Across the boundless wilderness, a large formation of cavalry was marching southward.
The pace of their progress was not very fast; they did not seem like they were in a hurry.
In the middle of the formation, a young girl in a black horse-riding suit, wearing a wide-brimmed red hat, asked crisply:
âTeacher, which family did your mother come from?â
âThe Sangs family.â
âAnd your grandmother?â
âI think sheâs from the Billy family.â
âWhat about your great-grandmother?â
âThe Rick family, perhapsâ¦â
âAnd your great-great-grandmother?â
Colin gave Princess Judy, who was beside him, a glance, and said somewhat speechlessly: âI canât remember.â
He, of course, understood the reason for Princess Judyâs sudden âbackground checkâ.
It was undeniably because of his promotion to the sixth rank.
In this world, where power and bloodline are closely related, the source of the bloodline for a sixth-rank Knight naturally attracts high attention. Only the top bloodlines can produce sixth-rank Knights.
After all, there are only seven families who can give birth to seventh-rank Holy Knights.
The Angler family obviously doesnât count as a top bloodline, so Princess Judy is interested in Colinâs maternal bloodline.
However, Sangs, Billy, and Rick⦠these were families that Princess Judy had never heard of. They were clearly unremarkable minor nobles, entirely unrelated to top bloodlines.
As Princess Judyâs large, lively eyes spun around, she suddenly formulated a bold guess about her teacherâs origin in her mind.
But, itâs a theory that she dared not speak out loud.
Yet, if she doesnât say out loud, it made the young girl feel uncomfortable.
As her eyes darted around, she happened to meet Prince Harrisonâs gaze.
The siblings seemed to understand each otherâs thoughts instantly, and they shared a knowing smile.
Of course, Colin was not fooled by these little actions, but he did not bother to clarify. It was better to be misunderstood as the illegitimate son of some high-ranking noble left in Grey Castle rather than having the secrets of the Blood Clan exposed.
What made Colin curious was whether the power he had gained by feeding on the blood of high ranked Knights would affect the bloodline of his descendants.
Would he create a new Holy Knight Family if he successfully ascends to the Holy Field one day?
As for whether he could ascend to the Holy Field, Colin had no doubts.
He had great confidence in his âBlood Clan Cheating Deviceâ. As long as he could get the blood of a Holy Knight, Colin was very likely to step into the Holy Field.
However, if that day did come, the people of this world would surely conclude that he was the illegitimate son of a member of some Holy Knight Family.
He wondered if there would be a cheesy drama about returning to his roots and his ancestral family.
As he was lost in his thoughts, a messenger from the front turned back and reported to Colin:
âMy lord, White Dew City is right ahead!â
Upon hearing this, Colin looked up and saw a small white dot appearing on the horizon.
âKnight Andy, itâs your turn to take the stage!â
The named Knight Andy shivered, immediately bending over obsequiously and smiled: âAlright, please wait, I will go and open the door for you!â
Ever since Colin had become a sixth-rank Knight, the envoy from the St. Lorenzo family immediately had an about-face in attitude.
Probably convinced that Colin was the descendant of some Holy Knight family that was lost on the outside.
Considering Colinâs age when he became a sixth-rank Knight, this type of terrifying talent made it seem not impossible that he could ascend to the Holy Field one day.
Therefore, it was understandable that Knight Andy was greater later in deference.
âTeacher, we donât have to fight any battles this time we go to White Dew City, right?â Princess Judy asked crisply.
Colin smiled mischievously and said:
âOf course not. After all, His Majestyâs war order has already been delivered.â
â¦
Atop White Dew Cityâs walls.
Facing the once again encroaching Blood Knight Army, the cityâs defenders dared not to take it lightly.
The Pegasus Army and the private armies of the lords previously summoned by Duke St. Prowse, all gathered their elites on the city walls to defend, while a large number of reserve teams began to assemble on the city streets.
The last time the Blood Knight Army attacked, Duke St. Prowse attempted to lure the enemy in by consciously opening the city gate, hoping for an inside-out strike and trapping the Blood Knight Army outside of White Dew City.
Unfortunately, this move backfired.
Not only did they fail to trap the Blood Knight Army, but Duke St. Prowse even risked his own life, epitomizing a miserably failed strategy.
Therefore, this time, holding the city steadfastly became everyoneâs consensus.
âCount Nicoll, do you think the Blood Knight Army will launch a strong attack?â
Hearing the question from a noble behind him, Count Nicoll, a pallor on his aging face, still attempted to maintain his composure:
âDonât worry, itâs common knowledge that cavalry is not good at storming cities. As long as we securely defend the city gate and prevent the Blood Knight Army from entering, even if Colin Angler is full of cunning tricks, he will be helpless.â
Hearing this, a group of Eastern nobles echoed in agreement, instantly lightening the mood.
However, Count Nicoll felt no relief.
In fact, he only felt sorrow at this moment.
Despite having an absolute numerical advantage, none of these Eastern nobles dared to suggest going out of the city to fight.
Even if someone suggested it, Count Nicoll would veto it, but he still hoped to hear such voices, at least proving that the heroic spirit of the Eastern nobles was not completely worn away.
However, the reality was that just a mere twenty thousand people in the Blood Knight Army had trapped the Easterners inside White Dew City, rendering them afraid to venture out.
This was an utter humiliation!
âSir, an envoy has been sent from the other side, should we bring him up?â
Count Nicoll was shocked back to reality, seeing a single cavalryman break away from the large group, moving towards White Dew City.
âLower the basket, pull him up. Iâd like to see what the Northerners have to say.â
Before long, Knight Andy was brought before Count Nicoll.
âKnight Andy?â Count Nicoll, well-traveled and knowledgeable, recognized the knight from the St. Lorenzo family.
Immediately, without waiting for Knight Andy to reply, Count Nicoll quickly realized: âYou are an envoy of the royal family, arenât you? Has His Majestyâs war order arrived?â
âYes, Count Nicoll, I bring His Majestyâs personally signed war order, which has successfully passed through the Senate!â Knight Andy held up the document, but did not intend to hand it to Count Nicoll, instead he respectfully requested, âI need to deliver the war order to White Dew Fortress, please forgive me.â
âOf course, of course!â Count Nicollâs face was all smiles, because he understood that once His Majestyâs war order arrived, the internal conflict among the lords of the empire must cease.
So, he immediately called his personal bodyguards to escort Knight Andy to White Dew Fortress.
Before leaving, Knight Andy didnât forget to point outside the city and instruct, âLord Angler from the North is just outside the city, remember to send someone to greet him.â
Count Nicollâs brow furrowed again, looking at the slowly approaching cavalry army outside the city, he fell silent.
The Eastern nobles by his side were still immersed in the excitement of the successful arrival of the war order at White Dew City, seemingly having forgotten that there was a formidable army getting closer outside the city.
Count Nicoll said to his deputy officer: âSince Knight Andy came from the Blood Knight Army, Colin Angler must have also seen His Majestyâs war order. If he doesnât want to become an enemy of the Empire, he will not easily initiate conflict.
âSo, you send an envoy out of the city to test the oppositionâs attitude.â
âSir, who should be appropriate to send?â
Count Nicoll was immediately hesitant, his gaze scanning the Eastern nobles in front of him, his brows furrowing tighter.
âIâll go.â
At the moment Count Nicoll was at a loss, Beatrice appeared atop the city wall.
Count Nicoll instantly breathed a sigh of relief, laughing:
âKnight Beatrice, your willingness to take on the task couldnât be more perfect!â