Lord: I can see loyalty.

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The northernmost part of the North is Whitehorse Ridge.

Vio and his companions' carriage moved slowly along the winding mountain road, with rolling hills on both sides, already covered in the withered yellow color characteristic of early autumn.

The wind was much stronger than in the south, howling through the valleys, whipping up fallen leaves that swirled in the air.

In the distance, a gray-white castle stands atop the mountain, with a white horse flag fluttering on its battlements—the white horse, head held high and galloping, stands out vividly against the hazy sky.

"That's it." Jimmy lifted the curtain, gazing at the castle, his voice carrying a complex emotion. "The White Horse family's ancestral castle, White Horse Castle, hasn't changed in all these years."

Vio followed his gaze.

The castle wasn't large, but it was situated in a treacherous location, with steep slopes on three sides and only one road leading up to it.

The gray-white stone walls appear somewhat mottled from the erosion of time, but the crossbows on the ramparts and the patrolling soldiers indicate that the owner of this place has never let his guard down.

"It's easy to defend and difficult to attack; it's indeed a good place," Alec commented.

Vio nodded without saying anything.

The carriage continued forward, passing through a sparse birch forest, where farmland and farmhouses began to appear on both sides of the road.

The crops in the fields have been harvested, leaving only stubble, shivering in the wind.

Several farmers were tidying up straw in the field when they saw the horse-drawn cart passing by. They stopped what they were doing and looked around curiously.

After rounding the last mountain pass, the castle gates came into view.

A group of people dressed in obviously unusual clothes were already standing in the open space in front of the gate.

The leader was a middle-aged man in his fifties, wearing a dark blue knight's coat with a white horse emblem embroidered on his chest and a long sword hanging at his waist.

His hair was gray, and his face was etched with the lines of time, but his back was ramrod straight and his eyes were sharp.

Behind the middle-aged man stood seven or eight other people, some old and some young, all dressed properly and with solemn expressions.

"Young Master Jimmy!" The middle-aged man at the head of the group rushed forward as soon as the carriage stopped, a warm smile on his face. "You're finally back! Master has been waiting for you for so long!"

Jimmy jumped off the carriage, his brow furrowing slightly. "I'm not some young master. I left the White Horse family a long time ago. Just call me Jimmy."

The middle-aged man seemed not to hear, or perhaps he was prepared: "Young Master Jimmy, please don't say such things! The Master said that no matter when or where you are, you will always be a member of the White Horse family!"

Before anyone else could say anything, the middle-aged man simply smiled, turned to the carriage, and bowed deeply to Vio.

"This must be Earl Vio Ross of the Southern Border, I've heard so much about you! I am Andre, the steward of the White Horse family. Our lord has been waiting for us in the castle for quite some time, please follow me."

Vio alighted from the carriage and glanced at the group of people who had come to greet him.

Most of their gazes were fixed on Jimmy, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and a complex mix of emotions.

Clearly, many people still didn't recognize him as the young master from back then.

Vio glanced at Jimmy, and the two nodded slightly without saying anything more.

"Let's go."

Andrei led the way, and the group passed through the city gate and walked along the stone path into the castle.

The castle doesn't look big, but its layout is very compact and it has all the necessary functions.

On the left are large, long rows of stables and armories, while on the right are the soldiers' barracks and training grounds.

On the training ground, dozens of soldiers were drilling, all dressed in identical leather armor, holding spears, their movements perfectly synchronized. They merely glanced at anyone passing by before continuing their training.

Vio had been secretly observing all of this.

The White Horse Clan doesn't have a large army, but they are well-trained and not just a makeshift ragtag force; they have the capabilities of their own Southern Militia.

Andrei and the others led the group to a row of guest rooms on the east side of the castle.

"Your Excellency, gentlemen, these are the rooms prepared for you. Please excuse the somewhat simple conditions."

He pushed open a door, revealing a spacious bedroom with a neatly made bed and tea and snacks on the table. "If you need anything, just let me know."

Vio nodded. "Thank you."

Andrei then turned to Jimmy, his smile deepening. "Young Master Jimmy, your room is in the usual spot. The master has specially reserved a room for you all these years, saying he was afraid you wouldn't be used to it when you come back, or perhaps..."

"No need," Jimmy interrupted him. "I'll stay here."

Andrei's smile froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Alright, alright."

"By the way, Mr. Jimmy, speaking of which, where's Mr. Luke? Wasn't he the one who took you away back then?"

Upon hearing Andrei's words, Jimmy and Vio's expressions changed. Jimmy's face showed a complex mix of emotions, perhaps thinking of his old friend or worrying about Vio's reaction.

Vio was worried that news of Luke's death would cause the White Horse family to turn against them immediately. After all, according to Jimmy, Luke's family was one of the wealthiest in the White Horse family's territory.

The steward, Andrei, seemed to have misunderstood something and quickly added, "Perhaps you're worried about Mr. Luke being punished... Ahaha, Young Master Jimmy, don't worry!"

"The master said that Mr. Luke's family has always been a staunch supporter of the White Horse family, and their relationship is excellent! How could they possibly be subject to any severe punishment..."

"Lucretius is dead."

Jimmy simply interrupted him with a gloomy expression, showing no intention of explaining.

But at this moment, the usually astute steward, Andrei, was somewhat lost in thought, clearly not expecting this answer. He even presumptuously said, "Mr. Luke is dead?! That makes sense, how could two people possibly survive in a godforsaken place like the Southern Territory..."

"Andre, I killed Luke with my own hands," Jimmy interrupted the steward's speculation once again.

"You killed..." Andrei was momentarily stunned, his gaze falling on Jimmy, the "young master" who had been giving him a cold look since the beginning.

He had originally planned to use his skills to get close to the young master and build a good relationship for his future.

But now it seems that this young master Jimmy, who used to be full of whimsical ideas, has indeed changed quite a bit—he is clearly not easy to fool!

Andrei understood. He couldn't control young master Jimmy, but perhaps he could start with this Earl of the Southern Border...

"Well then, you gentlemen, please rest. The master is currently on business with distinguished guests from other families. He will host a banquet tonight to welcome you all." With that, he bowed and withdrew.

The door closed, and the room became quiet.

Jimmy leaned against the window, gazing at the gray sky outside, his brow furrowed.

Alec sat at the table, holding a cup of tea, and began to sip it slowly. Gina stood behind Vio, as silent as ever.

"What are they up to?" Jimmy asked, his voice tinged with annoyance.

Vio did not answer immediately.

He walked to the window and followed Jimmy's gaze. In the distance, the main building of Whitehorse Castle looked particularly solemn in the twilight.

There, the head of the White Horse family should be doing business with so-called distinguished guests from other families.

"Whatever their intentions, we'll find out soon enough," Vio said. "Since we're here, let's make the best of it."

Jimmy was silent for a moment, then sighed. "I just feel...uncomfortable."

"It's normal to feel uncomfortable. Lock down the Heavenly Flow, lock it down, lock down every update of 'Lord: I Can See Loyalty'." Alec put down his teacup, his voice calm. "Being used as a pawn, without your own choices, no one would feel comfortable."

Jimmy glanced at him, said nothing, and sighed.

Vio turned around and patted Jimmy on the shoulder. "Whatever they want to do, we won't let them do what they want."

Jimmy looked him in the eyes and then nodded emphatically.

…………

Meanwhile, at Whitehorse Castle, in the main council chamber.

The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, warming the entire hall.

The long table was covered with a deep red tablecloth, and was filled with silver cutlery and candlesticks. The candlelight flickered, reflecting the portraits of the White Horse family's past patriarchs on the wall.

The head of the White Horse family, Earl Edmund White Horse Murphy, sat in the main seat.

He was nearly sixty years old, with completely white hair and a face full of wrinkles, but his eyes were still sharp.

Beside him sat his eldest son, Marcus Whitehorse—not the Marcus of the West, of course, but another person with the same name.

Marcus was a few years older than Jimmy, with a burly build and a cold, hard face. He was the White Horse family's designated heir.

On the other side of the long table sat a group of people wearing armor with the emblem of a golden griffin.

The leader was a man in his early thirties with a cold face and sharp eyes.

He is the source of the recent chaos, Cedric Villar, the eldest son of the Golden-Maned Griffin family, who calls himself the King of the North.

He was clad in black and gold armor, with a giant sword hanging at his waist, the griffin carving on the hilt of which was incredibly lifelike.

Beside him sat a girl in a long black dress.

She was Daphne Villar, the eldest daughter of the Golden Griffin family. Her face was delicate and pale, and her deep eyes revealed no emotion.

"Mr. Edmund," Cedric began, his voice deep and strong, "what have you thought of the terms I proposed?"

Edmund picked up his glass, took a small sip, and did not answer immediately.

His gaze shifted back and forth between Cedric and Daphne, finally settling on Daphne.

"Miss Daphne, regarding what just happened," he began slowly, "what are your thoughts?"

Daphne smiled faintly, so faintly that the smile was almost imperceptible, and said sarcastically, "Lord Edmund, what right do I, a woman, have to speak on such a momentous matter?"

Cedric frowned slightly, but said nothing.

Edmund put down his wine glass and sighed. "Lord Cedric, King of the North, your offer is very generous: a marriage alliance with the Golden-Maned Gryphon, cooperation, and a title of king... It certainly sounds very good."

"Then what are you still hesitating about?" Cedric's voice carried a hint of impatience.

He is nearly two meters tall and muscular. The knight's coat stretched taut over his body.

But his face didn't quite match his robust physique—his features were well-proportioned, his lines were soft, and one could even say he was somewhat handsome.

"Sand Knight," Edmund began.

The man opened his eyes; they were deep gray eyes, calm as a deep lake, revealing no emotion.

"explain."

"What did you say?"

The Sand Knight—that's what people call him, because his swordsmanship is like a desert storm, swift and deadly.

As for his real name, Christ Rose, few people know it, and few people ask about it.

All that is known is that he came from the south, and was said to be the descendant of a minor nobleman. He came to the north alone to fight his way up, and made a name for himself with a sword, hence the name Sand Knight.

The White Horse family paid a high price to recruit him.

"I'll follow your arrangements." His voice was low and slightly hoarse.

Cedric's lips curled up slightly.

"Then it's settled. The Sand Knight and Daphne will be married! The White Horse family and the Golden Griffin family will form an alliance. When I ascend the throne, half of the North will be yours."

"Wait a minute."

Daphne suddenly spoke, her voice very soft, yet it made the air in the hall freeze instantly.

Cedric turned to look at her, a cold glint in his eyes. "What, do you have a problem with that?"

"Brother, are you arranging my marriage?" Daphne's voice was still soft, but carried a hint of coldness. "Given our status and position, you shouldn't have this right..."

"Status? Status? You mean you're on the same level as me?" Cedric's voice carried a hint of disdain. "Father is gone, and I am now the highest-ranking person in the family. Your marriage is naturally my decision."

"You decide?" Daphne laughed, a smile that gradually darkened, eventually turning into a hint of anger. "...Or are you going to use me?"

Cedric's face darkened. "What do you mean?"

"It's nothing." Daphne stood up, her gaze sweeping over everyone at the long table. "I just think that such an important matter should be discussed in detail."

"Take it a long way? You don't think I don't know what you're thinking, do you—"

"Drag it out until the chaos ends, and then escape the Kingdom of Rovia with your belongings? Am I right, my sister?" Cedric sneered.

"Who do you think you are? You think you can hide your little tricks from me? You're just a woman, do you really think you can hold power? You actually believe those rabble outside who say you're comparable to me?"

Daphne's expression remained unchanged; she did not back down because of Cedric's words, but instead sneered inwardly.

My brother, you guessed right, I do want to stall until the chaos ends—but what I'm going to do isn't run away…

"That's enough. I don't want to make things too ugly in front of outsiders." Cedric interrupted her thoughts. "It's settled then. You don't need to say anything more. I'll give you another week to think about it."

Silence fell over the hall.

The flickering candlelight reflected the various expressions on everyone's faces.

The head of the family, Edmund, picked up his wine glass, took another sip, and showed no emotion. His son, Marcus, also arrived, expressionless, ignoring the matter that had nothing to do with him.

The Sand Knight remained leaning back in his chair, eyes closed, seemingly unconcerned about his arranged marriage.

Daphne stood there, her face pale. Lacking any real combat ability, she was powerless to refute these exceptionally strong individuals.

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately kept it closed.

Daphne knew in her heart that she couldn't afford to turn against them here...

She turned around and looked out the window.

That was the direction of the reception area on the east side of the castle, and she could vaguely sense that the person she had been waiting for had arrived.

"I understand," she said calmly. "I'll think about it."

Cedric's smile instantly appeared. "That's more like it."

Daphne didn't say anything more, but simply sat back down in her chair, her gaze fixed on the view outside the window.

Outside the window, dusk was deepening, and the last rays of sunlight were fading away on the distant horizon.

Chapter 196: The White Horse Family and the Griffin Family Have a Surprise. Click to unlock now.