Chapter 291

Half an hour later, Gervas set out directly.

This time, he was accompanied by three members of the Flight Squad, including Evlan.

In addition, there was Knight Mick.

Originally, Gervas had intended to take Knight Lei Meng with him.

But considering he would be away from Storm Domain for several days, and the recent wave of dark creatures still wandered nearby, it was essential that Lei Meng remain in the domain.

That was why he chose to bring Mick.

Of course, it wasn't to have Mick protect him—rather, once the cavalry were purchased, he would need Mick to lead them back to Storm Domain.

After flying north for over two hours, Gervas and his Magi-Falcon squad landed temporarily.

Because before heading north, he needed to meet Catherine.

Catherine was both surprised and delighted by Gervas's sudden visit.

Upon learning that Gervas's assets had caught the Second Prince's eye, Catherine's eyebrows immediately furrowed.

"Gervas, what do you need me to do?" Catherine knew Gervas had come with a purpose.

"Catherine, I need you to inform the Hernandez family about this—say the Second Prince is interested in the telescope trade, but do it under your own name, since you own half the telescopes!"

"No problem, Gervas. I'll send the message to the Hernandez family right away!" Catherine agreed without hesitation.

"Gervas, what about the magic fans?"

"The magic fans shouldn't be a concern. With the Hernandez family's warning, the Second Prince won't cause further trouble."

Gervas came to Catherine for double insurance.

Though he had dealt with Japas, the Second Prince might send another envoy later.

So since the Second Prince didn't want to offend these great families, Catherine would help get the Hernandez family to warn him.

After all, half the telescopes belonged to Catherine—this warning was perfectly reasonable.

Once warned, if the Second Prince still acted, it would be equivalent to robbing the Hernandez family's heir—surely he'd think twice.

As for the magic fans, though they lacked the Hernandez family's protection, if the Second Prince still sent someone, Catherine could firmly claim they were after the telescopes alone.

Moreover, Gervas believed that if the Second Prince wasn't foolish, he wouldn't bother again now that the Hernandez family had warned him.

At least not until he secured his succession.

After all, the Second Prince surely wasn't so desperate for money that he waited for magic fans to generate profit.

"Gervas, is there anything else I can do for you?" Catherine asked kindly.

"Actually, yes—could I borrow one of your Violet Count's family crest badges?"

"Violet Count's crest badge?" Catherine was surprised; it seemed useless.

Gervas didn't hide it: "Catherine, I'm heading north to buy warhorses and cavalry. You know the nobility's nature—minor nobles won't even look at you properly. I need to borrow your count's crest badge!"

"I guarantee it won't bring any harm to the Violet family."

"No problem, Gervas. I'll have the steward fetch it right away!"

Catherine had no doubt Gervas would misuse the family crest.

So she agreed promptly and ordered the steward to retrieve it from the vault.

"Gervas, why not have dinner here? I'll have the servants prepare it right away!"

Catherine extended the invitation while the steward went to fetch the badge.

It was already evening; dinner would be served in one or two hours.

But unexpectedly, Gervas refused outright.

"Catherine, I'm pressed for time and can't waste a moment. Please understand!"

Hearing this, Catherine's blue eyes immediately filled with disappointment and resentment.

This man had come to her castle so rarely—and now he wouldn't even stay for dinner.

"Catherine, the northern nobles' auction is in three days. Even on Magi-Falcons, I'll arrive just in time—I truly can't delay!"

"I promise, next time I come to Violet Keep, if you allow it, I'll stay for days!"

Catherine's resentment lessened after hearing his explanation.

But her face remained icy: "Who wants you to stay? If this got out, how could I show my face?"

"Uh! Fine! At least let me have dinner next time!"

Gervas was speechless—women in this fantasy world loved double standards.

She stayed at his castle, fine; he stayed at hers, unacceptable. What logic was that?

Just then, the castle steward returned.

Catherine handed Gervas a finely crafted golden crest badge.

"Thank you, Catherine. I'm off!" Gervas was eager.

"Mm." Catherine nodded coolly, then escorted Gervas to the front courtyard.

As Gervas prepared to mount the Magi-Falcon, Catherine couldn't help adding: "Gervas! Be careful!"

"I know!"

Gervas immediately soared into the sky atop the Magi-Falcon.

Catherine stared blankly at the empty sky where Gervas had vanished.

…

For the next three days, Gervas and his men spent all their time traveling.

They only landed to rest, confirming direction and position.

Thus, on the third evening, Gervas's party finally saw Newt City.

Behind Newt City stood a magnificent castle atop the mountains—Darwin Marquis Castle.

This was the destination of Gervas and his group.

Outside the city, Gervas swapped his Chase-Moon for the Magi-Falcon he had brought.

Then he landed his men on a sheer cliff platform beside Darwin Marquis Castle.

Because Gervas had clearly seen several flying beasts land there earlier.

With a rustle, the Magi-Falcons landed steadily on the wide platform.

The servants by the platform quickly rushed forward to hold the reins, while others brought wooden staircases.

Gervas stepped onto the wooden steps and descended gracefully to the ground.

Once steady, Gervas glanced around—he realized the north truly was the Empire's old stronghold.

On the platform's edge, large cages held over a dozen flying beasts.

Though Magi-Falcons dominated, there were also two third-tier griffins and one second-tier creature resembling an owl.

These were clearly noble mounts—rarely seen in the southern regions.

"Honored guest, welcome to Darwin Marquis Castle. May I ask which family you hail from? I must register you before guiding you to rest within the castle."

Though Gervas and his men were dusty and dressed plainly, unlike the usual high nobles,

the five Magi-Falcons alone revealed their strength.

After all, nobles who used flying beasts as mounts were few.

This young man, even his subordinates rode Magi-Falcons—he was clearly no ordinary person.

"I am Gervas, from the Violet Count family in the south." Gervas handed over the golden Violet family crest.

"The south? A count's family?" The steward paused.

"What? Is there some rank restriction for this auction?" Gervas frowned.

"No, no, no, honored guest, please don't misunderstand. It's just that your arrival from the south took me by surprise. Thank you for enduring the journey—it is an honor to Darwin Marquis Castle!"

The steward then registered the name according to the inscription on the back of the crest—naturally, he recorded "Gervas."

Whether Gervas truly belonged to the Violet family didn't matter.

Especially at such an auction—only the crest counted.

For private banquets, invitations were required to verify identity and keep out imposters.

But Gervas's display was too grand—five Magi-Falcons were like five Maybachs in the old world, eliminating any chance of fraud.

The real reason the steward had paused was Gervas's count rank.

Because few count families carried such a display.