Chapter 508 - 332: The Lord Becomes a Dad

SWISH.

The young man’s face was livid. "I challenge you to a duel! Right now! No one from the Roganres family of the Western Territory is a coward!"

Dueling was a popular pastime throughout the Seven Kingdoms, so no one intervened in their conflict. In fact, they were happy to see it. The surrounding Guards even brought the two Longswords.

The two Princesses watched with excitement. To them, it was a wonderful thing to have men fighting over them out of jealousy.

"Levi, who do you think will win?"

At some point, Harland, dressed in loose-fitting robes, had approached the Lord’s side. He smiled and raised his wine glass. "Care for a drink?"

"Either one could win." Taking the glass offered by an Attendant, Levi clinked it against Harland’s and replied casually.

Just as the words left his mouth, a series of gasps erupted from the crowd. They both looked over to see that the tall young man had fallen into a pool of his own blood.

"Old Gray’s grandson is quite impressive, isn’t he?" Harland said with a small smile. He waved a hand. "Take him to the Court Physician for Treatment."

"Levi, are you sure you won’t consider taking a Princess for a wife?" His Majesty still hadn’t given up hope.

The moment he spoke, all the Nobles turned their heads in unison. The two Princesses, and even the barely noticeable Ashiru, looked on with anticipation.

In fact, if the King hadn’t already made it clear he intended to marry his daughter to the Lord of High Cliff Castle, hordes of Debei Nobles would be desperately recommending their own daughters to the Lord. They’d be too excited to sleep at night, even if their daughter were only taken as a concubine.

This was the new Duke of Debei, whose power was already at the top tier of the continent. It was only a matter of time before he grew even stronger. If one could establish a connection with him now, the future benefits would be unimaginable.

"Well, I do in fact have the intention of bringing a Princess back to High Cliff Castle."

Levi said with a smile, no longer being coy.

The moment he said this, the two Princesses’ eyes lit up, and they began batting their eyelashes as if their lives depended on it.

’I’m so envious... I wonder which of my sisters Lord Levi wants to marry.’

Ashiru wore a look of envy as she stood in the corner.

Harland immediately burst into laughter. "Levi, who is it? Name her, and I will give my approval."

"Her Highness Princess Ashiru, of course."

The Lord’s gaze fell upon the little girl in the corner, who looked like an ugly duckling.

"Huh?" Ashiru’s face was a picture of disbelief. She stood frozen to the spot, seemingly unable to process what she’d just heard.

The faces of the other two Princesses began to twist with ugliness.

The Nobles all froze in place, trying to recall if there even was such a Princess.

...

「One month later. Bailiu City, Northern Territory.」

This northern city was already draped in a blanket of white. Snow drifted across the vast landscape, and a cold wind from the north sent a rustling through the pine forests.

The troop of Barbarians from High Cliff Castle were wrapped in greatcloaks of northern white wolf pelts, looking for all the world like a pack of fat, sturdy polar bears. They were hard at work, loading goods purchased in Bailiu City onto the carriages.

These goods had all been pre-ordered by sending word to Lorina, a merchant in the Northern Territory. The High Cliff Castle troop, having traveled from Gonda to Bailiu City, could now simply load the carriages and head back.

"Master Fu Jin, have you considered coming to High Cliff Castle for a cup of tea?" Levi asked. He was squatting on a threshold, loudly slurping noodles, as he looked at Fu Jin and Masha, who had come to say their goodbyes.

"Hmm, I have considered it, but now is probably not the time." Master Fu Jin, clad in a Mage Robe, glanced impassively at Masha, whose reluctance to leave was written all over her face. He didn’t refuse outright. "The Church has a history of its Clergy being hired by nobles as dedicated Mages, but this is a matter I must discuss with the Lord Bishop first."

"A discussion is definitely in order." Levi nodded in agreement, then continued, "Right now, High Cliff Castle is like a child standing on a Giant’s shoulders. It looks impressive, but in truth, it’s lacking in many areas."

"If Master Fu Jin decides to come to High Cliff Castle, I will be sure to roll out the red carpet for you."

The current development of High Cliff Castle was actually quite unbalanced. Its army, populace, and basic infrastructure were, at best, equivalent to an Earl’s Domain, yet its reputation had already reached the level of a Duke or even higher.

It had the reputation but not the underlying strength. If he were ever absent, the consequences would be dire.

This was especially true for the Casting Team, which to this day was propped up by only Heather and three other Zor Elf Priests, along with Sam, the shoddy Shaman.

One might not think much of Master Fu Jin, a High Tier Ice and Snow Mage, especially after seeing him in Debei, where Levi’s opponents were all Epic or Legendary rank, making Fu Jin seem like a clumsy Magic Apprentice by comparison. In reality, however, if you were to place him in the Wilderness, he could easily thrash every last one of the hick Shamans there, forcing them to cry out in reverence, "All hail Great Mage Fu Jin!"

"Don’t you worry, Lord Levi. It shouldn’t be long before my teacher and I can come to High Cliff Castle."

Masha declared, puffing out her chest in a solemn vow.

’She’d long dreamed of going to High Cliff Castle. She would be like the famous Mages of history, advising a wise Monarch and earning a glorious reputation that would last for ages!’

"Alright, I’ll be waiting for you." The Lord smiled and nodded, not wanting to dampen her enthusiasm.

Fu Jin sighed to himself. After bidding a final farewell, he led the young female Mage away.

"My lord, aren’t you going to see Duke Fulina?" Filo piped up as soon as the two had left.

"No. There will be plenty of chances in the future." Levi said with a dismissive wave.

’In truth, he had no desire to face Fulina’s scornful glare. After all, he had so righteously refused her marriage proposal last time, only to turn around and bring a Princess home now. He could just imagine it: before he even set foot through the door, he would be hit by a tidal wave of her incessant, cold snorts.’