The smile had vanished from Lady Anna’s face.
Her son, Arthur, had only just co of age, yet he had already successfully bonded with a Thunder Dragon cub of excellent potential.
This was her greatest source of pride. It was also Arthur’s greatest bargaining chip in his struggle for the future, especially under the shadow of Raylo’s dazzling achievents.
But now, that bargaining chip had been unceremoniously knocked to the ground by Astra’s inexplicable actions.
Compared to the Guardian personally entrusting its own offspring, Arthur’s achievent of winning the recognition of a Thunder Dragon cub paled in comparison.
Raylo’s last remaining weakness had been shored up.
Arthur’s only advantage had vanished completely.
She looked at her husband, beaming with pride in the distance, and then at the neighboring Monarchs, their forced smiles failing to conceal their wariness. An unprecedented sense of crisis seized her by the throat.
She knew that from this day forward, the scales of succession for the Duchy had tipped decisively in Raylo’s favor.
If she didn’t do sothing, her Arthur would be dood to live forever in his older brother’s shadow.
’No. That is absolutely unacceptable.’
Lady Anna’s eyes glinted as a mad, audacious idea began to form in her mind.
She gritted her teeth, having apparently made so kind of decision.
She smoothed her dress, picked up a glass of fruit wine, and glided over to Duke Aiden’s side.
"My Lord."
Her voice was as gentle as flowing water, betraying no hint of anything amiss.
"Seeing Prince Raylo distinguish himself so, I, as a mother, am also truly happy for him."
Duke Aiden was in an excellent mood. Hearing her words, he turned and patted the back of his wife’s hand.
"Yes, he’s finally grown up."
"Raylo has repeatedly achieved great things on the northern frontier. It seems the wind and frost of that bitter, cold land are what best temper a man’s will and body."
Lady Anna went along with his sentint, but her tone quietly shifted.
"Speaking of which, Arthur has co of age as well. He spends all his days in the Royal Capital, too sheltered by our protection. He is, after all, a hothouse flower—he’ll never grow into a mighty tree."
Duke Aiden raised an eyebrow, seeming to understand what she was implying.
Lady Anna continued.
"I have a bold request. Since the frontier is such a good training ground, why not... let Arthur go as well? Let him follow in his older brother’s footsteps, carve out his own territory, and bleed and sweat for the Duchy. With the two brothers supporting each other, they could beco your most capable right-hand n."
At these words, even Otto III, who stood nearby, froze for a mont. He looked at his eldest daughter with a probing gaze.
’As expected of my daughter, to make such a decisive move so quickly.’
’Sending her second son, who has just co of age, to the chaotic and barren northern frontier?’
’This is no easy task.’
Although Black Stone Territory was nominally Raylo’s fief, was there a single Monarch present who didn’t know the situation there?
The harsh environnt was the least of its problems. The frontier was rife with dangers where the slightest misstep could lead to a point of no return.
To send a Prince who had just co of age to such a place... was this truly for his training, or was it...?
Duke Aiden fell silent.
He gave his wife a long, hard look.
Anna’s gaze was as gentle as ever, yet it held a hint of anticipation—the hope that her son, Arthur, could also grow into a mighty tree in the frontier, just like Raylo.
Of course, he knew what Anna was thinking.
It was rely a ploy to let Arthur build his own military achievents, carve out a domain, and accumulate political capital so he wouldn’t be left too far behind by Raylo.
In the past, he might have refused her.
But now, he had other ideas.
He agreed with Anna’s sentint: "a mighty tree cannot grow in a hothouse."
Although Arthur had bonded with a Thunder Dragon, his temperant was still far inferior to Raylo’s.
Sending him to the north to follow Raylo, to see with his own eyes how his older brother forges a path through desperate straits, would do more good than harm for his future developnt.
More importantly, the situation on the Continent was treacherous and unpredictable, with dark undercurrents swirling.
The world of the future was bound to be a cruel stage where only the strong survived.
His children had to mature as quickly as possible.
They couldn’t just enjoy the fruits of power; they had to learn how to wield it, how to fight, and how to survive.
"Very well."
Duke Aiden nodded slowly.
"It is ti for Arthur to see the world. I will grant him a fief of his own choosing in the Northern Territory and let him develop it himself."
...
「Several days later」
It was noon when the tawny Iron Feathers of Baofeng, the Storm Griffin King, cut through the skies above Black Stone Territory.
The castle’s towering watchtowers were the first to spot the Lord’s return. A long Horn blast followed, its call echoing through the mountains.
Baofeng folded its wings and landed smoothly in the main square of Black Stone Castle, the gale it kicked up making the banners snap and flutter.
Raylo vaulted off its back.
He patted Baofeng’s neck, and the Griffin affectionately nuzzled its head against his shoulder.
One of his Personal Guards strode forward and dropped to one knee.
"My Lord, you’ve returned."
"Rise."
Raylo unfastened his helt and handed it to a nearby attendant.
"Where is Captain Ed?"
Raylo noticed that Black Stone Castle seed much quieter than usual.
The Personal Guard rose to his feet and reported briskly.
"Three days ago, there was unusual activity from the direction of the Jade Swamp. A new Snake-man Battle Group is approaching our border. Captain Ed has already taken Lord Kado, Master Marlin, and the Moonlight Knight Order to the frontier to organize the defense."
Raylo raised an eyebrow, his mind racing.
’The forces left to defend Black Stone Territory, plus the three core powerhouses—Ed, Kado, and Marlin—should be enough to handle a standard battle group from the Jade Swamp.’
’Ed handled the situation properly.’
"Send a ssenger to the border. I want an update from Ed on the latest situation."
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