Unexpected Hospitality

Under the guidance of Andrea and others, Luo Ning walked into Lakeside Castle.

Noble castles in this world are generally divided into three structures: inner, outer, and fortress.

The outer castle focuses on defense, including sturdy walls, gates, fortifications, traps, etc. The houses where many noble families' servants live are also built between the outer and inner castles.

Passing through the inner gate leads to the inner castle, which is where the noble lords usually reside. The environment here is naturally much higher quality than the outer castle.

The houses where the noble lords usually live have little defensive capability. Some nobles even prefer to live in houses built purely of wood.

Therefore, in the event of an enemy attack or the castle being assaulted, the nobles would hide in the fortress.

In addition, some important occasions are also held in the fortress.

When Luo Ning first transmigrated, the place where the Wushan Family and the Hyde Family discussed matters was Wushan Fortress.

It is said that Wushan Fortress was not only built with high-quality stone, but also had defensive magic arrays installed within it. Once activated, even several Golden Knights working together would find it difficult to break through in a short time.

Lakeside Castle's scale naturally cannot compare to Wushan Castle, but it should rank among the top baron castles. This is because Lakeside Town's aquatic business is good, bringing considerable assets to the Green Family.

"Please wait a moment, Lord Luo Ning. Since we weren't prepared, Baron German may need some time to come over."

Andrea instructed a servant to bring in fruit and juice, then exited the fortress.

Luo Ning sat in a chair, observing his surroundings.

The furnishings in this fortress hall were filled with a strong noble atmosphere. A tall stone fireplace stood on the left side of the hall. Once winter arrived and the fire was lit, it would surely make the entire hall warm and cozy.

Luo Ning glanced at the chair he was sitting on. Although it was made of wood, it was carved with flowers, and even the front of the armrests were gilded?

This shouldn't be gold, right?

He scratched at it, but couldn't scrape anything off.

He wanted to use more force, but felt a bit embarrassed.

Luo Ning stopped his little movements and looked at the high seat in the hall. That chair, which seemed to be made of pure iron, had complex patterns and designs, but he only recognized a fish in the very center of the pattern.

In addition, a complete bear skin was spread behind the seat. Looking at the huge and terrifying head of the bear skin, it must have been a powerful Magical Beast when it was alive.

At this moment, Luo Ning recalled some past events of the Lakeside Town baron's family.

About eighteen years ago, in the winter, the previous Baron of Lakeside Town, Luton Green, took his wife, son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter out hunting.

This was an entertainment activity that many nobles engaged in, and some even found it endlessly enjoyable.

But no one expected that on that day, a huge Level 5 Magical Beast, a Jungle Tyrant Bear, would appear in the forest, which was supposed to be not very dangerous!

Despite being escorted by a Knight Squad, and Baron Luton himself being an Advanced Knight, in that battle, the Jungle Tyrant Bear almost annihilated the entire Lakeside Town baron family.

In the end, only German, who was a son at the time, survived. He is now the current lord of Lakeside Town.

Although this incident was a huge blow to the Green Family, fortunately, German had considerable prestige within the family and was very talented in cultivation. The Green Family's situation gradually improved.

However, fate was cruel. Ten years ago, in the Knight Tournament, German faced Baron Leysen of Sain Territory. In that battle, Baron Leysen severed German's left arm.

The relationship between the two families, which was already not very good, worsened.

The disheartened German was depressed for a period, but unexpectedly advanced to become a Bronze Knight, which earned him the title "One-Armed Lone Wolf".

This should be that Level 5 Magical Beast, the Jungle Tyrant Bear, right?

Luo Ning stood up and walked forward, wanting to observe it.

However, just then, a female voice came from the doorway.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Baron of Mountain Forest Town!"

Luo Ning turned around and saw a noblewoman in formal attire slowly walking into the hall. She bowed slightly to Luo Ning, "Flavia Lawley pays her respects to you. Thank you for your assistance; the Green family's bloodline was fortunate to survive!"

Flavia Lawley was Baron German's second wife.

Behind her, Malik, who had changed into formal attire, also bowed.

Luo Ning felt a bit strange. Shouldn't it be Baron German who appeared in the hall? Why was it this mother and son?

Despite his confusion, Luo Ning maintained his politeness.

"Greetings to you, Lady Flavia."

Flavia motioned for Luo Ning to sit down, and then she and Malik sat on the chairs opposite him.

"I am very sorry, Lord Luo Ning, but my father's chest injury has not yet healed, and he cannot move freely. Therefore, he cannot come to Lakeside Castle to personally thank you for saving me and my sister."

Luo Ning feigned understanding, then smiled slightly, "The Baron's injury is more important!"

Earlier outside the castle, Andrea had told Malik and Marina that Baron German's injury was almost healed. Judging by the relaxed tone of her voice at the time, it was likely that normal movement was completely fine.

But now Malik said that German's injury hadn't healed and he couldn't move freely. This was interesting.

Luo Ning first ruled out any drama within the Green Family regarding the struggle for the baron title. After all, German was a Bronze Knight and the Green Family's main combat force. His death would be a loss for the Green Family.

Moreover, German had only one son, Malik, who was still young and could not possibly attempt to seize the baron title.

That could only mean that Baron German did not want to come out and see him.

Luo Ning couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, revealing an almost imperceptible wry smile. By doing this, it seemed the other party didn't want to be associated with him.

Why is this happening?

Luo Ning thought about it. The other party was deliberately avoiding him, clearly afraid that the outside world would misunderstand that the Green Family wanted to associate with him.

Befriending someone who had been stripped of their inheritance — would this lead people to mistakenly believe the Green Family harbored ambitions to support a new lord?

After all, after the old Marquis died, the situation in the Wushan Territory was bound to change in unpredictable ways.

So Luo Ning speculated that the reason German didn't show up was probably to show the Hyde Family.

"Lord Luo Ning, thank you very much for this matter!"

Lady Flavia's grateful voice interrupted Luo Ning's thoughts.

"German told me that Mountain Forest Town is remote, the land is barren, and resources are scarce. He specifically instructed me to prepare a batch of supplies and money for you, both to help you build Mountain Forest Town and to express a little of Lakeside Castle's gratitude to you!"

Luo Ning emerged from his thoughts and couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

"Please convey my thanks to Baron German. I believe with his support, the construction of Mountain Forest Town will be faster than expected!"

Whether they met or not didn't matter. It was just a little loss of face, something to be laughed at by others if it got out.

That wasn't the point. The point was getting the goods.

Wasn't that why he specifically sent Malik and his sister home?

Flavia and Malik exchanged glances, both surprised that Luo Ning didn't show any displeasure. After all, it was said that Luo Ning, like his father, had a bad temper and often swore.

But it seemed this wasn't the case.

Flavia sat up a little straighter. "Considering the barrenness of Mountain Forest Town, we will provide you with a total of 3000 jin of grain."

"Also, Malik said your team doesn't have enough horses. We will additionally give you three carriages, plus five ordinary horses, and two ordinary warhorses."

"Besides that, to express our gratitude and in case you need it, we have also prepared 200 gold coins!"

The more Luo Ning listened, the more comfortable he felt.

Although German didn't appear, their gratitude was very substantial.

3000 jin of grain was fine, but ten horses combined should be worth 200 gold coins. Adding the 200 gold coins, the harvest from this trip to Lakeside Town exceeded 400 gold coins. A great profit!

He couldn't help but stand up and bow to Lady Flavia. "Thank you for your generosity, and please convey my most sincere thanks to Baron German!"

He added, "If possible, please exchange some of the gold coins for copper coins. After all, as you know, in a poor place like Mountain Forest Town, gold and silver coins might be difficult to spend."

Lady Flavia and Malik also stood up. "You are very thoughtful."