Lord: I can see loyalty.

The banquet continued. Amidst the clinking of glasses, Cedric suddenly stood up, raised his glass, and looked at Vio and Christ.

"Gentlemen, today is truly a day of double celebration. The new king is about to ascend the throne, and we are also reunited with the brothers, the Sand Knight and the Earl of the Southern Border. How can such a joyous occasion be complete without wine?"

Everyone echoed their agreement, some raising their glasses, others cheering.

Cedric smiled, but his deep blue eyes remained devoid of warmth.

Christ picked up his glass and walked over to Vio.

"Brother, it's been so many years. This cup is for you." His voice was loud enough for everyone present to hear, and his tone carried just the right amount of excitement and emotion, as if he were truly an older brother who hadn't seen his brother for many years expressing his longing.

Vio also stood up, raised his glass, and clinked it against Vio's. "Brother, please."

His voice was calm, with a slight smile on his lips, but his eyes were equally devoid of warmth.

The two then drank it all in one gulp.

Christ put down his glass, then suddenly reached out and patted Vio on the shoulder with just the right amount of force.

"Back when you were still a knight, I left home. I never imagined that when we met again, you would have become the ruler of a realm. If my father could see this, he would be extremely pleased."

Vio looked at him, but only sneered inwardly.

According to the memories of the previous incarnation, the reason why this older brother left the family was clearly because he was dissatisfied with his father's "weakness" and wanted to make a name for himself in the North.

Now he speaks so eloquently, but he doesn't expose him, only nodding slightly and saying, "Brother, you flatter me."

On the throne, Cedric laughed, "What a loving brotherhood! Bring more wine!"

The servants quickly filled the wine glasses, and the atmosphere at the long table became lively, as if it were truly a joyous banquet.

But everyone knew in their hearts that this was all an act; Vio was acting, Christ was acting, and Cedric was acting.

Marville of the Jin An Ma family remained expressionless, only occasionally picking up his glass, taking a sip, and then putting it down again.

Elaine of the Black Serpent family always had a faint smile on her lips, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Vio and Christ, as if watching an interesting show.

Edmund of the Whitehorse had a smile on his face, but his eyes were full of worry. His eldest son, Marcus, sat beside him, head down, lost in thought.

The banquet lasted until late at night.

Cedric was the first to stand up and announce that today would be a rest day, and they would continue tomorrow.

The crowd rose and dispersed in twos and threes.

Vio and Alec were put in a courtyard on the east side of the Emerald Palace. The room was small but exquisitely furnished, and the fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, dispelling the chill of early winter.

The door closed, and Alec leaned against the doorframe, his gray eyes scanning the surroundings to make sure there were no spies before speaking: "My lord, is that Sand Knight really your brother?"

Vio sat at the table, a cup of tea in his hand, remained silent for a moment, then nodded. "It's him."

Alec frowned slightly. "What do you plan to do?"

Vio did not answer immediately.

He closed his eyes and recalled the panel he had seen at the banquet.

Name: Christ Rose

Race: Human

Age: 30

[Faction: White Horse Clan Sand Knights]

[Hobbies: Strength, power, competition]

[Characteristics: Arrogant, conceited; with a flick of the finger, instantly transported to the exciting world of Chapter 214, "Brotherly Love," a reunion. Strong, peak level of basic swordsmanship (upper level), peak level of sand dune swordsmanship (upper level), and third level of White Horse Breathing Technique.]

Loyalty: Not loyal to you

"He has mastered the White Horse Breathing Technique, which must have been given to him by the White Horse family." Vio opened his eyes. "He's at the third level, quite strong, but probably no match for me."

"Then what are you worried about?"

"It's not him I'm worried about." Vio put down his teacup, stood up, and walked to the window. "It's Cedric. He's testing me, testing my attitude, testing my strength, testing whether the Southern and Western Territories are united. This banquet is just his first move."

"And what's the second step?"

"The second step is to have Christ deal with me." Vio's lips curled up slightly. "Brothers killing each other, what a great show."

"If Christ wins, he will have eliminated a major threat; if Christ loses, he will not lose anything, since Christ is not one of his men anyway."

Alec was silent for a moment. "So what do you plan to do?"

"Let's keep watching." Vio turned around. "Let's see what Cedric does next. Don't make a move rashly, but don't let him think we're easy to bully either."

Alec nodded. "Understood."

……

To the west of the Emerald Palace lies the White Horse family's resting courtyard.

The fireplace in the room was burning brightly, making the whole room warm and cozy.

Edmund Whitehorse sat at the table, a cup of hot tea in his hand, his face etched with exhaustion.

His eldest son, Marcus, stood behind him, head bowed, not daring to utter a sound. Christ leaned against the window, arms crossed, his gray eyes gazing at the moonlight outside, lost in thought.

"Swordsman Sand," Edmund began, his voice hoarse, "what do you think of that Earl of the South?"

Christ didn't turn around. "I can't see through it."

Christ's voice was calm, "But when I met him today, I couldn't sense his depth at all, and even felt... that he was stronger than me."

Edmund's expression changed. "Stronger than you? You're a third-tier Grand Knight."

"So what if he's a third-tier knight?" Christ turned around, a complex emotion flashing in his gray eyes. "He was able to pacify the southern border and sweep through the western border in just one year. He has four great knights in his hands, as well as countless knights and militia."

"A person like this can't just be a lucky spoiled brat."

Edmund remained silent.

He knew Vio was no ordinary man, but he hadn't expected that even his older brother, the Sand Knight Christ, couldn't see through him.

"So what do you think His Majesty Cedric will do?" Marcus couldn't help but ask.

Christ glanced at him. "Cedric wants to use me against my brother."

"Then you..."

"I don't know," Christ interrupted him, walking to the table and sitting down. "I need to observe further. After all, Cedric is no pushover, and my brother is no pushover either. Acting rashly will only get us into trouble."

Edmund nodded. "Then let's hold back for now and see how things develop."

Christ didn't answer, but simply picked up the wine glass on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

Outside the window, the moonlight was as clear as water.

In the distance, the lights of the Emerald Palace twinkled in the night, a scene of peace and tranquility, but everyone knew that this peace would not last long.