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nA strange atmosphere filled the hall.

nHowever, it was unusually quiet.

nThe dozen or so burly men who had just entered subconsciously glanced at each other.

nFear filled their eyes.

nThe calm sitting posture of the five Sarrandian Horsemen and the fact that Kant’s words could so easily make them so obedient particularly made them secretly clicked their tongues.

nSuch elite level discipline was nowhere to be seen in their remote and barren northern county.

nThe scene remained quiet.

nKant did not continue to say anything else.

nHe sat in his chair, together with Manid and the five Sarrandian Horsemen, on the seats for the guests.

nAfter all, they were guests, to begin with.

n“Ahem.”

nA dry cough sounded outside the door.

nBaron Dylan walked in with the butler.

nHe looked around in the hall, at the strange atmosphere and then at his dozen or so subordinate knights who were usually unruly and wild. Seeing how they had become so quiet, he could not help but snort coldly.

n“Since everyone is here, let’s begin,” said Baron Dylan indifferently to the butler.

n“Yes.” The butler immediately nodded.

nAt the same time, he quickly walked out of the hall and closed the door gently.

nHe went to prepare dinner.

nBaron Dylan went to his seat and sat down.

nThe dozen or so tall and strong men on both sides bowed their heads to greet him.

nThese men were subordinate knights who were either attached to or conferred by Baron Dylan. They were the ultimate force that maintained the entire stone pass as well as the small castle. They were also the main generals during the wars.

n“Uncle Dylan.”

nKant also stood up from his seat. He placed his hand on his chest slightly and said, “It has been a while.”

nHis movements were very elegant.

nMoreover, his voice was calm. He really looked like someone from the younger generation who had not seen his uncle for a long time.

n“Yes, it has been a while.”

nBaron Dylan nodded. His face was cold and expressionless. “Also, Baron Kant, I think it’s best for you to address me as Baron Dylan at this time. We are at the same level.”

nIt did not sound like a reprimand. Only a reminder.

nNonetheless, it immediately attracted the muffled laughter of his vassal knights on both sides.

nClearly, in their eyes, their great lord and baron had just helped them with a strong retort in response to their earlier embarrassment.

nHis words were indeed unreasonable.

nEven Manid’s face turned slightly stiff.

nNot to mention the five Sarrandian horsemen, their faces were flushed red.

nThey could not tolerate these words that were close to insulting Kant.

nKant was able to tolerate it.

nHe was already dissatisfied, but for the sake of his development, he did not care.

nAs one whose soul had been transported, he did not place too much emphasis on class or status in this world. As for the so-called self-respect and pride, he also felt that it was especially laughable when people prioritized them when they did not have the strength to back them up.

nIf Kant had 1,000 Swadian knights in formation waiting outside the Stone Pass, the situation would probably be different.

nIn short, it was just a difference in strength.

nKant stood up.

nHe still spoke respectfully and sincerely, “Uncle Dylan, I still remember the shortsword that you gave me as a birthday gift when I turned six years old. It is still stored in my box.”

n“Is that so?” Baron Dylan narrowed his eyes slightly, his face also showing some emotions.

nKant nodded and smiled, “Of course.”

nSeeing Baron Dylan’s expression relax, Kant continued and said, “Uncle Dylan, I came to visit you this time but I bear no good gifts. I hope you will like these things.”

nBeside him, Manid brought a package out.

nIt was a thin linen bag. Inside it was a relatively new urn.

nEveryone’s eyes were on it, curious to know what was inside.

nKant did not let down everyone’s curiosity. He directly opened the urn, placed it on the table with both hands, and said, “This is fine white salt. As a baron, Uncle Dylan, only white salt like this which is as beautiful as snow can match your status.”

nAfter saying this, the vassal knights on both sides of Baron Dylan exclaimed.

nThey were not ignorant.

nThis urn was the size of a human head. If it was filled with fine white salt, then its value would be very high.

nIt was a kind of salt that only high-ranking nobles could eat.

nAlthough these vassal knights were also nobles, they could only eat brown salt that had a bitter taste, at most. It was still a lot better than the poor people who could not even afford salt.

nAt least they could still have salt in every meal.

n“This gift is very expensive.”

nHowever, Baron Dylan frowned slightly. Although his face was moved, it became solemn.

nHe looked at Kant and asked directly, “Such expensive white salt is really too valuable. Baron Kant, did you encounter any difficulties?”

n“No, Uncle Dylan, this is just a token of my regard.”

nKant shook his head. A sincere smile still on his face.

nSeeing that his question was not answered, Baron Dylan snorted coldly. Then, he nodded and said, “In that case, I’m very grateful for your gift. If you encounter any difficulties, let me know and I will try to solve them for you.”

nKant bowed slightly. “Thank you very much.”

nAt the same time, the servants brought dinner.

nThe dishes could be considered common. In fact, the quality was lower than the food at the Oasis Lookout.

nRoasted pork, roasted sausages, and roasted birds.

nStewed mutton with chickpeas, cabbage soup, and an unlimited amount of lager beer.

nPlates filled with the food items were placed in front of everyone while others were put inside wooden bowls.

nFinally, the butler personally distributed a plate of salt.

n“Let us begin.”

nBaron Dylan announced the start of dinner.

nImmediately, the dozen or so vassal knights began to gorge on the food.

nKnights who only knew slaughter knew nothing about elegance or manners. Those were things that only knights who had noble backgrounds paid attention to. Knights who were promoted through civilian-military merits never paid attention to this.

nSometimes, when they were short of money, they would even act as bandits and rob trade caravans.

nThe fundamental meaning of being a knight was military force, not philanthropy.

nEat and drink. The atmosphere of the entire dinner was very strange.

nNormally, a dinner would have conversations, banter, and laughter; however, this dinner ended in silence accompanied by the sounds of people drinking and eating.

nBaron Dylan did not say much from the beginning to the end,

nOccasionally, he would speak but it was always with his vassal knights, and these conversations usually did not last very long. The atmosphere of the entire dinner was extremely stiff and cold. It caused the butler waiting on the side to break out in cold sweat.

nDinner ended.

nDesserts were served.

nThese were wild apples from the Senwaya Range. The desserts were made by first cooking the apples before having honey poured on them.

nIf one were to talk about the taste, at least Kant was having a hard time eating them.

nManid and Kant exchanged glances the entire time. They both understood each other’s thoughts, which was to wait for dinner to be over.

nIn fact, Baron Dylan thought the same.

nAnd finally, dinner was over.

nThose rude vassal knights thanked Baron Dylan before leaving.

nHowever, before they left, with their faces flushed pink after drinking light beer, some still stared provocatively at Kant and his group. Even under the cold glares of the Sarrandian horsemen, they showed no fear.

nA few knights were even looking at the exquisite Sarrandian Horsemen’s chain armor under their long robes with drooling eyes.

nIn the Dukedom of Leo, a full set of iron-made equipment was not cheap.

nA set of armor that could save one’s life on the battlefield was the goal of every soldier and knight. However, apart from extremely wealthy nobles, a group of country bumpkin knights of the common class could never obtain this.

nTheir fiefs in the village could only support their daily lives.

nThe barren land could not produce too much food and economic crops to sustain their splurges.

n“Baron Kant, tell me, what’s your reason for finding me?”

nAfter everyone left, Baron Dylan did not wait for the servants to tidy up. He said, “Is it because your estate was attacked by the Jackalans again, and you want me to help you defeat them?”

nBaron Dylan took the initiative and looked at Kant. “But you must know that I am not Sir Hobson from the Lion Fort. If you want me to help you solve your Jackalan crisis, this urn of white salt is far from enough.”

nOn this, Kant smiled. “No, Uncle Dylan. I remember that your wife is the daughter of a merchant?”

nBaron Dylan’s expression turned ugly. His wife did not belong to a noble family, but a merchant. She was a laughing stock in the aristocratic circle. Although he was a warrior baron, he still had the status of a noble.

nBaron Dylan snorted coldly and said, “Baron Kant, do you want to use your noble bloodline to humiliate me?”

n“No, no, no. ”

nKant had a sincere smile on his face as he looked at the cold and cruel Baron Dylan. Instead, he said gently, “I don’t have a Jackalan crisis, nor do I have any intention of humiliating you. I just want to start a long-term trade agreement with you, Uncle Dylan.

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