The Knight of Light plants the sun in the eternal night.

Chapter 108 Mutual Criticism

Even with the potential to become a Knight of Light, Leo is still just the second son of a baron and needs to work hard to build his own career.

Therefore, in the eyes of other barons and nobles, Leo's status was somewhat inferior.

Neanderthal is acceptable to them, but Leo is not.

Of course, the two barons and ladies still chatted with Leo politely for a while, praising him for being handsome and having a good presence.

Leo exchanged pleasantries for a while.

I made up an excuse and left.

The Baron also left at this moment, catching up with Leo: "I'm going to greet some new guests. You can come with me, and while you're at it, tell me how things are going at the Swamp Manor lately, how's your Holy Light Battle Aura and Holy Light Element training?"

"Cultivation? Not much progress." Leo said honestly.

The baron was slightly disappointed upon hearing this, but he quickly came to terms with it. During this time, Leo had been blessed by the Holy Light, which almost made him truly believe that Leo was a genius.

They even began to look forward to Leo's early promotion to the Knight of Light.

Hearing Leo's honest words, he suppressed a trace of unrealistic fantasy in his heart and said calmly, "Although cultivation is difficult, you must not become lazy. Only through diligence can you go further. I have high expectations for you."

"Yes, Father."

"How's it going with Vanessa? I'm not familiar with Lord Vert, but if we happen to meet in Lancashire next time, perhaps I can put in a good word for you and pave the way for you." The baron was thinking about the Phantom Beast Knight.

Leo quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Father, when Oden came last time, I forgot to report to you that we withstood a small demonic tide."

"Oh, Little Demon Tide?" the Baron asked in surprise.

Leo pulled out the Ghost Whip he had specially brought from his pocket: "Look, this is a small soul whip I took from the leader of the Tier 2 Shadow Beasts. I wonder if it can be considered a merit?"

"Of course." The baron took the small soul whip, flicked it, and put it away. "Ten small soul whips are enough to confer the title of lord or knight, but you are already a lord or knight, so I will remember this merit for you."

"Could I exchange some gold coins? I'm a little short on cash lately," Leo said with a smile.

The baron, however, said seriously, "Exchanging them for gold coins is not worthwhile. If you need money, I can borrow some from the family account. Also, you must never recklessly exchange your battle merits for money in the future; these are all resources for your future promotions."

"Uh, Father, I understand." Leo naturally understood the Baron's subtext.

He then asked, "Father, did the family also present the king with proof of their military achievements using both large and small soul whips?"

"certainly."

"Doesn't the king refuse to accept small soul whips?"

The baron smiled and said, "The king does not accept them, but there are people on the black market who do. Nine small soul whips can be exchanged for one large soul whip, so we noble lords are still happy for our subordinates to hand over small soul whips."

"The black market? Father, what exactly is the purpose of this Soul Whip?"

"I'm not entirely sure either, but it seems the Soul Whip is involved with—dragons." Baron Lenard paused before continuing, "Dragons are beyond our reach, so there's no need to ask what the Soul Whip is for."

Leo indeed stopped asking questions.

But he secretly remembered that the Ghost Whip was actually connected to the dragon, and that the shadow and the holy light were indeed opposing yet unified extraordinary powers.

"Speaking of which, things have been rather unsettled on the kingdom's borders lately; a war might break out." The baron's eyes gleamed as he spoke. "We can use this birthday banquet as an opportunity to make some plans, and you can get involved too."

"Father, do you mean the family should go to war?"

"We have this idea, but we also need to see if border frictions can lead to war. In any case, we need to be prepared now."

"So, Father wants the support of the nobles?"

"Indeed, the family cannot advance further without the support of our in-laws. Let's clear out the obstacles in Lancashire first, and then you three siblings can find an opportunity to celebrate your grandfather's birthday and try to gain the support of the Earl of Evening Primrose."

As he spoke, the Baron stopped in his tracks.

Looking at Leo's face, he said solemnly, "Especially you, you must win over your grandfather's favor—after all, you resemble your mother the most."

"I see."

One banquet after another, and by midnight, before Leo could even catch his breath, he was summoned by someone sent by the old lady Cecilia.

"I've been socializing with all sorts of ladies all day, my head is spinning." As soon as Leo entered the door, he heard his grandmother complaining, "These young and old hussies, not one of them is easy to deal with. Lisa, you'd better watch out tonight."

"Don't worry, Grandmother, I'm familiar with the tricks of the trade when it comes to playing cards. I'll definitely take good care of these ladies," Lisa replied confidently.

Old Lady Cecilia sighed, "It's a pity your mother passed away early, and Sandra is someone without status—"

The fact that she was the daughter of a lord or knight was an indelible flaw for Mrs. Sandra.

"Leo, what are you doing standing at the door? Come here right now!" Lisa saw her younger brother.

"Grandmother, sister," Leo said, sitting down on the sofa. "Where's big brother?"

"Neander is still socializing and can't get away. I came back to take care of Grandmother and rest, but I still have to socialize. You're the most carefree person in our family," Lisa scolded. "You don't even know how to share some of the burden with your older brothers and sisters."

Leo wanted to roll his eyes.

His older brother and sister were the most sociable. Despite Lisa's words, if Leo were too proactive, she would definitely be unhappy. So Leo didn't bother with any more words and just casually replied, "The capable should do more."

"You know that the capable should do more, Leo. You're not weak anymore; you need to be dedicated to the family business. Grandmother has found many noble ladies for you in Lancashire and invited them all over. You'd better be very attentive at the ball tomorrow and the day after!"

Lisa seemed to be demanding that Leo immediately sacrifice his looks.

I used to think Leo was that little nobody brother who could be manipulated at will.

Leo interrupted immediately: "Where's my brother-in-law? I haven't seen him!"

"Why even mention him? He's a useless fellow." Lisa made no attempt to hide her contempt for her husband. "He refuses to socialize with the barons, insisting on drinking with a bunch of lowly lords and knights. It infuriates me!"

"Sister, I'm a lord knight too," Leo retorted sarcastically. "So why did you call me here? I should be going to have a drink with my brother-in-law."

"You bastard!" Lisa glared.

Grandma Cecilia, watching the siblings bickering, chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, you two are adults now, yet you still act like children. Leo, Grandma called you here to tell you about the temperament of the noble lady who will be coming tomorrow."

She genuinely cared about helping Leo marry a noblewoman.

Leo couldn't refuse, so he patiently listened to the noble ladies' personalities and learned about their identities.

There were nieces of barons, daughters of lords and knights, daughters of minor city officials, and the apple of the eye of wealthy merchants.

But only there.

Based on the principle of marrying someone of equal social standing, this is roughly the upper limit of the women Leo can marry; he cannot marry the daughter of a baron or the daughter of a high-ranking official like a county governor.

After listening patiently, Leo couldn't refuse, so he simply smiled and asked, "Grandmother, aren't there any noble ladies of even higher status?"

Lisa scoffed, "Leo, have you forgotten who you are?"

Leo retorted bluntly, "If my brother-in-law can marry a baron's daughter like my sister, why can't I go even further?"

This statement came out.

Lisa's face quickly turned from black to white, her eyes glaring at Leo, practically spitting fire: "Leo, you're asking for it!"