Lord: I can see loyalty.

Chapter 261 The Elder Brother's "Advice"

Jinma City Fortress, late at night.

Vio sat in the study that had once belonged to the head of the Golden Saddle Horse family. The candlelight flickered in the draft, illuminating the empty portraits on the walls.

Before him lay a detailed military deployment map of the North, marked in red with the names of the Black Serpent House, the Golden-Maned Griffin House, and others.

And the troop deployment and marching routes of the capital city, Emerald City.

Vio's mind raced, calculating troop strength and tactical options. His finger moved lightly across the map, heading north from Golden Horse City, across the Black Serpent family's territory, and finally stopping at the capital.

Alec leaned back in the chair by the door, his greatsword across his lap, his gray eyes half-closed as if he were dozing, but Vio knew he wasn't asleep.

Jimmy and Gina went to inspect the city's defenses, Russell led the cavalry to guard the outskirts of Golden Horse City, and Leon led the Grey Wolf knights to garrison in the military camp in the west of the city. The entire fortress was so quiet that only the sound of the wind and the occasional sound of horses' hooves could be heard.

"Alec," Vio said.

Alec opened his eyes, his gray pupils showing no signs of sleepiness. "Yes."

"Tell me, how many Grand Knights do we have now?"

Alec was silent for a moment. "Combined, the Southern and Western territories have four Grand Knights capable of being used on the front lines."

"You, me, Jimmy, Gina. Leon and Captain Russell of the Grey Wolf family are the closest, having begun to explore breathing techniques, but they haven't officially entered the field yet, so they don't count."

Vio nodded. "What about the North?"

"According to intelligence, the Golden Mane Griffin family has three members, and the Black Serpent family has one," Alec said calmly. "The eldest brother, Cedric, is a fourth-tier member, the second brother, Selin, is a third-tier member, and there's another one, unknown, known as the 'Griffin Knight,' who is also said to be a third-tier member."

"The Black Serpent family's Cyril, third rank. There are four Grand Knights in total, of which only one is Cedric, a fourth-rank Knight."

"Not only that, there's also a great knight, my brother Christ. And what about the magicians?" Vio's gaze fell on the map on the table. "How many magicians are there in the North?"

Alec frowned slightly.

"Not counting magic apprentices, there are at least three mages in the North, and one archmage, Leonard Crove."

"We only have Lord Valentine here, but he's already a great mage, just getting old. We also have fewer magic apprentices than the North."

Vio's fingers tapped lightly on the table.

In terms of troop strength, the Southern Territory is at a disadvantage. In terms of overall strength of the Great Knights, the Southern Territory has a slight advantage, but in terms of mages, the Northern Territory has an overwhelming advantage.

Valentine alone could not possibly stop four mages on the other side. If he could master some magic, even just basic defensive magic, he would have a greater chance of survival on the battlefield.

Vio recalled that although his talent in magic was not comparable to that of a professional magician like Valentine, he could indeed use some basic magic.

He had used a few spells back in the Southern Territory, and although he hadn't used them much since, he hadn't forgotten them.

"Where is Uncle Valentine?" he asked.

"In the military camp south of the city, we're studying the magical artifacts seized from the Golden Saddle Horse family." Alex paused. "Your Excellency, you mean—"

"Let's try learning some magic." Vio stood up and walked to the window. "It doesn't need to be very strong, just enough to defend against ordinary magical attacks. We have too few mages; we can't put all our hopes on Uncle Valentine alone."

Alec paused for a moment, then nodded. "I'll go and fetch Uncle Valentine."

Just as Alec was about to leave, he heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

Vincent pushed open the door and entered, holding a sealed letter in his hand. The envelope was unsigned, except for a white horse with its head held high, stamped in wax.

"My lord, a letter from the North." Vincent's voice was low. "The messenger said it was sent by the Sand Knight, Christ."

Vio's brow furrowed slightly.

Sand Knight Christ, the Great Knight of the White Horse family, and his older brother.

Their last meeting was at a banquet in the Emerald Palace. He pretended to be a brother, he pretended to be moved. He thought that would be their last encounter. Unexpectedly, he wrote to him again.

"Alec, let's put magic aside for now."

"Give me the letter." Vio took the letter, tore open the seal, and took out the letter.

The letter was written on the finest Northern paper, thick and sturdy, with gold foil pressed along the edges. The handwriting was neat and elegant, exuding a refined scholarly air.

But Vio knew that this was not Christ's handwriting; he had never liked reading or writing since he was a child, and he would never use such fancy stationery.

He unfolded the letter and quickly scanned it.

My younger brother:

Seeing this letter is like seeing you in person. Several months have passed since we parted at the Jade Palace. I hear you have won many victories on the front lines, which puts my mind at ease. You have always been decisive and stronger than me. If your father is watching over us from heaven, he will surely be proud of you.

Recently, I have heard some bad rumors.

Some say you betrayed the king, some say you colluded with foreign enemies, and some say you are the culprit of this war.

But I don't believe it. I know you better than anyone what kind of person you are. You won't betray anyone unless that person betrays you first.

Cedric has already ordered the White Horse Clan to send troops to assist in the battle.

I've been appointed as the vanguard and will soon be heading south. I don't want to be your enemy, but I have no choice.

Cedric threatened me with the entire Whitehorse family; if I disobeyed, the elderly, women, and children of the Whitehorse family would all be executed. I had no choice, but at least I can tell you in advance—

Cedric's army is already assembling, including the Black Serpent family, the Lion Legion, and the armies of several smaller families, totaling over 50,000 troops.

Their target was the Black Serpent family's territory, which was the last line of defense for the royal capital.

I don't know who will win this war, but I do know that no matter who wins, we will lose.

We are brothers, yet we must face each other on the battlefield. This is not what I want, nor is it what you want.

I hope you understand that I have never wanted to be your enemy, never.

There's one more thing, about Daphne, my fiancée.

Many people say that you took her away, but I don't believe it. You're not that kind of person. Even if you really did take her away, you must have had your own reasons. I don't blame you. I just hope you protect her.

Finally, I wish you peace.

Your brother, Christ.

Vio put down the letter and remained silent for a long time.

The letter is filled with concern and helplessness, as if an older brother, tormented by fate, is pouring out his heart to his younger brother.

But Vio knew that this was definitely not Christ's style, and that he hadn't even written the letter.

The Christ he remembered was selfish, arrogant, and ambitious, and would never speak to anyone in this tone.

This wasn't written by him, or rather, he deliberately had someone else write it this way.

Was it Cedric's plan? Or the old Earl of the White Horse family's selfish motives? Or perhaps it was even his own scheme.

Regardless of who they are, they all have only one goal—to lower Vio's guard. To make him believe that Christ is helpless, that he can be won over, and that he can be used.

Then, at the crucial moment, deliver the fatal blow.

"Your Excellency, what did the letter say?" Alec asked.

Vio did not answer, but simply handed the letter to Alec.

Alec took it, quickly scanned it, and frowned.

"This doesn't sound like the legendary Sand Knight at all," Alec said in a low voice. "When he was with the White Horse family, he was polite to you verbally, but his actions clearly showed he didn't approve of you. Now, for him to suddenly write this letter, he's either being forced or there's something fishy going on."

"I know." Vio stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the gray sky outside. "But whether he was forced or it's a trap, we have to be prepared."

"Strengthen city defenses and increase patrols, especially around Daphne. If Christ is planning something, she could very well be his target."

"Understood." Alec nodded, turned and walked out of the study.

Vio stood by the window, gazing at the gray sky to the north, the contents of the letter replaying in his mind.

Cedric's army is assembling, numbering over 50,000, and their target is the Black Serpent's territory. Christ has been appointed as the vanguard and will soon march south.

Of course, this could also be fake news, but Vio can't completely dismiss it, since such news is often a mix of truth and falsehood.

This was not a piece of advice or concern from a brother; for Vio, it was a "challenge."

Vio turned around and went back to his bed, not intending to reply.

If Christ were to come and take his life, Vio would naturally oblige—provided that Christ could defeat him, who was already at the fourth rank.

He is no longer the same person he used to be.