Lord: I can see loyalty.

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The study in the Southern Earl's Castle.

When Vincent pushed open the door, Vio was standing by the window, gazing at the shimmering waters of the Sea of ​​Gaza in the distance.

His back was as straight as a pine tree, his robes swayed slightly in the breeze, and he exuded a calm and reserved aura—the composure unique to a fourth-tier Grand Knight.

In the days following his breakthrough, he had been consolidating his realm, gradually taming and digesting the newborn power until he had complete control over it.

"Your Excellency," Vincent knelt on one knee, his voice tinged with urgency, "I have something to report."

Vio turned around, his gaze falling on him. "Speak."

Vincent recounted the events that unfolded in the alley behind the tavern in detail—

The tall, thin man named Griff, a spy for the Golden Saddle Horse family, infiltrated the Southern Territory to gather intelligence, and had several accomplices hiding in inns and rented rooms in Portor City.

As he spoke, he observed Vio's expression, but the young man's face remained expressionless, as if he were listening to something completely ordinary.

"The Golden Saddle Horse family, huh?" Vio repeated the name. "They seem to be in a hurry."

"My lord, I have already sent Russell to inform Chief Jimmy to make the arrest." Vincent paused. "Also, Griff said that the Golden Saddle Horse family sent more than just him; there may be others lurking in the shadows. I have already sent people to investigate."

Vio nodded, about to speak, when hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"Your Excellency!" Cohen's voice came from the corridor, tinged with an unusual urgency.

He strode into the study, holding two letters in his hand, the sealing wax on the envelopes particularly striking in the candlelight.

One is the griffin emblem of the Golden Griffin family, and the other is the horse head emblem of the Golden Saddle Horse family.

"Two letters, delivered almost simultaneously." Cohen placed the letters on the table. "The messenger said he had to deliver them to you personally."

Vio's brow twitched slightly.

He first picked up the letter from the Golden-Maned Griffin family, opened it, and took out the letter paper.

The letter was written on the finest Northern linen, thick and sturdy, with gold foil pressed along the edges. The handwriting was neat and ornate, exuding a condescending arrogance.

Lord Vio Ross, Earl of the Southern Border:

With the new king's ascension to the throne imminent, His Majesty King Cedric Villar of the North cordially invites Your Excellency to the Emerald Palace to join in this grand occasion. At that time, nobles and representatives of various families from the North will gather to witness a new era for the Kingdom of Rovia.

I hope you will keep the appointment on time.

Golden-maned griffon family. "

Vio put down the letter, his smile deepening.

A new king ascends the throne? Cedric can't wait.

The letter made no mention of the fate of the former King Albert, the issue of the West's ownership, or the increasingly tense relationship between the South and the North.

It was just a simple invitation, as if everything was perfectly natural.

But this is definitely a trap.

Vio knew very well that this was both a test and a threat.

If he goes, it would be tantamount to acknowledging Cedric's legitimacy to the throne; if he doesn't go, it would be open defiance. Going or not going, both are traps.

But instead of making a decision, he picked up the second letter, which was from the Golden Saddle Horse family.

The wax seal on the envelope was well preserved, and the horse head emblem was lifelike. He opened it, took out the letter, and quickly scanned it with his eyes.

Lord Vio Ross, Earl of the Southern Border:

I am deeply alarmed to hear that several of my family's servants have been detained by your forces in the Southern Territory. These individuals traveled to the Southern Territory without permission, which was a private matter and has nothing to do with my family.

If he has offended in any way, I hope you will forgive him and allow me to send someone to bring him back.

The Golden Saddle Horse family has no intention of antagonizing the Southern Border and wishes to maintain friendly relations with Your Excellency. If you have the time in the future, we hope Your Excellency will visit the Northern Border to reminisce about our old friendship.

Golden pommel horse family. "

Vio couldn't help but laugh after reading it. "Coincidence? They certainly know how to pick their timing."

He handed the letter to Cohen, who took it, glanced at it, and frowned.

"Your Excellency, the meaning of this letter is quite clear. They admit to sending people, but they are shifting the blame onto individuals, saying it was done 'on their own initiative'."

Cohen paused, "But our people have already found out that those people were sent by the Golden Saddle Horse family to spy on us."

"But there's no evidence," Vio asked.

Cohen remained silent.

There are no audio or video recordings in this world, only the testimony of a spy. And once that spy falls into the hands of the Golden Saddle Ma family, recanting his testimony is a piece of cake.

"So even if we know they're lying, there's nothing we can do about it." Vio leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. "Unless we want to break off all ties right now."

"So you mean...?"

Vio didn't answer immediately, but closed his eyes and quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

House Goldsaddle is one of the oldest and most powerful families in the North, with a deep-rooted history and considerable military strength. If relations were to break down now, they would definitely side with Cedric. In that case, the South would not only have to face the Golden Griffin family, but the united forces of the entire North.

Vincent was taken aback. "Your Excellency, they are...?"

“I know,” Vio interrupted him, “but killing them won’t do us any good. The Golden Saddle Horse family wants them, so we’ll give them to them and make them owe us a favor, at least it’ll save face.”

Vincent opened his mouth, as if to say something, but seeing Vio's calm eyes, he swallowed his words. "Yes, sir."

"As for the Golden-Maned Griffin family..." Vio picked up the gold-embossed letter and twirled it in his hand. "I will go."

"What?" Cohen and Vincent exclaimed almost simultaneously, their faces filled with shock.

"My lord, this is clearly a trap!" Cohen stepped forward. "Cedric invited you to the capital simply to test your attitude, and perhaps even..."

"What could it be? Imprison me? Kill me?" Vio stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the northern horizon. "He wouldn't dare."

Why?

"Because I have the Southern and Western Territories under my control, the Azure Peak Knights and the Whale Knights, four Great Knights, and the most elite warriors in this land." Vio's voice was calm. "If something happens to me in the capital, the Southern Territory will officially go to war with the Northern Territory. Cedric isn't stupid; he won't take that risk."

Cohen fell silent. He knew Vio was right, but he still felt uneasy.

"Besides," Vio turned around, "I'm at the fourth level now, and the Sand Breathing Technique is known for its speed. Even if something unexpected happens, if I want to run, no one can stop me."

Cohen looked at him, a glint in his grey eyes. Indeed, the Earl was now a fourth-tier Grand Knight, controlling two realms, and even the great families of the Northern Territory had to think twice before making a move.

"So when do you plan to leave?" Cohen asked.

"Three days from now." Vio walked back to his desk and began writing a letter. "In these three days, I need to arrange matters in the Southern and Western Territories."

"What about the Golden Saddle Horse family...?"

"Send them back, along with a letter." Vio picked up his quill, dipped it in ink, and said, "Tell them that the Southern Territory welcomes friends, but not spies. This was a misunderstanding, but we won't be so polite next time."

Cohen nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

Vincent also left, leaving Vio alone in the study.

He sat at his desk, gazing at the gray sky outside the window, his quill pen hesitant to fall.

In the North, in the capital, the Golden-Maned Griffin family, Cedric Villar—he would have to fight these people sooner or later.

I just didn't expect this day to come so soon.

He took a deep breath and began to write a letter.

The pen scratched across the paper, the handwriting was neat and powerful, each character exuding an undeniable determination.