Starting as the Baron of the Lonely Island

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Breakthrough

"My lord, you were looking for me?" Kaelon was the first to arrive at the study.

After resting for over half a month, his injuries had mostly healed, and he was now able to move around and stretch his muscles a bit.

"Have a seat. We’ll talk once Benur arrives."

Kaelon looked puzzled.

Benur was the leader of Squad One and had been feeling down lately after failing to break through despite drinking thirty bowls of soup.

’Why would the Baron summon him?’

Benur was just as confused. He entered the Baron’s study apprehensively, awaiting his orders.

"These are Sauce Meat Fruits from the Holy Hand Association."

Duane pointed to the "Black Eggs" in the box and explained their effects.

Instantly, Kaelon and Benur realized that Duane wanted them to eat the Sauce Meat Fruits and attempt a breakthrough.

They both grew excited.

"However, I can’t guarantee they aren’t poisonous, so I need someone to test one first."

Duane’s words sobered them.

Seeing the Baron looking at him, Benur immediately understood why he had been summoned.

He hesitated only for a moment before saying firmly, "My lord, I’m willing to try!"

Benur knew his place. By speaking up first, he proved himself to be a sharp man.

Duane was very satisfied with his response.

"You’re very brave. This is also your opportunity."

It was unlikely that the item from the Holy Hand Association was poisonous; he was just being cautious, just in case.

"If something does happen, I’ll grant a pension, reward your family with ten acres of fertile land, and find an opportunity to bring them here."

"Thank you, my lord!"

Benur took the black-egg-like Sauce Meat Fruit, took a deep breath, and took a bite, chewing it.

"It feels a bit like eating vegetarian meat. The taste is a little sweet, but also a little bitter..."

Benur described his sensations as he ate.

Soon, he had finished the entire Sauce Meat Fruit.

"It got a bit rich toward the end."

Benur commented, then waited for a possible reaction.

Time ticked by.

His face began to flush, and his heartbeat quickened.

"A reaction?"

Duane and Kaelon were immediately on alert, anxiously watching Benur’s condition.

Benur was startled as well, but a look of joyful surprise soon spread across his face.

"My lord, I’ve broken through!"

He could clearly feel a Fighting Qi Seed awakening near his heart.

His physique was also enhanced at that moment.

Benur was ecstatic. He had finally become a Basic-level Warrior!

"It seems the Sauce Meat Fruit really works."

’Increasing Spirit and aiding breakthroughs... this effect is extraordinary.’

The men waited a moment longer, until the aftershocks of Benur’s breakthrough had completely subsided. They finally confirmed the fruit wasn’t poisonous and had no other side effects.

"Kaelon, this one is for you. See if you can break through," Duane said.

But Kaelon said, "My lord, you could also use it."

Duane was on the verge of a breakthrough, and eating it might grant him attribute points.

’But from the perspective of the entire team, having a genuine Earth Tier Warrior would be more beneficial than me becoming a Middle Level Warrior.’

"Don’t refuse. It’s more valuable for you to take it."

Kaelon thanked him solemnly before picking up the Sauce Meat Fruit and consuming it.

Although the experience of eating it was nearly identical to Benur’s description, Kaelon could clearly feel the finer, peripheral meridians throughout his body rapidly extending.

These were pathways for Fighting Qi, the hallmark of an Earth Tier Warrior who had opened all the Fighting Qi meridians in their body, allowing it to circulate flawlessly without any leakage.

BOOM!

Kaelon felt as if some internal shackle had shattered, and everything instantly became clear and unobstructed.

A look of joyful surprise appeared on his face. "My lord, I’ve broken through too!"

"I’m a true Earth Tier Warrior now!"

Duane smiled as well.

’Now, not only did I gain a Basic-level Warrior, but also an Earth Tier Warrior. My combat strength has increased yet again.’

"Excellent. You are dismissed. Go get some rest."

He added, "Remember, keep the matter of the Sauce Meat Fruit a secret for now."

"Yes!"

The two left the study, still buzzing with energy, and couldn’t resist going out to the courtyard to test their newfound strength.

Duane stroked his chin. "You said that man told you the Holy Hand Association has more Sauce Meat Fruits?"

Ralph nodded. "Yes, my lord. But he said they don’t have any finished ones. It takes a certain amount of time to produce them."

"Hmm."

Duane fell into thought.

’Why would Daniels send something like this to strengthen my forces?’

’There could only be one answer: to make me see his value.’

’Being able to create something as extraordinary as the Sauce Meat Fruit makes Daniels incredibly valuable, perhaps even more so than Bard.’

’No shrewd member of the Nobility would let such a talent slip through their fingers.’

’Even if he doesn’t join the Nobility, as long as he works for them, he can enjoy excellent treatment.’

"Mages... they truly are incredible!"

The Sauce Meat Fruit deepened Duane’s fascination with Magic.

’If only I could master the method for making Sauce Meat Fruits too!’

「At the same time.」

Kalina and the others returned to the Broken Wave Gang’s territory, while Simone broke away from the group, riding alone toward his home.

As a top-tier fighter for the Holy Hand Association, his status and treatment here were quite high.

He had not only his own courtyard but also his own land and servants.

Simone returned home and handed the reins to a servant. "Is Vera asleep?"

It was around nine in the evening, and Vera was usually asleep by this time.

"Sir, the young lady is not home," the servant replied respectfully.

"Hmm?"

Simone’s expression turned grim. "What happened?"

The servant looked up suddenly and felt a chill run down his spine.

The man before him, despite his weathered face, suddenly resembled an enraged tiger ready to devour someone whole.

The servant had never seen his master look like this and was so frightened he froze on the spot, forgetting to reply.

Simone reined in his intense aura, suppressing his anger. "Where is Vera?"

"The young lady... she... she was taken away by Uleir! He said Lord Daniels invited her to the castle to play!"

Simone froze, his expression instantly turning foul. "Dammit!"

He snatched back the reins, vaulted onto his horse, and whipped its flank fiercely, galloping toward the castle.

On Black Forest Island, Simone cared for no one.

He cared only for his daughter.

She was the only child he’d had with his beloved Constance, his treasure.

This was also the reason he had promised to help Daniels after he saved Vera.

BOOM!

A Fighting Qi Slash shattered the gate to Uleir’s courtyard.

"Uleir, get out here!"

Simone’s first thought was that Uleir had taken Vera on his own initiative, not under orders from Daniels.

That was why he had come here.

"S-Sir... Lord Uleir isn’t... isn’t home..."

Someone, so terrified they could barely speak, managed to respond.

"Where is he?" Simone was growing impatient.

"He’s at the castle..."

"The castle?"

Only then did it click for Simone. ’Did Daniels really order Uleir to take Vera?’

He snorted coldly, wheeled his horse around, and galloped toward the castle.

Soon, he arrived outside the castle.

"Sir!"

The gatekeepers bowed respectfully.

Simone suppressed his anxiety. "Is Uleir inside?"

"He is!"

Upon hearing that, he quickly asked, "Have you seen my daughter?"

"We have, sir."

One of the Guards at the gate replied, "Lord Uleir brought your daughter into the castle this afternoon. They haven’t come out yet."

Hearing this, Simone’s panic subsided, replaced by a cold calm.

"Daniels!"

His brow furrowed. ’What exactly are you trying to do?’

Simone nudged his horse’s sides with his heels and rode into the castle.