Blocking the Way

Old John's choked voice reminded Saine of the deepest image in his memory.

It was in a training ground in a courtyard, where Saine, who was only a few years old, was struggling to complete certain movements.

If he hadn't been kidnapped to the Underdark, Saine would likely have become an excellent Knight.

Old John was a good soldier.

If it weren't for his teachings back then, Saine would probably have starved to death on the way to City of Mozhsuobula, or been bullied to death by other apprentices during his Entry-Level Apprentice.

Without mastering magic, Saine's excellent physique and strength were his assets in establishing himself at the Black Wizard Academy for the first two years.

Of course, later, when she was sheltered by Lina, her fate took a completely different turn.

But regardless, Old John did do Saine a certain favor.

Even if the other party might have been ordered by the Earl to specifically teach Saine the Initial Breathing Technique and some simple combat skills.

The scene in his memory eventually faded away, and Saine stepped out of the carriage and helped the old man in front of him up.

Just as Saine was about to ask about the other party's situation in recent years, Old John stepped forward, leaned close to Saine, and whispered, "Young Master, the news that you appeared in Grant City and caused some commotion must have already reached the Saine's side."

"Of course, the Earl has a network of informants throughout the city, and any news about you must have been sent to him immediately."

"It may still be some time before the Earl returns to the castle."

"You must be careful of trouble from other people in the castle during this time, especially from the lady..." Old John said in a low voice.

Since this place was some distance from the castle, and was concealed by the trees and vegetation planted around the castle, the scene of Old John whispering to Saine in front of the carriage should not have been noticed by the people inside the castle.

Upon hearing Old John's reminder, Saine frowned, then asked, "My Mother?"

"Your Mother, Lady Catherine, died of grief the year after you were attacked and killed by robbers."

"The current Lady Diya is the daughter of a marquis from the Sifa Kingdom."

"The Earl took another wife after Lady Catherine's death," Old John replied.

Old John's answer left Saine stunned for a moment.

It turns out that the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

At this moment, Saine seemed to be frozen in place by frost magic.

It wasn't just Saine's body that was frozen.

His body, and even more so his soul.

In fact, Saine had no memory of his father Earl Grant, because he searched through his memories but could not find any images of them together.

Perhaps Saine was too young back then; Saine was only six years old when he was abducted to the Underdark.

It's impossible to remember things from much earlier; I can only recall some details from when I was just starting to remember things.

The most vivid image in Saine's memory is of his Mother. →

He no longer remembers what his Mother's face looked like.

All I remember is that my Mother had long silver hair, sapphire-like eyes, and often wore a white dress.

Saine also recalled a nursery rhyme, which his Mother seemed to have sung to him while he was sitting on a swing in the garden.

However, Saine couldn't even remember the melody, let alone the lyrics.

But that unforgettable warmth is a memory that will forever remain in Saine's heart, and it is one of the few pure lands in his heart when he was struggling to survive in the Black Wizard Academy.

"Young Master?"

"Young Master?"

Old John's voice brought Saine back from her indescribable grief.

Having survived for two years in such a harsh environment as the Yellow Sand World, the incredibly resilient Saine couldn't help but shed a few tears.

Is it because you are saddened by your Mother's passing?

Or is it the heartache of the most beautiful dream deep in your memory being shattered?

At this moment, Saine suddenly wanted to see Lina and talk to Lina a lot.

It was about his mentor Moxidu, about the death of his Mother, and about his experiences of spending more than two years alone in the Yellow Sand World.

Unfortunately, Lina wasn't with Saine, and he didn't even know where she was.

I only hope that one day I can advance to a level one or higher Mage so that I can find the other person in the Western Islands.

Lina and her senior sister Fei'er are most likely there.

Once he came to his senses, Saine used Clean Spell to wipe away the tear stains on his face.

The sudden magical fluctuation startled Old John.

It was only then that Old John realized that the young master Saine in front of him was a Mage.

I wonder what the young master has gone through all these years.

The castle in Grant Territory is very large.

From a distance, the castle seemed very large, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be even larger than expected.

Indeed, some people in the castle already knew about the riots that had occurred in the eastern part of Grant City.

When Saine's carriage crossed the stone bridge over the moat in front of the castle, a large group of people came out of the castle to "welcome" Saine, but the atmosphere was a little strange.

"Lagna, what do you think you're doing?!"

"The person sitting in the carriage is a nobleman from our Grant Territory. I have already conveyed the message to the Earl, who is far away in Squaerway City."

"The Earl will be returning soon!"

Old John's shouts caused the large crowd gathered in front of the castle to retreat considerably.

That Lagna seems to be the leader of this group, and he also possesses the strength of Advanced Knight Servant.

He also looked much younger than Old John, and therefore was stronger and more capable in Combat Power than the elderly John.

No wonder Earl Grant left him to oversee the castle's defenses.

Old John's rebuke, along with the use of words like "earl" in his speech, caused a hint of hesitation to appear on the face of the Advanced Knight Servant Lagna.

It was during this moment of hesitation that Old John pushed aside the crowd blocking the castle entrance and led Saine's carriage into the castle.

Of course, most people, intimidated by Old John's seniority and the Earl's prestige, dared not step forward to intercept Saine's carriage.

But there is still a small group of people who don't care about this; they are the current Countess's people.

A Advanced Knight Servant dressed in red armor led a dozen or so Knight over.

They blocked Old John's path and drew their swords.

"How?!"

"You brat from the Sifa Kingdom, you want to fight me in the Earl's Castle?!"

"When I was fighting alongside the Earl in the Mud and Sand Basin, you were still nursing somewhere!" Old John glared and scolded.

The Red Armor Knight before them came from the Sifa Kingdom and was a servant brought by the Countess from her maternal home.

Old John's shouts and curses made the Red Armor Knight's face turn pale and then red.

It might also be the phrase "the Sifa Kingdom" in Old John's words.

Neither Lagna, who had just spoken, nor the many more guards from the Earl's Castle who had gathered around, stepped forward to help the Red Armor Knight and his companions.

At this moment, only the Red Armor Knight and his dozen or so squires blocked the way for Saine's carriage.

One Advanced Knight Servant, three mid-ranking Knight Attendant, and nearly ten low-ranking Knight Attendant —that's all.