Dusk City

Masha Territory, Dusk City.

The only major city in the southern territory of the Sossia Kingdom, it was also the economic and military heart of the entire south, ruled by the Masha Family, the overlords of the southern lands for centuries.

After several days of travel, Karen finally arrived here.

"At last."

He stroked the exhausted Black Abyss Wolf beneath him and gazed at the towering city-state before him, its spires rising into the clouds, with a sigh.

After presenting the Family Crest, the word "Noble" above his head easily earned him the welcome and admiring looks of the city guards.

After all, as the lucky man who had married the Masha Family's only legitimate daughter, he remained quite famous in Dusk City even after all these years.

"After getting the potion from Rune, I should immediately pay Countess Masha a visit. News of my arrival will surely reach her ears at once."

Karen fell into thought.

Then, beneath the awed gazes of the city's residents, he rode the Black Abyss Wolf through the bustling streets along the carriageway and arrived before a grand, imposing church.

The Storm Church's southern headquarters in the Sossia Kingdom.

"Tell your bishop that his former comrade has come to visit with a gift," Karen said calmly to the attendant at the gate.

A short while later, in the church's Reception Hall.

"Heh, it truly has been a long time, my dear Karen."

Bishop Rune was a slightly plump middle-aged man with a perpetually smiling face. The moment he saw Karen, he gave him a tight embrace.

"Enough, enough. Don't become like those priests who used connections that you used to despise."

Karen shoved him away in disgust.

"This is pure comradeship. You've gone too far, Karen."

Bishop Rune spread his hands innocently.

"By the way, what gift did you bring me?"

"Here." Karen handed over a thick sack.

When Rune eagerly opened the sack and saw what was inside, his expression turned to utter astonishment.

Inside the sack was a hard, dry piece of Black Bread.

For someone as powerful and high-ranking as a bishop, such food had long ceased to deserve a place on his dining table.

Yet Rune stared blankly for several seconds before picking up the Black Bread and taking bite after bite.

"Tell me. What do you need my help with?"

After finishing the Black Bread, hard enough to make his teeth ache, Bishop Rune spoke solemnly in a low voice.

This was from the time when he and Karen had fought together in the Dragon-Lion War. Surrounded by enemy forces and starving in a desperate situation, he had taken the last piece of Black Bread.

And he had made a promise: if Karen ever came to him carrying Black Bread, he would unconditionally help him accomplish any one task that did not disgrace the gods, even if it meant defying royal authority.

"I need two favors. First, a vial of Eagle Eye potion to help a Hunter advance into a Hunter. Second, I need you to serve as godfather at my youngest son's Infant Honor Ceremony in forty days."

Karen spoke calmly.

"That's all?!"

The solemnity on Bishop Rune's face instantly vanished, and he let out a long breath.

"I thought you wanted me to cover up Ilith's advancement to mage in the future. That really would have worn these old bones of mine out."

"Next time, please make yourself clearer. You nearly scared me pissless just now."

Grumbling, Bishop Rune turned and headed toward the storeroom.

More than ten minutes later, he returned to the Reception Hall carrying a vial that glowed green, with two eyeballs soaking inside it, horrifying to look at.

"Here. This is Eagle Eye potion made from the eyes of a Hurricane Eagle, one of the finest avian magical beasts. If nobles weren't so unwilling to choose the Hunter path these days, such good stuff wouldn't have lasted until you came along."

"As for being the godfather, I'll be there on time."

Bishop Rune tossed the potion over.

"Thanks."

Karen caught the potion in one hand, then turned and left without hesitation.

"Not staying for a meal?" Rune invited.

"No. I still need to pay Countess Masha a visit, then hurry back."

Just as Karen was about to walk out the doors, he suddenly stopped.

He turned around, his expression strange. "By the way, Rune, you really should lose some weight. I remember you being a rather handsome youth back then. Now... no wonder you're still single."

Rune: "???"

"Get out!"

The bishop's furious roar echoed throughout the church.

"Time truly brings terrifying changes!"

After Viscount Hughes was thrown out, Rune sighed with deep emotion.

Karen thought Rune had changed, but hadn't Karen changed as well?

That youth who had once been cold as ice, focused only on killing enemies and earning glory, had now become a qualified father. He could even make jokes! The center of Dusk City.

Red Fox Castle.

This was a city within the city, as well as the castle where the Masha Family, the overlords of the southern territory, resided.

Reception Hall.

"Greetings to you, esteemed Countess Masha, and my kind mother."

Karen bent deeply at the waist, showing his respect for the figure seated in the place of honor.

"Greetings to you as well, Karen. It has been three or four years since we last met, hasn't it?" The person in the seat of honor smiled gently.

She was a woman who appeared to be in her fifties. Her gray-white silver hair was elegantly arranged, her face somewhat thin, and deep crow's feet lined the corners of her eyes. Yet she still possessed an inexplicable beauty.

Beauty lies in the bones, not the skin. That was perhaps the best description of this woman.

Above her head floated a line of dark purple text—the "Noble" of the Morning Star Stage.

Rosa Masha, the Southern Territory Vixen. This was her title, as well as a symbol of her power and prestige.

"Sit. You came this time because of Little Hayden's Infant Honor Ceremony, correct?"

"Yes. I hope you can attend. It would be the child's greatest honor." Karen spoke solemnly.

"Heh, there's no need to be so nervous. Danielle is my daughter, and Little Hayden is my grandson. Naturally, I will not overlook him. When the time comes, I will go with his uncles and invite every lord in the southern territory to attend as well."

"Believe me, in the southern territory, no one would dare refuse this old woman's request."

Rosa's expression was gentle, but her words carried an inexplicable authority and dominance.

"Thank you for your generosity and kindness!"

Karen looked delighted and repeatedly bowed.

At an Infant Honor Ceremony, the more nobles who participated in the blessing, the higher the grade of the Noble Blessing that would ultimately be born.

If all the lords of the southern territory could come to offer blessings, along with a godfather of sufficiently noble status, Little Hayden might directly obtain a "Noble" Blessing of the Transcendent Rank.

"By the way, have you settled on a godfather?" Rosa asked.

"My comrade, Bishop Rune of the Storm Church's southern branch, will serve in that role."

"Mm, a bishop. He can barely be considered worthy of Danielle's bloodline." A trace of satisfaction flashed through Rosa's eyes.

When she had agreed to marry Danielle off to Karen, aside from his exceptional potential on the path of knighthood, his friendship with Rune had also been an important factor.

"Countess, I still have matters to handle at Black Wolf Castle, so I will take my leave."

"Mm. Go."