fat man, as it would not be worth the loss.

“Creak…”

Just as the two were turning over these thoughts, the door inside opened, and an elegant Karl walked out slowly.

He nodded gently towards the two, and said with a faint smile:

“Let’s go!”

“Grandpa Karl.” Rita hurried to his side:

“Your title…”

“Rita.” Bastien snorted:

“We’ll talk outside.”

“…Yes.” Rita pouted, and only after Karl rubbed her head did she smile again.

The three of them left the Noble Council and got back into the carriage.

“Baron Karl.”

Bastien then said:

“Someone just reminded us that the fat man is a greedy echidna, and that we shouldn’t trust him.”

“Mm.” Karl took off his hat and put down his cane, slowly stretching his limbs, and nodded:

“That’s right, that fat man is indeed very greedy.”

“Ah!” Rita said with a look of regret:

“Then wouldn’t Grandpa Karl’s title be impossible to reacquire?”

“That’s not the case.” Karl shook his head with a smile, and at the same time reached into his chest to take out a thin booklet:

“I’ve already retrieved my family’s things, and I’ve also been promoted a rank. I’m now an Earl.”

“Ah!”

“What?”

The two were stunned at the same time.

“Heh…” Karl chuckled:

“At my age, I can’t help but know some people in the Noble Council, so I won’t be blocked by a junior.”

“Yes.” After the surprise, Bastien became even more reserved:

“Earl Karl… you don’t look like an ordinary person.”

These words came from his heart.

Ever since meeting Karl, Bastien had determined that the other party was not an ordinary person. How could an ordinary person be so calm so close to the battlefield, and even keep their clothes so neat and tidy?

Thinking carefully.

Throughout their journey, although it had not been long and they had not encountered many things, Karl’s expression had never changed. It seemed that no matter what happened, he had enough confidence to solve it.

“Wow!”

Rita didn’t think as much as he did, and said in surprise:

“So… Grandpa Karl is now an Earl?”

“Mm.”

Karl nodded:

“There are some military achievements on the battlefield that no one claims, and some military achievements are even bought and sold. Spending a little money can get you a promotion.”

◈◈◈

“But you can only be promoted to Earl. Going higher is too troublesome, and the Church can’t be bypassed.”

This, of course, was a wizard’s method.

With a small spell, the fat man could be made to do things obediently and proactively give up the military achievements in his hands.

And even afterwards he would not notice anything unusual, and would proactively find a reason for his actions today.

It was getting late.

The two of them sent Karl to the best hotel nearby, and agreed to meet there early the next morning.

*

*

*

“As expected, I can’t cast spells casually. Even with simple spells, that thing will react.”

Karl’s body sank into the soft bedding, and he reached out to gently stroke his chest:

“As long as it encounters an opportunity, it will strike. It seems that the matter of taking my life is already bound to it.”

“But…”

“There are also benefits!”

Thinking of something, Karl smiled.

“Since the owner of this thing isn’t here, as long as I can suppress it, I can refine it into my own means.”

“Soul Centipede!”

“A third-order peak construct. Once it pierces the body, even a demigod will be in pain for half a day. In the Other World, it can definitely be used as a trump card.”

“Sleep!”

The Divine Domain Fragment should not be stayed in for too long, otherwise one’s emotions would gradually be erased. So, other than cultivation, Karl usually did not stay there.

What’s more.

He had already forgotten what it felt like to stay in a hotel.

Early the next morning, service personnel delivered soft bread, sweet jam, and various other foods.

And they also included three copies of the latest newspapers.

“Whirr…”

Karl held a cup full of milk in one hand, and unfolded a newspaper in the other, looking at the news on it.

The Colon Empire was holding its latest round of research institute competitions, in which various new research insights had appeared.

Do they already have primitive computers?

Gando also has its own cannons, and even tanks. There are even rumors of angels appearing on the battlefield.

◈◈◈

“Interesting.”

Karl smiled:

“These three newspapers have different comments on the same event. It seems that the backers are also different.”

“But regarding technological creations, they are all equally supportive. But as long as the gods are still around, technology will definitely be suppressed.”

For the gods, the common people are tools for harvesting faith, while technology will resist faith.

Now is a time of war, so in order to win, technology can be developed appropriately, but it cannot hinder the gods from harvesting faith.

“Newspapers, factories, pollution…”

“The most important thing is still the war!”

Putting down the newspaper, Karl packed up his things, and slowly walked downstairs. At this time, Bastien and his daughter were already waiting at the entrance of the hotel.

“What’s wrong?”

Scanning the two of them, Karl asked:

“What happened?”

“Grandpa Karl.” Rita pouted and immediately burst into tears:

“Our things were all taken away by my aunt. They didn’t keep their word and stole our money.”

Bastien didn’t say anything, but his body was trembling, and his eyes were full of anger and fear.

How could he not be angry when most of his life’s property was taken away?

But thinking about the days ahead…

Endless fear swept over him.

His body was not very good, and he often needed to take potions. Without money and medicine, he would not be able to do many things, and Rita was still too young, far from being able to take care of herself.

“I see…”

Karl looked thoughtful, and said:

“I plan to buy a manor in the royal city to retire. If you don’t have anywhere else to go, why don’t you work for me first.”