...

...

After the battle, the field was cleaned, the spoils transported, and the captives escorted...

When these tedious tasks were finished, the sky was just starting to lighten.

Fortunately, the barracks' kitchen was prepared, and a hot breakfast was already laid out on the table.

The soldiers returned to the town and ate breakfast, driving away the chill of the autumn night.

After breakfast, the soldiers began to rest one after another.

Luo De had been busy all night, and his stomach was growling.

He no longer liked eating vegetables, he only wanted meat.

Martha specially roasted two lamb legs for him.

Luo De didn't waste any and ate almost all, Rein and Durant only got a few bites.

"Sir, if I may be so bold, has your appetite increased recently?"

Martha wiped the grease on her hands off on her apron and said with concern, "It seems like you've been finishing all the food lately and still seem unsatisfied.

I mean no offense, but if your appetite continues to increase, I'll prepare more food for you next time."

Martha was not complaining about Luo De eating a lot, but worried that he wouldn't have enough to eat.

Luo De was the lord, so of course, Martha didn't mind the food.

Luo De nodded, "Hmm, I've recently advanced, and it seems my appetite has grown again."

A knight's appetite increases with advancement, and because Luo De has the presence of wild absorption, it has increased even more.

The body needs a source to absorb more energy, and now food is Luo De's biggest source.

"You've advanced? Are you now a Junior Knight?"

Durant was somewhat surprised, looking at Luo De incredulously.

Luo De started his enlightenment very late, and his aptitude, stature, and physique weren't great, even considered poor.

But now, barely half a year later, he had advanced, which Durant found unbelievable.

Since when has the Tulip Clan's bloodline become so strong?

"Hmm, I suppose so."

Luo De pondered for a moment, then explained, "You know, the traditional way of testing physical attributes to determine knight level doesn't apply to me.

So I can't be sure if I've truly advanced."

Luo De wiped the corner of his mouth, "My only clear feeling is that there's a current of energy flowing inside me, like the 'Qi' you mentioned.

As I perform the breathing technique while practicing, it circulates and continually strengthens."

"More importantly, these 'Qi' also operate when I use sword skills, making my moves more fluid and powerful.

So, I believe that I might have become a Junior Knight."

"What you described doesn't seem like the feelings of someone who just advanced to a Junior Knight."

Durant thought back, "I remember I only felt that way around twenty-two."

Durant had his knight enlightenment at thirteen, became a Junior Knight at eighteen, and a Intermediate Knight at twenty-seven.

He only experienced what Luo De described at twenty-two, which means Luo De is now in the mid-phase of a Junior Knight.

"Your breathing technique seems to be improving rather quickly."

Durant couldn't help but marvel.

Luo De smiled but didn't elaborate.

With the extraordinary gem, the presence of wild absorption, and various physique-enhancing entries, Luo De was also very diligent.

If his progress still were slow, it would only indicate that Luo De was purely inept.

Seeing Luo De not explaining further, Durant didn't press on.

"No wonder I noticed your shoulders becoming broader, and your back starting to become robust, the breathing technique is changing your physique."

Durant scrutinized Luo De, but kept a thought to himself.

The Lord Baron is becoming less like his Count father.

The Tulip Clan's bloodline, including Luo De's siblings, tended to be tall and thin, with small frames.

While Luo De was developing more robustly and was now quite different from when he was first seen.

Could the breathing technique cause such changes?

Durant felt it was improbable.

Durant couldn't help but question what bloodline Luo De's mother had.

Previously, Durant suspected it might be dwarf, but now it definitely wasn't, as that wouldn't fit such a bloodline.

Could it be the legendary giant bloodline?

Durant didn't dare to think further.

The strange happenings around the Lord Baron were too many, and now the rapid pace of training was astonishing.

And there were no such legendary stories recorded in the Tulip Clan, likely tying it to Luo De's maternal bloodline.

Of course, it could be nothing, just like a witch awakening some extraordinary power.

"Really? I felt like my size has been increasing recently, and thought it was just an illusion."

Luo De noticed Durant pondering, smiled, and said, "Alright, no need to waste energy on such trivial matters.

Finish up and go rest, you've all been busy all night."

"Yes, Lord Baron."

Durant bowed and turned to leave, Rein also finished eating and left.

Luo De stood, stretched and yawned deeply.

But instead of going to sleep immediately, he walked up to Martha.

"Later, inform Katie to prepare more wine, and make sure you prepare plenty of ingredients for the upcoming harvest festival."

"Yes, my lord!"

Martha's face lit up with joy.

The harvest festival was an annual event in Frost Leaf Town and was the highlight everyone looked forward to.

This year's bountiful harvest meant an abundance of food, promising an incredibly joyous festival!

Luo De nodded and advised, "We have ample food supply, let's not be stingy, but make sure we do not waste."

"Rest assured, I will organize it well."

Martha confidently promised, puffing out her chest.

After giving his instructions, Luo De went back to sleep.

It wasn't until the afternoon that Luo De awoke.

"Lord Baron, a messenger has arrived."

Luo De had just entered the hall when Durant came to report: "A messenger from your father, the Earl of the Tulip."

"Hmm?"

Luo De paused, furrowing his brow slightly,

Why has a messenger suddenly arrived?

Has something happened?

All sorts of unexpected possibilities filled Rod's mind.

Rod regained his composure and cleared his thoughts,

"Let him in."

"Yes, Lord Baron."

After the messenger entered, he performed a standard noble greeting to Rod.

"Good day, honorable Lord Baron of Black Pine Ridge."

"What did the Lord Earl send you for?" Rod asked eagerly.

"The honorable Lord Earl instructed me to deliver a letter and an invitation to you, which must be received personally by you," the messenger replied.

Rod waved his hand, "Alright, bring it over."

Durant took the letter from the messenger and handed it to Rod.

Rod didn't rush to open it but inspected its appearance closely.

Indeed, the wax seal bore the stamp of the Earl of the Tulip. Rod immediately opened it to check.

Nothing like the unexpected accident, disaster, or war Rod imagined had occurred.

The letter contained just some greetings and care from the Earl of the Tulip. It seemed formal, but hints of emotion could be read between the lines.

In the middle was some advice from his father, reminding Rod to take care of winter issues and inquiring if he had enough grain.

And the final item—wishing Rod a happy birthday.

"Initial birthday" meant birthday.

Rod suddenly realized.

His initial birthday was indeed approaching.

The first day of the third week in the harvest month.

Rod himself had forgotten.

He only remembered the day he crossed over, nearly forgetting the original body's birthday. Unexpectedly, the Earl of the Tulip still remembered.

Rod put away the Earl's letter, and the invitation beside it was from his brother Vincent.

Vincent invited Rod to attend the wedding next spring.

Rod felt a sudden warmth in his heart.

Apparently, the family hadn't forgotten about him; it was just that the road was far, and now they were notifying him.

"How has the Earl of the Tulip been lately?"

Rod breathed a sigh of relief after putting down the letter. As long as it wasn't some unexpected bad news.

"The Lord Earl's health remains robust, and there has been a joyful event—you've gained another sister."

"Oh, was she born to the Countess?"

"No, another illegitimate daughter."

The messenger said bluntly.

If the messenger knew, it indicated that she was born to a mistress favored by the Earl of the Tulip, making it publicly announced.

In the future, this sister might even receive a formal surname.

Rod chuckled softly, "Seems the Lord Earl is in good health.

How about the others?"

"The others are healthy, the territory peaceful and harmonious, and the joyful event is your brother's wedding."

"Alright, I know." Rod nodded.

"Also, I just delivered the letter for you,"

The messenger introduced, "The Earl has prepared a birthday gift for you, currently being transported by the caravan. Of course, you can also send someone to receive it."

"Alright, I understand. You've been on a long journey, so take a break."

Rod said, "You can rest here for a couple of days. We're about to hold a harvest celebration."

"Durant, take him to the inn to rest."

"Yes, Lord Baron." Durant nodded.

"Thank you for your invitation."

The messenger bowed in salute and then followed Durant to leave.

After the messenger left, Rod couldn't help but fall into contemplation.

Rod never expected the Tulip Clan to still remember him, and the Earl would send birthday wishes.

And his brother Vincent invited him to the wedding.

He thought he was isolated and alone in this world, forcing himself to strive for development and growth.

Unexpectedly, the Tulip Clan still remembered him.

This wasn't Rod's fault.

In his memory, at Tulip Castle, he hadn't received any birthday instructions from the Earl.

Rod couldn't help but sigh; the treatment between a legitimate child and an illegitimate child truly differed greatly.

Of course, perhaps because Rod actively undertook the bloody decree, the Earl's gratitude made him pay more attention to Rod.

But no matter the reason, since they showed goodwill, Rod mustn't be impolite.

Whether it's toward friends or enemies.

Reciprocity is a common saying from Rod's previous world on Blue Star, it's also part of Rod's nature.

Vincent's wedding might not be something he'd attend. Rod didn't want to waste two to three months on noble activities.

But he could select some gifts to send as wedding gifts.

Rod indeed didn't have much to offer.

The weapons he forged were precious and valuable, but he couldn't give them away.

Rod currently had some grain, but this commodity was probably not rare for the Earl of the Tulip and Vincent, making it unsuitable for transportation.

Nothing else seemed precious enough to serve as gifts.

Rod thought for a moment,

"I should send some gifts with Northern Territory characteristics."

Rod immediately asked someone to choose a rather exquisite and complete bear skin and a beautiful desert fox fur, intending for the messenger to take back as gifts.

Though somewhat humble, Rod, as a Desert Lord, had little money.

These furs given to the warm southern Tulip Clan would rarely be used, perhaps only during the continuous rainy autumn or year-end.

But gifts from nobles always seem this way; looking precious suffices, they don't necessarily need practical use.

After arranging everything, Rod breathed a long sigh of relief.

Yet he hadn't relaxed long before Durant suddenly rushed over with a letter,

"The patrol team from the southeast direction discovered a caravan crossing through White Rock Canyon."

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