How can you become stronger if you don't build up bonds?

Lin Wei casually touched the feathers that were sticking out of the window, then turned and spoke in a low voice:

"Any more questions, Your Excellency Deppin Gavin?"

As the kingdom's ruler, Depp certainly recognized Wallis's symbolic bird, the Great Wind Eagle.

He was also extremely interested in beast-taming magic, which allowed him to distinguish the differences in strength between individuals within the Giant Wind Eagle population.

The giant wind eagle outside the window was extraordinary... far stronger than any he had ever seen before!

At this moment, this leader-level giant wind eagle actually showed a submissive and begging attitude in front of this person...

The Giant Wind Eagle is not subordinate to knights and nature mages!

That can only mean one thing: the person in front of me is not only a central figure in the kingdom, but his power is also beyond my imagination. He is so powerful that even the leader-level giant wind eagle is willing to be his pet.

"I, Depp, was blind and unaware that it was a secret visit by a superior, and have offended Your Excellency. Please punish me, Your Excellency—"

After figuring everything out, Depp bowed and prostrated himself before Lin Wei.

"Why kneel? In Wallis, only criminals and slaves are required to do so."

"I……"

Depp was completely taken aback by Lin Wei's question from this angle and was momentarily speechless.

After a brief hesitation, Depp decided to speak his mind:

"I know I have made a grave mistake in the matter of Baron Hauge, and I voluntarily plead guilty, not daring to ask for your forgiveness."

Lin Wei waved his hand, letting Feng Liu leave first.

He had already looked at Deppin's stats when they shook hands earlier; his bond attributes were "Human," "Wollis," and "Spellcaster."

According to Lin Wei's consistent method of judgment, anyone with the entry for "Wallis" is a loyal person who cherishes their motherland.

For nobles and officials, having this entry means they can directly eliminate the vast majority of fundamental risks.

For example, Haug only has the label of "human" on him. Even if he did not commit those crimes, Lin Wei would subconsciously doubt whether his stance was correct.

"Stand up and speak."

Lin Wei walked to his chair and sat down, his eyes scanning the various documents on his desk.

Lin Wei noticed something amiss after only a few glances: weren't the matters on the documents on the table a bit too trivial?

From safety inspections of workshops in Scar Town to expansion permits for shops, everything required his approval as the highest-ranking official.

Depp stood up respectfully and waited for Lin Wei's question.

Lin Wei then opened the magic scroll that Hauge had left on the table, examined it carefully, and asked:

"Are you interested in beast taming magic?"

"I have indeed been studying this subject for a long time, but I have never been able to grasp the essentials."

Lin Wei's lips twitched slightly. He was quite familiar with beast-taming magic; Laila was an expert in this field.

The world of magic is vast and complex, and most spellcasters choose elemental magic related to air, earth, water, and fire as their main path of study.

These four basic elemental magic types have the most complete system architecture, and are the easiest to acquire and learn.

In contrast, beast-taming magic is much rarer, with systematic traditions passed down only to a select few and rarely open to outsiders.

Only a few scattered or low-level techniques appear on the external market, and they are extremely expensive.

Although the scrolls Haug brought were not of high rank, they were carefully written and of high quality, with interconnected content.

Lin Wei carefully examined the material used for the scroll. It should be made primarily of the hide of some kind of magical beast, supplemented by multiple complex processes.

Such high-quality materials can be observed and studied by users at least ten times.

In summary, the combined market value of these reels could reach 100 large gold coins, roughly equivalent to Depp's total annual salary as a border town governor.

If this doesn't count as a bribe, then Lin Wei really doesn't know what a bribe is.

But more important than the issue of bribery is the origin of these scrolls.

"Have you previously mentioned this need to Hauge?"

"Well...I guess so." Depp hesitated for a moment, but finally admitted it.

"The female mage next to Hauge has a lot of insights into beast taming magic. I had a chance to exchange some ideas with her once."

The mages on Reno's side are very skilled at teaching and imparting knowledge, and before I knew it, it had become a one-way street where I was asking them for guidance...

Lin Wei understood.

"Can you tell what rank of mage she is?"

"If we only consider the understanding of beast taming magic, I think she may have reached the peak of the second tier, very close to the third tier level."

She possesses spells or items that shield her from magical perception, so I cannot determine her exact rank.

Depp has already explained it in great detail.

It's normal that the mages on Reno's side are all hiding their strength, so it's understandable that Depp couldn't see through them.

He was only level 18 after all, and had only passed the assessment of a first-tier mage.

"That mage is very young. Even if she's exceptionally talented, it would be difficult for her to break through level 30..."

At this point, Depp suddenly realized something.

This Alberta gentleman seems even younger...

……

About 20 minutes later, Lin Wei finally figured out the complicated relationship between Haug and Depp.

Fuggen Corowe was Deppin's adoptive father. Deppin came from a poor family in his early years, but Fuggen recognized his extraordinary magical talent. Later, Fuggen sponsored his assessment and found him a special introductory teacher in magic.

In Depp's eyes, Fugen was no less than his biological father.

Unfortunately, Depp didn't have many opportunities to repay Fuggen's kindness until his death.

All I can do is carry on his legacy and dedicate all my energy and effort to the governance of Scar Town.

His achievements were even more outstanding than Doss described, and even the king of Fengdu sent a giant wind eagle to deliver an honorary medal to him.

But Depp refused any promotions or transfers from Fengdu and was determined to stay in Scarborough for the rest of his life.

Despite Haug Coro's endless attempts at bribery and influence, Depp remained clear-headed because no one understood Haug's true nature better than him.

When Fuggen was alive, he repeatedly emphasized that Haug was a man whose nature was hard to change, and that if one day he really made a big mistake, Depp should not be lenient.

Depp adhered strictly to his principles and bottom line, without making the slightest concession, until the incident of losing at the casino occurred.

"I don't know who gave him the idea, but he managed to find a loophole in the new rules of the noble casino. I can't stop him before he's stripped of his baronship at the end of this year," Depp said, sounding extremely helpless.

"You don't need to wait until the end of the year; what he's been doing behind the scenes is far worse than you can imagine."

"What did he do now...?"

"As a nobleman, he secretly plots to harm innocent people under his rule; his death is not far off."