Rewards

"I don't think there's any need to marry into those influential families. Just two days ago, Mrs. Bode complained to me that her eldest son had married the youngest daughter of a viscount. Those noble ladies are hard to get along with and have terrible tempers. Their whole family can't even hold their heads up in front of her."

As Helen served seafood chowder to the family, she said, "I think the Joseph family's daughter would be a good choice. She's honest, hardworking, has wide hips, and should bear children easily. The Joseph family is also a good match for our Mitchell Family."

The Joseph family also lived in the East District, not far from the Mitchell Family. They ran a clothing shop, and Helen often visited with Mrs. Joseph.

Hearing Helen say that, Raul's eyes widened with fury. "What does a woman like you know? Andres is at a critical point in his life. If he can use marriage to connect with some influential figure and gain their support, his chances of receiving a hereditary title—or even being granted land—will greatly increase in the future! The Mitchell Family has been blacksmiths for three generations. If we seize this opportunity, we might become nobles!"

Alex cautiously said from the side, "But shouldn't we at least hear what Big Brother thinks? Marriage is something where both people should like each other."

The moment he spoke, Raul scolded him. "What does a child know? A marriage concerns two families. When has it ever been just about two people?"

Helen also spoke up. "What does it matter whether they like each other? Someone you like at first may become tiresome later, while someone you feel nothing for at first may slowly become dear to you."

Alex did not dare argue with his parents. He hurriedly lowered his head and ate White Bread dipped in seafood chowder.

Listening to his family's discussion, Andres finally spoke. "Father, Mother, I don't want to right now—"

Before he could finish, he sensed two murderous glares fixed on him. They came from Raul and Helen.

"Uh..." Andres could not continue.

Raul said solemnly, "Andres, many influential people have come to our door this time, and they have all treated our family with great respect. If we reject them outright, it would be a slight against them. No matter what, you should at least meet them."

Andres frowned and thought it over. He felt that Raul's words made sense.

His current strength was not enough for him to disregard the nobles of the Oga Kingdom. Before he became stronger, he had to be as cautious as possible and avoid provoking their displeasure.

"I understand, Father. Give me the list of those influential people. I'll find time to visit them one by one," Andres said.

Only then did Raul and Helen's expressions ease.

The family continued their meal.

Over the next few days, besides carrying out his duties as captain of the Inori Guard, Andres took time to visit the wealthy merchants and nobles on the list. He met several women of marriageable age, but none of them stirred his heart.

He did not want to marry any of them, nor did he want to offend those wealthy merchants and nobles, so he simply maintained ordinary relationships with them.

Before long, the king finally announced the rewards.

Just as Raul had heard, Andres was granted the title of Baron Mitchell. It was not hereditary, and it came with no land.

In addition to the baronial title, Andres was assigned to Black Iron Castle as captain of its guard.

It was not the important military position that had originally been rumored, but captain of the guard at a castle.

Andres was somewhat surprised when he heard the news.

Black Iron Castle was located in Ironstone Town in the northeastern part of the Oga Kingdom. Ironstone Town was famous throughout the Oga Kingdom for the iron mine beneath it.

According to the rewards announced this time, Ironstone Town had become Inori's fief.

Could this be connected to Inori? Andres guessed.

Not long after, Andres's guess was confirmed.

At the Demian Family residence, Inori summoned Andres alone.

The Demian Family residence was located on Oga Avenue.

Oga Avenue was where the powerful and influential of the Oga Kingdom gathered. Even the royal palace was located there.

The Demian Family held a pivotal position in the Oga Kingdom. The first Duke Demian had been the brother-in-law of the founding king of the Oga Kingdom.

It could be said that the Demian Family also carried royal blood from the Oga Kingdom.

In the courtyard where Inori lived, Andres met Inori.

At that moment, only the two of them were in the courtyard.

Inori wore only an ordinary white robe.

Though the robe was loose, it could not conceal her stunning figure. The contrast between the loose garment and her taut curves only made her more alluring.

"Andres, you received His Majesty's reward order, didn't you?" Inori looked at Andres with a warm smile.

Andres lowered his head and bowed, maintaining the demeanor he always showed before Inori.

"Yes, I received it."

"Are you wondering why His Majesty sent you to Black Iron Castle?"

With a smile on her face, Inori continued before Andres could speak. "Actually, His Majesty had originally intended to let you join the Kingdom Knights."

Andres's gaze shifted slightly. He had heard of the Kingdom Knights.

They were the Oga Kingdom's most elite force, directly under the king's command. Though they were few in number, every member was at least a Level Five Warrior, and their combat strength was formidable.

If he could join the Kingdom Knights, his future would be limitless.

"But I asked His Majesty to alter the reward order and send you to Black Iron Castle to help me manage my fief," Inori said.

In the Black Mountain City Campaign, Inori had made the greatest contribution. She had been granted the title of countess and received Ironstone Town as her territory.

The difference between the Kingdom Knights and Black Iron Castle was like heaven and earth.

In the Kingdom Knights, he would still have many opportunities to accumulate military merit and earn promotion.

But managing a fief at Black Iron Castle meant there was almost no possibility of earning merit.

It was practically the same as ruining his future.

Inori's smile vanished as she said seriously, "Andres, I hope to have someone I trust help me manage my fief, and you are my first choice. Of course, if you are unwilling, I can speak to His Majesty and have you join the Kingdom Knights instead. What do you think?"

Inori stared intently at Andres.

Without any hesitation, Andres stated his decision. "My lady, I am willing to go to Black Iron Castle."

An ordinary person would certainly choose the Kingdom Knights, but Andres was different.

He had no interest in titles or fiefs. What he wanted most was to complete Inori's Binding Quest, obtain a Demigod-level talent, and then improve his strength.

And if he wanted to help Inori, it would be more convenient to remain by her side.

More importantly, considering how deeply the original owner had loved Inori, he could not possibly have refused.

So Andres used the tone the original owner would have used and agreed without hesitation.

Inori was very satisfied with Andres's answer, and she was not surprised in the slightest. She had long noticed Andres's feelings of admiration for her.

She walked over to Andres and took his hand.

She wrapped both hands around his right hand and softly said, "Andres, thank you. I will remember everything you have done for me."

Feeling the softness of her hands, Andres immediately became alert.

Good grief. If the original owner were still alive, this alone would have sent him spinning.

After absorbing the original owner's memories, Andres knew very clearly just how obsessively the original owner had adored Inori.

But Andres was not affected by those memories. On the contrary, after learning of Inori's ambitions, he had already seen that she was someone who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

Inori clearly intended to use these intimate words and gestures to control Andres and make him work for her.

Andres's thoughts raced, and he chose to play along, putting on the reaction the original owner would have had.

His face turned bright red. He tightly clasped Inori's hand with his right hand and said excitedly, "My lady, I am willing to do anything for you!"

"Andres..."

Inori seemed moved. She looked at Andres with great tenderness and said, "Since that is the case, I'll be direct. I want you to go to Black Iron Castle not merely to manage the fief. More importantly, I need you to help me train a group of powerful people."