The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

Linde remained noncommittal about Lucanus's answer, but still asked Lucanus in detail about some matters concerning the northern nobility, intending to verify the truth with others after leaving.

Although this bard betrayed Wesker and joined him, one would expect such a person to be completely untrustworthy. However, this bard displayed an unusual level of strength, and ordinary methods could not stop him. He could move freely in and out of the prison.

People with this ability don't need to surrender to save their lives.

After Linde inquired, Lucanus gave Linde a detailed introduction to the bard community. Just like the professional mages who are filled with various strange schools of thought, bards also have their own unique magic. However, this magic is not lethal; it is only used for stealth and reconnaissance. In direct combat, they probably couldn't beat a goose.

But Linde always felt it wasn't that simple, because no bard's magic had ever been passed down, no one knew which system of magic the bard used, and these bards were also unusually low-key, to ordinary people they were no different from street singers.

Having noticed this, Lind continued, "Are you bards still recruiting? Or rather, how do you bards recruit your members?"

As long as an organization needs to survive, it inevitably needs fresh blood. So how can we ensure that this fresh blood will act in accordance with the rules and dogmas?

"No, my king, we don't need to recruit anyone. The total number of us bards has never changed since our birth. Of course, we will develop some offline organizations to gather intelligence more efficiently, but those cannot be considered true bards."

"My king, do you know what is most needed to witness history?"

A strange smile flashed across Lucanus's face as he answered his own question.

"It's a lifespan, a lifespan even longer than that of elves."

Linde was slightly shocked by the answer, but quickly nodded and calmed down. There are gods in this world, so it's not normal for some strange things to happen.

"So you bards are actually a group of creatures who live longer than elves, love to stir up trouble, and are responsible for recording history, right?"

"No, my king, I assure you, we are human beings!"

Lucanus's tone was no longer that of a jester trying to amuse people; his expression was more serious than ever when he said those words.

"We have always been human, and we always will be."

Linde paused, wondering why this person's description of humanity seemed different from his own understanding. But at least he now understood that this bard cared deeply about his human identity.

Before leaving, Lind asked Lucanus one last question: "So, what can you bards offer me?"

"Information, as long as our branch can set foot in a certain place, we can provide you with information about that place. Of course, information about other regions is also possible. However, the spheres of influence of different branches are different, and our control over other regions is slightly weaker. You will have to verify the authenticity of the information yourself."

Of course, bards aren't omnipotent; they're only at the level of ordinary spies. In places like the former Gray and White Collar, where everything is under complete control, bards have a hard time infiltrating. Lucanus is a special case.

"We also have a gift for you, which we believe will be a great help on your path forward. As for what it is, you will find out when you wake up tomorrow morning."

Having roughly figured out what the bards were all about, Linde didn't rush to recruit them. Instead, he planned to observe them for a while. Lucanus was indeed very open with what he knew, but he also deliberately hid some things. For example, when Linde asked what these bards were, Lucanus only vaguely replied that he was human and that Linde shouldn't worry.

Given the lack of an intelligence agency in his territory, Linde accepted Lucanus's offer, but requested that Lucanus compile a list of his entire territory and his men and hand it over to Linde.

Although the other party's origins are unknown and mysterious, as Lucanus said, his loyalty will not change because of Lind's denial. Accepting Lucanus will at least ensure that these people are under Lind's control.

The next morning, Linde got up as usual. Soldiers kept escorting the escaped nobles back to the camp to be guarded. Linde smiled at these soldiers as usual.

But Linde keenly noticed that the way these soldiers looked at him had changed.

This wasn't because Linde had just won a battle, but rather a different emotion—a greater sense of respect and curiosity, or perhaps the soldiers' eyes were filled with a gossipy desire.

Linde immediately became the center of attention when he arrived at the temporary canteen and had breakfast with everyone. Although it was the same as usual, today was different. Many people seemed to have something to say.

Linde, unaware of what was going on, ate his breakfast while looking at the latest report. At this moment, Lena came over, took her breakfast, and sat down opposite Linde, her eyes scanning him up and down.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Unable to stand it any longer, Lind decided to see what these people were curious about.

"Brother, are you a descendant of the Rom Empire?"

"What descendants? I don't know."

Linde took a sip of soup and quickly finished his breakfast. So this is what these people are curious about? The original owner of this body had no memory of this at all. He was a genuine viscount from the frontier and had absolutely no relation to the so-called descendants of the empire.

"It's that human empire from a thousand years ago. People outside are saying that you are a royal descendant of that empire."

Lena looked serious, as if she really believed the rumor.

"Really? How come I didn't know that? Besides, it's been a thousand years. How could I possibly inherit the throne of that empire?"

Lin De couldn't understand why people would believe something so obviously true, something that could be easily identified as fake. It seemed that people in this era lacked entertainment options, to the point that such baseless gossip could spread. It was time to launch some military campaigns.

"Legend has it that the royal bloodline of the Rom Empire all has black hair and black eyes, just like you, brother?"

As soon as Lena finished speaking, everyone's attention was drawn to her, as if they were all waiting for Lind's answer.

"How can they be exactly the same? I'm not the only one with black hair and black eyes. Besides, more than a thousand years have passed. Nobody probably knows what the royal descendants of that empire look like now. It can't be that everyone with black hair and black eyes now is a so-called royal descendant, can it?"

Linde was puzzled. After packing his things, he prepared to leave with the report.

This is normal human thinking. It's been over a thousand years, who still cares about royal bloodlines? Besides, in the world before Linde transmigrated here, who among the living didn't have a wealthy ancestor? Only pets care about bloodlines.

But clearly, Linde underestimated the influence of this public opinion in the feudal world.