Chapter 41: Fula Breaks Through to Great Knight Realm

The turmoil caused by Baron Carter temporarily subsided, and Vanguard Valley returned to its former bustle and order.

The minotaur Talos and his eighteen clansmen were now the most eye-catching force on the construction site.

They were taciturn, but their strength was astonishing.

Huge stone materials were as light as nothing in their hands.

"Faster, move that stone to the wall foundation."

Talos commanded a slightly thinner clansman in a muffled voice.

"Be careful, don't smash your feet."

Another minotaur responded in a low voice.

"Understood, Brother Talos."

Their communication was simple and direct, carrying the dullness belonging to their race, yet also revealing a simple concern.

Talos would occasionally raise his head and look toward the temporary Lord's wooden house in the distance, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Submitting to humans was not his wish.

But here, his clansmen could at least eat their fill and were no longer bought and sold at will like goods; this was already a rare stability.

Inside the study of the Lord's wooden house, the atmosphere appeared somewhat heavy.

Roko tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his gaze falling on the simple map spread out.

Martina stood to the side, her snow-white fox ears drooping slightly, her small face full of seriousness.

"The Kingdom Investigation Team will definitely come."

Martina's voice carried a hint of imperceptible worry.

"Baron Carter was a noble conferred by the Kingdom after all; dying unclearly, especially after having a conflict with us, it is impossible for the Royal Capital not to react."

Roko nodded, his expression calm.

"This is expected."

"The key lies in how to respond."

Martina's pure white eyes flashed with the light of wisdom.

"We must unify our statements and push everything onto the 'horse bandits'."

"The battlefield has been cleaned up, and the two barons have taken away everything that could expose our identities."

"As long as we insist on our ignorance, they have no direct evidence, so it will be very difficult to convict us."

"But..."

She changed the subject.

"The people from the investigation team won't be fools; they will definitely suspect us."

Roko's expression was calm.

"Suspicion is inevitable."

"Therefore, our response cannot be all lies."

Martina looked at Roko, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Roko explained.

"We must admit the conflict with Baron Carter and admit the contradictions between us."

"We can even appropriately express our regret for Baron Carter's unfortunate death."

"Mixing truth with lies is the hardest to see through."

"If they want to investigate, let them investigate."

"Everything in Vanguard Valley can be put out in the open for them to see."

"Except for the truth of that night."

Martina pondered for a moment and nodded.

"Understood, I will prepare the corresponding rhetoric and evidence."

"Must make everything look seamless."

On the open space outside the study, Fula was diligently cultivating the 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】.

Pale red Battle Qi flowed around her, sometimes condensing, sometimes dispersing.

Every breath and inhalation carried a unique rhythm.

Within her petite body, it seemed to contain astonishing energy.

Sweat soaked her bangs, and her silver-gray cat ears twitched, showing her focus and effort.

She wanted to become stronger.

Only by becoming stronger could she better protect her master and not drag him down.

Time passed quietly in this busy and potentially tense atmosphere for half a month.

On this day, Fula was conducting her daily cultivation.

Suddenly, the Battle Qi around her fluctuated violently.

The pale red light suddenly became scorching, as if an invisible Flame Griffin was spreading its wings and wanting to cry out behind her.

An aura far exceeding the peak of Knight spread from her small body.

Breakthrough!

Great Knight Initial Stage!

Fula slowly opened her eyes, joy and determination flashing in her heterochromatic eyes.

She felt the brand-new power surging within her, and her small fist couldn't help but clench.

At the same time, Roko also felt that energy fluctuation.

He walked out of the wooden house, looked in Fula's direction, and a hint of approval appeared in his eyes.

As expected of SSS-grade talent.

In this half month, he had also relied on the 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】 and continuous effort to successfully break through to the Knight Mid-stage.

But compared to Fula, this speed was simply not worth mentioning.

The construction of Vanguard Valley had also made significant progress in this half month.

The foundation of the castle had been completely stabilized, and the first layer of stone walls had been piled up to a considerable height.

The planned farmland, workshops, and residential areas were basically completed.

Although the details were still rough, the entire territory had broken away from the chaos of the early days and showed vitality.

The calm did not last long.

This afternoon, the scout responsible for vigilance hurried to report.

A massive team with clear banners appeared on the horizon to the east of Vanguard Valley.

They are here.

Roko understood.

He took Hart, Fula, and a team of personal guards and climbed the newly built simple watchtower at the valley entrance.

The team in the distance was getting closer, its style and majesty far from what the troops of local nobles like Baron Carter could compare to.

At the very front of the team were a dozen knights wearing uniform bright silver armor.

Their warhorses were exceptionally spirited, and their steps were neat and uniform.

A flag embroidered with the Black Kingdom's golden lion and crown fluttered in the wind in the center of the team, emitting unquestionable majesty.

Under the flag was a gorgeously decorated carriage pulled by four pure black warhorses.

On both sides of the carriage were dozens of knights with condensed auras.

Their equipment was not as refined as the knights at the very front, but the iron-blooded murderous aura they exuded signaled that they were all battle-hardened elites.

Roughly estimated, the number of people in this team exceeded a hundred, most of whom possessed the strength of Great Knight level.

And the leading knight of the team made Roko's eyes narrow slightly.

That was a man who looked about thirty years old, with a cold expression and eyes as sharp as a hawk.

He wore a bronze-colored heavy knight armor; the style of the armor was ancient and heavy, with the emblem representing the Kingdom's direct knight order embedded on his chest.

【Name: Karen Wasi】

【Level: Bronze Rank Knight Mid-stage】

【Talent: A-】

【Status: Vigilant, Scrutinizing】

【Favorability: 10】

【Loyalty: 0】

Bronze Rank Knight.

This strength was already far beyond Hart, who was at the peak of Great Knight.

The Kingdom Investigation Team was here for the matter of Baron Carter.

And they arrived directly at Vanguard Valley.

Clearly, in their view, Roko, who had the most intense conflict with Baron Carter recently and the most motive to take action, was the biggest suspect.

The investigation team stopped a few hundred meters outside the valley entrance.

The leading Bronze Rank Knight Karen had a calm gaze, scanning the budding Vanguard Valley and Roko's group on the watchtower.

His eyes carried undisguised scrutiny and majesty.

"Hart, pass the order, open the valley gate, and welcome the Kingdom Investigation Team."

Roko ordered calmly.

"Yes, Young Master."

Hart took the order and left.

Soon, the heavy wooden gate of Vanguard Valley slowly opened.

Roko took Fula and a few guards, walked down the watchtower, and came to the valley entrance.

Karen dismounted, and the dozen silver-armored knights behind him also dismounted in unison, their movements neat and uniform, their momentum aggressive.

"You are Roko Raymond?"

Karen's voice was low and powerful.

Roko nodded slightly.

"It is I, welcome to Vanguard Valley, lords of the Kingdom Investigation Team."

His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and his face even carried a just-right smile.

Karen's cold gaze lingered on Roko's young face for a moment, as if wanting to see something from it.

But all he saw was calmness and composure.

"I am ordered to come here to investigate the case of Baron Carter of New Moon Town being attacked and killed."

Karen got straight to the point.

"I heard that Young Master Roko had some unhappiness with Baron Carter some time ago, so I came to ask about some situations."

"I hope Young Master Roko will cooperate."

Roko smiled.

"Cooperating with the Kingdom's investigation is the duty of every noble."

"You lords have traveled far, it's been hard work; why not enter the valley to rest for a while? If you have any questions, I will definitely know everything and speak everything."

Karen pondered for a moment and nodded.

"Very well."

The investigation team entered Vanguard Valley.

They did not start questioning immediately but settled down in the temporary residence arranged by Roko. ===== CHAPTER 42 =====