Morse Town

After everyone had been sent off, the two walked back toward the manor while talking.

Uncle-in-law Lev said directly, "Starting tomorrow, you need to return to your own territory to arrange your father's burial and inspect the lands. Because of my status, I can't accompany you—you'll have to rely on yourself. As for safety, don't worry; I'll have people follow you."

Seeing Lev's serious expression, Altair asked doubtfully, "Uncle-in-law, won't that be too conspicuous?"

Seeing Altair's confusion, Lev explained the matter: "You are now the sole heir of the Sheffield family. No one dares to lay a hand on you for now, but once you're in the territory, there's no guarantee. Your family's wealth is also enormous."

"Everything is for safety's sake, and also to prevent 'them' from underestimating you because of your youth. If you find anyone 'slacking off or playing tricks' during this time, punish them severely—don't be soft-hearted."

When the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window the next morning, it let him sleep in—a rare chance to wake up naturally.

That sleep put Altair in an unusually good mood today. Even the gray, hazy sky over Bexland looked pleasing to the eye from the window.

After Altair finished a simple wash, he saw the servants downstairs already starting their work.

"Good morning, Hahn."

"Good morning, Count Altair."

"It seems Bexland is having a rare good day today—even the sunlight is coming through."

Hearing his own count's words, Hahn compared it to the past few days' weather and felt a slight difference. "Today's Bexland is indeed a rare clear day..."

After the morning greetings, Hahn began arranging the servants to set up breakfast and clean the rooms.

While Altair was eating, Hahn started his report: "At 9 a.m. today, you need to head to the steam train station, take the train to Tingen City, then transfer by carriage back to Morse Town for the burial..."

"Yesterday afternoon, after you rested, the royal family's etiquette teacher assigned to you, Madame Anna, sent a letter saying she would accompany you to the territory so you can quickly master the etiquette. Her luggage has already been delivered..."

The report started normally, but when he heard about his etiquette teacher, Altair, who was drinking soup, choked and coughed repeatedly...

After recovering, he asked directly, "When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"

Hahn replied flatly, "It was yesterday evening, after you rested. You should have seen the letter, but since you were already asleep, I didn't wake you."

"Mm, I see." Hearing Hahn's words, Altair understood the situation. He thought to himself, Why did the etiquette teacher arrive first? Shouldn't it be the mysticism teacher?...

By the time breakfast ended and everything was ready for departure, this etiquette teacher, Madame Anna, finally arrived late. Altair's first impression of her was "rigid."

On the steam train heading to Ahuva County, Tingen City, Altair was thoroughly annoyed by Madame Anna's lecturing. "Count Altair, when we first met, you should not have extended your hand for a handshake... Instead, you should have accepted my kneeling bow."

"Now that you have inherited the count title, although I am your teacher, I myself have no noble status. In public settings, you should not bow to me."

"My Professional Authority is effective within teaching scenarios. Outside of class, only necessary politeness is required."

"Also, regarding your attire: in the Kingdom of Ruun, men primarily wear black and white combinations. Only commoners dress in colorful clothes. Women wear black, dark blue, dark purple, and so on—dark tones. Black-and-white combinations are mainly for commoners."

"Although times have changed and people have relaxed dress codes, I find it hard to accept you wearing a full set of men's clothing."

In short, from the moment he sat down in his private compartment on the train, Madame Anna began her two-hour etiquette lecture. She evaluated everything from the greeting at their first meeting to his words and actions, clothing, attitude toward servants, and so on.

Then she taught him how to handle similar situations in the future. If the train hadn't been speeding along, she would have started the full etiquette course right there.

Under Madame Anna's imposing presence, Altair could only play the role of a good student and learn.

During lunch, she found another pile of faults—from his sitting posture while eating to the size of his bites...

But surprisingly, he wasn't bothered by Madame Anna in the afternoon, because she went to find Hahn the butler instead. The butler was so lectured that he felt like jumping off the train right then and there.

Poor Hahn.

After a grueling five-hour journey, the steam train arrived on time at Tingen City at three in the afternoon.

As he stepped off the train, Hahn's younger brother, Amos Clayton, was already waiting on the platform.

When he saw Amos, the man performed a Deep Bow and said, "Count Altair."

To avoid another round of Madame Anna's education, Altair returned a simple Nodding Bow, slightly tilting his head as a greeting.

Then he glanced at Madame Anna. Seeing her smile, he knew he wouldn't be "educated" that evening.

After loading the coffin and luggage onto the carriage, they set off in the carriage arranged by Old Clayton toward their destination: Morse Town.

After more than half an hour of travel, they arrived at the Sheffield family's castle. Old Clayton was already standing at the entrance with many servants waiting.

Seeing the carriage arrive, he personally opened the door for Altair. After brief pleasantries, they entered the castle.

Since it was still early and Altair had never been here since birth, Old Clayton guided him and began introducing the castle.

"This castle was designed under the supervision of the first-generation Sheffield, with the popular Gothic Style of the time as its main structure. It took over ten years to build, and was expanded under the fifth-generation Sheffield... After more than six hundred years, it has taken on its current form."

On the second day after arriving in Morse Town, the funeral was held as scheduled.

Since Old Sheffield had followed the Lord of Storms, Old Clayton invited a priest from the River and Sea Church in Tingen City to pray for Old Sheffield.

After Altair threw the first handful of earth, the hired clergy from the Holy See filled in the grave...

After the funeral ended, Old Clayton began giving Altair a brief overview of the town's situation. "The name 'Morse Town' comes from the first 'Sheffield.'"

"Over the generations, the Barons never changed the town's name, in honor of the family's founder."

"Most of the residents here are descendants of those who once followed 'Sheffield' on campaigns across the land. Of course, some are also people who stayed after the 'Slave Act' was abolished."

"The most recent population influx was seven years ago, led by 'Altair's' father."