A month later, in the central region of the Goldflower Kingdom—the Franklin region.
This was one of the kingdom's wealthiest riverlands, with fertile soil, crisscrossing rivers, and estates scattered everywhere. It was also the core territory of the Schmidt Family.
The rise of the Schmidt Family was a classic epic of a kingdom's knights climbing the ranks.
Their ancestors had been blacksmiths who rendered great service during the War of Founding by repairing and maintaining the king's weapons and equipment. For that, they were granted knighthood.
Over the next several generations, the family fought across the north and south, accumulating blood and military achievements step by step until they finally obtained the title of Duke and this vast, prosperous territory.
Early that morning, in the master bedroom of a luxurious castle, Duke Schmidt—a middle-aged man whose physique remained in decent shape, his stern face carrying a trace of weariness—had just finished a morning tryst with his latest lover.
He rose as usual, washed and dressed with the servants' assistance, then headed to his study to deal first with the dull but necessary affairs of state.
This had been his habit for years: deal with the troublesome matters first, then enjoy a delicious breakfast and the leisure of the day.
A fair number of letters and documents lay piled on his desk. Most contained the same old subjects: a land dispute in some village, a report from an estate requesting troops to suppress bandits harassing refugees, an invitation from a noble family to a political marriage or banquet...
He reviewed them quickly and efficiently, a trace of impatience on his face.
However, his gaze was soon drawn to one particular letter.
It was not that the envelope was special, but rather the name signed by the sender—Karl von Schmidt.
The name