The aroma of grilled fish perated the air.
Won carried platters of freshly cooked fish.
The residents sat together, holding newly grilled fish in their hands, eating and talking, occasionally laughing.
"To our great lord!" soone shouted.
Everyone raised their cups, excitedly echoing: "To our great lord!"
Cups clinked, and laughter rose and fell.
Sitting in the main seat, Vaerik watched it all, his lips involuntarily curving into a smile.
Compared to the overt harmony yet covert scheming at noble banquets in the south, he preferred being here with ordinary residents, laughing, singing, and dancing around the bonfire.
Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, but Vaerik casually took a wooden lyre handed to him by a knight.
His slender fingers plucked the strings, producing a series of crisp notes, and he began singing a tune from his holand (Earth):
"Edelweiss, Edelweiss, every morning you greet ... Small and white, clean and bright, you look happy to et ..."
The square instantly quieted, everyone holding their breath to listen, as if transported to that distant place.
When the last note fell, cheers erupted like a tidal wave!
"Sing another one!" soone led the chant.
"The lord sings so well!"
"One more song!"
"A toast to the lord!"
The entire square joined in the commotion, and even the most formal knights couldn't help but laugh.
Vaerik shook his head with amusent, casually picked up a piece of grilled fish and took a bite, letting the cheers and laughter drift in the night.
...
The next day, when Vaerik awoke, morning light was already streaming through the curtain gap into the room, the air still retaining the smoke from last night's bonfire.
"...I probably drank too much." He rubbed his temples, sighing sowhat tiredly.
Usually, he would wake before dawn to practice the breathing technique and cultivate battle energy.
But last night had been too enjoyable, and consequently, he had the rare luxury of sleeping in this morning.
He instinctively reached to feel beside him, and only after confirming that the other half of the bed was empty did he breathe a sigh of relief.
Good, no mistakes made.
After washing up, Vaerik sat cross-legged on the bed, took a deep breath, and slowly began practicing the "Tidal Breathing Technique."
The battle energy slowly circulated along his bloodlines, but Vaerik could clearly feel its stagnation.
Still that bottleneck, middle-rank formal knight, making it difficult to advance a single step.
Damn, when would he be able to break through?
He had been training according to the strictest thods, but his aptitude was too diocre.
Relying purely on training to improve his level was much more difficult for him than for others.
If only he could find sothing like the Northern Crystal Cod again...
Useless system, be more helpful.
Thinking pathetically, he casually opened the intelligence system to see what noteworthy news had been updated today.
[1: After the banquet, Agricultural Officer Mike proposed to Tanya and was successful.]
[2: The dire wolf cub Cold Edge defeated all other cubs being raised in the Crimson Tide Domain, becoming their wolf king.]
[3: Forr Cold Moon Tribe princess Siv has escaped to the Crimson Tide Domain, suffering from hunger and cold, she has fainted on the wasteland and will be devoured by a Frost White Bear at 5 PM this afternoon.]
The first piece of intelligence made him raise an eyebrow slightly. That old dog Mike actually found new love in his autumn years?!
This agricultural officer spent all day with soil, his mind constantly thinking about how to optimize land and increase harvests.
Who would have thought he'd quietly handle such a big personal matter.
Tanya, he rembered this woman, a native widow in her early thirties with three children, resilient in character and efficient in her work.
Mike being able to win her over was indeed surprising.
"Hmm, worth congratulating. Looks like the Crimson Tide Domain's population will increase by a few more," he chuckled, shaking his head, happy for his old companion.
The second piece of news t his expectations.
Cold Edge lived up to his hopes, standing out among the cubs and directly becoming the wolf king!
Vaerik had confidence in him from the beginning.
After all, this cub was born with a certain untad, regal quality.
Whether in size, deanor, or gaze, he differed from other dire wolf cubs of the sa age. Becoming the leader of the pack was entirely expected.
"Very good," Vaerik nodded with satisfaction. "This is the war wolf I chose."
However, when his gaze fell on the third piece of news, his smile instantly disappeared.
Cold Moon Tribe princess, Siv?
Escaped to the Crimson Tide Domain?
This intelligence made Vaerik's heart sink.
The Daily Intelligence System had been continuously pushing news about the Cold Moon Tribe.
Since the old chief's death, the tribe had fallen into complete chaos.
The old chief's family was purged, the council of elders lost authority, leaders recruited their own forces, and factional struggles intensified...
If described in one sentence, it would be:
The entire Cold Moon Tribe had beco a complete ss.
But even so, Vaerik hadn't expected the Cold Moon Tribe's princess to escape to the Crimson Tide Domain, and to directly faint upon arrival.
Most critically, at 5 PM she would beco dinner for a Frost White Bear!
"What is all this?" Vaerik rubbed his brow and sighed.
Before Vaerik lay only two choices—
Save her, or don't save her.
He pondered for a long ti, his fingertips lightly tapping on the table.
Not save her?
After all, the Cold Moon Tribe's affairs were extrely complex, and Siv's appearance might potentially bring a series of unknown troubles.
Moreover, she had already fainted on the wasteland and would beco a Frost White Bear's dinner at 5 o'clock. If she died, everything would end, and it would have nothing to do with him.
But ultimately, Vaerik decided to act.
First, since Siv had already escaped to near the Crimson Tide Domain, it ant she was far from the Cold Moon Tribe's power struggles, so saving her carried minimal risk.
Second, though he wasn't a saint, his plain values wouldn't allow him to stand by idly.
An innocent young girl, regardless of her identity, if he had the ability to save her, he couldn't possibly leave her to die.
Otherwise, his conscience would never be at peace.
Third, although this idea was too distant and impractical.
But what if soday his strength was sufficient to use Siv's na to subdue the Cold Moon Tribe?
Of course, it was too early to consider these things.
In short, based on rationality, kindness, and even a bit of fantasy, Vaerik made his decision—save her!
"Lambert." Vaerik called for his guardian knight.
Lambert quickly entered, bowing respectfully: "My lord?"
"I want to go hunting, have preparations made." Vaerik said casually.
Lambert was slightly startled, looking at the lord with so surprise.
Since arriving at the Crimson Tide Domain, this young lord had been busy with territory affairs from morning till night.
Forget hunting, he didn't even have ti for morning walks, yet today he suddenly enthusiastically wanted to go hunting?
However, as a qualified attendant, Lambert didn't ask further, simply nodding in response: "Understood, I will arrange for hunters and knights."
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