Rivalry: Infinite Buff

Chapter 23- Baron

“What? Estate?” Ivan asked with a confused look on his face. Has my great charm won over the Lord? Or he wants to have an illicit love affair with me? What shall I do if he asks me to become Mrs. Logan? Shall I resist or yield? But to judge from his status, he wouldn’t do such a thing, would he? Ivan looked very frightened.

Lord Logan didn’t think that his words would cause Ivan to look so horrified. “Troubled times are about to begin. Dark Dragon of the Demon Race has overstepped his bounds. Now I have a reason to strike back. Lad, why not join us—the Just Alliance? During the war, you’ll be able to accumulate wartime exploits as well as reputation points, and in the future, you can exchange them for an estate and become a noble.” he explained.

After hearing what Lord Logan had said, Ivan thought, Is it that easy to become a noble? I won’t be able to make it unless I slay thousands. Yet, I’ve made an enemy of the Sovereign in a short time. I can’t establish myself in the game if I fight on my own. I need to gather others to be stronger. Since I’ve already slain Dark Dragon’s man—Mirage, I certainly cannot join the Demon Race. Now I can only rely on Lord Logan.

Therefore, Ivan replied ceremoniously with a small bow, “The Just Alliance’s fame has spread far and wide. I’ve been looking forward to joining you. Thank you for your appreciation and recruitment.”

Lord Logan got up and patted Ivan on the shoulder, smiling gladly. “Nice lad.”

System: Congratulations! You’ve joined the Just Alliance. Just Alliance Reputation +100.

“Oh, lad, I didn’t expect you to have so many reputation points. You got them for slaying Mirage, didn’t you? They’re very important.” Lord Logan was a little surprised when he noticed Ivan had 10100 points for his Reputation in the Just Alliance.

“What’s the use of Reputation?” Ivan asked in puzzlement.

“Everyone on the Blessing Continent seeks Reputation. It can make you well-known and wealthy. Reputation is divided into Map Reputation, Race Reputation, high-level Just Alliance Reputation or Demon Race Reputation, and top-level World Reputation. Of course, World Reputation is a distant thought for you at the present,” Lord Logan explained in detail. 

As he spoke Lord Logan’s expression changed. He looked peaceful when he mentioned Map Reputation and Race Reputation, but when he talked about Just  

Alliance Reputation his face revealed holy luster and when mentioning Demon Race Reputation there was hatred in his eyes. When he finally said World Reputation, his expression showed worship.

Then Lord Logan added, “Reputation can be exchanged for potions, equipment and even treasure maps. Besides, your Reputation has to meet the required conditions to enter the territories of some mysterious races. Otherwise, you’ll be treated as an invader and attacked by them. I’m not able to say any more about it but you will find out during your adventure later on. I want to tell you about Just Alliance Reputation.”

“I have no idea how the Just Alliance came into being, but it must date back to the Battle of the Gods. Every point of Just Alliance Reputation involves the blood and tear of a heroic warrior. It’s very hard to attain because it is only awarded to the bravest warrior in a battle against the Demon Race. You really got a stroke of luck.”

“I died many times to get those points!” Ivan complained angrily, rolling his eyes.

Lord Logan ignored Ivan’s complaining and continued. “On the Blessing Continent, over 80% of the territories belonged to the Just Alliance. However, in the past century, the Demon Race had gathered its strength stealthily and made its way into the Just Alliance’s territories. Thus, the alliance lost 20% of its territories. Even worse, Division and Kolda, the two most northerly cities, have fallen to the Demon Race’s hands and suffered under the rule of them. This is the ultimate humiliation for the Just Alliance.”

Hearing Lord Logan’s speech, Ivan felt dizzy. “Lord Logan, I’m just a level-12 player. What you are saying is a bit out of my experience at this point. I wonder what I can do with Just Alliance Reputation,” he interrupted.

Lord Logan was a straight-forward man. He directly said, “Just Alliance Reputation can be exchanged for the nobility, and the nobility can be exchanged for the estate!”

“Awesome! I want to become a duke,” Ivan said in anticipation while looking at his 10,100 Reputation points.

“You want to be a duke with just 10,000 Reputation points? In your dreams! I’ve been fighting all my life and I am only a marquis.” Lord Logan was almost lost for words. 

He continued, “But I have the authority to do an exchange. 500,000 Reputation points to become an earl, 100,000 Reputation points to become a viscount and 10,000 Reputation points to become a baron. Do you still want to exchange your Reputation?”

The exchange interface appeared in front of Ivan as Lord Logan stopped speaking.

It’s better to use Reputation to beef up my strength than to keep it just sitting there. Ivan didn’t hesitate at all about exchanging 10,000 Reputation points for the baron status.

System: Congratulations! You’ve been created as a baron. XP+5000. Coin +100.

Seeing Ivan quite perceptive, Lord Logan said generously, “Good. Now that you’ve joined the nobility, I’m granting you Leaf Town.”

System: Congratulations! You’ve been granted the estate—Leaf Town. XP+6000. Coin +120.

“What?” When Ivan was immersed in the pleasing sound of the system and satisfied with his baron status, then suddenly felt very weepy to hear Lord Logan assign the run-down Leaf Town to him.

“Could you change it to another place? Leaf Town has been heavily bombed. What’s so, how can a novice like me protect it if the Demon Race invades again? I can’t shoulder the responsibility for losing it,” Ivan wailed.

Lord Logan laughed out loud. “Don’t worry. I’ll ask Rock to help you. Okay, you should be on your way now.”

Lord Logan pointed to the door and then turned to leave with hall with the thin elderly man who hadn’t said a word the entire time. 

Ivan was still very cheerful as he walked out of the hall even though he was somewhat disappointed that his estate was Leaf Town. He was not only created as a baron but was also granted an estate. He didn’t know what their functions were, but it was they would definitely help him and he held a commanding lead over common players. 

Haha, the trip is worthwhile!

Ivan couldn’t keep the news to himself. He was now a man with his own estate, how was not going to show off? It was not his style so he sent a message to everyone he knew. 

To Leo: “Boss, I have an estate now!”

To Claire: “Claire, I’m a baron now. Don’t idolize me. ;-)”

To FallenAngel: “Sunshine, you’re online. Let me tell you a story…”

System: Congratulations to Player FallenAngel on achieving proficiency in the Breath Holding skill!

“Alright, I guess you are also quite brilliant,” Ivan said with a sigh, touching his own nose.