Lord: I can see loyalty.

The party is still going on.

The waiters resumed serving drinks as if the bloody scene had never happened, but everyone knew the truth.

After tonight, with so many knights dead, the power structure of families in the capital will likely change.

Vance took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his mind, and turned to Knight Colin.

"Is our deal still valid?"

Colin glanced at him and nodded: "Of course, my brother's advancement is a done deal. Once the money and materials are in hand, the swordsmanship is yours."

The handover went smoothly. Colin took out a thin booklet from his pocket. The cover was made of sheepskin, and the edges were worn, indicating that it was quite old.

"The Serpent Eagle Sword Technique, it has everything you need." He handed the booklet to Vance, "My insights are also written in here, you can check it yourselves."

Vance took it, flipped through it, and glanced at it. The handwriting was neat, and it was accompanied by simple illustrations of the moves. It was indeed a complete set of knightly sword techniques.

He felt relieved and handed the booklet to Sir Leeson.

Sir Leeson took it, examined it carefully for a moment, nodded, and then took out a small bag of gold coins from his pocket.

Leon also took out a small bag, and the two of them together made up the amount that Knight Colin wanted.

Colin took the money, his smile becoming more genuine, and then looked at the female knight, Ellie.

"Magic ore and herbs." Ellie also took a palm-sized leather bag off her waist.

The transaction was complete. Colin cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

After preparing a few more knight swords, the female knight looked at Vance and Lison and said decisively, "We've achieved our goal, so we won't accompany you any longer."

The two knights-errant beside her, Marcus and Nance, nodded in agreement.

The guy named Marcus didn't talk much along the way, but his eyes always held a scrutinizing quality when he looked at people.

Vance nodded in agreement: "Thank you for your help, Miss Ellie. I will certainly treat you to a good time when I have the opportunity to visit the Southern Territory in the future."

"We'll see," Ellie smiled and led her two companions toward the hall entrance.

Leon's gaze followed the figure until she disappeared into the crowd.

Vance saw it too, but said nothing. He turned in the direction where Knight Colin had left and quickly chased after him.

"Knight Colin, wait!"

Colin turned around, somewhat surprised: "Is there something else?"

Vance took a deep breath and asked the most important question of the trip: "You just said that your brother broke through to become a Great Knight. I want to know, what exactly is the method for advancing in breathing techniques?"

Colin paused for a moment, then smiled.

"You want this?" He shook his head. "Mr. Gilbert, I advise you not to bother."

Vance's heart sank: "Why?"

"Because there's no fixed 'method' for advancing in breathing techniques," Colin said calmly. "Different breathing techniques have different ways of advancing, so no one can say for sure."

He paused, then added, "If you change the person or the breathing method, this kind of thing is completely useless."

Vance fell silent.

Colin looked at him, his tone softening slightly: "However, if you're just looking for materials that can 'help' you advance, there are some universal ones, like the magic crystals my brother uses, and rare herbs, which can speed up the process."

He pointed in the direction Ellie had left: "The materials that the female knight had were of this type. If you need them, you can buy them from her."

After saying that, Colin nodded and turned to leave.

Vance stood there, speechless for a long time. Lison walked up to him and gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Let's go," he said. "At least we've acquired a sword technique. As for the Earl's advancement... we can take our time."

Vance nodded, about to say something, when he suddenly saw Leon had followed him over and was standing a few steps away, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

"Leon?" Lison looked at him. "Why didn't you follow?"

Leon opened his mouth, then stammered, "Are you going to find Ellie? I... I want to go with you."

Vance and Lisson exchanged a glance.

Leon's eyes flickered, and he finally sighed: "It's a rather important matter, and if I'm alone... it might be a bit dangerous."

Vance's heart skipped a beat, sensing that something was amiss.

But he simply nodded: "Let's go then. Ellie and the others shouldn't have gone far. It's getting late; if they want to continue their wandering knightly adventures tomorrow, they'll definitely need to find a place to rest tonight. Where's the nearest tavern?"

Sir Leeson thought for a moment and pointed outside: "Go east out of the manor, there's a street full of taverns and inns; they'll most likely go there."

The three of them quickly walked out of the hall.

Night had fallen, and the streets outside the manor were empty and silent.

They walked for about fifteen minutes and were just about to turn into the tavern street when...

"ah--!"

A scream came from the alley not far away!

That was a woman's voice.

Leon's expression changed, and he rushed out almost the instant he heard it. Vance and Lison also reacted immediately and followed him.

The alley was deep and dark, with only a sliver of light filtering in from the alley entrance.

The female knight Ellie was cornered at the end of the alley, her clothes disheveled, blood trickling from her mouth, and a knight's sword trembling in her hand.

Two people stood in front of her, Marcus and Nance, the two "Ranger Knights".

Marcus was rubbing his wrist with a sinister grin on his face, while Nance held a longsword with bloodstains on its tip.

"What? Finally can't run anymore?" Marcus chuckled. "Someone actually gave up being a pampered young lady to become a ranger knight? You think being a ranger knight is easy?"

Nance laughed along, his laughter grating: "Stop struggling, there's no one here. Let us have some fun first, then we'll send you on your way. Don't worry, I'll be quick."

"Shut up!" Ellie's voice trembled as she roared, "You two beasts!"

"Beast?" Marcus slowly approached. "You think we're some kind of chivalrous knights? We just wanted to latch onto you, young lady, and get some benefits. Who knew you didn't even know knightly swordsmanship, and yet you pretended to be so high and mighty?"

"Now that we've mastered swordsmanship, we can finally leave this impoverished country after we've taken all your valuables."

Ellie gritted her teeth and didn't say anything more, only gripping the sword in her hand tightly.

"stop!"

A voice that sounded somewhat familiar to the two "Ranger Knights" exploded behind them.

Leon had arrived and rushed forward!

He was so fast that Vance didn't even have time to react before his longsword was drawn and thrust straight at Marcus's back!

Marcus was startled and turned around abruptly to parry with his sword.

With a clang, sparks flew, and he staggered back two steps, his face filled with disbelief.

"you……"

Leon didn't give him a chance to speak, his sword flashing as he thrust out three swords in an instant!

His swordsmanship was swift and ruthless, each strike aimed directly at vital points. Marcus barely managed to block two strikes, but the third slashed through his shoulder, causing blood to splatter.

"Nance! Come quick and help!" Marcus yelled.

Another "Ranger Knight," Nance, had also reacted and lunged at Leon from the side, brandishing his sword.

Leon was forced to retreat, and facing two opponents alone, he was instantly at a disadvantage.

Although his swordsmanship was strong, Marcus and Nance worked together seamlessly and were clearly not new to this kind of thing. After a few moves, Leon already had two more wounds on his body.

But he also took the opportunity to get in front of Ellie.

"Hurry up!" he roared, "towards the party..."

Ellie froze, and at that moment...

"Leon!"

Vance, his two companions, and Sir Leeson finally arrived!

Although Vance and his two companions were not particularly skilled swordsmen, they had at least received some training.

Vance and his two companions drew their short swords and attacked Nance from the side, while Sir Rison drew his rapier and, together with Leon, restrained Marcus.

Two against six, the situation reversed instantly.

Marcus and Nance exchanged a glance, panic flashing in their eyes. They clearly hadn't expected anyone to come, much less three.

"So I can only use knight's swordsmanship now? I never thought I'd have to..." Marcus roared through gritted teeth.

He was bending down, but before he could do anything, a fire suddenly lit up at the entrance of the alley.

"Put down your weapons!"

A patrol of guards blocked the alley entrance, led by Hadro.

Marcus and Nance exchanged a glance. With such a disparity in numbers... any normal person would know how to choose.

The guards rushed forward and pinned the two men to the ground.

Hadrod walked over, glanced at Vance and the others, then at Ellie, who was disheveled in the corner, and frowned.

"What happened?"

Leon, panting heavily, pointed at the two men on the ground: "They wanted to harm her."

"I can testify," Sir Leeson added, and Hadlow paused for a moment upon seeing Sir Leeson.

Ellie leaned against the wall to stand up, gritted her teeth, and recounted what had happened.

After hearing this, Hadro waved his hand and said, "Take him away!"

The guards escorted Marcus and Nance away. Hadlow glanced at Sir Leeson again, nodded, asked no further questions, and turned to leave.

The alley finally quieted down.

Ellie leaned against the wall, panting heavily. She had injuries, but they weren't too serious.

"You..." Ellie looked at Leon, her voice trembling slightly, "Did you know they were suspicious?"

Leon wiped the blood from his face and gave a bitter smile.

"That Marcus," he said, "I could tell he was hiding his knightly swordsmanship, and he kept sizing us up. I was planning to follow him after the party ended..."

Ellie was slightly taken aback. "Then why didn't you say so?"

"I have no evidence," Leon said in a low voice, "and... I'm afraid you won't believe me."

Ellie was silent for a moment, then she looked up at Leon again, her gaze somewhat complicated.

"Leon".

"Um?"

"If you're willing..." she paused, "to accompany me as a knight-errant in the North for a month, and I'll agree to the marriage."

Leon was stunned.

"Of course, it depends on your performance..." The female knight pursed her lips slightly, her face flushed as she turned to the side.

Vance and Lisson exchanged a glance, both seeing a smile in each other's eyes.

Leon opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time, only nodding repeatedly.

Seeing this, Ellie finally smiled, though her smile was a bit awkward, it was still very beautiful.

Seeing this, Vance didn't waste any words, coughed, and stepped forward.

"Miss Ellie, excuse me."

Ellie also looked at him.

"Are you still selling those materials you have?" Vance asked.

Ellie paused for a moment, then nodded: "Sell."

The transaction went smoothly, perhaps because it saved her life; Ellie asked for a very low price, practically giving it away for free.

Several pieces of high-quality magic ore and a few rare herbs were packed into a leather bag, which was quite heavy.

"Remember to say a good word for me to the master of this breathing technique." Ellie took the money and smiled.

Vance smiled too: "Definitely."

After accepting the Grey Wolf Sword that Leon had promised, it was almost dawn.

Vance looked at the sky, then at Sir Leeson, Leon, and the female knight.

"Are you really not coming with us?" Sir Leeson asked.

Vance shook his head: "My mission is complete. I need to get back as soon as possible. My friends in the South are waiting."

Sir Leeson nodded, paused for a moment, and then extended his hand.

"Take care, Mr. Gilbert."

Vance grasped his hand and shook it vigorously.

"Sir Leeson, please visit the Southern Reach when you have time."

"must."

Leon stepped forward and awkwardly clasped his hands in a fist salute. "Thank you."

Vance smiled and said, "Then I wish you success in a month."

Leon blushed and didn't reply.

Vance turned and, with two Brotherhood members in tow, walked to the end of the street.

The first rays of dawn were casting long shadows over them.

At the street corner, an inconspicuous horse-drawn carriage was parked.

The coachman lifted the curtain, revealing a familiar face: Cohen, the leader of the fraternity and the person in charge of this operation.

"Thank you for your hard work." Cohen, dressed in a gentleman's suit, spoke in a deep voice, which was also a little hoarse.

Vance nodded, glanced back to confirm, and then got into the carriage.

The curtain was lowered, the carriage slowly started moving, and headed out of the city.

Cohen leaned against the carriage wall, his eyes closed, as if resting, but Vance knew he knew everything that had happened in the past few days.

"The mission went smoothly, didn't it?" Cohen asked.

"It's finished." Vance handed over the booklets of Serpent Eagle Sword Technique and Grey Wolf Sword Technique. "I've also bought two sets of Knight Sword Technique and the materials for advancing them."

Cohen took the booklet, flipped through it, and nodded.

"good."

He paused, opened his eyes, and looked at Vance.

"What did that young lady from the Golden-Maned Griffin family say to you?"

Vance's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly calmed down.

"She asked me to pass on a message to the Earl," Vance said in a low voice. "She said that the Kingdom of Rovia is about to be plunged into war again, and that the Earl should prepare."

Cohen was silent for a moment, then nodded and closed his eyes again.

"Then take it back."

The carriage rumbled along, heading into the distance.

……

Royal Capital, the Golden-Maned Griffin Family Residence.

Inside the living room, the fireplace was burning brightly, making the whole room warm and cozy.

Daphne sat in the main seat, still wearing that shiny black dress, and still with a calm expression devoid of any emotion.

Standing before her was a burly old man, the guard who had always been by her side.

There was another person in front of me.

Stern, the wandering knight.

He remained nonchalant, leaning against the wall, a glass of wine in his hand, slowly sipping it.

"The mission is complete," the old man said. "Those families have all been wiped out, and the evidence left at the scene all points to them."

Daphne did not speak.

Stern chuckled and put down his glass.

"I originally thought that after we finished, you would kill me too."

The old man frowned: "Impossible. The Golden-Maned Griffin family always keeps its word."

"You keep your word?" Stern laughed, a hint of mockery in his voice. "That's a ruthless move of yours, making me kill those knights and then framing them against other families..."

"Eliminating two groups of people at the party, both of whom were from the most loyal middle-level families to the king, tsk tsk..."

Daphne didn't speak, she just looked at him quietly.

The old man's face darkened slightly: "Watch your words."

"Don't worry," Stern shrugged. "I'll take the money and leave. I'll have nothing to do with you anymore. You can continue with your big projects and great undertakings. I know nothing about them."

He stood up, walked to the door, glanced back at Daphne, and his expression turned serious.

"Young Miss, let me give you a piece of advice: the capital is a very dangerous place. Don't be too ambitious, or you'll end up like my father."

Daphne's lips curled into a slight smile, but she remained silent.

Stern shook his head and pushed open the door to leave.

The reception room fell silent.

The old man approached Daphne and asked in a low voice, "Miss, should we keep this person here?"

Daphne was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "No need, he still has a use."

The old man nodded and said nothing more.

The fire crackled in the fireplace, and the morning light outside the window was already fully bright.

A new day, a new storm, has begun.