Being a knight is not easy

Chapter 263 Standard Equipment
Count Cruz couldn't help but think back to his own home, which, compared to this public toilet, was practically a doghouse.

Although his home was also magnificent, it appeared cluttered and simple compared to the exquisite and tidy environment here.

The walls in my house were simply painted, and the floor was just ordinary stone slabs; nowhere else could they be as exquisite as the tiles here.

The place to wash hands was just a rough stone basin, not as exquisite as the washbasins here.

The stark contrast was hard for him to accept, and his greed for the town grew even stronger.

The prosperity and sophistication of this small town were like a piece of fatty meat emitting an enticing aroma, quietly stirring up his selfish desires.

But when he thought about how the Knight Will who was leading the way was a legendary knight, and how Baron Allen was an Order Knight, his thoughts gradually calmed down.

Legendary knights are figures who stand at the pinnacle of power, possessing earth-shattering strength.

His own territory only has one legendary knight, which means that if he provokes Viscount Wilke's territory, he may face annihilation.

Moreover, he had heard that Viscount Wilke had also broken through to become a legendary knight. Such strength was not something he could even dream of.

Marquis Sonata looked at Earl Cruz with a puzzled expression: "What happened?"

Count Cruz hesitated for a moment, then whispered in his ear about his findings in the public restroom, especially regarding the use of paper. Marquis Sonata's expression turned serious upon hearing this.

Paper has always been a valuable commodity, whether it is parchment or papyrus, as its manufacturing process is complex and its production volume is extremely low.

Parchment requires careful processing of sheepskin and goes through many steps to be made, which is not only costly but also time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Although papyrus is relatively lightweight, the growing conditions of papyrus, the material it is made of, are harsh, and the production process is full of uncertainties. This results in extremely low production, and in most cases, only nobles and some important places can use it.

But the fact that this small town uses paper in its public restrooms carries a significant meaning that should not be underestimated.

Marquis Sonata asked, "Sir Will, does your territory produce paper?"

Will had already been informed by Robin, and with a polite smile, he calmly explained, "Of course, Your Excellency. However, papermaking is extremely difficult, with complex processes that require a great deal of manpower and resources."

This was only prepared specifically to welcome the delegation; in our territory, ordinary people simply couldn't afford it.

Will's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up ripples in the heart of the Marquis of Sonata.

If ordinary people can't afford it, then that means nobles can.

For the nobility, price is never an issue as long as it can demonstrate their status and improve their quality of life.

Marquis Sonata's mind raced, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he instantly spotted the enormous business opportunity hidden within.

If this kind of paper could be introduced into one's own territory, or even promoted to the territories of other nobles, it would surely bring enormous wealth.

This was not only a novel product, but also a symbol of status. Nobles would certainly compete to buy it in order to show their difference.

Compared to the brand-new Pioneer Town with its clean streets and beautiful houses, the lord's castle seemed quite ordinary.

The castle walls bear the marks of time, sturdy yet lacking the gleam of new construction. The architectural style inside the castle is also rustic, with towers lacking elaborate decorations, simply standing there, seemingly a different world compared to the bustling town outside.

Marquis Sonata saw Robin again here, but this time his expression was very complicated.

His face was a mixture of surprise, admiration, and perhaps even a hint of barely perceptible jealousy.

Amazed by the tremendous changes and development this small viscountry could have, I admire Robin's governance skills, while that slight jealousy stems from my own cultivation level.

After years of cultivation, he had been relentlessly pursuing power, but he remained stuck outside the threshold of legend. Every attempt to break through was like an ant trying to shake a tree, leaving him only with exhaustion and resentment.

Robin, who was about the same age as his grandson, had already achieved such remarkable success, which left Marquis Sonata with mixed feelings.

He just stared at Robin, his lips trembling slightly, a thousand words churning in his heart, and for a moment he didn't know how to speak.

"Long time no see, Marquis Sonata!" Robin greeted him with a warm smile.

That smile was like the warm spring sun, without the slightest affectation, yet it seemed particularly glaring in the eyes of the Marquis of Sonata.

The other nobles in the delegation also looked at Robin with suspicion and uncertainty.

This Baron Allen, as the only Order Knight in the West, is far too young.

Their eyes were filled with curiosity and inquiry, trying to find out the secret behind Robin's extraordinary abilities at such a young age.

"Father has been waiting for us at the manor for a long time. Let's set off now!" Robin didn't stand on ceremony. As soon as he saw Ito leading the Knights of the Cross Anchor to arrive, he immediately made arrangements for the journey to Wilkeburg.

The orderly ranks of knights resembled a long steel dragon, exuding an aura of majesty, as if silently proclaiming the formidable strength of this viscountry.

Compared to the legendary knight Will, Ito exudes a more powerful sense of intimidation.

He exuded a calm yet restrained powerful aura, clearly indicating that he was not a legendary knight in his early stages.

Every movement he made, even every breath he took, seemed to contain boundless power—a power that could only be accumulated through countless battles and trials.

A legendary knight of this caliber would be a renowned figure even in the Western Regions, yet they had never heard of him.

These nobles were filled with doubt, as they prided themselves on knowing everything about the strongmen of the Western Frontier.

But this Ito seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, which gave them a vague sense of unease.

Soon, people noticed that the armor worn by the Knights of the Cross Anchor was completely different from the armor worn by ordinary knights.

The breastplate, in particular, has a unique design that is truly eye-catching. Aesthetically, the breastplate features delicate patterns that, far from appearing cluttered, resemble a unique artistic decoration, giving the entire breastplate a cool and austere beauty.

In terms of defensive capabilities, it far surpasses the armor of its time.

Its solid texture, even under the sunlight, exudes a profound sense of security.

(End of this chapter)