Chapter 188: Alliance Marriage 2

The carved chair back let out a strained moan, like the broken sigh of an old noble: "Do you know that once this marriage contract is set, there is no turning back?"

Robin thrusts his Dragon‑slayer Spear into the ground; in the golden flash from the tip, his silhouette resembles an ancient war god: "Compared to the survival of the entire Western Frontier, what does my marriage matter?"

Viscount Wei Er Ke's gaze is as sharp as a hawk's; he whirls his head toward Fengling and demands loudly: "What exactly is Madam Aishar plotting? Why must she insist on choosing my son!"

Fengling's mouth twitches slightly, and she thinks to herself scornfully: "Viscount, you have no idea how astonishing your son's potential truly is."

Such a young Order Knight still practices the Dragon Devouring Breathing Method, a breathing method known for its slow cultivation; his talent is shockingly extraordinary.

Madam Aishar naturally wishes to bring such a genius under her command.

As the tension hangs, the rapid sound of hooves draws nearer.

The Knight Guild's cavalry arrives with a fierce aura, led by Aodomu.

This former comrade‑in‑arms of Robin, now a formidable figure, looks at him with a mix of complex envy and unwillingness.

He once stood at the Legendary Peak, touching the threshold of Order, and was regarded as the Western Frontier's most promising breakthrough talent.

Yet years later, he remains trapped at the Legendary Peak, while Robin has become a true Order Knight.

Trailing behind Aodomu is Ailina. She looks at the crowd and sneers without mercy: "Madam Aishar is already old, yet still wants an old bull to eat tender grass." Immediately, she puts on a sweet smile and bows respectfully to Viscount Wei Er Ke: "Uncle Wei Er Ke, I have come to see you."

Her gaze inadvertently sweeps over Robin, and a flash of excitement flickers in her eyes.

Viscount Wei Er Ke sees Ailina, and his eyes instantly light up as if two flames ignite in a cold night. He subconsciously smooths his slightly disheveled collar, a rare smile blooming on his face, and his voice softens involuntarily: "It's Ailina, hurry over, hurry over."

In recent years, Ailina often visits the Viscount's residence, accompanying the lady in embroidery and conversation, and learning swordsmanship from Robin; the couple has long silently regarded her as their future daughter‑in‑law. Seeing her arrive now, they are filled with affectionate delight toward the junior.

Ailina bows gracefully, and the Knight Badge at her waist glints with a cold silver sheen in the candlelight.

Viscount Wei Er Ke is about to ask her purpose when she lifts her hand and flicks lightly; a gilded marriage contract snaps open with a "Bang", and the Knight Guild's iconic Sword and Shield emblem shines at its edge: "Uncle Wei Er Ke, I come by the Guildmaster's order—the Knight Guild will dispatch troops to help you defend the city, on the condition that I marry Allen."

The air suddenly solidifies.

The wand in Fengling's hand clatters to the ground with a "Clang".

Aodomu remains calm, watching it all; this is his purpose this time.

"Is the Knight Guild not joking?" Viscount Wei Er Ke's knuckles grip the carved armrest tightly, "Madam Aishar just proposed the marriage, and the Knight Guild follows immediately—what exactly do you want?"

The old noble's murky pupils contract sharply, his gaze darting between Ailina and Fengling as if trying to pierce the conspiracy behind this farce.

"Uncle Wei Er Ke, you may not know," Ailina says, removing her Knight Helmet; her waist‑long silver hair cascades like a waterfall, and her deep‑blue eyes flare with stubborn light, "Allen is now an Order Knight!"

The air freezes instantly. Viscount Wei Er Ke's body trembles violently. He staggers, gripping the table edge, and a incredulous choke rises in his throat: "This cannot be. The Wilk family has a seven‑century lineage, and even the peak‑era Wolfert clan never produced such a one."

"So we must not let him become a political marriage sacrifice!" Ailina slams the gilded marriage contract onto the table; the Sword and Shield emblem glows coldly in the candlelight, "The Knight Guild will offer twelve magical workshops as a dowry, with the entire Western Frontier's glory as guarantee!" She suddenly moves toward Robin, her silver hair fluttering as her sword‑like eyebrows lift, "Or are you scared? Afraid that marrying me will keep you from shedding blood freely on the battlefield?"

Robin is utterly bewildered; after two lifetimes, it's his first time being fought over by a woman.

"I…" his Adam's apple rolls, the words reaching his mouth get tangled in chaotic thoughts.

The Dragon‑slayer Spear in his palm warms slightly, as if mocking his current helplessness.

The flickering Runes on Fengling's wand reflect her flushed cheeks; Ailina's provocative gaze burns like flame, while his father's shocked expression and the distant, faint war drums intertwine, making his temples throb.

Viscount Wei Er Ke coughs violently, reaches to steady himself on the table edge, his murky eyes roiling like stormy seas: "When—when did you breakthrough?"

The old noble's voice trembles off‑key, as if all his strength were suddenly drained.

Ailina gives him no respite; she flicks her silver hair and thrusts the marriage contract before him: "What are you hesitating for? Do you really intend to let that old woman bind your hands and feet?" Her voice carries the Knight's characteristic dashing tone, yet a barely perceptible tension leaks through.

Fengling bites her lip, the wand tracing a hesitant arc in the air, the Runes scattering like tiny streaks of light: "Perhaps… we can deliberate longer."

Robin feels his head about to explode; no memory from two lifetimes ever taught him how to handle such a scene.

Instinctively he grips the Dragon‑slayer Spear tighter; the dragon‑scale pattern on the shaft resonates with the markings on his neck, scorching him with a sudden jolt.

"First, drive back the enemy!" he shouts, turning to charge the city wall; behind him Ailina's light laugh and Fengling's worried murmur mix with his father's complex sigh, exploding behind him into a tangled, scorching mess.

………………

In a secret chamber deep within the Imperial City, draped with heavy crimson curtains, Leibadon is plotting it all. He paces back and forth before a massive empire sand table, the tip of his scepter bearing a fist‑sized ruby that glows with a dim light.

A faint, cold smile curls at his mouth as he calculates how to exploit the plight of the central provinces' nobles to achieve his aim.

Months ago, Leibadon began covertly sending trusted agents to the central provinces, secretly contacting those nobles trapped in desperation.

He knows well these nobles' hunger for land and wealth; a little incitement will make them pounce on prey like starving wolves.

He promises them that, if they obey orders and join the westward expansion, success will grant them fertile lands many times their current holdings, along with supreme glory and riches.

Moreover, Leibadon personally steps forward, courting several influential high nobles of the central provinces, forming a secret alliance with them.

At a lavish banquet, Leibadon raises his goblet, his words soaring as he paints the bright prospects of westward expansion: "Ladies and gentlemen, the Western Frontier is in turmoil, a perfect moment for our expansion! The land there is vast and rich, while the local nobles are weak and incompetent. If we unite our efforts, we can bring the West into our grasp, and then we will all become the empire's wealthiest people!"

(End of Chapter)