Chapter 46: Dusk City

Marsha Domain, Dusk City.

The only major city in the southern border of the Sosia Kingdom, also the economic and military heart of the entire southern region, ruled by the Marsha family, the dominant power of the south for a century.

After several days of travel, Kallen finally arrived here.

“Finally made it.”

Patting the weary Black Abyss Wolf beneath him, Kallen gazed at the towering city before him, its spires piercing the clouds, and sighed.

After presenting his family crest, he—bearing the title “Noble”—easily won the welcoming and envious glances of the city guards.

After all, as the lucky man who married the Marsha family’s only legitimate daughter, even years later, he remained quite famous in Dusk City.

“Once I get the potion from Lu En, I must immediately pay a visit to Count Marsha—my news will surely reach her ears at once.”

Kallen pondered.

Then, amid the awe-filled gazes of the city’s citizens, he rode his Black Abyss Wolf through the bustling streets along the carriage road, arriving before a grand and majestic cathedral.

The Storm Church, southern outpost of the Sosia Kingdom.

“Tell your bishop that his former comrade has come to visit him—with a gift,” Kallen said coolly to the usher at the gate.

Moments later.

In the cathedral’s reception hall.

“Heh, it’s been a long time, my dear Kallen.”

Bishop Lu En was a middle-aged man with a slightly stout frame and a perpetually smiling face; upon seeing Kallen, he embraced him tightly.

“Enough, enough—don’t turn into one of those backdoor priests you used to despise.”

Kallen pushed him away with distaste.

“This is pure comradeship—you’re being excessive, Kallen.”

Bishop Lu En spread his hands innocently.

“By the way, what gift did you bring me?”

“Here.” Kallen handed over a thick sack.

As Lu En eagerly unwrapped it and saw what lay inside, his expression turned utterly bewildered.

Inside the sack was a hard, dry black bread.

For a bishop of his rank and power, such food had long been unfit for his table.

Yet Lu En stared at it for several seconds, then picked it up and began chewing slowly, bite by bite.

“Speak—what do you want me to do for you?”

After finishing the painfully hard black bread, Bishop Lu En spoke in a solemn, low voice.

It was the same bread he had taken from Kallen during the “Dragon Lion War,” when they were surrounded by enemy forces, starving, and he had claimed the last piece.

He had sworn then: whenever Kallen came to him bearing this bread, he would fulfill any request that did not defy the gods—even if it meant defying royal authority.

“I need two favors: one, a bottle of Hawk-Eye Potion to help a Hunter ascend to Hunter Master; two, that you serve as my son’s godfather at his Infant Honor Ceremony forty days from now.”

Kallen said calmly.

“That’s it?!”

The solemn expression vanished from Lu En’s face; he let out a long, relieved breath.

“I thought you were going to ask me to conceal Elise’s upcoming advancement to Magician—that would’ve worn out these old bones of mine.”

“Next time, be clearer—I nearly pissed myself just now.”

Grumbling, Lu En turned and walked toward the storage room.

More than ten minutes later, he returned to the reception hall carrying a vial glowing green, filled with two eyeballs—its appearance chilling.

“Here, this is Hawk-Eye Potion made from the eyes of a Stormhawk, one of the fiercest avian beasts. If nobles weren’t so reluctant to choose Hunters these days, you wouldn’t even get a chance at this kind of treasure.”

“As for the godfather duty, I’ll be there on time.”

Lu En tossed the potion to Kallen.

“Thanks.”

Kallen caught the potion and turned away without hesitation.

“Won’t you stay for a meal?” Lu En invited.

“No, I still need to visit Count Marsha, then hurry back.”

As Kallen was about to step out the door, he suddenly stopped.

He turned back, his eyes strange:

“By the way, Lu En, you really should lose weight. I remember you were once a handsome youth—now, no wonder you’re still single.”

Lu En: “???”

“Get out!”

The bishop’s roar echoed throughout the cathedral.

“The changes time brings are truly terrifying!”

After Viscount Hughes was thrown out, Lu En sighed deeply.

Kallen thought he had changed—but had he not changed as well?

The once cold, ice-cold boy who cared only for killing and earning glory had now become a qualified father—even capable of telling jokes!

At the center of Dusk City.

Red Fox Castle.

A city within a city, the fortress where the Marsha family, the dominant power of the south, resided.

Reception hall.

“Greetings, honorable Count Marsha—my kind mother.”

Kallen bowed deeply before the figure seated upon the throne, showing utmost respect.

“You as well, Kallen—we haven’t seen each other in three or four years, have we?” The figure on the throne smiled gently.

She was a woman who appeared over fifty, her silver-gray hair elegantly coiffed, her face slender, her eyes lined with dense crow’s feet, yet still radiating an inexplicable beauty.

“Beauty lies in the bone, not the skin”—this was perhaps the best description of her.

Above her head floated a deep purple inscription: “Noble” of the Morning Star Rank.

“Southern Fox” Rosa Marsha—this was her title, a symbol of her power and prestige.

“Sit. You’ve come regarding your son Haiden’s Infant Honor Ceremony, correct?”

“Yes, I hope you will attend—it would be the child’s greatest honor,” Kallen said solemnly.

“Heh, don’t be so tense. Danielle is my daughter, Haiden is my grandson—I won’t overlook him. I’ll go myself, accompanied by his uncles, and invite every lord in the south.”

“Believe me, in the south, no one will dare offend this old woman.”

Rosa’s expression was warm, yet her words carried an unmistakable authority and dominance.

“Thank you for your generosity and kindness!”

Kallen’s face lit up with delight as he bowed repeatedly.

The more noble guests who attend the Infant Honor Ceremony to offer blessings, the higher the Noble Blessing rank the child will receive.

If every lord in the south attends, and a godfather of sufficient nobility is present, Haiden might even gain a Supernatural Rank “Noble” blessing.

“By the way, have you chosen your godfather?” Rosa asked.

“My comrade, Bishop Lu En of the Storm Church’s southern branch.”

“Hmm. A bishop—barely worthy of Danielle’s bloodline…” Rosa’s eyes flickered with satisfaction.

When she agreed to marry Danielle to Kallen, it wasn’t only due to his exceptional potential as a knight—his friendship with Lu En was also a key factor.

“My lady, I have matters to attend to at Black Wolf Castle—I must take my leave.”

“Go.”

(End of Chapter)