Lord: I can see loyalty.

The Emerald Palace, the Golden Hall.

This is a place specifically used to welcome foreign guests and hold state banquets; it is even more magnificent than the council hall.

The dome is painted with scenes of the conquests of past kings, and the golden murals gleam in the candlelight.

On either side are towering pillars, carved with dragons and swordtails—the old royal symbol, now covered by the banners of the golden griffin, but traces remain.

A long table stretched from one end of the hall to the other, covered with a deep red velvet tablecloth, and silver cutlery gleamed softly in the candlelight.

The attendants stood by the wall, dressed in uniform dark blue uniforms, their expressions solemn and their posture upright.

The moment Vio stepped into the Golden Palace, dozens of eyes fell on him.

He wasn't wearing armor, but rather a dark gray formal suit, with a Demon Feather Sword hanging at his waist and a shield slung over his back.

Alec followed half a step behind him, clad in platinum armor with a greatsword slung across his back. Their steps were steady, their gazes calm, as if they were attending a casual gathering rather than a treacherous banquet.

"Count Vio Ross of the Southern Border, arrive—!"

The servants' voices echoed through the golden hall.

Cedric sat in the main seat at the head of the hall, clad in black and gold armor, with a griffin sword hanging at his waist and a wine cup in his hand.

He didn't get up, but merely raised his chin slightly, his gaze as sharp as a knife as he looked at Vio.

"Oh, you're the Earl of the Southern Border. I've heard so much about you."

Vio walked to the long table, bowed slightly, his manners impeccable.

"King of the North... His Majesty Cedric."

The two stared at each other, and sparks seemed to fly in the air.

Cedric's lips curled into a slight smile, and he gestured with his hand. "Please sit down."

Vio sat down to his right, with Alec standing behind him.

Representatives from the major families of the North were already seated on both sides of the long table.

The members of the Kim Saddle Ma family sat on the left, led by a middle-aged man in his forties with a stern face and sharp eyes. He was none other than the current head of the Kim Saddle Ma family—Marville.

He kept observing Vio, whose gray eyes revealed no emotion, only occasionally picking up his glass, taking a sip, and then putting it down again.

Vio noticed his gaze but said nothing, only nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

The Black Serpent Clan members sat on the right, led by a thin, middle-aged woman wearing a deep purple dress and a silver snake necklace.

Her face was exquisite, but there was a cold aura between her brows and eyes, and a faint smile always lingered at the corners of her mouth.

She is Elaine, a representative of the Black Serpent family, and one of the most feared figures in the North.

She didn't look at Vio, but instead lowered her head and fiddled with the ring on her hand, as if the banquet had nothing to do with her.

Representatives from other small and medium-sized families sat in twos and threes at the back. Some whispered to each other, some drank with their heads down, and some had their eyes darting around, seemingly plotting something.

"Your Excellency has come from afar; you must be tired." Cedric raised his glass. "This toast is to the friendship between the South and the North."

Everyone raised their glasses. Vio also picked up his glass, took a sip—it was a strong liquor from the North, spicy and burning his throat.

He didn't drink much, just touched his lips to the glass before putting it down.

Cedric put down his wine glass and glanced across the long table. "Everyone here must have heard of the Earl of the South. In just one year, he pacified the South and swept away the West. He has four Grand Knights and countless elite knights under his command. He can be called the most dazzling young talent in the Kingdom of Rovia."

Everyone nodded in agreement, some echoing the sentiment, others remaining silent.

Marville of the Golden Saddle Ma family remained expressionless, while Elaine of the Black Snake family smiled even more broadly.

"Your Majesty flatters me," Vio said calmly. "The Southern and Western Territories are what they are today not because of me alone, but because of the efforts of everyone."

"Humility is a good habit." Cedric smiled, a smile with an enigmatic quality. "Count Vio, besides attending the new king's coronation ceremony, there's another matter I'd like to hear your opinion on."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"The Western Territory." Cedric set down his wine glass, his gaze sharpening. "The Western Territory has been the kingdom's territory since ancient times. Although the pirates have been quelled, the question of who controls the Western Territory remains unresolved. Earl of the Southern Territory, what are your thoughts?"

The atmosphere at the long table suddenly froze. Everyone pricked up their ears and their eyes were fixed on Vio.

Marville of the Golden Saddle family finally raised his head, and Elaine of the Black Snake family also stopped playing with her ring, the smile on her lips disappearing.

Vio did not answer immediately.

He picked up his wine glass, took another sip, and slowly put it down.

"The pirates of the West were quelled by the combined forces of the South and the West; the people of the West were protected by the soldiers of the South; and the order of the West was established by the knights of the South and the West."

He looked at Cedric, his gaze calm as still water. "Your Majesty believes..."

Who should govern the western border?

Vio made no mention of his own contribution, yet every word he spoke revolved around it.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Cedric's face darkened, but he didn't react. He looked at Vio for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"Count Vio is right. We'll discuss this matter later."

Vio nodded and said nothing more.

Just then, the palace doors were pushed open again.

The White Horse family representative entered—not Marcus, but Earl Edmund White Horse himself.

He walked with a cane, his steps unsteady, but his eyes remained sharp, followed by his eldest son Marcus and several close associates.

"The white horse has arrived!"

Edmund walked to the long table and bowed slightly to Cedric. "Your Majesty, I am late. Please forgive me."

Cedric waved his hand. "It's alright, please take a seat."

Edmund sat down opposite Vio, his gaze falling on him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

He didn't say anything, but simply picked up his glass and took a sip.

Vio looked at him and nodded slightly.

The two did not exchange words, but they both knew perfectly well that the Hakuba family would not let Daphne's matter rest.

Just then, the palace doors were pushed open again.

A burly figure strode in.

Sand Knight, Christ Rose.

He wore dark gray knight's armor, with a longsword hanging at his waist. His handsome face was expressionless, but his gray eyes stared straight at Vio, his gaze sharp as knives.

"The Sand Knights have arrived!"

Christ walked to the long table, but instead of sitting down, he went straight to Vio and stopped.

The two looked at each other.

Vio looked at him, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

He had long heard of the Sand Knight's name and had long suspected his identity, but at this moment, when that face, which bore a resemblance to his own, was so close, he couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

Christie Ross.

His older brother.

The older brother who left the family and went to the North to make a living.

"The Earl of the Southern Border," Christ said, his voice low and slightly hoarse, "I've heard so much about you."

Vio stood up and looked at him. "Sand Knight, I've heard so much about you."

The two shook hands. Christ's palm was broad and strong, with large knuckles and calluses on the base of his thumb.

Vio could feel that the power was tightening slightly, carrying a hint of suppressed killing intent.

"I never imagined that the Earl of the Southern Border would be my younger brother."

Christ suddenly spoke, her voice so soft that only Vio could hear her, "It's been so many years, you've really made something of yourself."

Vio didn't reply, but just looked at the other person quietly. He knew that this older brother couldn't possibly have not heard his name during these days.

In other words, he was deliberately playing dumb.

Cedric's gaze swept back and forth between the two, his smile deepening.

"I never imagined that the Sand Knight and the Earl of the Southern Border were brothers. What an incredible coincidence!"

Edmund stood up as well, forcing a smile. "Yes, I didn't expect that! Now that we're family, things are much easier... I hope the Earl won't object to the marriage between Sir Sand and Miss Daphne?"

Vio's brow twitched slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.

"Miss Daphne's marriage is her own business, and I have no right to interfere."

"Your Excellency is mistaken," Cedric laughed. "Daphne is my sister, the Sand Knight is a guest of the White Horse family, and you are the Earl of the Southern Territory and the Sand Knight's brother."

"The three of us can be considered one family."

He paused, his gaze becoming deep.

"We're family, so we should speak like family. What do you say, Your Excellency?"

Vio looked at him, remained silent for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on his lips. "Your Majesty is right. We are family, after all, we should speak like family."

He raised his glass to Cedric, beginning the conversation, "This is a toast to the friendship between the North and the South."

Cedric also raised his glass and clinked it with his. "To friendship."

The two drank it all in one gulp.

At the long table, the others also raised their glasses.

Marville of the Golden Saddle Ma family remained expressionless, while Elaine of the Black Snake family smiled even more broadly.

Edmund of the White Horse family had a smile on his face, but his eyes were full of worry. Christ stood next to Vio, a glint of something unfathomable flashing in his gray eyes.

The banquet continued, with toasts and laughter filling the air.

But everyone knew in their hearts that this banquet was not as peaceful as it appeared on the surface.

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