The Witch Hunter System

619 Duke Zaahir's Offer

Bakram had reached the limit of his patience as he witnessed how Vaan treated Duke Zaahir.

Even the hall guards had unsavory expressions regarding Vaan's attitude. However, their status was too low for them to have any right to voice their complaints.

If their lord hadn't shown the slightest displeasure, how could they even begin to criticize their lord's invited guest?

Only Bakram, one of Duke Zaahir's best men, would have the courage to voice his discontent.

"You are in the presence of Duke Dragonchild, Lord of Dragonmoor. Show some respect, young man!" Bakram loudly criticized Vaan. It also seemed like he was venting his lingering indignance from their last duel.

Nevertheless, Vaan didn't pay Bakram a single glance and kept his calm gaze on Duke Zaahir.

"Duke Zaahir, your men's discipline is rather poor. I didn't think your authority was so low that even a mere subordinate could interrupt his lord's discussion with his invited guest."

In a few words, Vaan immediately put Bakram in a position of undermining his lord's authority. Bakram paled at once. It was a serious accusation.

After all, it was even more disrespectful than Vaan's current attitude.

"My Lord, I… I wasn't trying…!" Bakram quickly tried to explain himself to Duke Zaahir.

"Sigh…" Duke Zaahir glanced at Bakram and the hall guards before saying, "You can leave us, Bakram. The rest of you can also leave if you think you will interrupt us again."

Bakram opened his mouth, but no words came out. He wanted to object, but he feared it would be seen as a further example of him undermining his lord's authority.

Even if his lord knew it wasn't the case, his lord would still be displeased if others thought so.

"I understand, my Lord," Bakram complied after a sigh. He left the Great Hall with his head hanging down dejectedly.

On the other hand, the hall guards remained behind without a sound. They were well aware of their positions. Unless their lord instructed them otherwise, they would continue to guard the hall in silence.

In truth, the hall guards did not need to guard the Great Hall.

Their main duty was to protect their lord. However, their presence was nothing more than a false sense of security. After all, there was nothing they could do to change the outcome with their meager strength if the threat was something even their powerful lord couldn't handle.

"Hahaha, please excuse Bakram's poor manners, Young Master Vanderlin," Duke Zaahir softly chuckled to lighten the tension as he continued, "I've heard everything about the duel between you. He must still feel resentful regarding the unorthodox tactics you deployed to defeat him but don't let that mind you."

"It is also true that Bakram overstepped his boundaries in my stead, so I will make sure to discipline him later. I hope Young Master Vanderlin won't hold a grudge over his harsh words just now," Duke Zaahir expressed.

"If Duke Zaahir doesn't mind it, then I won't either," Vaan casually said with a smile.

"Hahaha, good!" Duke Zaahir exclaimed, seemingly delighted, before boldly stating, "Since Young Master Vanderlin is so straightforward, I shall be blunt as well. I want you to participate in the upcoming Ten-

Year Glory Evaluation as a guest fighter of my faction and win the championship."

"Oh?" Vaan slightly smiled before asking, "You don't want to ask me to pledge my loyalty to you?"

"Surely you jest, Young Master Vanderlin," Duke Zaahir smiled wryly and said, "If you could be persuaded to pledge your loyalty to me, I would have already tried. However, an impressive young man like you dislikes being under another."

Vaan's attitude from the start of their meeting had told Duke Zaahir that much.

Furthermore, Vaan was still a suspected member of the Evermore ancient family. It was impossible to recruit such a person. As such, Duke Zaahir could only give up on that and hoped they could at least cooperate.

"You like to be free and unfettered," Duke Zaahir added.

Vaan calmly smiled before asking, "What can you offer me if I agree to participate in the Ten-Year Glory Evaluation and win the championship for you?"

"You said you were interested in the creator of the Rank 4 Body Reformation Pill and the ingredients used to create it, correct?" Duke Zaahir mentioned before saying, "I can tell you more about the Pill King."

"However, if you want to acquire the pill ingredients, I cannot help you with that, even if I want to. The pill ingredients are all specially cultivated by the Pill King in a very special but limited environment."

"Even if I am a duke of the empire, my words hold no weight in front of the Pill King. No one can take his precious herbs if he doesn't want anyone to. Thus, the best thing I can do within my authority is arrange a meeting with the Pill King for you—if that is your wish," Duke Zaahir stated.

"I see…" Vaan uttered thoughtfully.

Although Duke Zaahir's offer was nothing much, he did indirectly reveal some vital information.

For example, the Pill King's status was very high. However, Vaan didn't find this strange at all. Anyone who could create a heaven-defying pill capable of producing a Rank 4 Body Refiner deserved nothing but the highest level of respect in any warrior-oriented country.

Secondly, the special environment where the Pill King cultivated his herbs was top secret and couldn't be elaborated.

Given Vaan's current status, it would indeed be difficult for him to meet such a highly regarded figure in the empire without external support. As such, borrowing Duke Zaahir's influence would be ideal for him.

"Is that all you can offer me?" Vaan asked before softly muttering, "That doesn't seem very appealing for the amount of effort I have to put in to receive it…"

"Of course not, Young Master Vanderlin. I only mention these first because I believe you would be interested," Duke Zaahir smiled wryly before saying, "I can also write a recommendation letter to the Martial Hall, asking them to make you an honorary core member."

"That should save you some trouble, right?" Duke Zaahir smiled.

"Oh?" Vaan appeared more interested and said, "Now we are talking. What else can you offer me? There should still be more, right?"

'What do you mean "what else?" Is that not enough for you?' The corners of Duke Zaahir's lips twitched as he thought Vaan's appetite was not small.

"I can give you a three-day training pass on the Black Mountain," Duke Zaahir further offered with a forced smile while feeling his heart bleeding.

Training on the Black Mountain was not cheap.

However, Duke Zaahir believed this sacrifice would all be worth it as long as Vaan could win the championship in the Ten-Year Glory Evaluation for him.

What was the Ten-Year Glory Evaluation anyway?