The wizard starts by trimming the donkey's hooves

Chapter 263 Two New Mysteries (Two chapters in one)

In the city of Munster.

Wren House, Reception Room.

"By the way, Alyosha, how did you know that I was attacked today? Did the news spread so quickly?" Ryan couldn't help but ask after taking the special healing potion.

"Mr. Ryan, actually I wanted to come and congratulate you today, but I just happened to hear that you were attacked." Alyosha couldn't help but relax when he saw that Ryan showed no signs of injury at all, and said with a smile.

"Congratulations?" Ryan looked puzzled.

"Eh? Yes, don't you know?"

"Because of your recent outstanding performance, the Munster Sword Bearer Branch has submitted your application for the title of Viscount."

Viscount?

Claire on the side was stunned!
How long has it been since Ryan was promoted from baron to viscount?
As a descendant of a noble family, she naturally knew how difficult it was.

It would take an average baron a lifetime to accumulate enough merit to be promoted to viscount, but how long did it take Ryan? Five months? Three months? Or even shorter?
The head maid Shatia, who was standing next to Claire, had her eyes widened suddenly and covered her mouth.

OMG!

What on earth has Ryan done in the past six months?
Before, although young barons like Ryan were rare, I had heard of them. However, such a young Imperial Viscount was really unheard of!

And if he is a viscount, then he is only one step away from becoming an earl!

Xia Diya couldn't help but lower her eyes and looked at Claire who was sitting on a large suede sofa beside her. She thought to herself, "Miss, since you discovered that Ryan was talented at that time, why didn't you let Ryan sign a contract to become your follower!"

"Alyosha, how did you know? I don't even know about this myself." After thinking about it, Ryan felt that the most likely possibility should be the diamond-level mission that was completed this time.

Hearing what Ryan said, Alyosha chuckled and said, "Mr. Ryan, have you forgotten what my father does?"

Ryan suddenly realized!

He really didn't remember at once that wasn't Alyosha's father, Javier, the special envoy of the Imperial Enthronement Assessment Committee stationed in the province of Münster?
All promotions to baron and viscount in the province of Munster must be reported to Javier.

Only after assessment and review to determine that there are no problems, will Javier be reported to the Imperial Senate for filing. In other words, Javier is an inevitable step in the promotion process.

No wonder Alyosha came to congratulate him.

Speaking of promotion, Ryan suddenly remembered one thing. On the last Sunday of the Grass Moon this year, he would also attend the official enthronement ceremony of the Duke of Munster. Of course, the Duke of Munster would be enthroned on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor.

"Thank you, Miss Alyosha." Ryan immediately expressed his gratitude for the girl's concern and congratulations.

"You're welcome. By the way, Mr. Ryan, since you have a distinguished guest today, I won't bother you anymore. I'll take my leave now." Alyosha glanced at Claire with his beautiful eyes, bowed to the two of them like a lady, and turned to leave.

Alyosha came and left in a hurry, but what he brought to Claire and her servant was one shock after another!

Claire smoothed the hair that fell by her ears, calmed herself down, looked at Ryan with burning eyes, and said with a smile: "Congratulations, Viscount Ryan."

"Ms. Ekleya, you should just call me Ryan." Ryan couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Ryan, I didn't expect that you'd made such great progress after just half a year of not seeing you. If I had known, I should have signed a contract with you and made you my follower."

"Having an Imperial Viscount as a follower is quite impressive," Claire said half-jokingly.

"Ms. Claire, if it weren't for your enlightenment at that time, I wouldn't have been able to take the first step towards transcendence." Ryan also smiled and said.

At this time, Claire turned to Shadiya and said, "I need to talk to Viscount Ryan. Shadiya, please don't let others disturb us."

"Yes, miss." Xia Diya left the living room and closed the door.

Claire's face froze, and she said slowly:

"Ryan, now that you have joined the Sword Bearers, I believe you already understand some things."

"I returned from the imperial capital this time because my family encountered unprecedented difficulties."

"My father, Earl Habs, was seriously injured in a surprise attack by the top leaders of the Black Flame Church. The family suffered heavy losses in the form of elite members. Most of the family's allies and old friends are not optimistic about the current situation and their support for us is limited."

"If the special departments such as the Imperial Swordbearers and Earthshakers had not sent out teams, the situation in Mayest County would probably be even worse now."

"As the Habsburg family whose fiefdom is in Meist, we have a special affection for Meist and have a greater responsibility to maintain stability. So, Ryan, I would like to hire you as the guardian knight of the Habsburg family."

Having said this, Claire paused, and then stated the conditions:
"Ryan, once you agree to become the guardian knight of the Habsburg family, you will receive maximum support from the Habsburg family's collection of extraordinary combat skills, witchcraft, potions, funds, and connections."

Hearing this, Ryan thought for a moment and said frankly:

"Ms. Claire, before I met you today, I had already taken on several missions related to the Black Flame Cult in Mayest County as a sword bearer, including the mission of protecting your father, the governor of Mayest County."

"So, you don't need to hire me as the guardian knight of the Habsburg family. There are some things that I should do as well."

"Don't forget that Meister is also my hometown."

Undoubtedly, the conditions offered by Claire were extremely generous. Even the guardian knights of ordinary marquis families could not get such generous conditions.

But Ryan at this time was no longer the boy servant who wanted to seek promotion in the Habsburg estate.

Now, asking him to become the guardian knight of the Habsburg family, or the guardian knight of any other noble family, does not have much appeal, but rather adds an extra layer of restraint.

After all, according to the Guardian Knight's contract, once the other family is in danger, he has to go to rescue.

Now, the only family that Ryan agreed to join was the Crowley family, the family that the beautiful woman Jennifer belonged to.

Given his close relationship with the other party, it no longer matters whether he is a guardian knight or not, Ryan will take action.

Claire showed joy upon hearing Ryan's words, but it quickly disappeared.

She frowned slightly, shook her head, and said, "Ryan, maybe there is something you don't know yet."

"According to the information I received from the Imperial Academy, the turmoil that has befallen Meister and most of the empire's territory is likely just the beginning."

"Hmm? Miss Claire, are you sure?" Ryan frowned slightly.

This turmoil that almost swept across the entire empire was just the beginning?
But why didn't he hear any similar news in the Sword Bearer Branch?

"Well, it is said that it comes from the prophecy of the great astrologer Lord Darien. Everyone, including His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire, attaches great importance to this prophecy."

Great astrologer?

No wonder!
Ryan seemed to have seen some related introduction in a book. It seemed to be a special title for high-level wizards who specialized in prophecy, and their number could be counted on one's fingers in the entire empire.

"Ryan, I saw with my own eyes that you killed 'Ice Messenger' Grant in just three moves. Your talent in the path of knighthood far exceeds my expectations."

"I believe that this is not your end. Your strength will become stronger over time. In addition, even if the conditions I offer can attract other masters, I prefer to trust you."

"Like you just said, Ryan, Meister is also your hometown."

Claire's words immediately made Ryan fall into deep thought.

If the current turmoil is just the beginning.
Then this issue needs to be reconsidered.

Although he could obtain the extraordinary combat skills and witchcraft that Claire mentioned from the Imperial Sword Bearer Organization, resources such as funds and connections were his weaknesses.

Because many things require the accumulation of several generations of a noble family, and he has just been promoted to the nobility, the time is too short and the foundation is insufficient. If he has the support of the Habsburg family, it will naturally be very beneficial.

Apart from other things, just the information that Claire just revealed, even among the Sword Bearers, he had never heard of it.

Of course, this may be because he is only in the Munster branch of the Sword Bearers, or it may be due to insufficient authority.

but
Ryan still shook his head and said, "Ms. Claire, I'm sorry, I can't agree to this."

This immediately made Claire's beautiful face unable to hide her disappointment!

But the next second, Ryan changed the subject and said, "But, Miss Claire, please allow me to be your personal guardian knight."

Ok?
This made Claire stunned for a moment, but she immediately showed joy on her face.

She understood what Ryan meant.

Although being the guardian knight of the Habsburg family and being her personal guardian knight are both guardian knights, there is a huge difference between them.

Simply put, if he becomes her guardian knight, then if other people from the Habsburg family want to seek Ryan's protection, Ryan can completely refuse.

At the same time, Ryan can also intervene or not intervene at all as appropriate in troubles involving the interests of the Habsburg family.

The only thing Ryan had to guarantee was that he would help her when her life was in danger.

"Ryan, thank you." Claire sat up straight, looking at Ryan seriously with her beautiful eyes.

But immediately, Claire's face turned slightly red.

She also thought of one more thing.

Because according to the established practice, if a knight who also holds an official title says that he wants to become the guardian knight of a noble lady, he is actually expressing his love in a subtle way.

Claire didn't know whether Ryan knew this or not.

Moreover, if the noble lady chooses to accept it, then it actually expresses the meaning of "I accept your love".

Of course Ryan didn't know this.

Ryan just felt that if Claire was in danger, he would be willing to help even without any contract.

Therefore, he was a little surprised when he saw Miss Claire, who was always graceful and elegant, blushing slightly, and then he looked at her a few more times. But it must be said that Claire seemed to have a different kind of charm and beauty.

Claire's pretty face turned even redder after being looked at by Ryan, and she quickly said:
"Ryan, I'll go back to the hotel first. By the way, we have to meet up with two reinforcements sent by my father's old subordinates on the way, so we will set off for Meist tomorrow morning. Do you think the time is okay?"

"As for the appointment ceremony and dinner, please allow me to hold it for you when I return to Meister."

"Of course, Miss Claire."

After Ryan sent Claire and her servant to the luxurious carriage parked at the door, the beautiful women Jennifer and Jenny came back after a while.

That evening, accompanied by Ryan, his mother Emma, ​​his father Ryan Sr., his sister Mint and Jennifer enjoyed their first and extremely sumptuous dinner after arriving in the provincial capital of Münster.

However, at dinner, when they learned that Ryan was going to Meister to carry out a mission the next day, everyone had different expressions.

Mother Emma and old Ryan were naturally worried, but Mint was still confident in her brother, with no worry on her face, and the beautiful woman Jennifer was naturally disappointed.
Ryan had to go on a mission the next day, so she naturally had a bad night.
But soon, the beautiful woman seemed to have received some kind of secret signal and became excited.

Agatha was very surprised that Jenny, who almost never went out at night, actually asked her to go shopping for the first time.

“Jenny, didn’t you say it’s unsafe to go shopping at night?”

"Are there guards at home?"

"The key is that you don't like shopping during the day?" Agatha still looked confused.

"Stop asking so many questions! Is 'Cherruti' going?"

"Well? Go! But can you do it a little later? I want to talk to Baron Ryan for a while longer." Agatha was very conflicted!

But soon, Agatha was moved by Jenny's offer to help her customize a set of women's clothing at the famous Munster tailor shop "Cerruti", and went out with Jenny.

At this time, the beautiful woman Jennifer, who had just finished her meal, blushed slightly and stood up and said, "Baron Ryan, the Chamber of Commerce has a lot of things to do recently, and I need to discuss something with you."

Mother Emma and old Ryan naturally had no suspicion.

inside the room.

As Ryan becomes a senior knight, his needs in certain aspects naturally increase further.

The beautiful woman hadn't seen Ryan for a long time and was at an age where she needed help.

Thus, a fierce battle soon began.
( words omitted here)

An hour passed.

downstairs.

Mother Emma said to old Ryan with some doubt:
"It looks like the Chamber of Commerce is very busy. Look, Jennifer has gone upstairs and discussed with Ryan for so long."

"Well, I heard that the Chamber of Commerce's business has expanded from the county town to the provincial capital, so it's normal to be busy."

"Yeah, it's just that Jennifer has worked hard, Ryan should thank her."

In the upstairs room,
At this moment, Ryan had already lifted up her loose cashmere double-layer tunic, revealing her large, snow-white buttocks faintly visible during the movement, while Ryan easily held her slender waist, which could be grasped in one hand, with one hand.

After a while, the beautiful woman was able to rest on the large and luxurious chair. She turned her head, lifted her slightly messy hair by her ears, and looked at Ryan tiredly and said:
"My dear, you are amazing."

"My dear, I really think you should find a noble lady who also has extraordinary powers."

"This." Ryan knew that the beautiful woman was speaking from the heart.

Jennifer has mentioned this several times since he became a great knight.

If it was when he had just stepped into the ranks of a formal knight, the beautiful woman could be considered his match.

Now, Jennifer is really powerless.

After all, no woman would push the man she loves away.

No, I really can't stand it anymore
Not to mention the saying "A man is like a wolf at thirty and a tiger at forty". Even if they were real wolves and tigers, before they turned violent, they would be no better than kittens and puppies when facing Ryan, a senior knight.

Let the beautiful woman Jennifer rest early, and Ryan, who was in good condition, returned to his bedroom and suddenly thought of something.

Only then did he remember that he had forgotten to check the system prompts today because he met Claire, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

The system prompt is as follows:

[You have experienced a battle, Wizard (Legend) experience +802]

[Congratulations, you defeated a strong enemy and gained 1 gold skill point! 】

[Congratulations, your wizard (legend) career level has been upgraded! ]

[Congratulations, your wizard (legend) career level has been upgraded! ]

I saw that the wizard (legend) profession level had increased by two levels in a row, reaching level 3 (422/500), and was about to be upgraded again.

At the same time, this also allowed Ryan to gain two attribute points and two skill points again. Now he has 8 attribute points remaining and 4 skill points remaining.

In addition, although the entire battle ended extremely quickly, in terms of the opponent's strength, this 'Ice Messenger' Grant was still very strong and naturally belonged to the category of strong enemies.

Therefore, this battle also allowed Ryan to gain 1 gold skill point. At this moment, his gold skill points reached 8 points.

This made Ryan's mind move.

"It seems that the 'Crushing Hammer' is only one step away from being promoted to the top level."

Ryan immediately called up the Weapon Master (Legend) panel and checked it again.

A little calculation shows that to upgrade the Crushing Hammer to the top level, both the Hammer Technique and the Breathing Technique must be above level 18, which means 4 gold skill points are needed, plus the cost for promotion, a total of 8 points, which is exactly enough.

However, the attribute requirements are still slightly insufficient. The top-level secret requires 45 points of strength, 38 points of agility, and more than 40 points of physique.

At this moment, Ryan's attribute panel:

Constitution: 38
Power: 41
Agility: 35
Spirit: 52
There are gaps in physique, strength and agility, but the overall attribute point gap is only 1 point!
But soon, Ryan frowned slightly.

He thought back to the day's battle.

Although his strength is growing, the enemies he faces are becoming more and more difficult to deal with, and various methods are emerging one after another.

In fact, when he crushed the opponent's ice blade, his left hand could clearly feel the biting chill.

If it lasts longer, the chill will cause blood flow to slow down, limbs to stiffen, etc. This is one of the special witchcraft effects that makes ice wizards fearful.

Therefore, Ryan felt that he should diversify his response methods.

Perhaps, he could consider improving the defense first.

Although his 'Intermediate Steel Body' talent is very effective in defending against attacks from sharp weapons such as knives, guns, swords, and arrows, judging from the situation during the day, the defense of the steel body is relatively poor when facing the extreme cold, heat, or other effects of witchcraft.

After thinking for a moment, Ryan's mind changed, and in an instant, the hardened gold covering the gauntlet of his left plate armor turned into an iris shield.

Then, it quickly changed into a larger tower shield, firmly defending the area in front of Ryan.

The innate magic of "Metal Transfiguration" allows Ryan to use various shields at any time and anywhere.

At that moment, Ryan understood!
Therefore, as Ryan added 4 skill points in a row, Locken's axe and shield combat skills were directly upgraded to level 12.

Immediately, a flood of memories about Locken's training of the axe and shield combat skills flooded into Ryan's mind.

The memory of training with axe and shield now filled Ryan's mind and quickly merged into his muscle and fascia memory, as if he was alone in a mysterious space, undergoing more than ten years of hard training in Locken's axe and shield combat skills.

At the same time, Ryan could vaguely feel at this moment that he was only one step away from the subsequent derivative mysteries of his combat skills.

No hesitation, keep adding!
With the investment of 1 gold skill point, Locken's axe and shield combat skill successfully entered level 13, and the system's reminder about the ultimate skill finally sounded:

[Congratulations, you have mastered the primary secret of Lockon's axe and shield combat skills: Flash Cut! ]

[Congratulations, you have mastered the primary secret of Locken's Axe and Shield Combat Skill: Iron Wall! ]

"Huh? Two secrets!"

"The flash cut was expected."

"But it seems that the second item is about the secret of shield defense!"

Surprised, Ryan couldn't help but take a closer look.

Soon, he saw two new icons on the Weapon Master (Legend) panel, right above the 'Loken Axe and Shield Combat Skill'.

The pattern within the icon is like twins, with the same characters and weapons, only different postures.

The picture on the left shows a sturdy man holding a shield in his left hand and an axe in his right hand. He strides forward and chops down with the axe.

The other picture shows a strong man holding an axe and shield, with the axe retracted and the shield held high, looking as solid as a rock and in a defensive posture.

The text description of the secret is as follows:
Flash Cut (Basic Secret) Effect: Use a special force-generating technique that combines the Force with chopping, swing the axe, and deliver a blow with powerful cutting ability.

Iron Wall (primary secret) Effect: Use a special blocking technique that combines the Force with a shield, and swing the shield quickly, like a wall made of steel.

（铁壁提升至中级奥义，需满足下列条件：一、洛克恩斧盾战技lv14以上；二、熊王呼吸法lv14以上；三、力量35点，敏捷32点，体质30点以上；四、消耗黄金技能点1点。）
(End of this chapter)