Rod's words made the faces of the three wildling brothers, Gray Stone, Giant Wood, and Tasa, freeze.

And the face of Prophet Bai Shuang turned pale with a mix of blue and white shades.

Even though he no longer governs the wildlings, he still hopes for their betterment.

"Sorry, please forgive us, truly sorry, Saint Master."

Prophet Bai Shuang hurriedly bowed to explain, his forehead so tense that it was beaded with sweat,

"They just wanted to express their gratitude and momentarily forgot their status."

Rod waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "It's okay, I just found it amusing, you don't need to be nervous, there's no intention to punish anyone.

But if I need a woman, I'll find one directly, there's no need for your contribution."

After Rod's words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Frost Leaf Town no longer distinguishes between wildlings and Imperial people, Durant, Gang Le, and Lawrence still hope Rod's first woman should be an Imperial person.

After all, a young man always remembers his first woman vividly.

Especially Durant.

Although he never said it, he hoped his Lord Baron's first woman would be Avril.

This way, Razor Plain would completely belong to Rod.

After all, in this era, the most commonly used and effective method is marriage.

Avril also breathed a sigh of relief, instinctively letting out a long breath, and moved her chair slightly closer to Rod.

Prophet Bai Shuang also let out a breath, smiling.

He now has little contact with the other three former wildling leaders and didn't know they had made such a foolish decision privately.

"Honorable Saint Master, I have prepared another gift for you."

Prophet Bai Shuang took out an animal skin scroll from his arms and presented it to Rod with both hands.

"Honorable Saint Master, this is a map of the Blade Mountain Range I drew, on which I've marked several wildling tribes."

Prophet Bai Shuang gathered information from the wildlings of three tribes and pieced it together to identify other wildling tribe locations.

Originally, he had planned to present it to Rod after the harvest celebration but now had to act early.

"I think you could incorporate the other wildlings into the land of the Saint Master, allowing them to enjoy such prosperous lives together.

Of course, they might be very foolish, so you may have to use some force."

"Certainly, I also divined in advance, incorporating those wildlings from the Blade Mountain Range would benefit you."

"Alright."

Rod smiled as he took the scroll and put it away, "Okay, let's not waste any more time on this matter."

Rod waved his hand, signaling the wildling brothers to step back, thus ending the farce.

Baron Blom stood up and approached Rod, "Thank you for your hospitality, allowing me to enjoy a banquet as grand as those of my family here."

"There's still a lot missing."

Rod looked at the dining table and couldn't help but sigh, the southern province's fruits were missing, and the drinks were quite simple.

"It's much better than my Ice Blade Valley."

Baron Blom glanced over the feast, put down his wine glass, and took a short knife from his waist,

"I didn't know today was your birthday, and I have no valuable gift to give."

"This short knife has been with me for twelve years, I found it when I was eight, and after polishing and repairs, it's always been by my side."

He placed the short knife horizontally on his palms and offered it to Rod.

"It's not worth much, but I hope it can be a testament to our alliance."

Blom's voice was clear and firm.

"Thank you for your generous gift."

Rod took the short knife with both hands seriously.

The short knife looked ordinary, but if it was as Blom said, it might indeed be valuable.

Rod handed it to the maid Leia to keep, then raised his glass,

"To allies."

"To allies."

This situation made all the subordinates discuss what kind of birthday gift to give Rod.

And Avril was the most reserved, as she had already given Rod her most precious thing, she had nothing else to gift.

Rod didn't want to disturb everyone's interest with this matter, so he took the initiative to say: "Don't discuss what gift to give, I don't need it.

I just need you to work well for me and do your own tasks well."

He raised his wine glass and raised his voice: "Today is the harvest celebration, so let's enjoy and drink heartily!"

"Yes, Lord!"

Everyone responded in unison, and the lively atmosphere spread again.

The atmosphere gradually relaxed, the clamor and laughter rose and fell.

The other soldiers and each captain began to toast Rod, wooden cups clinking and crossing, all with beaming faces.

Rod didn't remember how much he drank, only feeling a headache, and the scene before him began to blur.

As the world spun and his mind became chaotic,

the more he felt alert, as if it was instinct etched into his bones.

He pulled Durant over, leaned slightly, and instructed a few words: "Make the brothers on guard stay vigilant, don't be careless."

Such times often invite trouble.

Rod could no longer hear Durant's response, he could only lean powerlessly against the chair, his eyelids growing heavy.

Durant understood his duties, so he only drank a few cups all night, still sober-minded.

Durant stood up, slightly bowed: "Alright, the Lord is indulging you, but can't you see it for yourselves?"

Most of these soldiers were led out by Durant, so he was naturally more strict with them.

Lord Baron liked to mingle with these soldiers, leaving the tough guy role for Durant to play.

"Don't keep drinking with the lord, go amuse yourselves."

After saying this, Durant waved his hand and called over the maid Leia: "Take the Lord back to the manor to rest."

Leia stepped forward to support Rod, but even with effort, she couldn't move him an inch.

Leia felt a bit embarrassed, her cheeks reddening: "Sorry, Lord Durant, I don't have enough strength."

"Let me do it."

Baron Blom volunteered, but Durant stopped him.

"Honorable Baron Blom, you are a guest, such things should not be done by you, please enjoy the banquet."

Durant said politely yet firmly.

"Let me try then."

Avril volunteered, her eyes showing concern, "I've finished eating."

Durant initially intended to call a guard, but hearing Avril speak, he didn't act and just nodded silently.

Rod was not completely drunk, he just felt dizzy, didn't want to drink more, and just wanted to stay still in the chair.

He sensed two scents approaching him, then felt his arms being lifted, helping him up.

Rod also exerted some force, eventually managing to stand up smoothly.

With the remaining consciousness of sobriety, he could barely control his body.

Avril and Leia supported Rod as they slowly left the square.

The guards, seeing this, immediately stepped forward to lend a hand.

"No need."

Avril shook her head and, without waiting for Leia to speak, volunteered, "We can."

"You just guard well, don't let anyone with ill intentions take advantage and steal."

Just like Rod said, the happier the time, the more cautious one should be.

So Durant did not let all the guards attend the banquet but instead increased the security, dispatching twenty more people to patrol.

The two girls successfully got Rod onto the bed, Rod's weight causing beads of sweat to form on Avril's forehead.

"Thirsty, bring the water."

With his eyes closed, Rod reached out drowsily, fingers grasping at thin air.

Leia quickly picked up the glass of water and handed it to Avril, who was sitting by the bed.

"Here."

Avril said softly, gently handing the water glass towards Rod.

Rod tried hard to open his eyes, his other hand still groping, then pinched something soft and elastic.

"Hmm?"

Rod was puzzled and instinctively pinched again.

He still didn't know what it was and wanted to explore further.

"Ah!"

A surprised exclamation made Rod quickly retract his hand!

Rod forcibly opened his hazy eyes,

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Avril's cheeks were flushed as she handed the water cup to Rod, supporting him with her other arm to bring him to her front.

Rod exerted himself to sit up and took the water glass, drinking a sip, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat.

He exhaled deeply, then lay back down.

He didn't lay back on the original pillow but directly let his head drop onto Avril's lap.

He adjusted his posture a bit, reaching out intending to hold a pillow, but instead, his arm wrapped around Avril's waist, resting on her other leg, and soon he began to snore.

Soft and tender, no pillow was more comfortable than a girl's leg.

Rod's reaction made it evident.

Rod's posture caused Avril's heart to pound intensely, her arm slightly trembling, and the cup in her hand almost spilled on Rod's head.

Leia beside them quickly caught the swaying cup,

"Miss Avril, be careful."

"It's okay."

Avril shook her head slightly, her blush deepening, as she pointed at Rod's shoes with her finger.

Leia nodded slightly, stepped forward to remove Rod's shoes, and then gently covered Rod with a fur blanket.

"Miss Avril, this will be tiring for you."

Leia said softly.

"It's okay, you go ahead."

Avril replied softly, her eyes gentle.

"Yes, Miss Avril."

Leia made a respectful bow and left, her footsteps light as she disappeared behind the door.

After Leia left, Avril carefully placed a pillow behind her back, then leaned against the bedhead, trying to adjust to a comfortable position.

She looked at Rod's handsome face and couldn't resist extending her fair and slender hand to gently play with Rod's golden hair.

This baron, who seemed imposing in others' eyes, was really just a young man barely recently beyond his teenage years, with traces of youthfulness still in his brows.

"Sleep well; you'll be busy again tomorrow when you wake up."

Avril gently stroked Rod's hair, her tone full of tenderness.

Outside the manor, the celebration continued, the noise seeping into the room through the wooden house's vent.

The noise persisted deep into the night, with the bright, full moon already hanging high in the sky.

Avril's eyelids grew heavier, and she unconsciously leaned against the bedpost, her breathing gradually steady and even.

Unaware of how long had passed, Rod felt his lips almost cracking, and his throat ached in bouts due to thirst.

His consciousness gradually recovered, feeling as if he was immersed in a garden, surrounded by a floral fragrance.

Rod moved slightly, something felt off, his left hand lifted just to touch something soft.

That natural curve, that soft touch, inexplicably sped up his heart rate.

"Am I still dreaming?"

Rod wondered, his mind slowly clearing.

Slowly opening his eyes, the surroundings were in darkness, only moonlight spilling in through the vent.

As he gradually saw clearly, he realized the figure beside him—Avril leaning against the bedhead, quietly asleep.

Her steady breaths carried a faint warmth as they brushed against Rod's face, her hair exuded a light floral scent.

Rod was full of surprise.

She, she just leaned here, letting him sleep on her lap all night?

Looking at the girl who was curling up from the cold, hugging her arms, Rod's heart trembled.

An indescribable mix of emotions surged within.

Moved and pained intertwined together.

Rod quickly picked up the blanket on himself, carefully covering the girl.

Perhaps sensing the movement beside her, Avril's long lashes slightly trembled.

She slowly opened her eyes, drowsily seeing Rod's face:

"Hmm?"

Avril murmured softly, her voice raspy from sleep.

"Baron Rod, you're awake? Need water?"

She asked softly, her voice gentle.

Saying so, Avril was about to get up to fetch the glass of water on the table.

But before she could act, Rod had already grabbed her wrist tightly.

"Baron Rod... Mmm..."

Avril was pressed against the bedhead, her words becoming muffled murmurs.

Because Rod suddenly sat up and kissed her lips.

Avril did not resist.

Overcoming the initial confusion and nervousness of a first kiss, she intertwined her arms, actively encircling Rod's neck.

Though her hands were still trembling, she firmly reciprocated Rod's kiss.

The fledgling boy and girl were incredibly clumsy with their actions.

Bumping noses, biting lips.

A parting in awkwardness, each snickering separately.

Then becoming fervent once more, to the point of no return.

For a moment, their breaths intertwined, and in the silence of the night, the sound of their heartbeats was exceptionally clear, as if the entire world was left only to the two of them.

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