Chapter 169: Invitation (Two-in-One Big Chapter)_2
"Major Marika, just call me Rein," Rein naturally could tell there was no malice in the other party's words.
"Baron Rein, have you considered taking a position in the navy?"
"Given the capability you demonstrated in this ennoblement assessment, you would surely be heavily utilized, the South Seas Fleet also needs capable young talents like you to join."
Rein raised an eyebrow, he hadn't expected that Major Marika would directly recruit him to join the navy.
Honestly, if he hadn't received an invitation from the Sword Bearers, he would seriously have considered her suggestion.
Because in terms of opportunities and the scale of the organization, the Imperial Navy, no, just the South Seas Fleet alone, far exceeded Meister County.
The promotion opportunities there, as well as the potential to encounter various kinds of witchcraft, naturally far surpassed those available in the remote Meister County.
But now, this recruitment had lost its allure to Rein.
Instead, dealing with many trivial matters in the meantime would drain a lot of his energy.
For now, Rein planned to settle his family affairs and then find a time to head to the Golden Coast to seek further enhancement of his capabilities from Master Ganther.
Because this was the most efficient and safest choice to improve his capabilities.
Of course, handling certain mysterious events had brought Rein handsome rewards, but the inherent risks could not be entirely ignored.
"Thank you for the invitation, Major Marika. I have long admired the Imperial Navy, but unfortunately, I have already received an invitation from a special department of the Empire, so... I am truly very sorry," Rein sincerely said.
He mainly did not mention the Sword Bearers because he did not want to give Marika the impression of boasting.
"Oh? So soon?" A trace of surprise flashed across Marika's beautiful face.
How could the special department of the Empire have contacted Rein so quickly?
With such capability and efficiency, could it be...
"Baron Rein, the special department you mentioned, it wouldn't happen to be the Empire's Sword Bearers, would it?" Marika couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Eh? How did you know? It indeed is the Sword Bearers," Rein nodded.
This in turn surprised Rein, as Viscount Theo was unlikely to spread such news actively; this meant Marika had guessed it herself.
And Major Marika suddenly seemed to realize something.
No wonder, when she had talked with General Xilva about 'why not invite Rein to the South Seas Fleet,' General Xilva had cryptically said, 'You might try, but I certainly can't.'
It appeared that General Xilva had already known about Rein receiving the invitation from the Empire's Sword Bearers at that time.
Resultantly, she had excitedly taken it upon herself to become this 'mediator.'
'The old fox' was taking a shot in the dark to see if he could persuade Rein to stay.
Understanding this brought a slight flush to Marika's cheeks.
Rein, observing Major Marika, felt a bit puzzled.
Why was the Major showing a bashful expression? But her naval uniform combined with this shy expression indeed formed a beautiful scene.
Indeed, several men nearby were already staring, dumbstruck.
"Then, Baron Rein, I wish you a smooth journey! Remember to write to me," having realized there was no hope for Rein to join the navy, Marika quickly adjusted her mood, smiling as she waved her hand.
"Thank you, Major Marika, I will, and you are welcome to visit Meister County anytime," Rein said with a smile.
After bidding farewell to Marika, Rein, carrying his luggage, came to the stables at the side of the Navy Home Inn, placed his luggage on a chestnut horse, and then mounted a black horse, merging into the street crowds.
However, Rein didn't head north directly to Meister County but proceeded towards the noble residential area west of Rosby City.
Soon, he arrived at the entrance of a luxurious mansion where the servant at the door immediately opened the gate, smiling as he greeted, "Knight Rein, Miss Evelyn is with her friends at the training ground."
This was Evelyn's home.
Ever since Rein had encountered Evelyn unexpectedly at Nightingale Market, their relationship had quickly warmed up.
Yesterday, at Evelyn's invitation, Rein had visited her home, so the servants at the door were familiar with Rein, the young man who was a new friend of the miss.
Initially, Viscountess Norman, curious yet slightly worried that her daughter had invited a young man she had never met before to their home as a guest,
felt reassured when she met Rein and realized he was of commoner heritage, which was quite different from Evelyn's status.
Even though he was a newly knighted knight.
But when Evelyn said, 'Mother, Rein is very likely to be the first in this ennoblement assessment,'
Viscountess Norman immediately dropped her objections, even strongly supporting her daughter to invite Rein over more often, saying it was proper to show extensive hospitality.
This left Evelyn somewhat speechless.
'With her friends at the training ground?'
Rein didn't think much of it, stopping the servant from taking the horse to the stable for care, but instead followed the servant, riding directly to the training ground located beside the mansion's back garden.
Because he planned to greet them and then head straight back to Flashgold Town.
There, he saw Evelyn, a redhead, sparring in Combat Skill with a male knight about her age. Aside from servants and guards obviously dressed in service uniforms, three men and a woman, wearing noble hunting outfits or Knight Armor, were spectating.