The tranquility of Frost Leaf Town was not just due to Luo De ensuring that the townspeople and slaves were well-fed and clothed. It also owed much to Durantās dedication and diligence.
Luo De had already praised Durant plenty, so he didnāt say more.
"Come, sit."
Luo De gestured for Durant to come forward.
When Durant sat down, Luo De placed a wooden tube in front of him,
"This is a Knightās Roar, which helps to enhance a knightās training aptitude and breakthroughs, effective for all but the top-tier knights."
Luo De introduced it calmly.
In reality, a genuine Knightās Roar is effective for anyone below a Legendary Knight.
Luo De thought that the potion he concocted might not be as effective as that prepared by a true master of magic potions, so he kept it understated.
Despite this, Durant was full of disbelief upon hearing it.
He wanted to speak, but felt his throat was dry. Only after a couple of coughs did he make a sound,
"Lord Baron, is this... is this for me?"
Durant spoke a bit hesitantly,
"You... you donāt have to worry about me. Such a precious potion you should use first!"
"Iām not in a rush; I have another one."
Luo De smiled and patted Durant on the shoulder,
"This is my first time concocting it. Iām not sure about its effects and reactions after drinking."
"So, Iād like you to try it first. What do you think?"
"Of course, Iām willing to test it for you!"
Durant quickly agreed loudly, "But..."
Durant knew very well that his lord never failed at anything he made.
And his lord said so just to keep him from placing too much importance on the potion.
Luo De interrupted Durant,
"No buts. Drink it. If not, Iāll go find Gang Le."
"Iāll drink!"
Durant nodded with gritted teeth.
"Then thatās good. Do you want to drink now or adjust your condition with some food first?" Luo De asked.
"I can do it now; I ate something after the patrol."
Durant stood up, his eyes inevitably falling on the wooden tube.
Luo De understood.
As a knight stuck at the intermediate level for many years, once the opportunity for advancement was right before him, he definitely didnāt want to wait.
"Then, letās do it."
"Yes, Lord Baron!"
Durant held the wooden tube with both hands, knelt with one knee before Luo De, his expression solemn,
"Then, I shall drink it, Lord Baron."
"Hurry up." Luo De couldnāt help but urge.
Durant nodded, took a deep breath.
Uncapping the cork, a strange smell wafted over.
He didnāt hesitate, tilted his head back, and poured the potion into his mouth.
The liquid was thick, with an odd fishy sweetness, like fermented blood mixed with the bitterness of herbs and many indescribable flavors.
Durant frowned deeply, forcing down the nausea. His throat worked hard to swallow it.
His lord would definitely not harm him, and if he spat it out because of the taste, Durant felt like heād beat himself up.
Luna quickly handed Durant a cup of water, which Durant quickly poured into his mouth.
He vigorously rinsed his mouth, swallowed again, and then managed to hold back the churning in his stomach.
Once that strange taste was over, Durant felt fine and remained calmly kneeling.
"Creakā"
At this moment, the wooden door on the other side of the corridor was pushed open, and Avril also walked out.
No one spoke, and all eyes were focused on Durant.
Suddenly, Durant clutched his chest, staggered, and fell to the ground!
"Ugh..."
Durant gritted his teeth, a low growl squeezed from his throat, carrying suppressed pain.
His chest heaved violently, and his fingers pressing his chest turned white.
In just a moment, Durantās face contorted, sweat beads appearing on his forehead.
The pain intensified, Durantās shoulders shivered violently, his muscles convulsed, and veins bulged on his arms.
In the next instant, his arms couldnāt support him, and his whole body crashed to the floor.
Luo De wanted to step forward, but Durant reached out first to block him,
"Itās alright, I can handle this!"
Just as Durantās voice fell, his bones creaked as if being crushed and reforged by a massive hammer.
Blood seeped from his palms, staining the gaps between his fingers.
Durantās complexion turned red, and his eyes filled with blood vessels.
Suddenly, his skin emitted a faint golden glow.
Luo De immediately approached, sensing wisps of "energy" seeping from pores, dense and warm, covering Durantās entire body.
At this moment, Durantās breathing gradually steadied, and his chestās rise and fall slowed down.
"Phewā"
Durant lay on the ground, breathing heavily, as if he had just endured an incredibly long exercise.
His face was still covered in sweat, but compared to earlier, there was a hint of a smile.
Luo De also breathed a sigh of relief, sitting down on a chair, quietly waiting for Durant.
After a long time, Durant straightened up, knelt on one knee, with a very solemn expression,
"Thank you for your gift!"
Durant bowed his head, "Words fall short of expressing my gratitude and loyalty. I will give my all for you, even if you require my soul."
"Iām not the Grim Reaper; a soul is useless to me."
Luo De joked with a smile, helping Durant up,
"Have you recovered your strength? How do you feel?"
"Unprecedented comfort!"
Durant said excitedly, "Iāve never felt my body feel so light, a bit tired but relaxed, hard to describe the feeling."
"Any discomfort?" Luo De asked again.
"None."
Durant shook his head without hesitation, adding, "Except for being hungry."
"Not just a physical hunger, but a craving for āenergyā."
Durant hesitated for a moment, unable to suppress the smile on his face, "It seems Iāve become an advanced knight..."
"Advanced knight?"
Luo De was not surprised, his face calm as he asked, "Energy can attach to the surface of the body and weapons as a means of defense and attack?"