Vivian was also at Goose Peak Castle at this time, not out on a mission.

Moreover, she's also part of the Seventh Squad, in the same squad as Duke, likely arranged by Grace.

Vivian directly returned to the second-floor dormitory of the third tower and knocked on Duke's door.

After Duke opened the door, he saw Vivian. Vivian was wearing a white and platinum Wizard's Robe, the emblematic attire of the Thorn Holy Tower.

"Duke!" Vivian looked at Duke, somewhat delighted, still seemingly unable to believe it.

She quickly embraced Duke, and they held each other for a moment, a reunion after a long separation.

Duke held her tightly, feeling the warm, soft body and faint maiden fragrance in his arms.

After a while, Vivian shyly stepped back half a step, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Duke took out the Tear of the Stars from the Space Ring and said, "This is a special gift for you, a Level 2 Witchcraft Artifact. See how you like it."

Vivian's eyes brightened at the sight of the Tear of the Stars, not because it was a Level 2 Witchcraft Artifact, but because the necklace itself was extremely luxurious and beautiful, enough to catch any woman's eye.

Furthermore, with the necklace being a Level 2 Witchcraft Artifact, its practicality was maxed out.

Duke directly helped Vivian wear the Tear of the Stars around her fair neck, the deep blue Star Tears Gem dangling just right between her collarbones, blending perfectly with her serene demeanor, as if it truly belonged there.

Vivian looked down at the necklace, very fond of it, but suddenly frowned and asked, "Why does it have a perfume scent, must be a woman's."

"Well..." Duke hesitated a moment, then quickly said, "I did get it from a woman. I helped her with an illness, and this was the treatment fee."

"You didn't have anything, right?" Vivian asked Duke with a hint of suspicion.

Duke solemnly replied, "Absolutely nothing, I only met her once, nothing between us."

He certainly wouldn't elaborate on the treatment process, just brushed it aside.

"By the way, the necklace was crafted by Master Land of our Black Sail. There's certification documents as well." Duke suddenly remembered this point and took out the certificate from the Space Ring.

Vivian glanced at the certificate, realizing the necklace had indeed been recently crafted, apparently prepared specifically for her by Duke.

She then smiled and said, "Hmm, I can sense you're a bit nervous, must be something up. But no matter what, I'll be calling the shots at home in the future!"

Vivian, being a woman, had a keen intuition and sensed something from Duke's subtle emotional fluctuations.

But she never expected Duke to have only one woman in his life, rare in this era and the Wizard Plane.

Especially for Wizards, they'll eventually reach the point of establishing their own forces.

Founding a Wizard Clan and nurturing offspring is a common choice.

In such circumstances, even for the prosperity of the clan, it's improbable to marry just one woman.

Because behind every woman there's often an affiliated power; only with support and collaboration from multiple forces can a power develop smoothly.

Marriage often involves a union of interests, especially for Wizards.

Vivian herself was born into nobility and understood this well.

Earl Hardy, deeply devoted to his wife, also didn't have just one woman. For clan development, a sufficient number of descendants is essential.

Vivian's only request was to be first, while others take a step back.

Upon hearing this, Duke, aside from a momentary guilt feeling, quickly wrapped Vivian into his arms again: "Shouldn't we start building this family first?"

As he spoke, his hand mischievously slid over Vivian's back.

Vivian's face flushed slightly, not swatting away his wandering hand, instead saying, "There are many people around, now's not the time."

Duke glanced back, the door wasn't closed, footsteps could be heard in the corridor outside.

Here, in the Seventh Squad's dormitory, with lots of people and eyes around, it wasn't suitable for too much intimacy.

Duke conscientiously withdrew his hand, not wanting to embarrass Vivian.

Vivian showed no blame toward Duke and even tidily adjusted some wrinkles in Duke's robe.

Duke typically didn't care about such details, usually not paying close attention to them, only getting care from Yala back on the Deserted Island.

Now having come here, Vivian naturally undertook such matters.

After a brief moment of intimacy, Duke closed the door, and they began discussing business.

"Let me brief you on the situation here. You've just arrived and might not be aware," Vivian said, taking out a booklet containing various intelligence reports.

Duke nodded: "Certainly, although I've been here before; back when Goose Peak Castle hadn't been seized yet..."

He then recounted his journey from the Seventh Outpost to the Fifth Outpost, gripping Vivian's hands in suspense.

After listening, Vivian also explained the current situation to Duke, giving him a general idea.

Goose Peak Castle and its surrounding areas have completely fallen under the control of the United Legion.

The former Leighton Clan territory has nearly all been assimilated into the United Legion's control.

Moreover, several territories and city-state areas near the Leighton Clan territory have also fallen into other United Legion hands.

Recently, they're deploying an offensive plan for Toulouse Territory; its current strength is significant, gathering Awakened from surrounding regions.

Moreover, based on intelligence, at least three Apostle-level Awakened are stationed in the Toulouse Territory, all coming from other places to aid.

The area where Duke and others are now, essentially lies at the southwest corner of the Buren Continent.

And the geographical position of Toulouse Territory is highly crucial, located at the necessary passage to enter the depths of the Buren Continent's southwest.

Once Toulouse Territory is dealt with, the United Legion can officially advance into the heart of the Buren Continent.

Of course, the Buren Continent doesn't only host United Legion forces at this side; they exist in other directions too, forming a surround and gradually encroaching toward the continent's center.

Indigenous peoples from the Devourer Plane also understand this fact, hence constantly sending reinforcements to the Toulouse Territory to defend this key passage.

The United Legion hasn't acted recklessly, rather deciding to first resolve surrounding areas before planning to unite surrounding powers in an attack on Toulouse Territory.

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