Volume Two: The Iron-Blooded Baron — Chapter 114: You Don’t Understand Love

Berion smiled as he watched the girl, who was so delighted by his carefully prepared gift that she nearly jumped for joy. A warm feeling spread through his heart as he said to Jessis, "As long as you like it, I will give you gifts often."

Upon hearing this, Jessis waved her hand and replied, "There is no need for that. Instead of spending your energy on preparing gifts for me, you should focus your efforts on the Minister of Security and the Minister of War. With their help, it won't be difficult for your noble title to be elevated another rank."

Berion nodded, smiling, and said, "You, just rest assured. I have a very clear plan for how I do things; just wait for my good news."

No sooner had Berion finished speaking than Jessis suddenly rushed forward, hugged him, and then turned and ran off, her face flushed. As she walked away, she called back, "I believe in you, Berion. May the great God of Fire bless you."

Stunned by the embrace from the one he held dear, Berion stood rooted to the spot, as if he had received a reward he had never dared to hope for. It was only after a long while, once Jessis was far away, that he regained his senses. He jogged a few steps and shouted, "Don't worry, Jessis, I will not let you down."

After parting ways with Jessis, a lightheaded Berion wandered back to where the carriage was parked. Bran, seeing his master returning with a goofy grin and looking as if he had lost his soul, turned pale with fright. He hurriedly jumped off the carriage, desperate to run over and see what was wrong with Berion.

However, Hark grabbed him, grumbling, "You really are oblivious. Why run over there? Let our master enjoy this. It’s not every day he gets to experience such wonderful moments."

"Huh? Brother Hark, what do you mean? Are you not worried about the master's safety?" Bran asked, looking at Hark in confusion.

Hark cast him a look of disdain and said with a scoff, "You’ve grown up, yet you understand so little. What could possibly happen to our master while he’s meeting the girl he loves? His heart has simply been stolen by that beautiful countess."

Bran rolled his eyes, pondered Hark's words for a moment, and then realized with a start, "Oh, I understand! It’s just like the love stories of princes and princesses in the long poems recited by Brother Dru. The master is the prince who has fallen into the river of love."

Hark nodded with satisfaction. Mimicking the way Berion would pat their heads, he patted Bran’s head and said with a grin, "See? You finally get it. You’re still a salvageable lad."

Bran rolled his eyes at Hark. "You’re just full of wisdom, aren't you!"

The two chased and teased each other beside the carriage until Berion approached, at which point they stopped. Berion didn't say much upon seeing them; he simply had them board the carriage and instructed the driver to take them back to the city.

Throughout the journey, Berion remained very quiet. He sat blankly in the carriage, clutching the clothes Jessis had made for him, not saying a single word. Fortunately, Hark had explained the situation to Bran beforehand; otherwise, they would have assumed their master—who usually never stopped teaching them—had fallen under a devil's curse, and they would have certainly ordered the driver to take Berion straight to the cathedral in Yancusuo.

Berion, however, had no idea what they were thinking or whispering about. His mind was filled with every smile and word Jessis had shared with him since they met, their dance at the banquet, and that incredibly gentle yet delightful embrace she had just given him.

Love is intoxicating. Having lived two lifetimes, Berion finally understood this. Fortunately, while his beloved was a young noblewoman, she lacked the airs of a spoiled aristocrat and was, instead, very considerate. Thinking of this, Berion silently thanked the great God of Transmigration for sending such a beautiful, gentle girl into his life.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage returned to their residence in Yancusuo. Hark nudged Berion gently and whispered, "Master, we have arrived."

"Oh, we're here. Very well," Berion stood up, shook off the daze of love, and returned to the image of a heroic young knight. Clutching the clothes Jessis had made for him, he stepped out of the carriage.

Watching Berion stride into the courtyard with vigor, Bran nudged Hark with his shoulder and asked with a grin, "Brother Hark, do you think we will ever find love like that when we reach the master's age?"

Hearing this, Hark doubled over with laughter. He pointed a finger at Bran and said, "Little brother Bran, you are too funny! I don't think you ever will, because you are a block of wood when it comes to romance. I, however, have a very good chance."

"Pah! You? How are you better than me? I am better-looking and stronger than you; I will definitely win a girl's heart before you do," Bran retorted, refusing to back down.

As they were busy bickering, Gamgee emerged from a nearby alley. He looked at the two young knight-attendants with a smile, draped his arms around their shoulders, and asked, "What's this? Are you two looking to take wives?"

Caught off guard by the uncle's question, both boys blushed. Hark mumbled in response, "Uncle Gamgee, what are you saying? We are still young! The master told us that a man shouldn't consider love or marriage before the age of twenty; career comes first."

"Pah! He’s still a few months shy of twenty himself, yet he’s already cozying up to that young countess! And he has the nerve to teach you that! I’m going to have a word with that shameless fellow later," Gamgee said with a laugh.

"No, no, no! Uncle Gamgee, please don't! If you do that, our master will make us wash the entire guard's stinky socks for two months!" Bran pleaded pitifully.

Gamgee patted Bran’s head with affection, laughing. "I'm only teasing you both. Look at you, scared like that—such cowards. How are you going to find wives in the future?"

"We'll deal with the future later. For now, we are following the master's instructions and working hard to learn from him. The master also said something like, 'A powerful man doesn't need to worry about not having a wife,'" Bran said with a smile.

Hark chuckled and added, "Uncle Gamgee, the master's exact words were, 'A heroic man does not need to worry about not being able to take a wife.'"

"Indeed, indeed!" Gamgee nodded. He sighed, "That sounds exactly like something your master would say. He truly is a young hero."

"Alright, I'm heading in. You two should go tidy up your things as well; we head back tomorrow," Gamgee instructed.

He started to walk away, but stopped after a few steps. He turned back, pulled two coin purses from his robe, tossed them to Bran and Hark, and said with a smile, "Look at my memory, I almost forgot. Here are twenty denarii. Take them and go buy yourselves something in town.

"Bran, this is your first time away from home for so long. Buy your father, Gamlin, some clothes, and get some silver jewelry for your mother and sister. If you bring gifts home after a trip, they’ll praise you for being thoughtful.

"As for you, Hark, think about whether you should prepare some extra medicine for your mother. There are no physicians in Norlandburg, and the physicians in Amondin are certainly not as skilled as those in Yancusuo. I suggest you stock up so she has some when she isn't feeling well."

"Uncle Gamgee..." Bran and Hark began to refuse, but Gamgee waved them off.

"There's no need to be polite with me," Gamgee said with a smile. "You've helped me quite a bit during this time, especially when I was drunk. Besides, I can't let you call me 'Uncle' for nothing. Consider this a gift. If you truly want to thank me, don't forget your Uncle Gamgee once you grow up. Now, off you go, you little rascals!"

After speaking, Gamgee turned and left, leaving Bran and Hark standing there with tears in their eyes. Bran said to Hark, "Brother Hark, ever since I started following the master, I've realized there are so many good people in the world."

"That's all because of our master. Only good people gather around good people. If you were in a latrine, you'd only meet flies and maggots," Hark replied.

Bran rolled his eyes at him, clearly finding the comment disgusting.

The next morning, under the rising sun, Berion and his company of over a hundred men began their journey back to the direct-controlled county. Unlike their departure, after incorporating Lothaire and his men, Berion now had an additional cavalry troop and over thirty warhorses. Once they arrived at Norlandburg and confirmed their loyalty, Berion intended to purchase all these horses.

As for how the money would be distributed, that was a matter for Lothaire and Oromi. The funds would allow Lothaire and his men to relocate their families to Norlandburg and settle down with homes and land. However, as a trade-off, the settlement allowance Berion provided would not be as high, a point Berion had discussed with them beforehand, which they understood—after all, they were already in his debt.

A week later, the party arrived at Sith Town. Sir Tour hosted a grand welcome banquet in their honor. As the great benefactor who saved the town and resolved the conflict with the Black Mountain Group, and with Berion’s reputation growing even further after the trial by combat in Yancusuo, Sir Tour’s attitude toward Berion was even more respectful.

Moreover, through recent letters from the Minister of Security, Sir Tour had learned that Berion was to be promoted to a baronet. The young hero, not yet twenty and having risen two ranks in two years, naturally became the center of attention.

After two days of heavy drinking in Sith Town, Berion firmly insisted that Sir Tour forgo any further banquets on the third day. Instead, they discussed cooperation, including the training of soldiers. On the road from Yancusuo to Sith Town, Berion and Gamgee had planned out the details of the combat training base, and they hoped to make Sir Tour their first client.

Upon hearing Berion’s terms, Sir Tour agreed without a second thought. After all, at thirty denarii per man per month, being able to train a batch of qualified infantry in three months was an incredible bargain. Of course, Sir Tour did not yet realize that the real wealth-draining weapon Berion held—the supply of weapons and equipment—was yet to come. After all, since ancient times, the arms trade had always been a highly lucrative business.

Sir Tour happily signed a training contract with Berion. Berion was to train a twenty-five-man infantry squad for him by next June. If the results of the first batch satisfied him, Sir Tour would provide a second batch and recommend Berion to his friends.

After signing the contract, Sir Tour not only paid the deposit but also specially prepared a solid gold statue of a knight as a gift for Berion’s promotion to baronet. This gift, worth five thousand denarii, truly left Berion flattered. After all, Sir Tour was only a minor noble himself; such generosity was a sign of genuine friendship. That is how people are: when one shows great kindness, the other responds with gratitude.

That is how it usually goes.