Confirmation of the News

Fine cups held bright red wine, its fragrance wafting from the glasses.

The table before Green alone was piled with food—foie gras, spiced stew, truffles, and a host of other precious ingredients covered the entire table. There were even some meats Green had never seen before.

Green could not help shifting his gaze to the three girls dining with him. Even in a noble restaurant, such extravagance was normally impossible; at most, there would be white bread with some stew. For such a lavish meal, these three girls would likely have to pay a certain price.

He just did not know whether it had been their own decision or an arrangement made by their elders.

The dining hall was relatively quiet. Noble etiquette required silence during meals, but those dining in the noble restaurant at this hour were mostly young men and women who had just come down from the training grounds, and none of them strictly followed that rule.

While Green earnestly enjoyed the food, no one else had their mind on eating. Aixiville, Ayla, and Mia, who were dining with Green, each harbored their own little thoughts. Those at the other tables also subtly focused their attention on Green's table. Everyone loved gossip; nobles were no exception.

"Three people competing—who do you think will win in the end?"

"No idea, but Mia probably has no chance. Her background is poor, and her figure is nothing special. She is simply not worthy of Green."

"I think Aixiville has the best chance. Look at Aishweil—she is practically pressed against him. Green probably will not be able to resist!"

"How can you reach a conclusion so early? Green has such great potential. Perhaps the Baron will marry Lilith to him."

"That is right, Lilith is possible too. Green said at the training grounds that he would soon receive Old Green's inheritance and could learn the Breathing Method early. His potential must be extremely high. The Baron might even marry Lilith off to Green."

Small groups formed throughout the hall, whispering among themselves. Their voices were not loud, but the three girls, who had been watching their surroundings all along, could not miss the conversations around them. At first, they could still maintain their composure, but when Lilith entered the discussion, the expressions of the three girls darkened.

Lilith was Baron Kluo's eldest daughter. Her status was completely different from everyone else's. If the Baron truly decided to marry Lilith to Green, they would have virtually no chance of competing.

Just as the dining hall sank into a strange atmosphere, a commotion suddenly arose at the castle gates. The Baron and the captain of the guards, who had gone to investigate the Annabur Mountains, had returned with their men. Everyone's attention immediately shifted. Most of the nobles who had been eating put down their knives and forks and headed outside.

The news brought back by the Baron and the captain of the guards would determine whether war would come to this land. If not, they could continue living peacefully. But if war was imminent, the castle would likely undergo a series of changes.

"Let's go see what news the Baron brought back!" Without waiting for the three girls to agree, Green wiped his mouth with a napkin beside him and quickly left the dining hall. The three girls exchanged looks, then ultimately followed Green out.

As soon as Baron Kluo and the captain of the guards, Os, returned to the castle, they summoned the nobles within the castle to the top floor of the central building for a discussion.

The guards who had accompanied them remained where they were, awaiting Baron Kluo's orders. Every guard had been ordered to keep silent. Without the Baron's permission, no one was allowed to reveal what had happened during the investigation.

Seeing that he could not learn anything from the guards, Green bid farewell to the three girls and returned directly to the guest reception room.

The three girls also realized that something was clearly wrong. After saying goodbye to Green, they prepared to ask their mothers what exactly had happened.

Just as Green had expected, Old Green was not in the guest reception room when he returned. Others might not know, but Green knew very well that Old Green was not as frail as he appeared. Baron Kluo, the master of the castle, likely knew this as well. If war truly broke out, Old Green would also be a formidable fighting force. Old Green should have retrieved the things from the warehouse long ago. His disappearance now meant he had likely been summoned by the Baron.

But with Old Green absent, Green could only wait patiently.

With a creak, the door was pushed open. Green, who had been pacing the room, immediately turned toward the entrance.

Old Green entered with a grave expression. However, upon seeing Green, a faint smile appeared on his face, concealing his seriousness.

"Old Green, what exactly happened?" Green asked directly.

Old Green did not answer Green's question. He merely walked slowly to his bed, pondered for a while, then looked at Green solemnly.

"The situation is not good. At the place where you spotted the firelight, the Baron and the others found a large number of footprints, as well as some military supplies. They were most likely a scouting party from the Saladin Kingdom," Old Green said worriedly.

Green also fell silent. For a moment, the entire room was quiet.

"But there is no need to worry. War should not break out this year or next year—at the earliest, it would be the year after next. The Saladin Kingdom probably has not fully explored the passage yet. The lord-level beasts in the Annabur Mountains pose a tremendous threat to their march. By the time Saladin's scouting party was discovered, judging from the military supplies they left behind, they had likely lost at least two-thirds of their men," Old Green said, trying to reassure Green.

"Scouting parties are generally made up of the army's elites. If even their losses were so severe, ordinary troops would have an even harder time crossing the Annabur Mountains. We still have a period of peace ahead of us. Besides, the final exit might not necessarily be within the Baron's territory."

Green also breathed a sigh of relief. As long as war did not break out immediately, he would have more time to grow stronger.

"Rest well these next few days. In a few days, I will teach you the Breathing Method."

"Mm." Green knew that the Breathing Method was the most important thing now. After agreeing to Old Green's request, he barely left the room over the next few days, resting there except during meals.