"I don't want you at the ceremony. In fact, you must leave Starfall City by tomorrow afternoon. If you're still here after that… I'll have you executed."

Aaron's mood turned incomparably gloomy, but he kept his composure and replied in a slightly hoarse voice, "Understood, Lord Alaric. I'll leave by tomorrow afternoon."

As he turned to leave, Alaric added coldly, "Someone of your status is unworthy of living in my castle. Take your belongings and get out."

Aaron walked out calmly.

His eyes were red, and his fists clenched tightly.

He swore to himself, "Duke Alaric… one day, I'll return this humiliation a hundredfold."

With that vow burning in his heart, he returned to his room.

He packed his belongings, taking the bow, his reward for slaying thousands of undead.

He strapped on his sword, carefully fastened the dagger at his waist, and left the room without looking back.

As Aaron left the castle, no one stopped him.

He walked steadily toward Carpenter Road, heading for the Ravenscar shop.

Upon entering, a young boy approached and asked, "Sir, are you looking for the boss?"

Aaron nodded.

The boy smiled and said, "He's working in the backyard. I'll go call him."

With that, he ran off.

Aaron found a seat and settled down.

His mind began to turn, quiet, focused, and strategic.

"I'll buy slaves with useful skills, craftsmen, blacksmiths, tailors. Then I'll gather resources: food, cloth rolls, needles, hammers, tongs…"

A few minutes later…

Torvald entered the room, wiping his face with a towel.

With a smile, he said, "Aaron, how come you're here? Aren't you busy pleasing Miss Alice?"

Aaron looked at him and replied in a low tone, "Can we find a quiet place to talk?"

Torvald noticed the shift in Aaron's expression, it wasn't right.

He nodded and led him into his work office.

As usual, the room was cluttered with dry leaves, each covered in sketches and ideas.

Aaron sat down and spoke softly, "Torvald… I failed to win Miss Alice's hand. I have until tomorrow noon to leave this place."

Torvald was stunned.

He asked seriously, "Did the parachute test fail?"

Aaron shook his head, "No. The test passed. The reason… is my background."

Torvald paused, recalling something, "Aaron… you're from the Riverbend Kingdom, right?"

Before he could finish the thought, Aaron said quietly, "My mother was a slave. My father, a Baron in name only."

He fell silent.

Torvald understood immediately.

He muttered, "So Duke Alaric discovered your identity and…"

Aaron interrupted, "Exactly. I was driven out of the castle, without even the chance to attend the marriage ceremony."

Torvald was stunned.

He asked, "Does Miss Alice know about your background?"

Aaron nodded, "She does. That's why she called me a liar."

Torvald took a deep breath.

Then, with a firm voice, he said, "So Aaron… what do we need to prepare?"

Aaron felt a wave of relief, "Torvald, you should think twice. I thought that if I married Alice, I'd have guards to protect us at Green Fort. But now… I'm alone."

Torvald raised his voice, "What do you take me for? Aaron, do you consider me your friend?"

Aaron nodded.

Torvald grinned, "Good. Then don't whine like a girl. I'll follow you to your territory. Just promise me, you won't treat me like those nobles do."

Aaron smiled faintly and replied, "I have ideas I'll share with you soon. But don't worry, I'll never treat you like they did."

Torvald felt a wave of relief in his heart.

He said quickly, "We don't have time. Since the Duke asked you to leave by tomorrow noon, I need to sell this shop. Don't worry, I've already found a buyer. I'll finalize the deal today. But for now, let's go meet the ship's captain."

Aaron blinked.

"Captain?"

Torvald smiled, "Of course. We'll be traveling by ship, so it's important to understand the route. Follow me."

He led the way through the backyard.

The area opened up into a wide space, with a waterway stretching all the way to the Blue Sea.

Three boats were docked nearby, gently rocking in the current.

Torvald led Aaron directly onto one of the ships.

On deck, a group of sailors had formed a circle, cheering loudly.

"Come on, Jack! You've got this!"

"Hey Blake, I bet a bottle of rum on you, don't lose, you bastard!"

"Jack, show them who's boss!"

"Jack! Jack! Jack!"

"Blake! Blake! Blake!"

Amid the chaos, near the steering wheel, sat a man in a trench coat, a wide-brimmed hat tilted over his face.

He was snoring loudly, a half-empty bottle of rum resting beside his chair.

His skin was tanned, his hair wild and thick, and his appearance, average but rugged.

This was the captain of the ship, Monga.

Torvald ignored the cheering sailors and led Aaron straight to Captain Monga.

Aaron looked puzzled as he saw the man snoring in his chair, wondering how Torvald planned to wake him.

Torvald didn't hesitate.

"Captain Monga, wake up. I have something important to discuss."

Monga stirred, opened his eyes, and said in a dazed voice, "Boss… is that you?"

But in the next moment, he sat up instantly he hadn't been asleep at all.

Torvald got straight to the point.

"Captain Monga, the man beside me is Baron Aaron. We'll be leaving for Green Fort by tomorrow noon, or earlier. I need to know if you're familiar with the route."

Monga's expression shifted.

The mention of Green Fort wiped away any trace of sleep.

It was a forbidden zone, avoided by most.

Still, he replied, "Boss, I know the route to Green Fort. But you must be mentally prepared. We may encounter monsters in the water, especially near the fort."

"We'll need soldiers with Knight-level strength to protect us. If our luck turns bad… we might not even make it."

He paused, then turned to Aaron.

His voice was low, almost philosophical.

"Mr. Baron… when a ship is sinking, what should a captain do?"

"Should he drown with it, or find another ship to sail?"

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