The afterglow of dusk slanted into the room through the gaps in the curtains, stretching Yavi's lonely figure. He sat quietly on the edge of the bed, holding in his hand the letter Kharkov left for him.
The room was so quiet that only his deep breathing and the slight rustling of the letter were left. Outside the window, the last golden red of the sunset was slowly fading from the horizon, and the twilight silently spread into the room like a tide. Yavi was completely unaware. His eyes always stayed on those familiar handwritings, as if he wanted to read some new meaning between the lines.
The handwriting of Kharkov on the letter paper was still clear. Yavi's eyes lightly scanned the key words, and his brows wrinkled unconsciously. When the last ray of skylight disappeared, he still maintained the same posture, allowing the darkness to gradually engulf him.
Just when darkness was about to completely envelope the room, a soft knock on the door broke the silence.
"Master, dinner is ready." The maid's respectful voice came from outside the door.
Yavi just woke up from a dream, slowly folded the letter paper and put it into Talisman Space. He took a deep breath, calmed down his emotions, and said in a deep voice, "I understand."
When he arrived at the restaurant, exquisite meals were already placed on the long table, and the candlelight flickered, reflecting the silver light of the tableware. To his surprise, his father Herbert and his eldest brother Jace also came back. Their faces were tired from the journey, but they still maintained the solemn posture unique to soldiers.
"Sit down." Herbert raised his eyes and glanced at Yavi, and said briefly.
When everyone was seated, dinner officially began. Amidst the clinking of knives and forks, Herbert suddenly spoke in a low and solemn voice, "In this border meeting, the scouts sent back news that Poviss is gathering troops and the movements are suspicious."
Jace took over and frowned. "Their target is probably Tuck Fortress. However, the Liz city lord of Saint Thomas City believes that he will not launch an attack at least before the Winter Solstice."
Herbert nodded and glanced at everyone present. "Yes, we should be able to have a stable Winter Solstice Festival, but if Tuck Fortress is surrounded, we still have to rush to rescue as soon as possible."
Jace suddenly put down the knife and raised a narrow smile, "Yavi, you are turning twenty this year, right? Is there a girl you like outside... or is she already married?"
This sudden question made Yavi's hand holding the tea cup tremble and he almost spilled the tea. He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Brother, why do you suddenly ask this... I have been hunting demons for these years, and it was only a while after Oxenfurt went to school in the second half of this year that I had an happy life, so how could I have the chance to talk about marriage."
Herbert coughed lightly and took over the conversation. "Actually, it's what my old friend Katz means. He is the lord of Tuck Fortress, whom you met when you were a child." He frowned and recalled, "His youngest daughter... what is her name...Lucy? Yes, Lucy. That girl happened to be of marriageable age this year."
Yavi just took a sip of tea and almost spit it out when he heard the words. He suppressed a cough and looked at his father in disbelief. "Wait... Father, are you going to..."
"Katz heard that you were back, and asked me specifically to propose this marriage during the meeting." Herbert cut the barbecue on the plate with a normal expression, "If you two agree with each other, we can get married before the Winter Solstice."
Yavi's fingers gently rubbed the edge of the teacup, and he was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "Father, you know..." His voice was very soft, but with a firmness that could not be ignored, "The physique of a demon hunter... is destined to be unable to continue the bloodline. What's more, I will return to the Order sooner or later. If this marriage really happens, won't that lady... stay a widow for the rest of her life?"
He looked at his father calmly, candlelight dancing in his light pupils. "This arrangement is so unfair to Miss Lucy."
The restaurant fell into silence for a moment. The candlelight swayed slightly amidst Yavi's excited breathing, casting flickering light and shadow on his face.
Herbert put down the knife, tapped his knuckles on the table and thought for a moment. "Of course I won't force you to do this," his tone softened a bit, "But since the other party took the initiative, we should pay a visit. I plan to take you to Tuck Fortress in the next few days, just like asking your mother to help you see each other."
Jace interjected at the right time. "Uncle Katz is my father's best friend after all. It really doesn't make sense if he doesn't even see him." He winked at Yavi, "Just treat it as a visit to the elders. We can talk about other things later."
Yavi nodded lightly, and unconsciously traced the lines of the tea cup with his fingertips. "It's okay to meet. But..." He paused, his eyes slightly complicated, "As for the follow-up, let's wait until we meet Miss Lucy."
The candlelight circulated on the silver tableware, reflecting Yavi's thoughtful profile. Seeing this, Herbert nodded with satisfaction. "That's it." He raised his wine glass, "Here, let's eat first."
A few days later, a well-equipped team was ready to go in the morning light. Herbert personally counted the carriages loaded with silks, fine wines and other valuable gifts, and inspected the 180 elite soldiers accompanying them. Each of these soldiers was wearing armor and swords, shining with a cold metallic luster in the morning sun.
"Let's go!" Following Herbert's command, the team slowly started swimming like a long dragon. Herbert, Jace and Yavi The three cavalry were in the lead, and the hoofs of their horses made a crisp sound on the official road covered with morning dew. Behind them, the gorgeous carriage carrying the women's family members was closely guarded by two teams of cavalry, and the wheels made a dull rolling sound as they ran over the stone road.
Yavi tightened the reins and let his mount ride alongside his father and brother. He looked at the outline of the mountains that gradually appeared in the distance, which was the direction of Tuck Fortress. The morning breeze blew through his cloak, bringing a hint of coolness in early autumn. This massive team was heading towards the border fortress, and waiting there would be a meeting that might change his destiny.
The dust raised by the team as they marched glowed with a golden halo in the morning sun. From a distance, it looked like a meandering golden river, slowly flowing towards the distant fortress. Villagers along the way stopped to watch and whispered about the reason for the lord's family to travel in such a vigorous manner.
Jace gently clamped the horse's belly, letting the mount run parallel to Yavi. He looked at the rolling mountains in the distance and said, "You have not been at home these years, and the surrounding situation has changed a lot." His voice was particularly clear in the morning breeze.
"The war between Poviss and Kovir has been going on for three years." Jace pointed to the northwest with a riding crop, "It was just a border friction at first, but later it turned into a local conflict. Poviss occupied Kovir The iron ore area of is now staring at Tuck Fortress with eager eyes. As long as it can win Tuck Fortress, it is equivalent to opening the door to Poviss, so now everyone's eyes are focused on Tuck Fortress."
After hearing Jace's analysis, Yavi nodded silently, and now he roughly understands the current situation.