Chapter 363 - 259: Goblin Day in the Northern Territory 2

But at this point, every Attribute Point was precious. Putting points into Wisdom now would yield far lower returns than putting them into Power. He could only see this path through to the end.

’I should probably make this guy read some books,’ he thought. After all, Attribute Points weren’t set in stone. Actively training could also increase them, especially when the Attributes were still low in the early stages.

He raised the spyglass and continued to gaze at the bustling Kolon City in the distance. He stood tall and straight, and whenever the wind messed up his hair, a Goat-man maiden serving by his side would quickly smooth it back into place.

However, this action was quickly stopped by a middle-aged man standing nearby. He wore a beaver-pelt hat with a few white feathers stuck in it, sported a handlebar mustache, and held a paintbrush and a paintbox.

"Lord Levi, just like that! Let the wind blow through your disheveled hair! It makes you look more wild and unrestrained!" he exclaimed urgently. As if he had seen some priceless treasure, he waved his brush through the air, his face a mask of intoxication.

This made the Lord feel quite pleased with himself, and he struck his pose with even more effort, trying his best to appear taller and more imposing.

It wasn’t that he was particularly keen on observing Kolon. If he had the time, he would rather go and experience its local culture and customs firsthand.

The reason he was here was that Liya had found a famous Painter from Kolon and specifically requested a portrait of him, the Lion Hunter Knight of outstanding merit. The painting was to be hung in the Kolon Knight Hall as a fine example for future Knights.

The title was something like "Knight’s Panoramic Map."

He was initially reluctant, but he knew it would enhance his reputation. After all, High Cliff Castle truly needed a heroic figure to fuel its development.

And in High Cliff Castle, besides himself—setting aside the Half-Beastmen—Mier was just a fledgling youth, and Tina was a woman. After thinking it over, only he, Mr. Li, had any potential to be packaged as a hero.

’Perhaps this is the helplessness of being a Lord,’ he mused. ’The subjects only need to work, but I have so much more to consider.’

He had heard that this Painter’s style emphasized a wild, unconventional spirit.

Although the Lord didn’t have an artistic bone in his body, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease at being associated with that description.

Thankfully, the initial sketch was almost done, so he wouldn’t have to keep standing here for much longer.

Having gone through a war, Kolon City, though its restrictions had been lifted, was still affected one way or another. It was far less lively than the last time he had visited, and most people on the streets hurried along with grim expressions.

Just as he shifted his gaze, a skipping, silver-haired, dragon-horned girl appeared in his view, with an old man trailing behind her.

It was Sophia and Sam. He had been keeping the Silver Dragon Maiden with him all this time, but life on a military campaign was too harsh. After things had calmed down in Kolon, the Lord had given her a Gold Coin for pocket money and some time off to wander around the city and relax.

However, considering the girl was a bit of a ditz and this was her first time in a human city—a place full of treachery—he knew that while her life wouldn’t be in danger, she was bound to get cheated.

That was why he had sent Sam along.

The old man had also spent his whole life in the Wilderness and hadn’t seen much of the world, but he was shrewd. With him around, there wouldn’t be any major problems.

An unknown amount of time passed. Just as the Lord’s mouth was getting dry, the middle-aged Painter in the beaver-pelt hat finally spoke in a satisfied tone, "My Lord, the initial sketch is complete. You no longer need to hold that pose."

Levi let out a sigh of relief, walked into the room, and collapsed into a chair. He picked up a teacup and took a sip while several Goat-man maids immediately began to massage his shoulders and back, making him feel utterly content.

These poor souls had sought refuge at High Cliff Castle from the Wilderness. The Lord hadn’t wanted to bring women on a military campaign, but considering that the four Zor Elves were women, and so was Sophia, he couldn’t leave them without attendants.

So, he had brought along these Goat-man maids, whose skills had been properly trained.

It wasn’t an abuse of power for personal gain at all.

That evening, just as the Lord was instructing someone to prepare food for the still hard-at-work Painter, a summons from Onaya interrupted his plans to check on the painting’s progress.

He followed a Maid in a black-and-white dress to the castle’s main tower. He had originally thought it was Liya who had summoned him.

But the pretty, young Maid led him straight past the Knight Hall and deeper into the castle.

They finally stopped in a spacious hall. The walls were adorned with exquisite murals and sculptures, dotted with greenery, and the center was furnished with velvet-covered furniture.

At the far end stood a large mahogany door with intricate carvings.

This was the typical style for the residences of high nobility. They all liked to have a luxurious antechamber in front of their bedrooms, using the opulent decor to display the status of the room’s occupant.

"My Lord, Lady Onaya has been waiting for you." The flat-chested Maid knocked softly on the door. After receiving a response, she leaned in, opened it, and gestured for him to enter.

The room was not what the Lord had expected; it was even more luxurious and spacious than the antechamber.

It was a bedroom with a terrace. Opposite him, translucent white silks hung like curtains, dancing in the wind like ballerinas, offering a commanding view over all of Kolon.

A round, floor-level bed with an exquisite goose-down duvet was placed in the center. On the balcony sat a long table covered with a white cloth, upon which rested a bottle of deep-red wine.

At that moment, a still-charming Noble Lady was sitting in an armchair, swirling a wine glass and gazing at the bright moon in the sky.

"Sit, please sit." Onaya came back to her senses and gestured with a smile.

Today, the lady wore a white dress with a crisscross bodice. The style could be called quite daring, as it fully and vividly showcased her impressive bosom.

To be honest, Levi was still completely baffled. He had no idea why she had summoned him.

If it were to discuss something important, Liya would surely have been present, but she had invited only him.

Frankly, Levi knew very little about Liya’s mother, mostly just publicly known information.

She was the eldest daughter of the Northern Martel Family. Back then, she had married far away into the Southern Territory as part of a political alliance, becoming the wife of the Old Duke of the South’s eldest son.

Logically, it should have been a powerful union of two great houses. Unexpectedly, however, just a year after she married and gave birth to Liya, the Old Duke’s eldest son—who had the strongest claim to succession—died during the Lizardman uprising at White Bone Fortress.

There were many rumors about this among the common folk. They said this woman from the Northern Territory was a jinx who had brought about the death of the Southern Territory’s future Duke.

In this world, such things were actually real. So, even if there was no truth to it, as the rumor spread, most people came to believe it.

The best proof of this was that the Southern Nobles had always been quite critical of Lady Onaya.

"Lady Onaya, is there something you wished to see me about?" Levi didn’t know her well—their only interaction had been for a few short minutes when he rescued her—so he maintained a business-like tone.

"Levi, please, there’s no need to be so formal." Onaya took a delicate sip of the crimson wine, which made her already alluring lips look lusciously red. She set down her glass and smiled. "Please forgive me for taking so long to summon you. Dealing with this mess in Kolon has left me utterly swamped."

"Liya has told me all about you these past few days. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude."

"It was merely my duty. From the day Miss Liya knighted me, my sword has moved at her will," Levi said humbly.

"I’ve summoned you alone this time because I want to ask you about some specific matters."

"Please, go on." Seeing that she was finally getting to the point, the Lord looked straight ahead and made a gesture for her to speak.

"First, I would like to know... what is your opinion of my sister, Duke Fulina?"

Onaya smiled, showing no airs, as if she were just asking a casual question.

"Duke Fulina? Oh, may her youth be everlasting," the Lord said, shaking his head slightly.

If Fulina hadn’t been so young, the Lord would have definitely wished her a long life instead.

When one true Feudal Lord spoke of another, their intentions were already obvious.

"As for Duke Fulina, I am very grateful for the help she provided Liya and me in retaking the Northern Territory and rescuing you..."