"Congratulations, Mr. Kenley. Or rather, I should address you as Lord Kenley."

  To Kenley's mild astonishment, on the very day he ascended to the position of lord, the first individual to pay him a visit was none other than Fess.

  Through Fess, Kenley came to learn that the five individuals who had previously formed a team with Guinevere were all nobles hailing from the Christophon domain.

  Although Kenley had recollections of having visited Deshalin Town, he was taken aback by its remarkably extensive area. It boasted a staggering five thousand mu of cultivated land, a fact that left him quite astounded.

  In the game, Kenley had persistently been occupied with slaying monsters to increase his level or participating in competitions, and as a result, he seldom directed his attention towards the management of his territory. Typically, in the game, a single guild exerted control over a specific piece of territory. Players were able to obtain titles, yet they could only share and enjoy that territory collectively.(After all, there was a substantial number of game players. Were all of them to be enfeoffed simultaneously, even the most abundant amount of land would prove insufficient. Hence, the official adopted the guild enfeoffment system, whereby a guild was assigned control over a particular expanse of land.)

  However, the situation was different now. Here, there was only Kenley, a solitary player, and it was only natural that he, alone, became the lord and assumed control of a fiefdom.

  Five thousand mu of cultivated land was indeed a rather sizable tract of land.

  "Fess, it's been quite some time," Kenley greeted him amicably.

  "Greetings, Mr. Fess," Tia curtsied demurely.

  "If Anya were still with us, I'm certain she would be overjoyed to see that you've joined the Christophon family," Fess suddenly remarked.

  "Anya..." Kenley murmured the name but refrained from offering a response.

  "Oh, my memory fails me. I do apologize. I shouldn't have brought this up at this inopportune moment."

  "No, it's quite all right, Fess. On the contrary, I'm glad you mentioned it. I will make a visit to Anya's grave tomorrow and lay a bouquet of flowers in her honor. Having just arrived in Deshalin Town today, I have a multitude of matters to attend to and, for the time being, find myself unable to spare the time," Kenley replied.

  Just at that moment, the neighing of horses suddenly resounded once more.

  A noble carriage convoy made its way forward. In the vanguard were six level-20 knights clad in exquisite iron armor, and trailing behind them were twelve level-15 warrior guards.

  Fess furrowed his brow slightly as he observed the convoy, and there appeared to be a discernible trace of displeasure in his eyes.

  "Oh! My dear brother Fess! What brings you here to greet a rustic bumpkin? Is the fine wine of the Baggins family lacking in fragrance, or are the succulent fruits of the Riddle family wanting in sweetness?" A voice, somewhat reminiscent of a rodent's, rang out, and two figures alighted from the carriage.

  One of the nobles was attired in opulent finery, sporting short, curly golden hair, piercing blue eyes, and not a whisker on his face. Overall, he presented a rather respectable appearance.

  If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  The other, with medium-length brown hair, a wispy mustache reminiscent of a rodent's, and a glint of cunning in his dark eyes, was the one who had just spoken.

  "The gentleman with the golden hair is Clay, the eldest son of the Baggins family. His father holds the title of baron. The one with the brown hair is Mibosei, the eldest son of the Riddle family. His father is a viscount," Fess promptly whispered in Kenley's ear to provide an introduction.

  Kenley nodded. It was evident that these two individuals had arrived with less than amicable intentions.

  Fess offered a faint smile."Mibosei, why didn't you accompany your father on his hunting expedition today? I thought you had a particular penchant for such activities."

  Mibosei let out a sneering laugh."Fess, I was just about to extend an invitation for you to join us, but I heard from your household servants that you had gone to the newly enfeoffed baron's domain. Fess, you must be cognizant of your own standing. You are a hereditary noble, so do not stoop to the level of those vermin that scurry out of the gutters and soil your reputation."

  Vermin from the gutters? Mibosei's words were truly offensive.

  Tia also knitted her brows, and her frosty gaze, sharp as a blade, swept towards Mibosei.

  Startled by Tia's piercing stare, Mibosei was momentarily taken aback. However, he soon became aware of Tia's exceptional beauty. His initially apprehensive expression was swiftly replaced by a lecherous leer, much like the one Auber had once displayed.

  Kenley stepped protectively in front of Tia and then stated,"Mr. Mibosei, I would kindly ask you to conduct yourself with dignity. We both serve the Grand Duke of Christophon. Having just assumed my post in Deshalin Town today, I have no desire to place Her Highness Guinevere in an awkward position on my very first day."

  "What?" Upon hearing Kenley's words, Mibosei sprang up like a mouse whose tail had been stepped on, emitting a startled squeak.

  He pointed an accusatory finger at Kenley's nose and snarled,"Do not delude yourself into thinking that just because you have been enfeoffed as a baron, you are now superior! A bumpkin will always remain a bumpkin!"

  Kenley's countenance grew cold in response.

  Just then, Clay Baggins, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, suddenly stepped forward."Mibosei, today is a special occasion, and we still have a significant gathering to attend. There is no need to squander our precious time in this place."

  "Oh! I nearly forgot. We are due to attend an important assembly, and we have no leisure to engage in a tussle with a rustic noble like yourself," Mibosei adjusted his collar, snorted haughtily at Kenley, and then retreated towards the carriage.

  Just as he was about to board the carriage, Mibosei turned back and said,"Fess, would you care to join us?"

  Fess furrowed his brow. It was patently clear that Mibosei was attempting to coerce him into taking sides. However, Fess saw the situation clearly. From start to finish, it was Mibosei who had been the instigator of the provocation, while Kenley had maintained a consistently courteous demeanor. He shook his head inwardly, truly lamenting the fact that the Riddle family had produced such a deplorable eldest son.

  "Apologies, Mibosei. Lord Kenley and I have matters of importance to discuss. You may proceed without us," Fess said resolutely.

  "Are you certain? This is the Grain King Competition, which is held once every season. As the eldest son of the Bormicia family, how can you afford to miss such a crucial gathering?"

  "My apologies, Mibosei."

  After Mibosei closed the carriage door with a sullen expression, Kenley immediately inquired,"Mr. Fess, what exactly is the Grain King Competition?"

  Upon hearing Kenley's question, Fess immediately replied with a smile,"The Grain King Competition is a competition that takes place in our Christophon domain once every season. Its purpose is to spur the various lords to continuously develop agriculture, increase production, and raise taxes, thereby securing greater benefits for the Christophon family. The lord who emerges victorious will not only be awarded a special agricultural merit medal but will also have the honor of being personally received by the Grand Duke and invited to attend the Grand Duke's family banquet."

  "I see... Thank you, Fess," Kenley expressed his gratitude.

  Fess shook his head."Mibosei's sudden arrival this time is unmistakably aimed at you. His family has long coveted the fiefdom of Deshalin Town, yet the Grand Duke has thus far refrained from determining its ownership. Therefore, you can well imagine how much he resents your presence here."