Duke had always kept his aura restrained; otherwise, if it was released, it would exert significant pressure on the people around him.

However, even when he restrained his aura, those with sharp perception could still vaguely feel something.

Duke had long noticed a little girl observing him, but since she seemed to have no malice, he didn't mind.

"Are there any tasks related to humanoid creatures like cavemen, ogres, and the like?" Duke asked after waiting behind the counter for a long time for his turn.

Behind the counter was a young guy, who looked down at a thick book in his hands and said, "Yes, let me find them!"

Just then, Shari walked over, having heard what Duke had just said, and spoke, "Sir, I have an ogre task here. Are you interested in working together?"

"Ogres?" Duke turned his head, glanced at Shari, and immediately recognized her as a third-class Wizard Apprentice.

With just one glance from him, Shari's whole body tensed as if she were being watched by a fierce beast.

But in fact, Duke did not exude any malice, and Shari only thought it was a hallucination due to being overly nervous recently.

Shari then explained her task, mentioning that she already had two Knight Level partners, making the mission somewhat safer to complete together.

Duke pondered for a moment and felt that joining wasn't a bad idea, as it saved him the trouble of finding his way.

Shari had already figured out the general location of the task, having scouted it personally, and indeed found ogre droppings.

With these clues, Duke wouldn't have to spend time and effort searching for clues himself.

He glanced at Bowen and Vidal, who were indeed at Knight Level.

The two looked robust and strong, but in reality posed no threat to Duke, who wasn't worried about their intentions.

In the face of absolute strength, all schemes and plots are mere illusions.

Duke nodded and said, "Alright, but aren't you going to ask about my strength?"

Shari chuckled, "No need to ask; it's clear you're a very skilled adventurer."

However, Bowen frowned; he had seen many people who appeared strong but were weak inside, and said, "I think it's necessary to understand each other's strength to complete the task better and prevent anyone from dragging us down."

Their goal was to complete the task, and if Duke's strength wasn't sufficient, they couldn't agree to his inclusion.

Duke smiled without saying much, as their request was reasonable and not offensive.

He released his Fighting Spirit aura, revealing his Great Knight strength beyond a doubt.

Shari and the others instantly felt this aura, and Bowen promptly said with respect, "Turns out you're a Great Knight, my apologies for my earlier rudeness."

The adventurer group speaks with strength, and after sensing Duke's strength, Bowen and Vidal showed the respect due.

Shari was no exception and felt relieved that her judgment was accurate, having recruited a Great Knight.

Even though strength-wise, Shari was stronger than a Great Knight, she still felt Duke was far superior, not daring to show any disrespect.

Shari's conduct had always been to respect everyone whenever possible, never looking down on anyone.

As an adventurer, she must always maintain a low profile and cautious demeanor, or she could easily meet her end.

After Duke joined Shari's small team, the three left the counter area and headed to the resting zone to discuss the task.

Nina had been waiting here and quickly approached Duke to greet him respectfully when he returned, "Lord Duke!"

"Who is this?" Bowen asked, somewhat surprised upon seeing Nina.

"That's my servant," Duke said casually.

"Servant?"

Shari and the other two were a bit shocked. Other races were common, but for adventurers like them, it was something else.

Duke had bought Nina for only a few hundred magic stones when in the ordinary world, a foreign girl would cost thousands of gold coins.

Seeing that Duke could afford such an exquisite servant, Shari and the others regarded him differently, recognizing not just his strength but also substantial wealth.

Duke didn't say much more, and they began discussing the task content.

Shari marked on the map the possible area of ogre activity, where the ogre droppings were found.

After the four discussed, they quickly made a plan to leave Torch City early the next morning and head into the Giant Dragon Mountain Range.

Duke's request was to take away the head of an ogre tribe elite or a two-headed ogre; he did not require the task bounty.

The others naturally agreed since they were after the bounty and were actually happy to split it among fewer people.

Shari understood and said, "Mr. Duke, are you planning to join the Knight Hall?"

"That's right," Duke nodded.

Bowen and Vidal couldn't help but give Duke another glance because joining the Knight Hall isn't easy; passing the examination is just the first step, and there's an all-around assessment of strength to follow.

The two had previously attempted to apply but never passed the assessment.

Duke wasn't aware of this since Bell hadn't mentioned the follow-up assessment content.

Because Bell hadn't intended for Duke to actually participate in the subsequent strength assessments, being an Official Wizard, the assessments were a mere formality.

That night, after setting a time for the next day, they temporarily parted ways.

Duke stayed in a hotel in Torch City, with Nina naturally sharing the room with him.

That night saw yet another battle.

But Duke was somewhat restrained, enjoying himself only after completing the daily meditation task.

No matter what, meditation could never be skipped; the daily mandated meditation time had to be fulfilled.

...

Early the next morning, at the crack of dawn, Duke and the others gathered at the north gate of Torch City.

They needed to set out early, aiming to complete the task and return before dark, to avoid spending the night in the Giant Dragon Mountain Range to reduce various dangers.

Bowen and Vidal were fully armored, Bowen in full plate armor and Vidal in leather armor for easier movement.

Shari wore an ordinary wizard's robe and had some basic potions prepared.

She didn't even have a proper demonized item, nor did she have a Space Ring for storage, so everything had to go in her bag.

"Let's go," Duke said little, walking straight ahead, with Nina following closely, her Shadow Cloak billowing in the wind.

Bowen and Vidal couldn't help but notice the Shadow Cloak, immediately realizing it wasn't an ordinary cloak, and exchanged glances, unsure of their thoughts.

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