"Hmm."

The man nodded. He carefully grasped the hilt and gently swung it, sending out a series of dull, cold flashes.

He was a Knight.

Moreover, a Knight adept in the art of assassination!

"Frontline battle report!"

"Following the fall of Sigerno City, several other cities have been breached by the Kolong people, with Duke Ulaya leading his army personally."

"Sake and Gando have announced an alliance, joining forces against the Kolon army!"

"The divine decree from the Church..."

In the bustling business streets, sales pitches were everywhere, mingled with various front-line news.

Gando and Kolon had been at war for many years, and the war situation had always been deadlocked.

But in recent years, especially after the new King of Kolon ascended the throne, the war situation on Gando's side had grown increasingly dire.

Already, two Dukes and three Legendary Knights had perished on the battlefield.

This was unprecedented.

"Thunder Spear Tucker had half of Sigerno City burned down, supposedly to please the God of Blazing Flame, in order to obtain a divine blessing to ascend to Legendary status."

Iweni spoke anxiously, "I wonder how Father is doing?"

In this world, Divine beings truly exist, and their blessings are real.

That much was certain.

The people of Sigerno City had suffered a calamity.

It was fortunate that it wasn't to please an Evil God like the Spider Goddess; otherwise, the city would have been massacred. Historically, such events had occurred from time to time.

"Don't worry. Uncle is a shrewd businessman; he knows how to protect his assets," Carl began to reassure her. "As children, leading a good life without causing our parents worry is the best repayment to them."

"Perhaps..." Iweni pursed her lips. "But Father probably doesn't think so. Marrying a powerful noble is what he wishes for me."

"Mutan City isn't bad," Carl said, waving his cane to change the subject. "It's far from the front line, has abundant resources, and when we have some leisure time, we can enjoy the scenery at the nearby Distant View Lake."

"Yes," Iweni replied, forcing a smile and trying to lift her spirits. "Uncle has been very good to us as well."

"Hmm," Carl nodded. "If you run into any trouble, you can go to the Chad family. Old Riley has promised to take care of you sisters."

Iweni opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately lowered her head and murmured, "Thank you."

"No need for formalities," Carl smiled faintly. "We are family."

"Family?" Iweni looked confused, her eyes filled with complex emotions. After a long pause, she asked, "Cousin Carl, can I seek you out in the future?"

"The Black Swamp has a thick miasma; it's not suitable for ordinary people to live in," Carl shook his head. "If there's anything, you can write to me."

"Oh!" Iweni looked dejected.

"Cousin Carl," she said, taking out a wooden box, "I made some chocolates for you."

"Oh?" Carl reached out and took the box. Inside were some black, heart-shaped chocolates, their design miniature and charming.

"Not bad." He picked one up and tasted it. "It tastes good."

"I'm glad you like them," Iweni said with a radiant smile. "Let's go back."

"Hmm," Carl nodded.

「Shortly after.」

"So, you just came back like that?" Inside a manor, Jinsley looked at her sister, thoroughly exasperated. "A confession, do you even understand what that is?"

"This might be our last time together with Carl! If you can't win him over now, there won't be another chance!"

She stamped her foot in frustration.

She had orchestrated the journey hoping they would develop feelings, but there had been no progress. Now, having finally created an opportunity for them to be alone—and at a time of parting, when emotions were most volatile—her sister had still failed.

"It's useless," Iweni said, sitting on a stone bench, her eyes empty. "I gave Cousin Carl the chocolates. He just said they tasted good and refused to let me go to the Black Swamp."

"Maybe he doesn't know what the chocolates meant," Jinsley frowned. "You have to try. Father's situation is still unclear. We sisters only have Cousin Carl to rely on now."

"I made the chocolates heart-shaped, just as you said," Iweni replied, shaking her head with a wry smile. "How could Cousin Carl possibly not know?"

In Gando, it was customary to express affection by giving chocolates, especially heart-shaped ones. There was no reason he wouldn't understand her feelings.

"Sister!" Iweni's gaze lowered. "I want to be alone for a while."

"You..." Jinsley clenched her teeth, but her frustration ultimately turned into a long sigh. "Sigh!"

Carl was well aware of Iweni's feelings. He didn't think it was love, however; it felt more like dependence, a choice born from uncertainty about the future. Iweni was still young and probably didn't understand what she truly wanted, merely expressing her emotions in a naive way. He could sense her reliance and confusion but had no intention of getting involved.

"Taking the path of a Wizard, you'll gradually distance yourself from ordinary people. People like my tutor are the exception," Hibell said, toying with a thumb ring. "Unless necessary, most Wizards live in rather desolate places—outside cities or deep in forests. Carl, you need to get used to this. Unless it's for procreation, try to minimize contact with ordinary people."

"Hmm..." She paused, then added, "Especially after becoming an Advanced Wizard Apprentice, your consciousness can perceive the Star Realm. The projection from the Star Realm turns an Advanced Wizard Apprentice's body into a radiation source. The longer ordinary people stay near us, the worse their health will become."

"Understood," Carl sighed and asked, "I heard you plan to become young Payne's tutor?"

"Yes." At that, Hibell straightened up. "Payne is very smart and talented. He's also quite... pitiful. I can look after him in the Black Swamp. The tutor cannot possibly take on another disciple."

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