Chapter 282 - 220: The Royal Court’s Special Aid (2)

"Compared to last time, Liya, you’re finally showing some of that spirit I saw back in Kolon."

Levi teased.

"Actually, I have you to thank for that." Liya gave a small smile. "Your ten guards have made it much more convenient for me to get certain things done."

"Levi, are you just passing through, or did you come here specially?"

"Liya, haven’t you heard? The Legion Commander of the Thorn Corps is hosting a banquet at Maple Leaf Lake."

As soon as Levi spoke, he realized he’d asked a pointless question.

After briefly telling Liya about the banquet, the two exchanged a look and fell silent.

Clearly, not only had Liya not been invited to the banquet, she hadn’t even known it was happening.

But on second thought, it was to be expected.

To put it bluntly, to Fulina, Liya was nothing more than a figurehead—a pretty face to justify military action against the Southern Territory.

She just needed to stay obediently in Bailiu City; she would be told next to nothing about military affairs.

And to be honest, if it weren’t for her sole Vassal—the Lord of High Cliff Castle—who had risen up out of nowhere and amassed a military force that could not be ignored in such a short time, she would probably be completely at Fulina’s mercy by now.

They were both intelligent people and naturally understood all this.

But this wasn’t the right place to discuss such things; it was all just a tacit understanding between them.

"By the way, Liya, have you managed to contact those Vassals in the Southern Territory who are still loyal to the Old Duke?"

Levi asked, not wanting to dwell on such a heavy topic.

"Mhm, several nobles have already made it clear they will support us when we march south."

At the mention of this, a smile returned to Liya’s face.

In fact, most of these nobles had contacted her on their own initiative, stating their allegiance to the Old Duke and that they only recognized the heir he had appointed.

"Not bad. Looks like our meetings won’t just be the two of us, then." Levi winked, his mood improving considerably.

He didn’t bother asking if it could be a trap. The Southern Territory wasn’t a monolith; there would always be nobles who wouldn’t submit to Damon, and they would become their allies.

"Levi, I have to thank you." Liya looked at the Lord with sincere gratitude.

If this Lion Hunter Knight hadn’t intended to save her from the very beginning, she and her mother would have most likely spent the rest of their lives in the Water Prison, or died in some forgotten corner.

But now, because she was still alive, her mother surely wouldn’t be mistreated either.

Although the Baron had saved her for Gold Coins, in Liya’s eyes...

...this Pioneer Lord had been all alone back then, and had only just been enfeoffed. To be frank, his status was pitifully low.

Faced with Damon, whose power was so disproportionately greater, an ordinary person would have handed her over long ago to get a bigger reward.

But what did he do?

For just a few thousand Gold Coins, he fought his way through encirclement after encirclement and brought her safely to the Northern Territory.

Liya knew this down-and-out Baron had once been a Mercenary, and that escorting clients for a fee was their source of income.

From that perspective, there was nothing to fault in his actions.

After that, without his covert support, she probably wouldn’t have even been able to leave Bailiu City.

"I’m guessing you want to know why." Levi picked up a pastry from the table and tossed it into his mouth. It was soft, sticky, and sweet—pretty tasty, actually. He couldn’t help but eat a few more.

He had to admit, Fulina wasn’t mistreating Liya in terms of her daily life, she just kept her away from military and political matters.

"I do want to know." Liya nodded honestly.

It was precisely because she had special feelings for the Baron before her that she was all the more eager to know why he had done all this.

"Three reasons. First, I had already become your Vassal, which naturally branded me as part of the Old Duke’s faction. And Oathbreakers are usually the most hated of all, so I had no other choice." Levi stretched, his gaze distant as he stared at the hall’s domed ceiling. "Second, I considered myself to be reasonably capable. If it was just a matter of rescuing you, I knew I could manage it. Besides... there was money to be made. It would’ve been a waste not to."

"And the third?" Liya asked curiously, subconsciously assuming the last reason would be the most important one.

"I imagine any Knight present wouldn’t have just stood by and watched a beautiful young lady, like a delicate peach blossom in early spring, be crushed into the mud. The ruin of something beautiful is always heartbreaking, and I, naturally, am no exception."

Levi shrugged, gazing into Liya’s impossibly beautiful eyes as he spoke with a gentle smile.

PFFT!

Seeing Levi’s deadpan expression, Liya couldn’t help but burst out laughing, her smile as radiant as a flower in full bloom.

To be honest, Liya had heard enough compliments in her life to fill a book for scholars of rhetoric to study.

But she had never been as happy as she was today. Her heart felt as if she’d eaten sweet candied fruit, and all the gloom that had shrouded her seemed to vanish in an instant.

She knew it was hard to say how much truth there was in the words of this smooth-talking Baron, but she was happy nonetheless, from the bottom of her heart.

"Levi, if you ever attended a banquet for noble ladies, I can’t imagine how many young noblewomen would be captivated by your words." Liya grinned, revealing two small, sharp canines.

"I doubt any noble girl would be fond of a brute known as the Bloody Butcher." Levi said casually, his attention returning to the pastries in front of him.

He had been in a hurry to get here this morning and hadn’t eaten breakfast yet.

’As for what he’d said, the first two reasons were indeed what he had been thinking back then. The last one, though?’

’Let’s just say he knew how to make the "Highland Tulip" before him happy.’

"I’m not so sure about that," Liya said pointedly.

Unfortunately, the Lord, who was now completely absorbed in his food, didn’t hear her.

They chatted idly for a while longer, sharing some amusing stories, until late in the morning, when Levi finally went to see Orak, the Shaman Beastman assigned to guard Liya.

When Levi found Orak, he was cultivating his Magic Power in a small courtyard. His two winding dragon horns gleamed under the sunlight, while the other ten Beastman Guards trained on their own off to the side.

Even after leaving High Cliff Castle, they hadn’t neglected their training and remained as disciplined as ever.

The Lord nodded again and again in satisfaction.

"My Lord, what brings you here?" Orak was a little surprised to see the Lord.

"I was just passing through Bailiu City and thought I’d come see how you all are doing."

Levi walked over and gently bumped fists with the Shaman Beastman.

"It’s been a few months. You’ve gotten sturdier."

Levi teased, eyeing Orak, who was clearly a size bigger.

"Aside from occasionally being needed to deliver or send letters, all we do is sit around here eating and drinking," Orak said, shaking his head.

"What, you regret coming here?"

’Looks like Liya is treating them well. She’s certainly not skimping on their food,’ Levi thought to himself.

"Not at all. It’s just a shame I couldn’t join you in the war up north," Orak said with a look of envy.

If anyone truly understood how famous High Cliff Castle had become, it was him, stationed here in Bailiu City.

It wasn’t just the Lord of High Cliff Castle; even the other commanders, major and minor, were making names for themselves. For example, there was Zat the Giant Axe Warrior, hailed as the First Warrior under the Lord of High Cliff Castle, and so on.

He was the only one who remained unknown, which made his already restless heart grow even more agitated.

"Haha, don’t worry. There will be plenty of fighting ahead, and more than enough opportunities."

Levi hadn’t expected that to be the reason, but he was all for a subordinate who was eager for battle, so he offered a few words of comfort.

The two of them caught up for a little while longer before Levi turned to bid Liya farewell.

As he was leaving, Liya left him in suspense with a meaningful hint. She said she had secured aid from the Royal Court, promising that it would be completely unexpected and repeatedly emphasizing that it was something he could never imagine.

This left the Lord so suspicious and paranoid after returning to High Cliff Castle that he couldn’t sleep well for days.

Every time he closed his eyes, he fretted over what he would do if Liya had secured a Giant Dragon as aid. High Cliff Castle already had one Rice Worm Dragon. But then he’d think again: the granddaughter of a Duke wouldn’t have that much pull. It was probably just some special item.

He couldn’t help but start worrying about the possibilities.

Levi was usually the one leaving others in suspense; he never thought the tables would one day be turned on him. The thought was endlessly frustrating.