Chapter 452 - 305: Arrived at Gonda

When this strange party was fetching water and setting up camp by the river, a squad of mounted guards nervously approached for a routine inquiry. However, they quickly retreated, their expressions full of respect and admiration.

In the span of a single meal, word about this party had spread throughout the village.

Even the snot-nosed little brats knew that the famous Lord of High Cliff Castle, Lion Hunter Knight, Dragon Knight, Marquis Levi, had arrived.

Among the younger generation, this rising star of Debei had countless admirers.

Even in the most isolated villages, people had heard the embellished, secondhand tales told by Minstrels or passing merchant caravans.

And so, the next day, countless young people swarmed in, all declaring their desire to join High Cliff Castle and pledge their loyalty to the Lord.

The Lord was always quite indulgent with his admirers. He patted them on the shoulder one by one, encouraging them to go study Swordsmanship for two years before coming to High Cliff Castle.

After all, High Cliff Castle had no shortage of common folk right now; what it lacked were elite Warriors.

When the farmers’ young daughters saw the true face of the legendary Lord of High Cliff Castle with their own eyes, they hastily hiked up their skirts, ran home, and returned with basket after basket of Blue Snow Fruit. This fruit only grew in the winter and was typically picked by girls to give to the one they admired.

They may not have understood the notion of scorning the poor for the rich, but they had certainly heard the story of Cinderella.

"Boss."

Zat called out loudly from the edge of the crowd.

Levi, surrounded by a gaggle of girls and with his face covered in lipstick marks, was struggling to cope with their enthusiastic hospitality.

"Boss, Knight Si Kai and his men are here!" Zat had to cup his hands around his mouth and shout again.

"Worri! You can’t touch there!" Levi suddenly found a few hands making a beeline for below his belt, and he squeezed out of the crowd in alarm.

He beat a hasty retreat to his party, leaving a group of disappointed Northern girls in his wake.

"It’s been a while, Lord. Still charming as ever, I see."

Si Kai looked at the lipstick-covered Lord of High Cliff Castle, his face a mask of playful amusement.

The Knight had arrived at some point, unnoticed. He was dressed in snug riding attire with a black wolf-pelt cloak draped over it, and he had a retinue of dozens of people behind him.

"Ahem, I can’t help it. Being around these young people and their vibrant energy... I just can’t resist having a heart-to-heart with them about life," Levi said, thoroughly embarrassed, as he took a handkerchief from a Rabbit People girl and wiped his face.

"Actually, all the girls in the Northern Territory are like this. Passionate and open, daring in love and hate. They’re the complete opposite of the more reserved southern girls."

This was nothing new to Si Kai. Instead, he sidled up to the Lord, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, and whispered in his ear:

"Lord, why don’t you spend the night here? I’d bet at least ten girls will climb into your bed tonight."

"It’s actually quite normal. Which nobleman hasn’t been around the block a few times? In some of Debei’s vassal states, the local lords even have the right of the first night with the girls in their domain."

"What the hell, am I that kind of person?" The Lord, catching sight of a figure approaching from the corner of his eye, immediately refused in a righteous tone, his expression clearly saying, ’I never took you for that kind of person.’

"It’s been a while, Lord Levi."

Just then, a voice spoke up beside him. Levi turned to see it was none other than Masha, the young Ice and Snow Priest he hadn’t seen since their last meeting.

With her was an old man with a white beard and hair—it was Master Fu Jin. He gave a slight bow.

Si Kai noticed Masha was looking at him with growing disapproval.

He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but ultimately decided to simply swallow the injustice.

"Move out!"

The Lord waved his hand, and the party, long since prepared, began to rumble onward.

Originally, they were supposed to go to Bailiu City first to rendezvous with the Northern Nobles, but since Si Kai and his people had appeared here, that was no longer necessary.

"Why is it just you guys? Where are Fulina and the others?" Levi asked, mounted on Biefeng. Si Kai’s party had carriages, so he had shooed Heather and a few of the Rabbit People girls into one.

By all rights, Fulina and the nobles under her command should have all been invited to the banquet in Gonda.

"Duke Fulina declined. She sent a Prince to attend the banquet in her place, and they have already headed on ahead to Gonda."

"I happened to hear you were here, so I took a detour to meet up with you," Si Kai answered truthfully.

"When Master Fu Jin and his group heard you were here, they came along as well."

Fu Jin, who was struggling to mount a short-legged horse, saw his only student eagerly trying to join the conversation. He chose to remain silent and take the blame.

"Smart," Levi said, giving a thumbs-up.

Fulina’s status was unique, after all. Plus, given her unpleasant falling-out with King Debei, there was no reason for her to risk going to Gonda.

Although, unless this King of Harland had his brains eaten by a Goblin, he wouldn’t commit an act as foolish as killing a Duke.

But in this world, it’s never wise to bet that someone isn’t precisely that stupid.

After all, the example of the Northern Wolf Lord, Ned Stark, was plain to see.

As for Levi, he was both bold and highly skilled. Besides, the Holy Light Church had something he needed, so this trip was one he had to make.

"But I am curious, Master Fu Jin, why are you all heading to Gonda?" Levi asked, turning his curious gaze to the old, white-bearded man.

"It’s because His Majesty also invited our Ice and Snow Church to attend the banquet." Before Fu Jin could speak, the young Priest, sensing an opportunity to join the conversation, hurriedly replied.