Chapter 1

In the dim, damp cave,

the pale candlelight cast a faint glow, illuminating the distorted, sinister figures of a dozen or so people in black robes, writhing on the rock walls...

"Mother of Nature, Queen of the Forest, Source of All Life!"

"I offer you my fervent devotion, the blood of enemies, the flesh of prey, the bones of ancestors!"

"Grant me a bountiful harvest, grant me youth, grant me strength..."

...

The leading figure prayed loudly, using a silver dagger to cut a piece of succulent deer meat and place it on the stone altar.

On the altar, there were large patches of blood, entrails, intestines, and several white bones.

Drops of dark red blood trickled down the cracks of the stone platform.

The scene was bloody, terrifying, and mysterious...

Everything seemed like a ritual performed by some evil deity's followers.

Aaron Soto's expression was devout as he followed the others, but his heart was calm, even a bit amused.

'After sixteen years of reincarnation, I am certain and confident that there are no supernatural powers in this region, including the primitive worship of the Soto family—the pagan deity—the "Grandmother of the Green Banyan Tree."'

'Of course, in this barbaric era where such beliefs are deeply rooted, openly declaring oneself an unbeliever would be foolish. Has any religious reform in history not resulted in deaths? Even in a different world, it's the same!'

'Besides, the high priest of the Soto family is the father of this body, a rigid noble, and I am just the second son. To oppose him and say that the gods are mere illusions... is asking for death?'

'Furthermore, I must admit that religion is very useful for numbing the masses and consolidating feudal rule.'

Therefore, even if it was just for show, Aaron Soto had to follow the others and play the role of the second son of the lord.

He had a head of slightly curly black hair, light purple eyes that seemed to hold boundless wisdom and mystery, a high nose, and lips that often carried a smile. His tall, slender figure made people feel good upon first sight.

Although Aaron sometimes complained about the Soto family name, he was very grateful to be reborn into a noble family.

After all, in this ancient society where infant mortality was extremely high, literacy among the common people was extremely low, and death could come at any time due to a rainstorm or an infected wound, being born a noble meant at least not starving to death and having the opportunity to receive an education.

Because he had lived two lives and had a cautious personality, even as a second son, Aaron lived quite well and, out of fear of dying from illness, insisted on regular exercise, which gave him a strong physique.

As he daydreamed, he followed the large group of black-robed figures, who were actually the high-ranking officials of the Soto territory, to complete the ritual. The group then left the cave one by one.

Whoosh!

Fresh air greeted them, making them want to take a deep breath.

Aaron turned back and saw that the cave was situated beneath a massive banyan tree, its vast canopy blocking out the sky, with numerous aerial roots hanging from the branches, deeply embedded in the stone walls, forming a bizarre symbiotic state.

In the distance, the sun was shining brightly, the sky was clear and blue, and the road, covered in mud and gravel, led to a cluster of European-style buildings primarily constructed of logs, some of which still had bark and sprouting buds.

A gentle breeze blew, and black ravens circled and flew, emitting harsh, unpleasant cries.

A particularly magnificent black raven, with a cylinder tied to its leg, landed on a window of a large stone castle, the central building.

"Raven's cry, an omen of ill fortune, but in this world, ravens are just messengers for the lords, and there is no such superstition of bad luck..."

"The messenger raven has arrived; it seems something has happened in the castle."

Aaron thought casually.

"We're returning to the castle!"

The leading black-robed figure, the high priest who had just presided over the ritual, removed his black robe to reveal a gray wolf-skin coat with a long sword slash mark on the wolf's head and a pair of deer-skin boots. His face was resolute, like granite, and his deep purple eyes gazed in the direction of the castle.

This was Theodore Soto, Aaron's father, the protector of the Lower Green Forest, the lord of the Soto territory, and a stern ruler.

He gave a low, commanding voice, casually tossing the black robe to Aaron without a glance, and mounted his warhorse.

The group quickly left, and a young man with golden hair, in his twenties, turned back, seemingly offering comfort, but also showing off and gloating.

He rode a pure white steed, closely following Theodore, signaling his position as the heir to the territory.

Aaron seemed oblivious, as he had no particular feelings for his half-brother Colin. He quietly waited until the end.

He could sense Colin's faint hostility, but not much, probably because he posed little threat.

After all, as a reincarnated person, being cute and playful as a child would have been awkward, and any emotional bond requires investment and cultivation.

A son raised for over a decade by another family might be closer than a biological son who was never raised.

It was only natural that Theodore would be distant and indifferent to Aaron over time.

However, Aaron did not regret it.

A threatening heir would be a greater challenge for Colin. His younger brother, who broke his leg falling off a horse, was a good example.

Yes, this younger brother was born to Theodore's third wife, Sonia, after his first two wives died in childbirth and from illness, respectively. Sonia not only gave him a son but also a daughter.

Aaron skillfully mounted his own horse and followed the group back to the castle.

At the castle gates, a group of people was already waiting.

Leading them were Theodore's wife, Sonia, and his sister, Ginny, as well as the castle's steward and scholar.

At that moment, the scholar was holding a letter.

Theodore took it and quickly scanned it, his expression turning grim. He said in a low voice, "The Davis family of the Upper Green Forest wants to annul the sacred marriage contract signed under the banyan tree. This is a declaration of war!"

Aaron immediately saw that Colin's proud face seemed to have been slashed.

'Well, after all, it was Colin who was engaged to the Davis family... It's not scientific that I, the reincarnated person, would be the one to be jilted, although... I don't have a fiancée anyway...'

He silently mocked in his heart, looking at Colin with some sympathy.

Even for a reincarnated person, being jilted is a great humiliation, let alone an ordinary teenager.