Chapter 25: Unexpected Hospitality

Led by Andeliya and the others, Luoning walked into Lakeside Castle.

The noble castles of this world are generally divided into three structures: the inner, the outer, and the fortress.

The outer castle focuses on defense; it contains sturdy city walls, gates, defensive works, traps, and the like. Many houses where the servants of noble families live are also built between the outer castle and the inner castle.

Passing through the inner city gate, one enters the inner castle. This is where the noble lords usually live, and the environment is naturally a grade higher than that of the outer castle.

The houses where noble lords usually live do not have much defensive power, and some nobles even like to live in houses built entirely of wood.

Therefore, once an enemy attack occurs or the castle is assaulted, the nobles will hide inside the fortress.

Besides this, some important occasions are also held in the fortress.

When Luoning first transmigrated, the place where the Wushan Family and the Haide Family discussed matters was Wushan Fortress.

It is said that Wushan Fortress was not only built with top-quality stone, but also equipped with defensive Magic Arrays inside. Once activated, even a few Golden Knights working together would find it difficult to break through in a short time.

The scale of Lakeside Castle naturally cannot compare to Wushan Castle, but it should rank among all the baron castles because the water business in Lake Town is good, bringing considerable assets to the Gelin Family.

"Please wait a moment, Lord Luoning. Because we were unprepared, Baron German may need a little time to come over."

After Andeliya instructed a Servant to bring fruit and juice, he exited the fortress.

Luoning sat on a chair, sizing up the surrounding environment.

The furnishings of this fortress hall were full of a rich noble atmosphere. A tall stone fireplace stood on the left side of the hall; once winter arrived and the furnace fire was lit, it would surely warm the entire hall.

Luoning glanced at the chair beneath him; although it was made of wood, it was carved with flowers, and the front ends of the armrests were even gilded?

"This shouldn't be gold, right?"

He picked at it, but it didn't come off.

He tried harder, but felt a bit embarrassed to continue.

Luoning put away his small actions and looked at the high seat in the hall. That chair, which seemed to be made of pure iron, had complex patterns and designs, though he only recognized that the center of the design was a fish.

Besides this, a complete bear skin was spread behind the seat. Looking at that huge and terrifying bear skin head, the creature must have been a powerful Magical Beast during its lifetime.

At this moment, Luoning recalled some past events regarding the baron's family in Lake Town.

It was probably in the winter eighteen years ago that the previous Baron of Lake Town, Luton Gelin, took his wife, son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter out for a hunt.

This is an entertainment activity that many nobles engage in, and some nobles are even tireless in doing so.

But no one expected that on that very day, a huge Level 5 Magical Beast, a Jungle Violent Bear, would appear in the forest that should not have had much danger!

Despite having a Knight Squad for protection, and Baron Luton himself being an Advanced Knight, in that battle, the Jungle Violent Bear almost wiped out the entire Baron of Lake Town's family.

In the end, only German, who was a son at the time, survived, and he is the current lord of Lake Town.

Although this incident was a heavy blow to the Gelin Family, fortunately, German's prestige in the family was not low, and he was very talented in his cultivation, so the situation of the Gelin Family gradually improved.

However, fate was unkind; ten years ago at the Martial Arts Tournament, German faced Baron Leisen of Sain Territory, and in that battle, Baron Leisen severed German's left arm.

The relationship between the two families, which was not good to begin with, deteriorated even further.

German, with his severed arm, was depressed for a period of time, but unexpectedly advanced to become a Bronze Knight, which is why he earned the title of "One-armed Lone Wolf."

"This should be that Level 5 Magical Beast, the Jungle Violent Bear, right?"

Luoning stood up and walked forward to observe.

But just at this moment, a woman's voice came in from the doorway.

"Very happy to see you, Baron of Shanlin Town!"

Luoning turned to look, only to see a noble lady dressed in formal attire walking slowly into the hall. She bowed slightly to Luoning, "Fulawiya Laoli pays tribute to you. Thank you for your help; the bloodline of the Gelin Family was fortunate enough to survive!"

Fulawiya Laoli is the second wife of Baron German.

Behind her, Malike, who had changed into formal attire, also performed a salute.

Luoning felt a bit strange inside. Shouldn't it be Baron German appearing in the hall? Why is it this mother and son?

Although he was puzzled, Luoning still maintained the necessary politeness.

"Greetings to you, Lady Fulawiya."

Fulawiya gestured for Luoning to sit, and then she and Malike sat on the chairs opposite.

"I am very sorry, Lord Luoning. My father's chest wound has not yet healed, and he cannot move freely, so he is unable to come to Lakeside Castle to thank you in person for saving me and my sister."

Luoning feigned realization, then smiled slightly, "The Baron's injury is what matters!"

Earlier outside the castle, Andeliya had told the siblings Malike and Marina that Baron German's injury was already mostly healed. Judging by the relaxed attitude of the other party when speaking at the time, it was estimated that normal movement was completely fine.

But now Malike said that German's injury had not healed and he could not move freely, which was interesting.

What Luoning first ruled out was any drama of the Gelin Family fighting for the position of Baron. After all, German is a Bronze Knight and the combat pillar of the Gelin Family; his death would be a loss for the Gelin Family.

Moreover, German only has one son, which is Malike, and the boy is still young and could not possibly do anything to seize the position of Baron.

That could only mean that Baron German did not want to come out to see him.

Luoning couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, revealing an imperceptible bitter smile. By doing this, it seemed the other party did not want to be associated with him.

Why would this be?

Luoning thought for a moment. The other party was so intentionally avoiding suspicion; it was clearly because he was afraid that the outside world would mistakenly think the Gelin Family wanted to associate with him.

Being on good terms with someone who had been stripped of their inheritance—would this make people mistakenly think the Gelin Family had the ambition to support a new master?

After all, after the old Marquis dies, it is uncertain what the pattern of Wushan Territory will become.

So Luoning guessed that the reason German did not show his face was probably to put on a show for the Haide Family.

"Lord Luoning, thank you very much for this matter!"

Lady Fulawiya's grateful voice interrupted Luoning's train of thought.

"German told me that the roads to Shanlin Town are remote, the land is barren, and resources are scarce. He specifically instructed me to prepare a batch of supplies and money for you, which can both help you build Shanlin Town and also slightly express Lakeside Castle's gratitude to you!"

Luoning pulled himself out of his thoughts and couldn't help but laugh out loud when he heard this.

"Please express my gratitude to Baron German. I believe that with his support, the construction of Shanlin Town will be faster than imagined!"

Whether they meet or not doesn't matter; it's nothing more than losing a bit of face and being laughed at by others after it gets out.

That is not the point; the point is what can be obtained.

Did he not go out of his way to escort the Malike siblings home for exactly this reason?

Fulawiya and Malike exchanged a glance, both surprised that Luoning did not show any displeasure; after all, it was said that Luoning, like his father, had a violent temper and often loved to use foul language.

But at this moment, it did not seem so.

Fulawiya sat up a little straighter, "Considering the barrenness of Shanlin Town, we will provide you with a total of 3,000 jin of grain."

"In addition, hearing from Malike that your team does not have enough horses, we will gift you three extra carriages, plus five ordinary horses, and two Ordinary Warhorses."

"Furthermore, to express our gratitude and also to prevent any needs you might have, we have also prepared 200 gold coins!"

The more Luoning listened, the more comfortable he felt inside.

Although German did not appear, their gratitude was still very sufficient.

The 3,000 jin of grain is easy enough to talk about, the ten horses should add up to 200 gold coins, and with the additional 200 gold coins, the harvest from this trip to Lake Town exceeds 400 gold coins—very profitable!

He could not help but stand up and bow to Lady Fulawiya, "Thank you for your generosity, and please convey my most sincere gratitude to Baron German!"

He added, "If possible, please exchange a portion of the gold coins for copper coins; after all, as you know, in a poor place like Shanlin Town, gold and silver coins are likely not very easy to spend."

Lady Fulawiya and Malike also stood up, "You are very thoughtful."

(End of this chapter)