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These people were lazy, filthy, thieves, and swindlers—every imaginable despicable act could be found among them.

According to Richard, they didn’t even deserve a sliver of pity.

On the contrary, if he were too kind to them, it might give them the impression that he was a pushover. The result would only be their growing disobedience, a breakdown of order, and chaos.

This world was filled with such a stench that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the air was thick with filth.

Due to the ignorance of the Church, the use of feces as fertilizer was forbidden, resulting in waste flowing everywhere in the city.

Sometimes, it would even form a “layer of filth,” not unlike a swamp.

Some wealthy individuals, in order to walk “elegantly” through the “swamp of filth,” wore high heels, with some as tall as fifty centimeters.

One could easily imagine the state of the city.

After breakfast, Richard went to the open space behind the castle to begin his daily training.

As he started his practice, Richard spread his arms wide, breathing in and out while his chest moved in a peculiar rhythm.

At the same time, his movements continuously shifted, and an aura of authority gradually emerged, spreading around him.

[Training with the Crimson Dragon Breathing Technique, Life Seed growth +1!] [Training with the Crimson Dragon Breathing Technique, Life Seed growth +1!]

…

As his training progressed, the proficiency of his knight’s breathing technique steadily increased, and his aura grew more intense.

The breathing technique Richard practiced was not his family’s Fire Wolf Breathing Technique but rather the Crimson Dragon Breathing Technique he had obtained from the system.

This breathing technique far surpassed his family’s legacy.

Traditionally, all breathing techniques required a unique lineage, and even if they were leaked, those without the corresponding family bloodline couldn’t fully master them.

Each family’s breathing technique was typically created by a genius of that family, perfectly attuned to their bloodline.

Nobles with their own unique breathing techniques stood out prominently among the powerful noble houses.

The Crimson Dragon Breathing Technique that Richard practiced was specifically tailored for him by the system.

In other words, only he and his descendants could practice it; even members of his own family couldn’t master it.

It’s worth noting that Richard’s Bayne family was a family with significant power, with their inherited Fire Wolf Breathing Technique already being one of the top knight breathing techniques on the continent.

Once mastered to its peak, it would be enough to make him one of the most influential figures.

However, the Crimson Dragon Breathing Technique that Richard possessed was even more formidable, with unimaginable potential.

This world has witches, knights, and religion.

All knights needed to train in various breathing techniques, and the Life Seed was the core of a true knight.

Only those who had cultivated a Life Seed could be called true knights; others were merely knight’s attendants.

Richard’s breathing technique was unique, and with the system’s enhancements, his Life Seed’s quality far surpassed that of ordinary knights.

Above the rank of a formal knight were nine levels, and beyond the ninth level was the titled knight.

Becoming a titled knight was the ultimate dream of all knights, for at that level, nothing in the world could control them, and they would transcend the masses.

“Is this the breathing technique our lord practices? It feels so powerful!”

“If only we could learn this breathing technique! Even if we couldn’t master its essence, just learning the basics would be much better than the common techniques we practice now!”

“What are you talking about! This Fire Wolf Breathing Technique—forget you—even if ten Long Eagle territories combined, it wouldn’t be worth its value. Who do you think you are?”

From a distance, two knight attendants watched with envy.

Even from twenty meters away, they could feel an invisible wave of heat emanating from Richard. If they stood any closer, they might not even withstand the aftershocks of his training.

By midday, Richard finally finished his training.

A striking figure approached from a distance, holding something in her hand, accompanied by a maid.

“My Lord!” Cinderella handed over a towel dampened with well water.

After wiping his sweat, Richard sat in a nearby pavilion.

Cinderella then took a loaf of white bread and some milk from the maid and placed them in front of Richard.

…

Meanwhile, the people gathered in the square were growing restless.

They felt like they had picked out every louse from their heads, yet the lord still hadn’t arrived.

“When will the lord finally show up? I’m about to be roasted alive under this sun!”

“It’s already noon, and my stomach is growling. I should’ve brought some black bread with me.”

“What do you think the lord’s plan is? What does he intend to do?”

“No idea, the lord came from a big city; maybe he doesn’t like us.”

“Oh no! If that’s the case, doesn’t that mean we’re doomed?”

“At this point, I don’t care about anything else. As long as the lord isn’t some bloodthirsty killer, I can accept it!”

“Exactly! I just want to survive!”

Many people nodded in agreement.

They had been waiting all morning, and their expectations of Richard had now hit rock bottom.

At first, they were only worried that he might raise taxes, and some even naively hoped there might be a tax exemption.

But as time passed, no one dared to harbor such unrealistic hopes anymore. They just hoped to keep their lives; everything else was negotiable.

Everyone’s eyes were filled with anxiety and unease, not knowing what awaited them.

This kind of desperate, uncertain waiting that initially made them hope Richard would come later was now turning into a form of psychological torture, filling them with fear.

Whether it was life or death, they wanted a swift resolution so they could decide how to react.

…

At this moment, inside the castle, after finishing his meal, Richard rinsed his mouth with clear water, changed his clothes, and then walked outside.

He figured he had left them waiting long enough; now was the time to go see for himself.