Chapter 52: The Kingdom

Pu La Da City was worthy of being the provincial capital of Xin Feng Province; the streets were wide, shops were lined up, and people came and went—a scene of prosperity.

Martina's pair of pure white eyes curiously sized up the surroundings, involuntarily flashing with excited light.

They didn't go far, just not far inside the city gate.

An old man dressed in a gray butler's uniform with a gentle temperament was bringing several servants and walking up with a smile.

It was Duke Auston's butler, Philip.

"Young Master Roko."

Philip's voice was gentle and respectful, expressing goodwill just right.

"The Duke has been waiting for a long time."

Roko dismounted and handed the reins to a knight.

"Sorry to trouble Butler Philip to lead the way."

He left the team where they were and, taking only Hart, Fura, and Martina, followed Philip toward the center of the city.

Duke Auston's mansion was located in the most prominent area of Pu La Da City.

With high walls and deep courtyards, it was magnificent, manifesting the owner's power and status.

Passing through layers of courtyards, they arrived at a spacious and bright reception hall.

Duke Auston was sitting in the main seat; he looked even more spirited than when they last met, with a gentle smile on his face.

Beside him stood his son, E Lan, and daughter, Li Li An.

E Lan was tall with a serious face, his eyes carrying a trace of imperceptible scrutiny.

Li Li An was wearing a light yellow long dress, appearing playful and cute; her lively eyes looked straight at Roko.

"Roko, you're here."

Duke Auston stood up to welcome them, his attitude appearing very enthusiastic.

"Sit down quickly."

Roko bowed and sat down in the guest seat with Hart and the others.

Duke Auston's gaze inadvertently swept over Fura behind Roko.

Those heterochromatic pupils, as well as the powerful aura emanating from her body, made his heart stir slightly.

The last time he saw this Cat-kin, she was still a slave maid with no strength.

Now, she had actually reached the Great Knight Initial Stage.

Such a speed of promotion was simply inconceivable.

A glimmer of inquiry flashed in his eyes.

Li Li An, on the other hand, did not hide her curiosity about Roko at all.

She tilted her head, carefully sizing up this young member of the Raymond family.

Especially the Cat-kin Fura and the Fox-kin Martina beside him, which made her feel even more novel.

"Roko, it's been a while, you've changed so much..."

Li Li An's crisp voice rang out, carrying a trace of innocence.

Her eyes looking at Roko carried a clear interest.

Duke Auston noticed his daughter's gaze, as well as the undisguised expression on her face, and his heart sank slightly.

He glared at his daughter, but Li Li An just stuck out her tongue, not caring at all.

E Lan stood to the side, his expression somewhat complex.

As the Duke's heir, he had good talent, and his strength had reached the Great Knight Peak.

But his father seemed to have never shown such high regard as he did toward Roko.

His eyes looking at Roko carried a trace of hidden envy and competitiveness.

Duke Auston spoke, pulling the topic back on track.

"Roko, the Kingdom attaches great importance to the border bandit problem."

"And you happened to wipe out that group of bandits entrenched on the border, removing a scourge for Xin Feng Province."

"You did this matter very well."

Roko sneered in his heart, but his face remained calm.

"The Duke is too kind."

His tone was sincere as he recounted the prepared explanation.

"Those bandits committed many evils on the border of Xin Feng Province."

"As a member of the Raymond family, I naturally have the responsibility to maintain the peace of the border."

"It was just a coincidence that I discovered their nest, so I wiped them out along the way."

He placed the linen bag he brought on the ground, the mouth of the bag slightly open, revealing the blood-stained heads inside.

"These are the heads of the bandit leaders, totaling one hundred and thirty-two."

Duke Auston glanced at those heads, a trace of imperceptible light flashing in his eyes.

One hundred and thirty-two heads—he probably just found a random group of bandits and used their heads as replacements, right?

"Since these bandits are dead, the caravans passing through the border in the future shouldn't be robbed again, right?"

Duke Auston's gaze was fixed tightly on Roko's face.

He wanted to see even a trace of a flaw in Roko's expression.

However, there was no change on Roko's face.

"That is natural."

"That batch of bandits is dead, so the caravans passing through the border of Xin Feng Province naturally won't have any problems."

Duke Auston carefully observed Roko; there was no trace of guilt on his young face, only the composure and responsibility a noble should have.

He sighed inwardly; this Roko was indeed not simple.

He did not continue to ask, nor did he point anything out.

Some things are better understood without being spoken.

"Very good."

Duke Auston nodded, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"I will report your merit in wiping out these bandits to the Royal Capital."

"The Kingdom's commendation will be sent to Vanguard Valley in a while."

Roko stood up and bowed.

"Thank you, Master Duke."

Duke Auston waved his hand, signaling him to sit down.

"Sit down; there are still some things I want to remind you of."

His voice lowered a bit.

"Recently, I have received some not-so-good news."

"The interior of the Orc Wasteland in the Northland seems to be somewhat restless."

"Some large Orc tribes have begun to become unusually active."

He looked at Roko, his eyes carrying a trace of gravity.

"Your Vanguard Valley is located on the border of Xin Feng Province, adjacent to the Orc Wasteland of the Northland."

"In the future, you should still be more careful in your actions."

Roko's heart tightened.

Unusual movements in the Orc Wasteland?

This was no small matter.

"Master Duke, can you tell me in detail?"

"Which Orc tribe is it? What specific unusual movements are there?"

He tried to get more information from Duke Auston.

However, Duke Auston just shook his head.

"The information currently mastered is not much."

"I just felt an unusual aura."

"Specifics still need further investigation."

He did not continue, seemingly not wanting to reveal more details.

Roko knew that Duke Auston being able to tell him this was already very decent.

After all, the threat of the Orc Wasteland was a potential crisis for the entire Xin Feng Province, and even the Black Kingdom.

"Thank you for the reminder, Master Duke."

Roko said seriously.

"I will definitely strengthen the defense of the territory and increase vigilance."

Although this visit did not yield detailed intelligence about the Orc Wasteland, Roko successfully solidified the merit of "bandit suppression" and gained Duke Auston's recognition.

At the same time, he also felt the attitudes of Li Li An and E Lan toward him.

One was curious and interested, while the other was faintly competitive.

When leaving the Duke's mansion, Li Li An specifically walked up and winked at Roko.

"Roko, next time there's a chance, we can play together."

Her voice carried a trace of playfulness.

Roko smiled slightly and nodded.

"Definitely, if there's a chance."

He left the Duke's mansion with Hart, Fura, and Martina.

Martina hugged her ledger, her pure white eyes looking at Roko, and asked in a low voice.

"Next, should we sell the goods?"

Roko glanced at her.

"Of course." ===== CHAPTER 53 =====