ric''s eyes were filled withplex emotions. He had so many words to tell him, but they seemed stuck in his throat.


    "You tter me, Sir Rnd. Why don''t we head in first? As for your men, I''ll send someone to arrange their amodation."


    Rnd was surprised by his friendliness and he had this weird feeling as if they had known each other for a long time. He couldn''t point his fingers as to why he had this reaction upon his first encounter with ric.


    "Alright. I''ll take you up on that offer." Rnd nodded with a faint smile.


    Before heading inside the mansion, ric told Aliya to practice by herself. He had already taught her the basic principles of shing so she only needed toprehend the movements on her own.


    A whileter, ric brought Rnd to the spacious guest hall and he even asked the servants to prepare a sumptuous meal for him and his subordinates.


    After taking their seats, ric was the first to open his mouth. "So can you tell me why someone from the central area hase to visit our small town?"


    Hearing this, Rnd''s expression turned serious as he adjusted his sitting posture. "My lord, I won''t hide it from you then…"


    He paused as if he was gathering his thoughts before he continued.


    "I don''t know if you have already heard about this… His Majesty is not in good health. It''s been months since he was bedridden. The imperial physicians provided him with numerous treatments, but nothing worked."


    By this point, Rnd shook his head with a grim look.


    "The empire''s upper echelons are getting restless because of this and there are even rumors of rebellion among a small group of nobles. To prevent chaos from happening, His Highness, the crown prince, is gathering the loyal subjects of the empire to rise into arms and protect Astania from the traitors."


    "We have gathered…"


    Rnd disclosed the existence of a force behind the crown prince, but he didn''t tell him their most important secrets. After all, ric was only a prospective ally.


    ric remained silent as the other partyid down everything on the table.


    They were very sincere in their invitation. This was also why he joined the crown prince''s army in his past life. Their sincerity moved him.


    However, he wouldn''t make the same choice this time because he had seen the results of that choice and it was something that he didn''t want to witness again.@@novelbin@@


    "This is a very important matter, Sir Rnd. I can''t decide on my own."


    ric didn''t give him an answer right away.


    "Why don''t we take things slowly while I discuss this with the baron? Your group can stay here in the meantime. I''m sure you guys will love the naturalndscapes here."


    Rnd didn''t make things difficult for him so he nodded with a smile. "Alright. Thank you for letting us stay here, my lord."


    ric waved his hand. "It''s just a minor matter."


    About twenty minutester, a servant came to inform him that the food was ready to be served to the guests.


    "Sir Rnd, I have prepared a sumptuous meal for you and your men. You guys should eat first since you traveled a long way to get here. I also need to speak with the baron about the information you told me." ric had to inform his parents about the situation.


    Rnd couldn''t bring himself to reject the offer. Besides, his men haven''t eaten anything since they came to North Pine Town. "Alright. I hope to hear the good news from you soon, my lord."


    Hearing this, ric didn''t say anything and just chuckled.


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    "I''ll take my leave first. Please enjoy your meal." ric stood up and left after excusing himself.


    He immediately sent someone to call his mother before he headed to the baron''s study.


    …


    Knock! Knock! Knock!


    "Come in."


    ric pushed the door open after getting the baron''s approval. He noticed that the butler, Bastian, was there pouring tea for the baron.


    When the old butler saw that it was ric, he respectfully bowed to him.


    ric smiled and nodded at the butler.


    "I heard that we have guests from the central area. Are they the same people who caused a scene at your soap shop?" The baron asked as he pointed the seat in front of his desk.


    ric sat and moved the chair closer. "Yes, it''s them and ording to that person, they are working for the crown prince."


    The baron didn''t respond immediately and motioned to the butler to give ric a cup of tea.


    The butler was quick to react. He grabbed a teacup from the cab next to the window and wiped it clean with a white cloth before cing it in front of ric.


    With practiced movements, he poured tea into the cup.


    While the butler was pouring tea for him, Lucas finally spoke. "The crown prince, huh? I''ve seen him on multiple asions. His Highness doesn''t seem to be a bad person, but he tends to make wrong decisions because of his rash personality."


    This was his impression of the crown prince.


    "He is a charismatic man so I''m sure that many households would support him. Unfortunately, hecks a reliable advisor." He sighed and shook his head.


    The imperial family was full of intrigue. He was once scouted by the emperor two decades ago, but Lucas rejected him and decided to guard the North instead. This was because he didn''t want to be involved with the schemes and plots of the imperial family since his wife was pregnant with ric at that time.


    At this moment, there was a series of knocks on the door.


    Knock! Knock! Knock!


    "Come in."


    Maria stepped inside the room dressed in thick winter clothes.


    She nodded to the butler before she nced at her husband and son.


    "Take your seat. We need your advice on the situation." Lucas pointed to the seat opposite ric.


    Maria flicked her hair as she elegantly took her seat. "What''s the matter?"