Chapter 139: One Year

A year has passed since the disaster in Obedi City.

Robin returned to Viscount Wilk's domain, and for his excellent performance at the Knight Academy, the royal family awarded him the rank of Baron.

During the investiture ceremony, the king himself placed a medal on him, praising his heroic deeds in the "Lake‑bottom Earthquake Rescue Operation".

No one remembers the truth of that disaster.

No one recalls the Mechanical Church, the Soul Furnace, or the crisis that almost rewrote the world's laws.

Moreover, no one remembers that there once was a silver‑eyed deputy dean named Meilinda.

"Young master, the lord and lady have invited you to dinner," Zhang Bolun appeared behind Robin and said respectfully.

Robin nodded, gently closed the silver gear in his hand, and slipped it into his close‑fitting pocket.

He hung the Tang Sword at his waist, its sheath bearing three faint engravings that flickered in the candlelight.

"Understood." He stood up, smoothing his collar, "How is father's mood today?"

Zhang Bolun lowered his head slightly, his voice very soft: "The lord received a letter from the Royal Capital today; it seems to involve the North."

Robin's fingertips lingered on the sword's hilt for a moment.

The North.

It is the Mechanical Church's last stronghold, and the only area not fully cleared after the "earthquake" three years ago.

Inside the dining hall, a crystal chandelier cast a warm glow. Viscount Wilk sat at the head of the long table, his expression solemn as he perused a letter.

The viscount's lady—Robin's stepmother Meilita—elegantly sliced the venison on her plate, and upon seeing him enter, offered a proper smile.

"Sit, Allen," Viscount Wilk said without looking up. "We have important matters to discuss."

Robin took his seat, and the attendant poured him a glass of deep‑red wine.

The wine swayed in the cup, reflecting his calm face.

"The Royal Capital has issued an order." The viscount finally set the letter aside, his slate‑blue eyes fixed on Robin, "The Frost Fortress in the North has shown abnormal energy fluctuations; the Council suspects—"

He paused briefly, as if weighing his words.

"They suspect that the 'earthquake' of those years never truly ended."

Robin's fingertips tapped the table lightly, a steady rhythm, showing no hint of surprise: "So?"

"So!" the viscount said gravely. "The king himself has named you to lead an investigation team to the Frost Fortress."

Meilita let out a light laugh: "What an honor, our young Baron has actually caught the king's attention." Her gaze lingered on Robin's Tang Sword at his waist. "But taking such a dangerous weapon to the North—might that be unsuitable?"

Robin lifted his glass and smiled faintly: "Mother worries too much. It's merely a family heirloom."

On the sheath, the silvery‑blue engraving flickered imperceptibly.

During this year, Lady Meilita completed her experiment, but the results were modest: it raised the chance for a Knight Apprentice to become a Formal Knight by only one‑tenth, and the chance for a Wizard Apprentice to advance to Second-level Wizard Apprentice by one‑fifth.

Unfortunately it had little effect on Formal Wizards and Legendary Knights, and after the Western Wizard Council's defeat and its collusion with the Mechanical Church, it withdrew from the West entirely; thereafter no one could threaten Lady Meilita's experiment, allowing her to finish it without incident.

As for the Round Table Council and the Knight Guild, the two factions had long since allied, joining forces against the Wizard Council.

"Allen, what are you planning regarding Alina?" Viscount Wilk asked suddenly.

During this year, Alina also successfully advanced to Great Knight, and she often visited Viscount Wilk's domain as a guest.

Viscount Wilk also saw that Alina was interested in his son, and he was quite pleased with a young female Great Knight becoming his daughter‑in‑law.

Robin's fingers gently rubbed the Tang Sword's hilt; the silvery‑blue engraving warmed slightly, as if reminding him of something.

"Father, about Alina," he said, choosing his words carefully. "It's still too early."

Viscount Wilk frowned, slamming his wine glass onto the table: "Too early? You're already twenty‑two this year! Alina's talent is outstanding, her temperament steady, and she has the Knight Guild's backing. Such a marriage would bring countless benefits to our family with no downside!"

Robin remained silent.

He of course knew Alina's excellence—she had advanced to Great Knight at a young age, was highly valued by the Knight Guild, and even became a disciple of Legendary Knight Aodomu.

More importantly, the look in her eyes toward him was genuinely affectionate.

But whenever he tried to return that feeling, a silver silhouette flashed in his mind, accompanied by a whisper that drifted on the wind: "I'll come back for you."

"Wait a bit longer! I'm currently aiming for the Great Knight Late Stage, and I have no mood to worry about this."

Upon hearing Robin's goal to reach the Great Knight Late Stage, Viscount Wilk wisely fell silent; a daughter‑in‑law, no matter how formidable, could never outweigh his own son.

The next morning, Robin went to visit Lady Meilita's laboratory.

The eccentric witch was busy mixing a vial of crimson potion; seeing him enter, she didn't look up and said, "If you're here to inquire about Alina, I suggest you agree outright."

Robin raised an eyebrow: "Even you are concerned about my marriage?"

Meilita sneered, finally looking up: "I'm not interested in your marriage; I'm concerned about the future of Wilk's domain."

She tossed him a report, its pages densely filled with energy‑fluctuation data from the Frost Fortress in the North.

"Do you see this?" she said, pointing to a sharply fluctuating curve. "This isn't a natural phenomenon; someone is deliberately steering the energy—almost identical to the pattern in Obedi City a year ago."

Robin's pupils narrowed: "Mechanical Church?"

"Or perhaps their remnants," Meilita said lightly. "Wilk's domain is too close to the North; if disaster erupts again, you'll need every force you can gather. And Alina—"

She paused meaningfully: "She is backed by the entire Knight Guild."

When Robin returned to the castle, Alina had already been waiting at the training grounds for some time.

She wore a simple knight's uniform, her golden hair tied high, practicing a fierce sword technique. Seeing Robin approach, she sheathed her sword and smiled brightly: "Lord Baron finally agreed to see me?"

Robin shook his head helplessly: "Don't mock me."

Alina stepped a few paces closer, then lowered her voice: "I heard you're heading to the North?"

Robin's gaze hardened: "The news spread that fast?"

"Lord Aodomu told me," she said, her expression turning serious. "The Knight Guild also received the Royal Capital's order and will dispatch a squad to assist you."

She hesitated, then suddenly grasped Robin's hand: "Let me go with you."

The sudden move left both of them stunned.

Alina's ears flushed, but she didn't release his hand: "I'm not asking as a member of the Knight Guild… but in my own name, Alina Howard."

(End of Chapter)