Greycastle, Western Region, north of Longsong Stronghold.

Sir Seart sat by the fireplace, his expression grave.

Miso Seart had gone missing after leaving the manor yesterday evening, and hadn't returned by the next morning.

He had a vague, uneasy feeling.

Recently, Miso had been getting very close to several major families in the Western Region, and the Honeysuckle family, who were in charge of the stronghold, had also let it be known that His Highness intended to integrate the Western Region. When that happened, all territories would adopt the same laws and the power of the great nobles to grant fiefs would be revoked—which meant that they would not be able to expand their own lower-level nobles, nor could they recruit knights to fight for them.

As for minor nobles like the Searts, it wouldn't have much of an impact, and there would even be some benefits. After all, the rumors said that anyone who wholeheartedly served the prince would receive generous rewards. So at this time, the minor nobles were the most stable group. Whether the prince's reform plan was successful or failed, they could accept it.

Therefore, observing the situation was the smartest thing to do.

But Miso Seart didn't think so.

"Master, the servant who went out to look for the Second Young Master has returned," the butler said, pushing open the door to the knight's room.

"How is it? Did you find him?"

"No," the butler shook his head. "The stronghold's taverns, casinos, theaters, and brothels have all been searched, but there is still no sign of the young master."

Sir Seart became somewhat anxious. The people sent to find Miso were divided into two groups. The first group went to the territories of the nearby minor nobles—most of them were knights enfeoffed by Duke Ryan, and their status was similar to his own, so Miso often went to these territories to attend some gatherings and banquets.

The second group went to the entertainment venues in the stronghold, which were also places that young nobles loved to go.

Seeing that both groups had returned empty-handed, the knight's uneasy feeling became stronger.

He got up and walked to the window, looking towards the east of the territory—following this direction across two knight territories, was the territory of the Elk family, which was also the largest earldom in the Western Region. Since the fall of Duke Ryan and the Honeysuckle family's Pello had completely sided with the Fourth Prince, the Elk family had vaguely become the leader in opposing the prince's forces.

Damn it, Miso wouldn't have gone there, would he…

"Master, the Second Young Master is back!" suddenly a servant ran into the room. "He's changing clothes in the hall, and seems to be planning to go out again immediately."

"What!" The knight immediately grabbed the cane beside him and, ignoring the butler's dissuasion, hurried downstairs.

As soon as he stepped into the hall, Seart felt a buzzing in his head—he saw Miso taking off his thick coat and changing into a thin leather jacket. In front of him was a set of shining knight's armor. Two squires were busy preparing for the final donning of the armor.

"Where did you go yesterday!" the old knight couldn't help but roar. "What are you going to do now?"

"Father, our opportunity has come," Miso said excitedly. "To be promoted from the lowest knight to a baron... or even a viscount!"

Seart felt his blood rush to his head. "Who told you that?"

"Lord Jacques Mede, he brought His Majesty the King's secret order!"

It's over, Seart couldn't help but take two steps back, his heart sinking to the bottom. Jacques Mede was the eldest son of the Elk family, not to mention that he was also involved with the new king, Tifikko. Everyone knew that the latter's most wanted enemy was probably Roland Wimbledon, who was in charge of the Western Region.

The last thing he wanted to happen had happened, and it seemed to be even more serious than he had imagined.

"What... what exactly did you hear?"

"Lord Mede summoned most of the nobles in the Western Region to his castle and announced His Majesty's personal letter, which stated that as long as they captured Longsong Stronghold for him, everyone's title and territory would be promoted by one level!" Miso still seemed to be immersed in the grand scene at the time. "Madam Muriel of the Wild Rose family, Lord Caven of the Maple Leaf family, Lord Reminoa of the Running Wolf family, all pressed their fingerprints without hesitation and swore to serve His Majesty. The other nobles and knights are also determined to follow the four major families and lift the Honeysuckle family's rule over the stronghold!"

Simply foolish, how could the four major families make a decision on the spot based on a piece of paper? The knight lamented to himself, had he forgotten that when Duke Ryan was still the Guardian of the Western Region, these people were perfunctory with Wimbledon III's orders? When did they change their nature and become so loyal?

There was only one answer, this was a complete farce, in order to make the minor nobles participating in the opportunity believe in the great situation and encourage them to become the vanguard of this undercurrent. And the specific planning may have started months ago, and now the four major families may have even determined the division of interests after the victory.

Seart opened his mouth, but couldn't say these thoughts. Miso Seart wasn't the eldest son, Ferrin, and some dissuasion wouldn't work for him at all.

"Where are you going in this armor?" the old knight opened his mouth after a moment of silence.

"To win honor and status," Miso put on the steel chest armor. "Even if Dawnlight becomes the first knight of the Western Region, only he himself will be honored, while I will honor the entire family, Father. When the dust settles, you will find that I am no worse than my brother."

If Tifikko could completely defeat Roland, what you said would be right, but the new king's army is still far in the royal capital, and His Highness Roland is close at hand.

"Have you forgotten how Duke Ryan fell?" Seart said in a deep voice.

"This time is different, His Majesty the King has transported a batch of snow powder weapons, the same as those used by the Fourth Prince before. Lord Mede said that even more powerful ones are coming... Without the advantage of weapons, can Roland take back Longsong Stronghold again?" Miso put his longsword on his waist and bowed to his father. "The battle will begin soon, please wait here for my good news."

Watching the back of his second son leaving, Seart slammed his cane hard on the ground.

"Master, you... aren't you going to stop him?" the butler came up to support the trembling old knight, asking worriedly.

"Stopping him is easy, but in that case, the family may face a catastrophe." He shook his head slowly. What does it mean to the four major families when a noble who attended the "rebellion" meeting does not go to the assembly point as agreed? Whether it's the crime of escaping or defecting, it can lead the Seart family to death.

"Think on the bright side, what if the four major families win?" the butler comforted. "After all, the Month of Demons won't end so quickly, and it may be two or three months before the snow melts. By the time the Fourth Prince's army arrives, perhaps the King's army has already surrounded the Western Region."

If it were before, maybe he would really think so, but since going to Border Town, the knight had a completely different view of His Highness Roland, not to mention that his eldest son Ferrin Seart and the family's benefactor Agatha were both living in Border Town.

He looked at the butler and ordered sternly, "You set off to Border Town immediately and tell His Highness Roland this news. If the city gate is already closed, go to the docks outside the city to find a ferryman or fisherman. Hire them with heavy money, or coerce and lure them, I don't care what method you use, you must bring the message to His Highness's ears!"