It's been quite a while since they got married, and he had never seen her so fond of dressing up...

...

The luncheon was held in the manor's dining room.

The dining table here was exquisitely and meticulously set up, with a linen tablecloth covered with a sumptuous feast, including roasted squab, honey-glazed venison leg, fresh vegetable salad, and sweet wine brewed from wild berries specific to the Silver Pine Forest.

On both sides of the spacious dining room, musicians holding instruments provided accompaniment.

Grand Duke Edward sat at the head of the banquet table, with his sister Erin on his left, and the most esteemed guest of Campbell Duchy, Mr. Colin, on his right.

As for the manor's host Ges himself, he was rather squeezed into the fourth position.

However, Ges himself had no complaints about such an arrangement, as dining at the same table with the Grand Duke was already a great honor for him.

Furthermore, there was even an imperial prince's eldest son accompanying them.

From the beginning of the banquet, Ges had been doing his utmost to curry favor with the Grand Duke, either bragging about his achievements in the Baron Territory or seizing every chance to extend compliments.

However, facts proved that his flattery hadn't hit the mark, merely brushing aside the straw next to the horse's hoof.

The honorable Grand Duke Edward was lost in his thoughts, clearly not interested in those bragged achievements, his interest far lesser than even the honey-glazed venison leg.

As for Luo Yan, he looked at Princess Erin, who seemed to have recovered from a severe illness, and asked with concern.

"Your Highness Erin, do you feel a bit better?"

"I'm feeling much better, thank you for your concern." Perhaps because her brother was beside her, Erin appeared very reserved, as if returning to the time of their first meeting.

Nonetheless, a person's eyes don't lie.

Luo Yan could clearly sense her stealing glances at him every now and then, leading Youyou, who was quietly observing beside them, to giggle continuously.

Edward seemed troubled by Ges Baron's constant chatter and finally interrupted the latter's incessant talk.

"Mr. Ges, I'm not interested in how you've personally intervened to stack two frigid cows together; perhaps you'd rather speak of your experiences yesterday, such as your observations in the Demon King's castle, or how you were rescued."

"No problem, Your Majesty!" Seeing Grand Duke Edward uninterested in his topic, Ges immediately shifted the focus from his 'dedication and governance' to his 'heroic valor.'

As for why he didn't win, he blamed the incompetence of the tenant farmers in Silver Pine Town, who were frightened out of their wits by the demons of Beifeng City.

The experience of capture was glossed over quickly, and he moved on to the experiences after being captured. However, when he spoke of the Demon King's castle under Beifeng Mountain, a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

This was a topic he had been deliberately avoiding ever since returning from the northern part of Silver Pine Forest.

That being, the refugees who had lost their lord were surprisingly living well on the Demon King's territory.

They hadn't starved to death.

On the contrary, they even began to question the majesty of Saint Sith, which was often something only the well-fed people dare to do.

He could be certain that His Majesty would not like hearing this, so he changed angles.

"Those demons are using peculiar machines."

"Peculiar machines?" Grand Duke Edward raised an eyebrow, a strange expression appearing on his face, and he even paused his cutlery.

Seeing His Majesty seemingly interested, Ges Baron immediately began elaborating vividly.

"That's right, those are machines I've never even seen in Thunder City! There are disks that can swiftly cut wood, and iron hands that can lift stones onto rooftops, which are somewhat like dwarf crafts, yet completely different. I can't help but wonder if they've joined forces with followers of the Mechanical God!"

Listening to Ges Baron's description, Grand Duke Edward's expression grew increasingly surprised, followed by a furrowed brow.

"Is that so? That is indeed a serious matter."

"Exactly, especially since those fellows have also enslaved the Kingdom's refugees, forcing them to help forge weapons," Ges Baron hurriedly added, "Your Majesty, I suggest you seize this opportunity to resolve them once and for all, while they haven't yet fully developed!"

Edward pondered for a long time and gave a rather ambiguous response.

"Let's discuss this again."

To be honest, it is indeed a hidden danger, but the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range is, after all, outside Campbell Duchy's borders.

Moreover, compared to launching an attack, waiting for those demons to come here is evidently more in his interest.

Let's wait a while longer.

Seeing Grand Duke Edward lacking interest in his urging, Ges Baron dared not bring up the matter again and became even more steadfast in his idea to sell off the land usage rights he held.

He wouldn't wait until the demons came charging over before fleeing.

He would never want to relive yesterday's experience again in his lifetime...

...

After the luncheon ended, Grand Duke Edward left the manor and went to the military camp stationed near the manor.

Due to the cancellation of military action, the purpose of this gathering had shifted from aiding the Baron Territory to a deterrent-oriented exercise.

A two-thousand-strong army assembled into formations, conducting drills in a style unique to the fantasy world.

Including but not limited to joint casting by chanting groups, Griffin knights skimming low over the ground, and heavy cavalry with light spears charging under the blessing of holy light.

Luo Yan spotted Charles among the crowd, yet the latter seemed oblivious to him, focused on commanding the troops.

Not only Luo Yan was there to watch the spectacle; farmers near the manor and servants within the manor stood at a distance watching the showy knights, expressing admiration.

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