Chapter 517 Goodbye Audrey
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Feysac Empire, Dusk Cathedral.
Chief Larrion was lost in thought as he looked at the "Trunsoest Brass Book" in front of him. Just now, the God of Combat had re-sealed the "Brass Book", making it look even more ancient.
It can now be used as a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact again, but the negative effects are a bit significant.
At the same time, during the sealing process just now, the God of Combat told Larrion that the corruption of the "Brass Book" came from the Sephirot "Nation of Disorder", and this Sephirot seemed to possess a certain degree of intelligence.
Larrion was pondering: I had only heard before that Uniqueness, under certain conditions, would possess a certain degree of intelligence. I didn't expect that "Sephirot" also has such characteristics! But fortunately, the other party is not entirely an opponent, because in addition to being interested in the "Brass Book", they should also be very interested in the Beyonder characteristics within Philip I and William I.
Putting away the "Brass Book", Larrion lifted his foot and walked towards the entrance of the cathedral. Awatoma of the Einhorn family was still waiting there, hoping to find out who the opponent was this time.
...
The Berserk Sea, Chasm of Storms.
Gaard II received a hint from the Lord of Storms: Not an enemy!
The existence that deployed the corpse of an Ancient Death God to the battlefield is not an enemy!
As far as Gaard II was concerned, since it was not an enemy, then only a routine investigation was needed!
...
Friday morning, a royal manor outside Backlund.
Sert, who had once fought alongside the Hobert father and son, came to the manor and brought the king's condolences.
Christian had already secretly met with the king. This time, it was actually under the guise of condolences to discuss the details of tomorrow's knighting ceremony.
While dining at the table, Sert briefly explained the general process of tomorrow's ceremony, and then asked Hobert casually, "I've always been curious, how did you summon that giant bird?"
Christian had already explained it once during his meeting with George III.
However, Hobert knew that the royal family would ask him directly sooner or later, but he didn't expect the royal family to be so patient and only ask now.
"That giant bird actually comes from a ruin in the Backlund suburbs," Hobert had already thought of a response. "During the exploration of that ruin, I met a demigod of the 'Death' pathway.
"Of course, I didn't know at the time that the giant bird had such great power. It was that demigod who explained the origin of the giant bird. Later, I thought of a way to summon the giant bird.
"At the Alhambra Palace, I was also thinking of giving it a try. I didn't expect the giant bird's power to be so great!"
Hobert's words were actually just a different way of telling his true experience.
So Sert ultimately concluded: It seems like there's some cover-up, but most of it is the truth.
Beyonders of the "Arbiter" pathway have the ability to distinguish whether the person they are talking to is lying, and also the ability to coerce the other party to tell the truth, but the latter is more aggressive and not suitable for use on Hobert.
This royal demigod smiled and said, "What a wonderful experience."
Christian smiled and said, "In the Beyonder world, there is no shortage of wonderful experiences."
"Haha, that's right!" Sert laughed very supportively, making the atmosphere of the banquet more harmonious.
The banquet ended in such a seemingly harmonious atmosphere. Hobert and Christian chatted for a few words before going to rest early.
Early the next morning, Hobert came to the dressing room at the reminder of the servant and put on traditional Loen attire.
As Christian had said before, fortunately, the traditional Loen attire has been simplified a lot now, otherwise Hobert would have to put on more than a dozen layers of clothes, which would make it difficult to walk.
But the simplified version of the traditional attire also made Hobert frown, because he had to wear a dress and tights.
Of course, in the concept of the nobles, this is not called tights, but "narrow pants" to highlight the figure. It is said that the pants that have been popularized in the Northern Continent are derived from this kind of tights.
As for the dress, Hobert can understand this. After all, the concept of pants only appeared in the Fifth Epoch. Before there were pants, both men and women wore dresses, but the men's dresses were more close-fitting and did not have any exaggerated designs.
After putting on tights and a dress, Hobert looked in the mirror. These clothes looked awkward, but the effect of wearing them was not bad.
The dress looked neat and did not hinder Hobert from showing his masculinity at all.
Outside was a red jacket and a long cloak.
Hobert had been living in Backlund before, but he had never worn a cloak, because the Loen-style cloak was purely for looks.
The cloak has a thick shoulder and neckline, with a ribbon composed of golden patterns. The cloak is very long and drags to the back of the foot.
To walk a little faster so that the cloak naturally flutters looks good.
But you can only walk forward. If you walk backward, you can easily trip yourself.
Then put on a black wide-brimmed top hat with a white feather inserted in the hat and a pair of high-top leather shoes on your feet.
Hobert looked at himself in the full-length mirror again. It was pretty good. He looked very classic at this time.
Coming out of the dressing room, Hobert ate something with Christian, who was also wearing traditional attire, and prepared to get on the carriage.
Today they will enjoy the honor of riding in the King's carriage.
Mona sent the father and son to the carriage, helped her husband tidy up his collar, and straightened Hobert's armband: "Today is your big day, be careful how you handle it."
Hobert smiled and said, "Mother, from today on, you are the Duchess and the mother of the Earl."
"That reminds me," Mona smiled and said, "I can hire a few court chefs to cook for our family in the future."
Generally, only dukes and earls are qualified to hire court chefs.
Hobert smiled. Of course, he could hear that his mother meant that she didn't care what titles they had.
Christian held Mona's hand and looked at his wife affectionately for a few seconds before taking the lead to get on the carriage.
For him, this was the moment of honor he had been waiting for for a long time. It was the moment when he took back everything he should have gotten twenty years ago.
The father and son rode in the carriage and entered Backlund at about eight o'clock.
There were indeed many people on the street watching the excitement. At first, Hobert just kept smiling. As more and more people came to watch the excitement, there were gradually cheers and applause.
Hobert raised his hand and started greeting them. Gradually, he saw many acquaintances in the crowd, including Harvey Hayden with a smile, Austin and others applauding, Jessica and others cheering loudly, and Barron and others (Hobert's clients when he was a lawyer) throwing their hats in celebration.
When he arrived at Sodela Palace, Hobert's entire face was stiff from smiling.
When the father and son got out of the carriage, the guards began to report that the father and son had arrived at the palace. Under the guidance of the servants and in the salute of the guards, Hobert and Christian walked slowly and solemnly towards the palace hall.
In the hall where the ceremony was held, it was already full of nobles, bishops, and lords.
Wearing a crown, holding a scepter, and wearing the king's regalia, George III sat on the high throne.
Hobert didn't dare to bring any "Order Wood" or "Order Crystal" today, for fear of being seen through by George III.
He glanced up at George III, who looked like a middle-aged man with no expression and wearing the king's regalia. He couldn't see anything unusual.
After only one glance, Hobert lowered his head to avoid looking abnormal.
The Loen Kingdom has not knighted a duke for more than a hundred years, so today's ceremony looks particularly grand. Except for a few who really couldn't come, all the other nobles gathered together to witness this knighting ceremony.
Hobert was invited to one side by the servant, and Christian stepped forward to accept the knighting first.
Christian came to the throne with a solemn expression, knelt on one knee in front of George III, and kissed the back of the king's hand and the scepter.
This meant that he loved the king and submitted to the king's authority.
Then came the oath-taking session. After this set of procedures was completed, the king began to knight.
George III not only gave the title, but also gave a residence on Empress Borough, as well as two duke-level manors and a hunting ground, as well as a seat in the House of Lords.
According to the Loen "Constitution", after the king and the parliament agree to add a seat, the king can grant someone a seat as a member of the House of Lords.
This is a small probability event. Since the establishment of the parliament, only 3 seats have been added to the House of Lords.
Everyone knows that the most valuable reward here is the seat in the House of Lords, which is equivalent to giving Christian the highest decision-making power at once. This is the power that Christian has dreamed of.
After the knighting of the duke was over, Hobert stepped forward with a solemn pace. Because the servants and guards of the Loen court had prayed to the "Creator", Hobert unobtrusively paid attention to George III!
George III sat there like a wood carving, waiting for Hobert to approach. At the servant's signal, Hobert also performed the procedure of kissing the back of the king's hand and taking the oath.
"The gods and ancestors sent you to me," George III said solemnly, "Because you have made unparalleled achievements, I will reward you as follows!
"First of all, the title of Earl. Respecting nobles and respecting titles is respecting me; you must have noble character, a warm smile, and a sharp sword that can fight for me at any time!
"As your king, I want you to live a high-quality life, so I grant you an Earl's mansion. I hope you will be filial to your parents and treat your servants well.
"I will give you another manor so that you can have a place to escape the summer heat in the summer and your own hunting ground in the winter.
"Finally, I will grant you a fief. Longtail Island will be yours from today on. Help me guard the territory of the kingdom, and I will give you supreme honor!"
"Hmm~"
The last reward caused a burst of exclamation in the hall, because the last time a fief was granted to a noble was more than a hundred years ago, during the colonial war.
At that time, only three nobles were granted fiefs, all of which were islands at sea.
Before the colonial war, fiefs had been granted to nobles during the "War of the Violated Oath" more than six hundred years ago. Hobert was the fourth noble to receive a fief in hundreds of years.
The previous three nobles had all made great military achievements, so everyone was surprised. What kind of credit did Hobert make in Feynapotter City?
Another thing that surprised everyone was that in the past three hundred years, the governance rights of noble fiefs have gradually been taken back by the central government and later handed over to the government led by the Prime Minister.
Therefore, the nobles only have a large amount of land and manors, and they have long lost their rights to conscription, legislation, taxation, etc.
And Hobert's knighting was obviously a "real fief". If he was an Earl, he would have the right to conscript troops and tax in his own territory!
This surprised everyone very much. This reward, like the seat in the House of Lords, was the highest honor.
...
Audrey stood behind the nobles, witnessing Hobert's knighting process from afar.
At this moment, she still felt a little unreal. She didn't expect Hobert to become an Earl like this, and he even owned an island. This was something that many people dreamed of.
Unfortunately, according to etiquette, Audrey could not go to the front row, otherwise she would be the first to congratulate Hobert.
At the king's instruction, the servant stepped forward and gave Hobert the map of Longtail Island, as well as the Earl's medal and ribbon.
As the music sounded again, the knighting ceremony officially ended.
After saluting the king again, Hobert returned to the hall, and the father and son accepted everyone's congratulations.
During this period, Hobert received congratulations from Glaint, but the two just smiled at each other and did not reminisce in such an occasion.
"Congratulations, Hobert." Audrey always maintained enough restraint and only congratulated him after Hobert came over.
Hobert looked at this unusually beautiful and elegant noble lady and showed a sincere smile: "Thank you, Miss Audrey."
He sighed in his heart: When I used to see Audrey often in Backlund, I was short-sighted. After what I have seen and heard in the past six months, I realized that a witch is nothing!
But now there is no time to reminisce. Hobert has to say hello to everyone present. In such an occasion, saying one more or one less sentence can easily offend people.
After that, there was a court banquet and a ball. This kind of banquet and ball with ceremonial meaning are separated. The banquet is held first, and then the ball is held.
Ordinary court balls do not have the banquet process, or the banquet venue will be directly arranged according to the ball.
Before attending the banquet, the Hobert father and son were finally able to put on the more convenient tailcoats.
The banquet was seated according to the height of the title. The king was of course sitting at the top, followed by the dukes.
The earls had a separate long table, and the table was located closest to the dukes and the king.
The viscounts had two tables, and then the barons, including the lords, sat at several tables.
The barons in the mouths of the nobles are generally titles inherited from their elders. Many of them have fallen from earls and viscounts to barons after losing enough land, which are the so-called hereditary barons.
The lords are titles granted by the king for "donations" to the royal family, but this title cannot be inherited, which is the so-called baronet.
Hobert had probably heard that generally a "donation" of 300,000 pounds can get the title of baronet, and to get the title of hereditary baron, you have to "donate" another 1 million pounds.
Currently, there are only a few dukes in the Kingdom of Loen. It's not that Loen doesn't grant many dukedoms, but the royal dukes rarely appear in public these days. There are only a few active dukes.
Among the active ones, there's old Duke Negan, who has a huge appeal in the political world and is the leader of the old party, the conservatives.
The core figures in Loen's political arena are mainly composed of earls with legitimate seats in the Upper House, such as Earl Hall and Earl Wolfe.
Generally speaking, the influence and wealth of viscounts are much less than those of earls, so they usually depend on the earls.
Nowadays, the composition of Loen's royal barons is the most complex. Some of them live off inherited estates and industries, while others are on the verge of bankruptcy.
After a baron goes bankrupt, he will be demoted to a baronet, which means that his descendants will no longer be nobles and can only be considered "noble descendants."
There is also a part that is the emerging force of capital. For them, the title is their "pass" to enter politics. They spontaneously lean towards the great nobles and also form new and old parties, or reformers and conservatives.
Hobert became an earl all of a sudden, but he has not yet expressed his political views, so he just greeted the Earl Hall and Earl Wolfe he knew and took his seat.
Unlike other earls, who chatted for a long time before taking their seats.
The other earls were watching and did not immediately try to win over Hobert. They politely chatted with him.
Hobert also showed enough composure, patiently eating throughout the meal and dealing with the other earls' uninformative conversations.
After the meal, there was a relatively free ball. At this time, the ladies and young ladies who had finished lunch in another restaurant also joined their husbands and fathers.
After George III gave a simple speech, he and the Queen left, and the ball was hosted by Crown Prince Jevington.
At the ball, people's positions are no longer divided according to titles. When the music starts, the Prince and Princess open the dance. After the first dance, theoretically, everyone can invite ladies and gentlemen to dance at will, or talk freely outside the dance floor.
However, because everyone is here to attend Christian's conferment celebration today, Christian and Mona danced the second dance.
If Hobert had brought his wife, he could have danced the third dance, but Fors is still in Jeffrey's territory, and Hobert knows that she doesn't like such occasions, so he simply didn't ask her to attend the ball.
So, after the second dance, everyone could really find dance partners at will.
Hobert was still drinking champagne in the corner. In fact, he didn't like balls and other occasions very much, and he had been thinking about returning to Backlund in the past few days.
Of course, he has to do some work after he comes back. Before his career starts, he doesn't want to get involved in the political factional struggles.
However, whether or not he wants to get involved in the political struggle is not up to Hobert. If he is a viscount, such as Glaint, he can choose not to choose a specific political camp.
But as an earl, even an earl without a position or industry, he will be the object of wooing by both sides.
A middle-aged man with neatly combed hair, a broad forehead, and a slightly high hairline came over with a champagne glass: "Every time I hold a champagne, I want to thank Emperor Roselle."
Hobert understood what the other party meant and smiled politely: "I heard that champagne is Emperor Roselle's favorite drink."
More than a hundred years ago, champagne was rarely drunk at court banquets, because the Emperor liked to "open champagne" at celebration banquets, and champagne became popular at court banquets in the northern continent.
Hobert sighed in his heart: The omnipresent Roselle!
"You are a learned gentleman." The other party complimented: "Yes, it would be too boring if you could only drink wine at the ball."
Then he stretched out his hand: "Syndras."
Out of politeness, Hobert had to shake hands with the other party: "Believe me, I don't need to introduce myself."
Syndras complimented again: "You are a humorous earl!
"Please allow me to thank you again for your contribution to the country and express my deep respect to you."
Hobert smiled: "This is something a Loenese person should do."
He thought to himself: Hurry up and get to the point!
"I heard that you were a well-known lawyer in Backlund before?" The other party finally got to the point.
Hobert took a sip of champagne: "Just an ordinary lawyer."
"So, what are your thoughts after you return to Backlund this time?" Syndras said more specifically: "I heard that the Governor's Office of Longtail Island has an annual income of about 50,000 pounds, which is a considerable fortune. Do you have any investment ideas?"
Although Hobert already had some preliminary ideas, he still asked: "What suggestions do you have?"
"If it were a few years ago, I would definitely recommend you to invest in banks." Syndras said: "But in the past year or two, the banking industry has passed the emerging period and requires a lot of investment to buy a small amount of shares.
"You can try investing in industry. The demand for ships and machinery has been relatively large in recent years.
"You are an earl. As long as you are willing to maintain the existing system, support the rules of free trade, and respect the choices of the market, you will soon get a lot of wealth."
Hobert nodded slightly: "Thank you for your suggestion, which has helped me understand a lot of things."
He thought to himself: This is the wooing of the conservatives.
Syndras ' last sentence is equivalent to his political inclination. The so-called conservatives do not mean that they advocate only guarding their own land.
They advocate respecting the system and rules, and advocate everything based on stability. Among them, there are also big bankers and business owners, and their investment in emerging industries is no less than that of the reformers.
The other party said sincerely again: "If you have any needs in this regard, I can come to your door at any time as your consultant."
"Baron Syndras , right?" Hobert put away his smile and said seriously: "If I encounter such problems, I will ask you for advice."
After politely ending the conversation with Baron Syndras , Hobert was greeted by Baron Quint. The conversation between the two was similar, but Baron Quint's political inclination was to promote development through reform, so that the cake could be made bigger and everyone could get more benefits. At the same time, they sympathize with the workers and believe that there are huge ills in the current society, so reform is needed.
Hobert also dealt with it with ambiguous answers, but Baron Quint did not leave immediately, but talked to Hobert about his family and mentioned his beautiful and generous daughter intentionally or unintentionally.
Seeing that someone was about to come over and talk to him, Hobert smiled at Quint: "Your conversation has given me a deeper understanding of this city, but I think I should go dance, after all, this is a ball."
"Of course." The not-so-tall Baron Quint smiled: "I have long hoped to admire your dance."
Hobert went straight to invite Audrey, who had already rejected two men.
Audrey readily agreed. She stretched out a hand to Hobert and smiled: "I thought you weren't going to dance!"
Hobert took this beautiful and delicate hand that was akin to sculpted marble: "When the music started, I was going to invite you, but that would be a great disrespect to the Prince and Princess."
He said without blushing or panting.
Audrey smiled slightly: Although I know he is lying, it still makes me feel happy.
Hobert put one hand on Audrey's waist, and Audrey's hand rested on Hobert's shoulder. The music started, and the two danced gracefully in the dance floor.
Hobert was right in front of her, smiling at herself. After dancing so many times, Audrey felt a little nervous for the first time.
She took a deep breath: Audrey, what's wrong with you? It's just a dance! What's there to be nervous about?
To ease her emotions, Audrey whispered: "I just saw Syndras and Quint come to talk to you one after another."
"That's right, but I don't know them at all, and I don't know what to talk to them about." Hobert showed a helpless smile.
This expression was not faked, he really didn't know what to talk to them about.
"Baron Syndras is deeply trusted by Duke Negan." Audrey said: "He is a big banker. My father told me that he is the largest shareholder of Southville Bank and the third largest shareholder of Backlund Bank.
"And Baron Quint mainly operates ships and railways. As we all know, the domestic railway network is operated by three railway companies, and Baron Quint's company is one of them."
Hobert nodded: One is doing finance, and the other is running transportation. These two industries are very profitable in any era.
Audrey finally concluded: "According to my observation, even if the earls and viscounts hold different political views, their relationship is still very harmonious.
"So they need the barons and members of the Lower House, as well as those lobbyists, to uphold their political views to solve practical problems. Some conflicts will arise between these people, which will lead to some contradictions."
Hobert nodded slightly: "Thank you for your reminder. I don't plan to choose my political inclination at the moment."
At this time, the music ended. Hobert bowed with his hand on his chest, and Audrey gently lifted her skirt and performed a standard court ceremony.
The two naturally walked off the stage together, took a glass of champagne from the waiter, and went to their seats to continue talking about the topic just now.
"I thought you would support the reformers." Audrey said: "After all, thanks to your previous efforts, the reformist 'Labor Law' was promulgated."
Hobert smiled: "Actually, I don't have any prejudices against the reformers and conservatives."
Audrey didn't quite understand: "You support both factions? Believe me, that's not a good idea."
"I mean, I don't oppose either of these factions."
Audrey was slightly stunned, and seemed to understand what Hobert meant: "But, you don't support them either, right?"
"No, you haven't understood what I mean." Hobert smiled: "In my opinion, some problems need to be solved conservatively, while others need to be solved radically.
"The reason why I don't plan to make a choice right away is because I'm afraid of encountering 'political correctness'."
Audrey repeated: "Political correctness?"
This was the first time she had heard this phrase.
Hobert further explained: "Why is it either conservative or radical, and why is it either radical or conservative? Aren't these two methods that a politician needs to have? Why can only one be used?
"If I choose the reformers, then my future political views can only be radical? Not being radical is a betrayal?"
Audrey suddenly felt enlightened. She had realized this problem before, but she hadn't thought about it in detail. Now that Hobert said it, it was indeed a problem full of contradictions.
...
After the ball, on Earl Hall's carriage.
Inside the spacious carriage, the Earl said in surprise: "He really said that?"
Audrey nodded: "Father, is Hobert's view correct?"
Earl Hall suddenly smiled: "Do you remember old Duke Negan who just passed away last year? Although he was the leader of the conservatives, he would also seek cooperation with the reformers in many cases. His influence sometimes even exceeded that of the Prime Minister in some areas.
"And now his son, the current Duke Negan, has obvious hostility towards the reformers. Even if some problems are solved inefficiently by the conservatives, he will not seek cooperation with the reformers.
"So Duke Negan's influence is not as great as before, and now the leader of the conservatives has been replaced by Duke Lister."
He rarely talked about these things in front of his daughter, but today he was a little emotional, and secondly, he was talking about this topic, so he said a few more words: "In fact, politics is a process of mutual compromise. Although we have our own persistence, we have to compromise in many cases.
"Experienced politicians understand this. Although they have a clear political inclination, they will never refuse to cooperate with opponents in political views."
This time it was Audrey's turn to be a little surprised: "So, Hobert's opinion is very insightful?"
"You can say that," Earl Hall smiled slightly: "And the word 'political correctness' is used very appropriately."
He paused and smiled again: "I'm a little curious about your conversation after that."
Audrey felt a sense of pride in her heart, but as an "Spectator", she controlled her emotions very well: "I asked Hobert, is there a way to solve this problem?
"Hobert said that someone needs to be above the two factions and mediate between them."
Earl Hall followed up and asked: "Who can bear this important task?"
"I also have such doubts." Audrey said: "Hobert replied, the head of state!"
"The King? No." Hall was a little disappointed with this answer: "The King is born conservative…"
Speaking of this, he suddenly realized something: "Hobert said the head of state, but not necessarily the King?"
"Yes." Audrey glanced out the window, as if recalling it before retracting her gaze and said: "I have never heard of what Hobert said afterwards, and I don't know if it is feasible.
"He said that a healthy government should have a head of state and a prime minister. The head of state is a symbol of the country and the nation, and must reconcile the interests and contradictions of all parties, and be responsible for making decisions at the national level.
"And the prime minister is responsible for handling specific matters and implementing the decisions of the head of state."
Earl Hall leaned back in his chair, lost in thought, rapidly constructing a central government framework composed of a Head of State and a Prime Minister in his mind.
Indeed, it's more rational than the structure of a Prime Minister and a King, as he just said. Kings are inherently conservative and unable to mediate between the two factions.
Therefore, the Prime Minister is either conservative or radical, and during their tenure, they will fully implement conservative or radical policies.
If there were a Head of State above the Prime Minister to reconcile the opinions of both sides and form resolutions, efficiency would be higher, and the conflicts between the two factions would be more easily resolved.
But a new problem arises. Earl Hall asked, "How do we decide who will serve as the Head of State?"
Holding a parliamentary vote like selecting a Prime Minister is clearly inappropriate, as it would only elect another Prime Minister, and the conflicts between the two factions might be completely intensified at the upper levels of power.
Audrey clearly looked puzzled: "I asked a similar question at the time, and Hobert's answer was: Leave it to the people?"
"The people?" Earl Hall noticed that it wasn't citizens or the public, but "the people!"
"I also expressed my doubts about this," Audrey smiled, "but Hobert didn't continue the topic."
Earl Hall pinched his chin and pondered for more than ten seconds, then suddenly asked Audrey, "When Hobert was in Backlund, did you maintain good contact with him?"
"Yes." Audrey said directly, "Father, you should know that Hobert is a Beyonder. He occasionally organizes related tea parties, and I have always been very interested in them."
Actually, it was a gathering of the "Justice League." The two had already discussed holding a new round of gatherings at Hobert's manor next week.
"That's why he answered your questions so candidly," Earl Hall smiled. "Hobert is a young man with many ideas. I think cherishing this friendship will be very helpful to you."
At the same time, he realized that Hobert's remarks already showed a political inclination towards reform. Although his influence is not great now, Earl Hall believes that such insightful young people should be won over as soon as possible.
Audrey nodded: "I will, Father. Next week, I will visit him with Glaint."
This will be a good way to conceal the action of attending the gathering.
…
It was after four o'clock in the afternoon when Hobert returned to the manor that had just become his.
This used to be the residence of a hereditary earl. Because the earl's financial situation was not good, he had to sell many of his properties, causing his land holdings to fall below the minimum requirement for an earl, so his title was reduced to viscount, and later to baron.
He was unable to maintain the expenses of the earl's residence, so he had to sell it, and it eventually fell into the hands of the royal family.
The King acquires such places for the purpose of bestowing them as rewards.
The earl's residence was not abandoned. There were more than a dozen servants sent by the court to manage it, but there were no valuable works of art on the walls and furnishings of the earl's residence, and the furniture was already somewhat old.
Also, the lawns, trees, flowers, and plants in the yard need to be replanted, and the pond and attic need to be renovated.
Hobert sighed in his heart: More money to spend!
However, compared to the residence bestowed in Feynapotter, this residence is many times larger. The main building is a three-story villa, which, in Hobert's mind, is about the size of a university teaching building.
In the backyard and front yard, there are also some other houses, such as servants' quarters, stables, kennels, tool rooms, etc.
The front yard and backyard combined are about the size of a park, with flowerbeds, woods, ponds, and lawns.
Hobert sighed again in his heart: The daily expenses will be a considerable amount!
Entering the main hall of the earl's residence, Hobert was surprised to find that Mr. Dophis was waiting here.
He stepped forward and said, "Earl, I am here to recommend myself as your butler."
Hobert was quite surprised: "My father's side…"
"I have already discussed it with the Duke," Dophis said. "He will continue to employ the original butler, Mr. Valk, as the butler of the Duke's mansion."
Valk was Christian's former butler in Backlund and was deeply trusted by Christian and Mona.
Before Christian "betrayed the country," Valk went into hiding. After hearing that Christian had returned, he found the Duke's mansion.
"You are very welcome, Mr. Dophis," Hobert smiled. "It's great that you can be my butler!"
However, he changed the subject: "But before that, I think we should have complete mutual trust so that we can get along more harmoniously in the future."
Dophis nodded: "That's right."
Because there were still court servants present, the two simply went to a reception room for the next conversation.
"Then, Mr. Dophis," Hobert asked directly, "In my opinion, you are more like a friend to my father than a servant. How did you two meet?"
"We met in the Southern Continent," Dophis said expressionlessly. "At first, we were enemies. In a battle, I discovered that Mr. Rex was a very admirable person.
"After getting in touch for a while, I learned that Mr. Rex was a Tyrant, which reminded me of a prophecy in the family, so I mediated the conflict between the Loen people and the locals and began to follow Mr. Rex."
Dophis rarely said so much at once, but he spoke very detailed about this matter: "Later, even when Mr. Rex was challenging the family's curse, I still believed that he would succeed.
"But as you know, Mr. Rex failed, and I realized that my judgment was wrong.
"Just as I was about to return to the Southern Continent, Mr. Christian suddenly reminded me: Perhaps the person in the prophecy is you!"
Hobert was stunned: "Me?"
The person in the prophecy? This has a bit of a protagonist's halo.
"Yes, there is a clear description in the prophecy, a descendant of the Night Emperor," Dophis said seriously.
Hobert smiled: "There are quite a few descendants of the Night Emperor."
Dophis did not respond, showing that he was quite certain of his judgment.
Hobert had to ask again: "Is it convenient to talk about that prophecy?"
"A descendant of the family will follow a descendant of the Night Empress from the Northern Continent to regain the family's glory," Dophis did not hide anything.
Hobert asked again: "Is it convenient to say which family you belong to?"
"My surname is Eggers."
Hobert almost couldn't hold back: "You, you think too highly of me. I only have such a small fiefdom now. Do you think we can help you restore the rule of the Underworld Emperor? That's unifying the entire Southern Continent!"
"It only says to restore glory, not to restore status and the throne." Dophis had considered this point long ago: "As long as the family's glory can be restored, the Aggers family will not have constant internal strife like it does now, and the family will have hope of revitalizing.
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