On the way to Count Winter Territory, the magically inscribed carriages traveled across the land of the Northwind Province, surrounded by military entourages. This was a necessary mode of transportation for nobles, after all, the Orcs had not completely disappeared.
Ryan frowned, while Avril beside him looked puzzled.
She always felt that Ryan was looking at something.
Ryan looked at his Spirituality Panel. It had been some time since the fall of the worlds of Gam and Fenrir World. The new world gave him a feeling that he was about to emerge, but it always seemed to be just one step away.
The new world seemed to be rejecting and excluding him from any connection.
What could be the reason for this?
Ryan wondered to himself, somewhat puzzled, as this was the first time the Spirituality Panel had encountered a problem.
" Avril, in the realm of magical knowledge, does the world actively reject anything?"
After hearing Ryan's words, Avril thought for a moment and then hesitated before saying:
"Some books in the Magic Academy mention that if a world is replaced by the will of Deities, then the world's will will become the Deities's will, and it is possible that the great God will reject the entry of unfamiliar Deities."
"Are only Deities capable of rejecting other Deities?"
" The Deities do not care about ants that are not of the same rank as themselves."
Even those Legendary who are powerful enough to destroy the world.
Could this be the reason? Ryan guessed that the Deities of the new world were alive, far more conscious and alive than the Hound Deity of Gam, and might even have sensed the existence of the Spirituality Panel.
"Master."
Outside the carriage, Bilder's respectful voice rang out.
"We have spotted Count Soron and the nobles of Dragon Mountain County ahead."
The threat of Orcs lingers across the land of Northwind Province. For minor nobles who wish to travel, banding together is the best option, such as gathering around Count Soron like this, and heading together to Count Winter Territory.
At this point, it becomes clear that the formation of cliques due to land and geographical location is obvious and natural.
We interact with each other regularly, so we naturally become more familiar with each other.
Just like how Ryan's team also had carriages from other teams in Zero Crossing Prefecture.
"Your Excellency."
Baron Ryan.
The nobles greeted each other and set off together. Recently, the relationship between Count Soron and Ryan had not been very good.
After the war ended, the interests of the nobles were divided, and Ryan's dominant position in the Northern Territory Merchant Guild severely impacted Count Soron's influence.
Ryan naturally wouldn't bring up such a thing, but instead changed the subject, saying:
"Is that heir of Chrysus Meyers still in Northwind Province?"
"He probably won't be leaving for a long time."
Count Soron said:
" The Meyers still wield considerable power in the Northwind Province; they are the emperor's agents here. However, if Chrysus stays here for too long, it will raise suspicions that the Meyers are not truly planning to relocate to the Northwind Province."
It is not a good thing for the heirs of the Grand Duke's family to be often away alone. What the nobles want is a stable succession so that the hereditary power can continue indefinitely.
The fact that the heir is constantly moving around indicates a lot of uncertainty and variables.
If something were to happen that affects the succession, it would be a very heavy blow to the nobility.
Take, for example, the Count Winter.
Ryan's rise dealt a heavy blow to the great nobles of Northwind Province, affecting the power of the Soron Count Family. However, for the Winter Count Family, the impact and changes Ryan brought were not as significant as the coming-of-age ceremony of his second son.
For an ordinary nobleman, how could the coming-of-age ceremony of a second son be worthy of the presence of all the nobles? The fact that Count Winter invited so many people in itself demonstrates the seriousness of the matter and that the message conveyed in the rumors is 99% true.
As a result, the nobles developed suspicion and distrust towards the Winter Count Family, and the change in the succession of hereditary power led to this situation among the nobles.
This is evident in the fact that the Northern Territory Merchant Guild is collecting resources in this land with greater enthusiasm than in previous quarters, both in quantity and quality. This is the nobles' way of testing Baron Ryan, and it also represents their hesitation towards Count Winter.
Ryan was pleased to see this, but he didn't understand what Count Winter was thinking. Why send his eldest son to become a transcendent being in a Spirit Form form?
Is he even human? Strictly speaking, he's no longer human; it's impossible for him to be a nobleman.
Just like the Leta Family in the Andara Kingdom, many of the knights around Grand Duke Leta have turned into Witch Ghosts, but the Grand Duke himself is definitely in human form.
That's how it is; the kingdom's nobles still find it hard to accept the Grand Duke's family, let alone Count Winter's heir, White Feather Winter.
The coming-of-age ceremony for the second son was also an explanation from the Winter Family to the nobles.
"Then it seems he will also appear at Count Winter's castle."
"I'd also like to talk to Mr. Chrysus about the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild. There's still no news about his adventurer group entering the Northlands. I wonder what kind of surprise they'll bring."
After Ryan finished speaking, he continued to ask:
"What is your opinion of the Earl's second son, Castor Winter?"
Ryan remembered that Count Soron hadn't been very kind to the second son of the count on the battlefield.
"Snort!"
Count Soron snorted coldly. His relationship with Count Winter was not good. At the meeting, Count Winter would call him and Count Weiss by their first names. The war eased the tension, but the end of the war also froze the relationship again.
"After that kid was born, he didn't have much talent in magic, nor was he particularly good at the knight's path. But Winter wanted to replicate the path he and Horace followed, so that the next generation of the Winter Family would be just as powerful and continue the Winter Family for another hundred years."
"When Castor was five years old, Winter wanted to improve his physique by bathing in dragon's blood, so he came to me."
"Considering the value of the Gold Coin, I agreed to his request to use the Soron Family's potions to improve his physique, but using these potions requires the Soron Family's knight training method."
"That kid has some nerve, daring to look down on the knight training method passed down in my Soron Family."
The conflict between the two counts did not erupt from one or two incidents, but rather from a combination of many similar events.
Sauron looked at Ryan and suddenly laughed.
"Don't overestimate that kid. Winter didn't train him to be a nobleman, but he has great ambitions, just like you."
"The only difference is that he doesn't have your skills; he's a little guy who's all talk and no action."
"If the Winter Family were handed over to him, I could live a few more years."
Count Soron laughed, but quickly thought of Ryan standing beside him.
Even without the Winter Family, there's still the Ryan Family, both of whom are formidable.
"Snort!"
The count snorted again, closed his eyes to rest, and stopped communicating with Ryan.
Ryan, who had originally wanted to win over Count Soron to deal with Chrysus Meyers, had no choice but to give up.
The group entered Northwind County and gradually arrived at the battlefield from before.
The place still bears countless scorch marks. Spring may bring forth a burst of life, but the Dead Silence of this winter has left many in despair.
Crossing through Winter Canyon, the canyon itself seemed to have widened somewhat; the impact of war on geography surpasses even the changes the world itself has undergone over millennia.
The towns in the Count Winter Territory still appeared prosperous, but the indelible sadness on people's faces made Ryan realize that the damage suffered by the Count Winter's lands would probably take at least a decade to recover.
The trauma inflicted by war on one generation can only be erased by a new generation.
Compared to the outside, the Earl's castle was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a much more joyful atmosphere.
Ryan, however, did not see the Flying Wolf Cavalry.
With only a few days left until the Divine Grace Festival, the nobles have unusually refrained from engaging in political infighting, perhaps due to the weariness caused by this year's war.
Ryan once again witnessed the extravagance of the nobles. If it weren't for the nature of the banquet, Ryan suspected that some nobles would have put the maids on trial in front of everyone.
Ryan also met the count's second son, Castor Winter, who stood in the light and shadow, responding to the nobles' greetings with the demeanor of a nobleman.
Count Winter's purpose was self-evident, and Ryan noticed that some nobles in Northwind County were not so relaxed.
Ryan smiled and stepped forward.
" Viscount Bronson, how have you been? I wonder if you have already reclaimed the farmland destroyed by the Orcs?"
The Northlands.
Lawrence and Connie, supporting each other, stumbled and walked awkwardly across the snow.
"Isn't this Northlands a bit too terrifying? We didn't encounter any of these Magical Beast when we came in before."
"It must be because of that place that these Magical Beast were awakened."
As the Rift trembled and the Dragons roared in the sky, the once Dead Silence Northlands seemed to awaken, giving them a strong sense of vitality as all things flourished.
However, this awakening was not a good thing for the two humans. Although the goblins were no Goblin chasing them, the endless ferocious monsters on the surface and the threat posed by the Northlands itself still brought them to the brink of death time and time again.
"But we still survived, didn't we? This is Deities's grace to us; He told everyone that we can live."
The mountains ahead were within reach; once they crossed the mountain range in front of them, they would be home.
"Who are you planning to tell about that?"
Lawrence inquired, and Connie hesitated as well. He knew Lawrence's identity as a noble of the Empire, while he himself was the heir to a noble family in the Sera Kingdom.
However, during this journey, the name of Baron Ryan cannot be ignored, even exceeding the pressure brought by their own identities.
"My father clearly couldn't handle things related to Dragons."
Lawrence said directly:
"I will go to Zero Crossing City first, and then return to the family."
Connie had a lot to think about. The Deane Family had betrayed the Andara Kingdom and gone to the Sera Kingdom. The reputation of being traitors made them unpopular in many places.
Lawrence didn't need many choices, because he was an imperial nobleman and needed to inform a powerful nobleman about this matter.
"I don't know either."
" The MacReynolds Royal House and Lord Ryan have a good relationship, but in this matter, perhaps too many interests are involved."
" Dragon Bone Marrow might make them join forces, or it might not..."
Connie gritted his teeth, looking at the Knight's Greatsword in his hand. Compared to the King, Count Ryan had a much stronger control over him.
"I plan to tell Lord Ryan first, and then hear his opinion."
Lawrence nodded and said:
"Then I won't tell anyone that I found it with you."
Connie gave Lawrence a grateful look.
"You don't need to thank me. Maybe we'll be on the same battlefield in the future."
The two looked at the weapon in their hands. This sword was not only a weapon, but had gradually become a symbol of their identity.
The Divine Grace Festival has finally arrived. The Northwind Province has endured too much in the past year, and the nobles all hope that the coming year will be a bountiful one.
"Praise be to the great light, praise be to the noble Emperor Flor, praise be to the nobles for protecting the land."
The Deities: gods first, emperors second, and nobles third. However, there has been a change in this hierarchy, as the Pope is now missing.
In the past, praising the Pope was a part of the Divine Grace Festival, but now that the Empire has stopped doing so, the nobles have become accustomed to it.
On this day, a grand ceremony was also held in the Count Winter Territory. The emotions of the nobles were paramount. Then, when the sun was at its brightest, the second son of Count Winter, the new heir of the Earl's family, displayed his prowess by engaging in a fierce battle with ten knights on the high platform, ultimately emerging victorious.
The performance-style battle still drew cheers from many people.
"It seems there won't be any surprises in this matter."
Ryan's voice wasn't loud, but the nobles around him were at least viscounts.
" The Count Winter was too hasty and simplistic in changing his successor."
A nobleman said helplessly, "Even if it's due to force majeure, the change of the heir to the Noble Title shouldn't be like this, but Count Winter obviously doesn't want his eldest son's change to be made public."
The nobleman who spoke was Viscount Bronson, a viscount of Northwind County.
The nobles all had their own considerations, but they wouldn't discuss the matter openly. Ryan also acted as if he hadn't heard anything and communicated with Chrysus.
"Mr. Chrysus, I wonder what kind of surprise your adventure party will bring me. If possible, I hope they will share their adventures in the Northlands."
"The Bard in my territory are eagerly anticipating such stories, and I believe they will also help spread Meyers's prestige."
"Of course, the wealth they bring back will certainly not disappoint Baron Ryan."
Chrysus smiled and agreed. He didn't care about the matter; the adventure group was just meant to confuse Ryan.
The Divine Grace Festival ended, and this day was no different from previous Divine Grace Festival. The Deities did not reveal themselves in the world. The new year arrived, and apart from the nobles of Northwind County, the other nobles did not have any great feelings.
"The natural advantages brought by geographical location can also change."
Inside the carriage, Ryan gestured towards the now-famous Northwind Province.
The nobles of Iron Mountain County, having distanced themselves from Count Winter due to losses in the war, now depend more on him Baron Ryan.
The nobles of Silver Stream County are gradually aligning themselves with Viscount Hogg because of him. However, Viscount Hogg's goals are quite straightforward: one is to form an alliance with Ryan after losing the Imperial House as a backer, and the other is to obtain a source of warhorses from Ryan.
They gradually came to realize that their territory was closer to the Northlands than to the Imperial House.
Of the remaining counties, Meyers controls Thundercloud County, but at least half of the nobles there can be won over. Count Winter of Northwind County is also wavering among the nobles due to the intensity of the war and the change of succession. This is Ryan's opportunity.
After years of hard work, Viscount Landa has settled in the Fragrant Mountain Plains, where there is indeed a vast fortune. Once Ryan Teng makes his move, Viscount Landa will surely side with him.
So now, Count Soron of Dragon Mountain County and that land have become the toughest nut to crack for Ryan.
He wanted to gain full power over the Northwind Province, not through the leading nobles, but by directly dealing with each and every one of them, a power that would ensure the rest of the flock would not betray him even if the leader turned against him.
To achieve this, crops need to grow on the other side of the Swamp, but this process requires the intervention of interests.
In the new year, many plans need to be realized.
Ryan stretched, thinking about the suggestions the nobles had made to him at the banquet, and then glanced at Avril.
Finally, shaking his head, he said, while Avril blushed:
"I have never doubted that I can become Legendary."
If Legendary has children, then they will truly be an extraordinary second generation.
Zero Crossing City came into view. Following the steward's report, Ryan was somewhat surprised that the two people had actually returned alive.
"I thought I already needed to bring Gold Coin to apologize to Baron Xavier."
Ryan looked at Lawrence, who had matured considerably, and nodded in satisfaction with Lawrence's current strength.
"It seems the Northlands has helped you grow a lot."
"Thank you for your gift, Lord Ryan."
Lawrence was sincerely grateful that Ryan had shown him a wider world and led him up the steps to a more colorful and vibrant one.
His future is no longer confined to a small territory spanning only a few dozen miles.
"This time in the Northlands, we... I made a discovery."
Lawrence slowly recounted the Rift and the dragon bones, causing Ryan to squint his eyes as well.
"Was that Frost Dragon stuck there because of this place?"
Ryan murmured, guessing at the purpose of the Frost Dragon Arryris, then his gaze fell on the Dragon Bone Marrow in Lawrence's hand that looked like crystal.
The moment Ryan received the Dragon Bone Marrow, his pupils constricted sharply as he heard a dragon's roar that shook his very soul.
It doesn't come from the Dragon Bone Marrow in my hand, but from the Spirituality Panel.
roar--