Night fell quietly, leaving the castle of Black Stone Territory ablaze with light.
To welco Lillian and her retinue, Raylo had ordered the kitchen to prepare a grand welcoming banquet.
The long oak dining table was draped with a pristine white linen tablecloth, laden with a mountain of sumptuous dishes.
The sizzling leg of a roasted wild boar emanated an enticing aroma. Golden ale and crimson fruit wine filled crystal-clear goblets. The air was thick with the fragrance of food and joyous laughter.
The Knights and officials of the castle were all in attendance, and the atmosphere was lively and harmonious.
Lillian had changed into a light, pale blue long dress, which made her appear even more lively and pretty.
She sat beside Raylo, excitedly introducing her entourage to him.
"Brother, this is Knight Commander Kaine. Mother specially invited him for from the Blazing Fla Kingdom. He’s my Personal Guard Captain!"
Lillian pulled over a burly, middle-aged Knight clad in crimson Full-Body Armor.
Knight Kaine removed his helt, revealing a weathered but resolute face. His short, fiery-red hair was like a burning Fla.
He perford a standard Knight’s salute to Raylo, his voice booming.
"Lord Raylo, by order of Eldest Princess Anna, I, Kaine, have led the Thirteenth Squadron of the Blazing Fla Knight Order here to protect Princess Lillian."
Raylo was inwardly shaken.
’The Blazing Fla Knight Order... they’re the elite of the elites of the Blazing Fla Kingdom. Every mber is at least a Tier Two Great Knight, and this Knight Commander Kaine is a genuine Tier Four Sky Knight!’
He could feel an aura from Kaine as scorching and imnse as a blazing fire, far beyond that of any ordinary Knight.
"Knight Commander Kaine, you’ve had a long journey."
Raylo rose to return the salute.
"With you and your Knights on guard, I can be completely at ease about Lillian’s safety."
Behind Kaine, ten Knights also dressed in standard-issue Armor with steady auras, stepped forward in unison to salute Raylo.
These ten Knights were all Tier Three Earth Knights, the pillars of the Knight Brigade, each serving as a Knight Commander for their respective squads.
Each one was physically powerful and stood tall and straight, clearly a battle-hardened Warrior.
Raylo clicked his tongue in amazent. ’Lady Anna’s generosity is truly imnse.’
A full squadron of Knights, led by a Sky Knight Commander, with ten Earth Knights as its core—a force like this was enough to sweep across any part of the Northern Territory.
"Brother, and this is Mother’s close friend, Lady Alina."
Lillian then pointed to a lady in a simple and elegant Mage Robe, who had a gentle and serene disposition.
"Lady Alina is a very powerful Great Mage, you know! From now on, she’ll be my Magic Tutor."
Lady Alina appeared to be in her thirties, with a beautiful face and a pair of wise eyes that seed capable of seeing into one’s heart.
She gave a slight curtsy.
"Lord Raylo, Queen Anna has entrusted with overseeing Her Highness Princess Lillian’s Magic studies. I hope you will forgive any future disturbances."
"Lady Alina, you are too kind. It is Lillian’s honor to have such a learned tutor as yourself."
Raylo did not dare to show any disrespect to this Tier Four Great Mage either.
Behind Lady Alina followed a dozen or so young Mages and Magic Apprentices. Most of them looked deferential, their gazes toward Raylo holding a hint of curiosity.
These were all Lady Alina’s students, accompanying her on this trip, first, for experience, and second, to help protect Lillian’s territory.
’Holy cow, isn’t this basically a Mage squad?’
’Raylo’s own Black Stone Territory has yet to see even the shadow of a single Mage.’
Raylo’s gaze swept over this magnificent entourage, and his heart filled with a thousand emotions.
’Lady Anna has practically moved a small legion and a mobile Magic Tower to the Black Stone Territory.’
Lillian seed to notice Raylo’s astonishnt and added smugly.
"Mother said that there are more Civil Servants and supplies on the way, and they should arrive in about half a month. There’s a share for you too, brother! Mother said it’s not easy for you to develop new territory in the Northern Territory, so you can’t be short on manpower or supplies!"
Raylo took a deep breath, raised his wine glass, and stood up.
The noise in the great hall gradually subsided as all eyes focused on him.
"Lady Alina, Knight Commander Kaine, and all the Knights and Mages who have traveled from afar."
Raylo raised his glass.
"On behalf of the Black Stone Territory, I welco you all!"
"To Lord Raylo!"
Knight Commander Kaine and Lady Alina were the first to raise their glasses, and the rest of the crowd quickly followed suit, bringing the atmosphere to a climax.
The banquet continued for a long ti in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Various roasted ats unique to the Northern Lands, savory fish stews, sweet berry pies, and Raylo’s prized fine wines earned endless praise from the guests who had traveled so far.
Thor roped several young Knights into a drinking contest, and hearty laughter frequently erupted in the hall.
Carl, on the other hand, sat reservedly in a corner, quietly exchanging insights on Alchemy with a few Magic Apprentices.
The banquet, filled with laughter and cheerful chatter, continued late into the night before gradually winding down.
Raylo personally escorted Lillian to the room prepared for her. It was the one with the best view in the castle’s main tower, ticulously decorated with fresh flowers and soft fabrics, creating a warm and comfortable ambiance.
At so point, Moonlight had snuck in behind Raylo. It hopped onto a soft cushion by the window, lazily observing the room’s new occupant with its pale golden eyes, the tip of its tail twitching intermittently.
"Wow! What a beautiful big white cat!"
Lillian’s gaze was imdiately drawn to Moonlight by the window.
She let out a small gasp, ran to the window in a few steps, her eyes shining with adoration, and reached out to hug the "big cat" that looked so fluffy and wonderful to touch.
Moonlight clearly hadn’t expected the little girl to be so forward and enthusiastic.
Before Lillian could get close, the next second, with a SWOOSH, Moonlight shot off the windowsill, turning into a silvery-white afterimage that vanished into the deep night, leaving behind a stunned Lillian with her hand still outstretched.
"Hey? Kitty, don’t run! I won’t hurt you!"
Lillian kept her hand outstretched, looking at the empty windowsill with an aggrieved expression, her small mouth forming a slight pout.
Watching this scene, Raylo couldn’t help but chuckle, a smile playing on his lips as he shook his head.
"Its na is Moonlight. It’s my partner, not an ordinary cat. It’s a bit shy around strangers. Your sudden movent just now startled it."
Lillian puffed out her cheeks.
"Hmph. I like it so much, and it still ran away."
Raylo smiled and fondly ruffled her hair.
"Alright, you’re tired today, so get so rest. I have a gift for you tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll like it."
"Okay! That’s great! Good night, brother!"
Lillian gave a sweet smile, her minor disappointnt quickly replaced by anticipation for the next day.
...
「The next morning.」
After a hearty breakfast, Raylo personally escorted Lillian and her party outside the castle.
Lady Alina and her students, along with Knight Commander Kaine leading over a hundred Elite Knights, guarded Lillian’s magnificent carriage. The vast procession was preparing to set off for the territory belonging to Her Highness the Princess—Amber Territory.
"Brother, I’ll miss you."
Lillian held Raylo’s hand, her large eyes filled with reluctance to part.
Raylo smiled faintly and ruffled her smooth, golden hair.
"Amber Territory is adjacent to Black Stone Territory. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to see each other in the future."
With a small smile, Raylo gestured to a Knight beside him.
A mont later, ten Knights led ten Pegasi to the front of the procession.
"Wow!"
Lillian’s eyes instantly lit up.
"They’re Pegasi! Brother, are they for ?"
She covered her mouth in delighted surprise, quickly walked up to one Pegasus, and cautiously reached out to gently stroke its smooth mane.
"This is the first gift I’m giving you."
Raylo’s voice was laced with amusent.
"These ten Pegasi have all been carefully selected. From now on, they will be your capable assistants for patrolling your territory and delivering ssages."
Lillian jumped for joy, circling the Pegasi several tis, unable to tear herself away. She wished she could mount one imdiately and soar through the sky.
"Thank you, brother! I love them so much!"
"Don’t be hasty. There’s sothing even better."
Raylo patted her small head, signaling for her to be patient.
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