Dolores asked, “Do you know that Count Lamorak is an exceptional warrior who reached the Saint rank in his youth? Whether on the dueling grounds or the battlefield, he has never been defeated and is even known as the Count Victory Champagne?”
Charlot replied, “Of course I know.”
Dolores continued, “Are you also aware that Count Lamorak was considered a genius on par with Zimourman in his time?”
Charlot countered, “What does this have to do with his son?”
Dolores lowered her voice. “Even the people of Fars know that Ban Lamorak is a mirror image of Count Lamorak in his younger years. It’s said his talent even surpasses that of his father. On the dueling grounds, he has defeated sixteen high-ranking Transcendents. To call him the strongest knight of the younger generation in the Ingrima Empire would not be an exaggeration.”
“He has another title—the Youngest Lion of Britain.”
Charlot had genuinely never heard of such a thing. University curricula only teach knowledge, not the affairs of nobles. For instance, he also hadn’t known that the Soumet family in the Ingrima Empire had traditionally handled diplomacy.
He had never come across the tales of the Youngest Lion of Britain.
Indeed, before his date with Annie, Charlot didn’t know Clair Bretagne or Ebner Soumet either—both high-ranking Transcendents from noble families. He hadn’t even heard their names.
Though the Old Continent has newspapers, none dare report on noble affairs unless it is to sing their praises.
Charlot hesitated briefly and cautiously asked, “How does this Youngest Lion of Britain compare to Clair or your brother?”
Dolores replied with slight pride, “Not even close. Those two are high-ranking Transcendents and are nearing the threshold of the Saint rank.”
Charlot immediately felt a surge of relief. Knowing this Youngest Lion of Britain was not as terrifying as Clair, he relaxed a bit and asked, “How does he compare to Hughes?”
When he saw the peculiar expressions on the three girls’ faces, Charlot quickly added, “Oh, oh, oh, Hughes might not be that famous…”
“Let me pick someone else for comparison.”
Dolores, Anastasia, and Belisa each displayed twisted expressions on their uniquely beautiful faces. The idea that someone could utter, “Oh, oh, oh, Hughes might not be that famous…” was simply staggering.
Dolores had heard of Hughes during her time at Gorgias University. He was a genius from the South Seraph restorationists who had studied at Byron’s Tübingen University and was ranked first in his cohort with his Golden Requiem spear technique.
As for Anastasia, there was no need to elaborate. She was a Behemoth native, and the last two grand dukes and their wives of her principality, along with Baron Feller and numerous other nobles, had all perished at the hands of South Seraph restorationists. Hughes, inheriting Jonan’s legacy, served as their leader.
Among the South Seraph generals Anastasia once regarded with hatred as the enemies who killed her mother, two had been slain by Charlot himself in a single encounter, without even asking their names.
Belisa, meanwhile, had witnessed firsthand Hughes leading troops to besiege Mostar Castle. She had seen how the nobility, from high to low, were paralyzed with fear. Many dared not even speak his name, referring to him only as “that man.”
It was Hughes who stormed Mostar Castle and personally executed Duchess Joseph.
And yet, Charlot described this unparalleled figure as “Oh, oh, oh, Hughes might not be that famous…” and even thoughtfully added, “Let me pick someone else for comparison.”
The three young women all had one unspoken question: “Who else could you possibly pick?”
If they weren’t so well-mannered, they might have punctuated “else” and “pick” with a sharp tone.
Charlot genuinely thought of someone suitable for comparison. He asked, “How does he compare to James Cook or Francis Drake?”
Dolores replied, “Those two are elite members of the Ingrima Navy and are over ten years older than Ban Lamorak. Naturally, they are stronger.”
Hearing this, Charlot suddenly found it difficult to place this Youngest Lion of Britain in context.
Those a bit stronger? Out of reach.
Those a bit weaker? Charlot could handle them himself...
What to do?
Seeing Charlot’s contemplative face, Dolores suddenly felt that there was no need to worry about him. After all, this wasn’t a duel for her sake. She simply stopped talking.
Though Anastasia and Belisa were also concerned for Charlot, they weren’t as close to him. Seeing Dolores hold her tongue, they could only worry in silence. Fortunately, such duels rarely ended in death. Even losing wasn’t the worst outcome.
Failing to get an answer from the three girls, Charlot decided to ask Julian Arsilo.
As dinnertime approached, Charlot enthusiastically went to Old Flor’s shop again. Julian was happy to see him. When Charlot brought up Ban Lamorak, Julian smiled faintly and said, “You’ve come to the right person.”
Charlot asked, “Why is that?”
Julian, slightly proud, replied, “Among the five great empires, the two most outstanding young men under twenty are the Youngest Lion of Britain and the Youngest Sky of Byron.”
“You can call me Your Excellency Sky.”
Charlot slapped his thigh and said, “If I’d known he was similar to you, I wouldn’t have worried!”
Julian, fuming, pointed at Charlot and said, “Mr. Mecklenburg, please rephrase that, or there will be no dinner tonight.”
Charlot grinned awkwardly and quickly corrected himself, “To be comparable to you is truly impressive.”
“Indeed, very impressive,” Julian replied.
Charlot’s first sentence sounded perfunctory, but the second was genuinely heartfelt.
Julian’s abilities were indeed extraordinary. Especially given his young age—only a freshman—his future was undoubtedly promising.
Charlot, full of curiosity, asked, “Why are there only two young men under twenty recognized among the five great empires? Don’t the Fars Empire, Black Phoenix Dynasty, or Lionheart Empire have exceptional young men?”
Julian, slightly embarrassed, replied, “That’s not it. In those three, the strongest under twenty are all women. As a Fars native, surely you’ve heard of the Rose of Strasbourg?”
Charlot hesitated, then said, “I’ve only heard of the First Rose of the Empire.”
Julian was speechless. He had just remembered Charlot’s background as the son of a merchant. One could charitably call him a commoner, unfamiliar with noble affairs.
But... one could also say Charlot Mecklenburg had no regard for “ordinary mortals.”
Suddenly, Julian felt a pang of frustration.