King-Chapter 1105 - 164: Can’t Go Back_3

Although setting up their own tents, when traveling, these were the necessary items to carry.

To rest truly meant to rest; the recently established New Moon Port hardly housed many nobles.

Nobles of the same status as Caryo were merely passing through, with none permanently residing there. Attempting to network often meant finding no one at all.

As the host, Hudson now belonged to high society, and ordinary nobles couldn’t even get an audience.

In recent days, although the relationship between the two families had mended slightly, it only returned to normalcy, far from being old family friends.

Unless Earl Piers and his son visited, other members of the Dalton Family would not warrant Hudson’s personal reception.

"Then let’s find an inn to rest for a couple of days, contact the city management, and have them designate an area for the immigrants to set up camp.

Knight Hiludi, you have good relations with the Koslow family. Inquire around and see which noble’s entourage has passed through these past few days."

Viscount Caryo, having come back to his senses, promptly gave the order.

He had brought his troops so early to seize the initiative in the territory development. For most nobles, the advantage of acting first was crucial.

To establish a foothold early meant one could start production sooner. Those nobles who arrived later would become their potential clients.

Aside from a few financially extravagant noble lords, most nobles had to be frugal in the development of their territories.

The Dalton family were naturally wealthy, but Caryo was only Governor Piers’s nephew. No matter how much he was valued, there was a level of separation, and the resources he could access were naturally not unlimited.

To avoid causing trouble for his uncle and to reduce his cousin’s resentment, Caryo chose to take a risk.

This was a relative risk, daring to bring his troops in advance because Caryo believed the orcs lacked the courage to bypass the Snow Moon Territory and cause trouble further behind the lines.

"Very well, Viscount!"

Knight Hiludi replied with a melancholic tone.

His connection with the Koslow family was indeed quite strong, including some key figures who were his friends. Regrettably, he had pledged loyalty too early and missed out on this wave of developmental dividends.

A noble’s sustenance came from reputation, and having sworn fealty to the Dalton family, it was only proper he did not switch loyalties midstream.

Choosing the wrong patron inevitably impacted his development. Although he had also followed Earl Piers in campaigns from south to north, hard work often eclipsed merits.

If his superiors didn’t achieve notable victories to flaunt, it was natural that he, as their subordinate, wouldn’t have any military achievements. As a result, after years of service, he remained a minor knight.

Witnessing his old friends climbing up the ranks, all Hiludi could do was envy them. Viscount Caryo bringing him to the Near East was precisely because of the connections he had.

Elevating from an enforcer to an external affairs coordinator was progress in his career, but it was a pity that this advancement didn’t come from military merit but rather from his connections.

The noble world could not do without social niceties, but regrettably, Hiludi was a traditional noble. Rather than advancing due to his network, he would have preferred to rise through military achievements.

It was a societal expectation; a noble with military merits was respected more and held a firmer stance when speaking.

Having more friends made the journey smoother, and while status differences distanced their interactions, those deep-seated emotions from memories remained.

As long as there were no conflicting interests, everyone remained good friends.

...

"Hiludi, welcome to New Moon Port. You should have sent word ahead; I would have come to the docks to receive you!

Had I known you were coming, the Duke would have been pleased, but it’s unfortunate he just returned to the Mountain Domain today, and you just missed him."

Baron Adrian spoke heartily.

Time flew by, and reunions among old friends were hard to come by. The two not only worked under the Dalton Family together but also Hiludi was one of the original participants in the territory division.

The exchange of minor intelligence was something he had not seldom done.

Although there was a mix of interest exchange, without genuine rapport, not even money could pave the way.

"Ha ha, you’re too kind, Adrian. I consider it lucky enough to run into an old friend like you.

The Duke is a busy man, deciding on matters that affect the kingdom’s rise and fall; I wouldn’t dare to visit rashly."

Hiludi responded with a chuckle.

That favor he sold to Hudson back then was his most valuable political investment. He wouldn’t use it lightly, unless absolutely necessary.

Merely to inquire about a piece of information, it was sufficient to catch up and chat with an old friend. After all, the Dalton Family reimbursed expenses, no need to use valuable favors.

As long as it wasn’t vital information, nobles tended to accommodate each other. Caryo had sent Hiludi mainly to foster connections.

If he had gone personally, he wouldn’t need to give anything, and the city officials would have shared such basic information with him.

"Hiludi, you turning sly. In the old days, you would never have said something like that.

Back then, you treated the Duke almost like a nephew. Now, all of a sudden, you’ve created a distance, and I bet the Duke would not be pleased."

Adrian’s words prompted Hiludi to roll his eyes. It wasn’t that he had changed, but the disparity in their status was too great to keep up.

"Enough, Adrian. As if you haven’t changed, now every other word is ’His Grace’ or ’the Duke,’ but you used to address him by name.

If you could be like before, unconcerned with status differences, then I would truly admire you as a figure!"

Hiludi retorted disdainfully.

There was no helping it; the status difference was too significant. Though he was a knight and Hudson was a baron back then, in essence, they both belonged to the lower nobility.

With the social network he had built up, compared to a green Hudson, they were not much different.

Now everything was different. Adults ultimately had to abide by the rules. If he presumed on their friendship to act wantonly, even if Hudson said nothing, society would teach them a lesson.

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