Chapter 61

At this moment, Keller felt that Rod's identity was becoming increasingly mysterious. At first, he did not take Rod's noble status too seriously, as nobles were also divided into different ranks, and often, as long as one had money, they could obtain a low-level noble title. Moreover, he heard that Rod came from the Eastern Mountain Plateau, a place that was traditionally ancient and isolated, with its own system. Therefore, Keller did not pay much attention to this matter. However, now, he had to change his views. No matter what, being able to meet someone from the Senea family was definitely not something an ordinary noble could achieve. The Senea family had vast influence throughout the entire Moon Principality, and although the Keller family was also wealthy, compared to the former, they were like a small fish struggling for survival by the side of a large fish, only able to survive by eating shrimp.

Keller had naturally heard of Marin Senea's name, a rare magical genius in the family, who had already reached the mid-rank realm at a young age, with a promising future. There were even rumors that she might join the royal court's mage guard in the future. Such a person was certainly not easy to deal with, and now seeing her standing behind Rod, did this imply that Rod's status was even higher than hers?

If Marin knew what Keller was thinking at this moment, she would probably turn around and give him a few fireballs to wake him up, as he was so disrespectful. In fact, she stood behind Rod merely to conveniently whisper to Lige, and as for status... at least Marin believed she was higher than everyone present, wasn't she?

Unaware of this, Keller became even more respectful, inviting the three of them to take their seats with a soft voice. His behavior also sparked much discussion among the guests, as Keller was a significant figure in Deepstone City, and it was rare for him to be so humble, making everyone even more curious about Rod and the others' identities.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Keller arranged their seats next to Serek, and upon seeing Rod and the others, the master swordsman smiled and stood up to greet them.

"Hello, Mr. Rod, I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Hello, Mr. Serek."

Rod shook Serek's extended hand and nodded slightly.

"If it weren't for Mr. Keller's invitation, I wouldn't have had the chance to come here."

"Oh, is that so?"

Hearing Rod's response, Serek smiled but did not say much more. Then, he looked at Marin, who was standing beside Rod, with a slightly reproachful gaze.

"I've heard from Hank, Miss, your decision was... somewhat..."

"I don't think I did anything wrong, Uncle Serek."

Marin lifted her chin proudly.

"You know, Father sent me here to receive training. But I was always confined to the house, which did me no good. I believe Mr. Rod can help me, so I chose to join his mercenary group, and we completed the mission smoothly. Everything was perfect, wasn't it?"

"If something happens to you, I don't know how I can explain it to your father."

Serek smiled bitterly and shook his head, but Marin clearly did not appreciate his concern.

"I made my own decision, and I will explain it to Father myself."

She answered with a hint of dissatisfaction, then turned and left, pulling Lige's hand.

"Ah... what a headstrong young lady..."

Serek sighed helplessly as he watched Marin leave, then turned to look at Rod.

"I entrust that child to you, Mr. Rod. I hope you will take good care of her. The young lady has abilities, but her personality is too proud. It's no wonder, given her talent and strength. However, in this world, talent and strength are not everything. If she continues like this, I fear she will suffer."

At this point, Serek leaned closer to Rod and lowered his voice.

"By the way, we recently received some strange intelligence. The spies of the Light Kingdom are looking for a young man with black hair who can summon strange spirits."

Hearing this, Rod raised an eyebrow but did not speak, as Serek clearly had more to say.

"Do you have any issues with them?"

Serek's tone was calm, but his eyes carefully examined Rod, trying to discern any signs from his composed face.

But in response to Serek's probing, Rod simply shrugged and shook his head.

"It's hard to say right now, Mr. Serek."

Rod narrowed his eyes and gave an ambiguous answer.

"I don't think I've done anything that warrants such attention."

Hearing Rod's response, Serek fell silent for a moment, then his lips curled into a smile, and he patted Rod's shoulder.

"I understand. Don't worry; this is not the Light Kingdom, and those bastards won't dare to act openly. It's always better to be cautious. Also, I hope that whatever issues you have with the Light Kingdom, you don't involve Marin. Her status is sensitive, and although the problems between the principality and the Light Kingdom have been ongoing for a long time, it's best not to escalate things."

Hearing Serek's words, Rod sighed inwardly. The complex relationship and grievances between the Moon Principality and the Light Kingdom had lasted for many years. Although they were in the same alliance, the conflicts between them were deep. The root of the problem could be traced back to a long time ago.

The Light Kingdom, though nominally a country, was more like a federation. When the country was founded, the first Light Dragon formed a council, with thirteen lords from different territories participating, ultimately forming a centralized government. In opposition to the authoritarian rule of the Dark Night Dragon, the Light Dragon chose a different path, decentralizing all power to the council, where any matters concerning the country were decided by collective vote.

However, the Moon Principality was an exception.

In terms of its system, the Moon Principality was vastly different from the Light Kingdom, and could even be said to be closer to their mortal enemies, the Night Kingdom. Additionally, the Moon Principality's geographical advantages were significant, serving as the gateway to the Light Kingdom, with a well-connected network of rivers and lakes ensuring its prosperity. Not to mention the discovery of large quantities of magic crystals, which made the Moon Principality's wealth enviable.

The Light Kingdom had always been envious of the Moon Principality's many advantages and had tried various methods to make their relationship "closer." On the other hand, they were also dismissive of the Moon Principality's achievements, believing that their adoption of the Night Kingdom's evil and tyrannical governance would ultimately drag the entire country into the abyss. Therefore, the Light Kingdom often spoke condescendingly about the Moon Principality, criticizing them and portraying them as a haven for criminals, whose wealth was obtained through evil plunder. In contrast, the Light Kingdom portrayed itself as a righteous savior, trying to "rescue" this "evil neighbor" from the "mire of sin" and live a life like theirs. However, the Moon Principality repeatedly rejected the Light Kingdom's "kindness," much to their frustration.

For the Moon Principality, this was like being hit while lying down. They asked themselves, why were they being despised by the Light Kingdom when they had not stolen, forced, or tricked anyone? Was it wrong to live well? What kind of logic was that?

Thus, the people of the Moon Principality had no good feelings towards the Light Kingdom. Moreover, the Light Kingdom, relying on the protection of the Light Dragon, acted like a savior, which also caused them much resentment.

Furthermore, the Light Kingdom had never stopped its covert actions against the Moon Principality, always hoping to topple the current "disobedient" leader and incorporate the entire territory into the Light Kingdom, allowing their people to enjoy the "true light of freedom."

Due to this relationship, conflicts between the two countries were frequent, and such matters were often resolved privately, so Serek did not see it as a big issue.

However, only Rod knew that this time, the Light Kingdom was playing with fire.

Elegant music filled the air.

After thanking Serek, Rod walked to the window, holding a glass of wine, his expression grave as he gazed at the night view outside.

For a moment, he considered revealing everything, the Light Kingdom's plot, the current situation, and what might happen in the future. But in the end, he said nothing to Serek. The matter was too significant, and without evidence, it was baseless. Rod himself could not provide any evidence, and speaking now would only bring him unnecessary trouble.

"Mr. Rod?"

At that moment, Lige's voice suddenly sounded, and she came to Rod's side, looking at him with concern.

"Is something wrong? Your expression isn't good."

"Indeed, something has happened."

Rod drained the glass of fine wine, but the sweet and rich flavor did not alleviate his inner frustration.

"Do you remember those guys we met in the Twilight Forest? According to Serek, they seem to have followed us here."

"Ah?!"

Hearing this, Lige's face turned pale, and she clutched her hands tightly, clearly very shocked.

"Who are those guys? Why are they following us here?"

"Based on what Serek said, they are most likely spies from the Light Kingdom."

Rod snorted, his right hand gripping the glass tightly.

If there was one thing Rod hated the most in this world, it was the Light Kingdom. Although the Night Kingdom was the instigator of the war, they were enemies, and being defeated and occupied was just bad luck. But being betrayed by someone weaker was a great humiliation.

Rod did not yet have the strength to confront the Light Kingdom, but since they were so considerate as to send some appetizers to warm him up, he had no qualms about swallowing them whole, bones and all.

At that moment, the music suddenly stopped.

Rod and Lige turned around, puzzled, and saw that the others in the hall were also looking at the door with surprise and confusion.

To be precise, they were looking at a young man standing at the door.

He was dressed in a white suit, holding a black cane, and his handsome face wore a superior smile. Behind him, two servants of the Keller family stood with disheveled appearances, looking quite miserable.

"Mr. Billy."

As the atmosphere became somewhat strange, Keller stepped out from the crowd. Seeing the young man, he was slightly taken aback, then hurriedly approached him.

"I never expected you to come. I apologize for not greeting you properly."

"There's no need to apologize to me, Mr. Kellert."

The young man named Billy smiled and raised his hand. Although his voice was not loud, it echoed throughout the hall.

"I just had a sudden urge to come and see, and I hope you won't mind my uninvited visit."

"That's not the case at all."

Keller's smile did not waver, and for a family head who had risen through business, a fake smile was a natural skill.

"I was worried that Mr. Billy would find such a banquet too modest and not come, which was my oversight."

"Who is this guy?"

Looking at the young man, Rod frowned. He did not remember such a person in Deepstone City.

"That's the envoy from the Light Kingdom."

Hearing Rod's mutter, a nearby noble answered. From his tone, it was clear he had no good feelings towards this so-called "envoy."

"He came to Deepstone City a week ago, but I don't know what he's up to. Hmph... those Light Kingdom guys never do anything good."

The envoy from the Light Kingdom?

Rod and Lige exchanged glances, and the latter shook her head, clearly having never heard of such a person.

"Never mind, Mr. Keller. In fact, I came here for someone."

The young man smiled and turned, walking into the crowd, then shook a woman's hand.

"Beautiful lady, we meet again."

"Spit!"

Rod spat out the wine he was drinking, and Lige, standing beside him, covered her mouth with both hands, staring in surprise at the young man and Marin standing before him.

The girl's face was already ashen.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.

!.