"Fantastic! Rein, you always manage to surprise me! Eh? You said you've been granted the title of Baron? The results are out? How could it be so fast!" Hamilton said with surprise, bombarding Rein with several questions in a row.
"Yes, the results came out in just three days! I have no idea why it was so quick, but... it seems that the official announcements for other people's evaluations haven't been issued yet."
Rein recalled that the red-haired girl, Evelyn, should also have received an excellent evaluation, but she still hadn't received any notification from the Empire.
"Eh? Could it be that they made a special case for you? Good lad! No, now that you've been granted the title of Baron, I should be calling you 'my lord'!" Hamilton suddenly realized and said.
Hamilton looked at Rein, filled with emotion!
It had been less than half a year since he met Rein, who was then a mere page boy.
But now, he was a Baron!
"My lord, you jest," Rein promptly waved his hand and said.
"Right, tell me briefly about the ennoblement examination. I'm very curious as to how you could receive special treatment from the Empire," said Hamilton, a lord who had only received a 'good' evaluation himself, his interest piqued.
Rein nodded and summarized the key points of the event for Hamilton.
For instance, how he used the explosion of the ammo storage on a three-masted sailing ship to destroy 'The Wreck', and how this time, he most likely ranked first in the ennoblement examination and so on.
Hamilton listened intently, thoroughly engrossed, and it took him a while to digest what Rein had said. Then, he followed up with a question, "So, does that mean you received the Sword Bearer's invitation as well...?"
As Hamilton looked on with hopeful eyes, Rein nodded and said, "I have received it. In about three months, I must go to Mingster for the Sword Bearer selection."
"That's great! Rein, well done!" Hamilton patted Rein's shoulder heartily.
"Right, I almost forgot about an important matter."
"Yesterday, Count Habbs sent someone with an order, hoping you could visit his mansion after you return." While speaking, Hamilton turned around and handed Rein a sheet of paper that resembled a letter.
"That works out, I was planning to visit County Town shortly, so I'll first pay a visit to Count Habbs."
"Hmm, after you settle some things, come find me again. I have a friend who would like to ask for your help with a mysterious event," said Hamilton.
"But I haven't agreed yet. I'd like to hear your opinion first."
"Very well, my lord, then I shall make my way to County Town first," Rein nodded in agreement.
Having arrived at the County Town in the Crowley family's carriage, Rein decided to make his first stop at Count Habbs', and afterward, to visit the Crowley family to study the late Baron Crowley's writings on the Armor Casting Technique.
Soon, the carriage pulled up to the extensive grounds of the Count Mansion.
This was Rein's first visit to Count Habbs' mansion. Although in a sense, he had been connected to the Habbs family from early on, it was only today that he had the chance to meet the most influential person in the whole of Mingster Province.
Not a Viscount, but an Earl, and one with the prefix—hereditary.
The weight of a hereditary Earl, even by the standards of the entire Dragan Empire, was no small matter.
Moreover, Count Habbs was special due to the deep trust he had from the Empire's upper echelons. After the previous Governor of Mingster Province was reassigned, Count Habbs took over the position, further deepening his influence.
So for Rein, a newly minted Baron, many affairs were inextricably linked to this noble lord.
However, when it came to his feelings about the Earl, Rein couldn't quite say they were good or bad. It was rather interesting that Cleya, one of Habbs' offspring, was on good terms with him, while Alonso had a feud with him.
In a lavish study, Rein had his first encounter with Count Habs.
The man was an elderly gentleman whose hair was meticulously groomed. Although his forehead was smooth and plump, showing no wrinkles or age spots, the white in his hair indicated that he was no longer young.
Dressed in a black, gold-embroidered noble hunting outfit, he looked extremely proper. Even the pattern of the Caly bird on his chest was woven entirely out of gold threads, exuding a subdued sense of luxury.
To Rein, the overall impression Count Habs gave was one of steadiness, authority, and inscrutability, as if he were facing a volcano about to erupt, always a bit on edge.
"Good day, my lord Count," Rein bowed respectfully.
"Hello, Baron Rein, please take a seat," a smile appeared on Count Habs's face as he nodded to Rein.
"Rein, I've heard that you've achieved an excellent evaluation in the recent ennoblement assessment of Mingster Province and were awarded the title of baron by the Empire, which greatly surprised me!"
"Your performance was very impressive."
"Thank you for your compliment, my lord Count," Rein said with a slight bow and a smile.
"The reason I asked you here is twofold, to meet you and to inquire about your plans moving forward."
"Rein, would you be interested in becoming the captain of my guard?" Count Habs shifted the conversation with a smile.
Rein was taken aback!
The captain of the guard?
This position was out of the ordinary, a sign of the great trust Count Habs had in him.
According to his résumé, he had been born and raised in Flashgold Town.
In the eyes of Count Habs, he was considered a local, born and bred, worthy of cultivation and trust.
Unfortunately, his current ambitions were no longer limited to just Meyest County.
In some ways, the experiences and sights available to Rein with the Southern Sea Fleet would be far greater than what he could encounter in Meyest County.
Clearly, Rein could only politely decline the olive branch extended by Count Habs.
"Thank you for acknowledging me, my lord Count, but I am truly sorry, I would like to take advantage of my youth to improve and hone myself further afield."
Count Habs looked deeply at Rein, paused, and said, "The eaglet always yearns to spread its wings and soar to a wider sky, I understand that feeling, Rein. You have no need to apologize, I was the same when I was young."
"Since that's the case, in light of the excellent performance you showed during the ennoblement assessment, bringing honor to Meyest County, I shall give you three choices for your appointment."
"The first option is to become the deputy officer of public safety in County Town, mainly responsible for the day-to-day and nighttime patrols within the town."
"The second option is to become the judicial officer in charge of Meyest Prison."
"The third option is to serve as the Governor and constable of Fishing Port Town, where pirates are rampant and the pressure on public safety is immense. I need a strong individual to take charge there."
Three choices for himself?
Immediately, Rein started to ponder his options.