Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 626 - 626 294 Ashes of Blood and Fire_2

626: Chapter 294: Ashes of Blood and Fire_2 626: Chapter 294: Ashes of Blood and Fire_2 Back then, the vampire with a special status that attacked Kilmerton Fortress and nearly annihilated the Alliance is now nowhere to be found.

Not just that extremely powerful vampire, but also the Dragon Corpse Ghost leader who heavily damaged Orland’s main army and his forces have left no trace now.

Perhaps this isn’t entirely accurate because those two powerful undead leaders might simply be in the south of Kantadar, not deliberately hiding their tracks.

The ears and eyes of the living find it difficult to scout the situation in the southern Kantadar; the living cannot hide themselves from the eyes of the dead to reconnoiter enemy situations.

Currently, information about the south mainly comes from the daring Ranger Knights risking their lives.

Now, the Rangers have yet to leave the Sobonitz Domain.

The Heroic Knights who survived the war and officially became Rangers, except those who had to return their companions’ ashes to their hometowns, remain active in the Eastern Kantadar, protecting the people rebuilding their homes after the war.

Leon also did not disappoint these knights who responded to the oath of chivalry; they were all awarded land as gracious compensation.

Even the Rangers who sacrificed themselves before the Battle of Rolandena were posthumously honored as Holy War Knights, and their surviving family members received the land and significant bounties they deserved.

However, even with many fiefs in the Sobonitz Domain, the Rangers still see them as resting places, delegating their management with a single command, uninterested in settling and becoming Lords.

They either call upon family servants to manage them or simply find trusted friends to act as proxies.

Compared to the life of sitting before a castle fireplace, they prefer the wandering lifestyle of cutting down demons in the open, perhaps, if they do not die in the wilderness, until they grow too old to wield a weapon, these rangers from all over the world might return quietly to their lands to pass away.

It’s worth mentioning that after the Undead Calamity gradually subsided, some more Rangers, hearing the tales of the chivalry oath from somewhere, barely arrived at Avalon Castle, only to find they were too late.

These Rangers, who missed the assemblage, despite not being a part of the Undead War, still set out determinedly for the Sobonitz Domain and Mamor County, swearing to annihilate the remaining Corpse Ghosts and Undead Monsters wandering the countryside.

You can’t blame them for their enthusiasm; for one thing, it is to honor the Rangers’ ancient spirit passed down through the ages.

To be honest, over the years, monsters on the land have almost been exterminated, and the Rangers have gradually grown accustomed to fighting bandits and thugs, long since unable to find demons to vanquish following their creed.

Leon also wanted to contribute to assist these dwindling Heroic Knights, so he simply called upon all members of the Holy War Alliance across their territories to establish “Ranger Inns,” offering free rest to the Ranger Knights.

This isn’t a difficult thing—a house sheltered from the elements, some food, and water are enough to meet the basic needs of these nomadic Rangers.

However, Leon set even higher standards for the Ranger Inns along the nodal roads of his territories.

He assigned personnel to manage the Ranger Inns everywhere, providing tools for weapon and armor maintenance, along with more comprehensive living facilities and equipment.

In Leons’ view, this aid for the Rangers, however insignificant, is a mere token compared to what the Rangers have done for him.

“….Once I have completed King Lydwen’s tasks, I will personally go to the Roslava Territory to investigate the whereabouts of those vampires.

For now, continue to maintain surveillance from the outskirts and advise the Rangers against further risky ventures, as it’s too dangerous,” Leon instructed.

David nodded, and after discussing this matter, hesitated for a moment before speaking:

“Mr.

Leon, I wish to persuade Mother to move from Archers to Avalon permanently.

Would this inconvenience you?”

“Of course not, Avalon always welcomes Lady Adelina.

As long as the Lady doesn’t mind the crowd here, she’s welcome to stay as long as she regards this place as her home.”

Leon had no objection, but he was a bit surprised internally.

Though Avalon is beautiful, Archers Castle, as the political center of the Farolis Family, also offers a good quality of life, so why leave a city they’ve lived in for so long?

David seemed relieved, didn’t elaborate on the reason.

On returning home, he sensed something strange in the atmosphere within the palace of Archers Castle.

It wasn’t that his elder brother, who succeeded to the Earl’s title, mistreated their mother.

Both he and his brother deeply loved her.

However, certain issues are unavoidable in a noble family.

His elder brother had been married for years, and as the former Earl’s wife, Mother had no legal standing to preside over the family after her adult son took over.

The role of “Mistress” of the Thorny Flower Family naturally shifted to his brother’s wife when he became the new Earl.

Though his brother’s wife isn’t a malicious woman, Mother’s longstanding personal prestige within the family commands respect similar to Eriv’s.

Behind her, Mother’s roots in the Rahman Family in Duwana add to her power, and even without the title of Mistress, she still holds that authority.

Even if this wasn’t Mother’s intention.

However, over time, his sister-in-law will inevitably find it difficult to accept being subordinate to Mother.

The group of new and unfamiliar servants emerging in Archers Castle already hinted at this.

To avoid future internal conflicts within the family, David considered persuading Mother to return to the old seat in Farolis or simply bring her to his domain.

Yet neither option suited.

With the former, Mother had twice faced assassination attempts, and his sisters couldn’t adequately protect her, while the latter….

The Sobonitz Domain was just liberated, with the possibility of the undead advancing north again, he dared not put Mother in such danger.

He couldn’t let Mother suffer by returning to her family in West either.

The thought of it made him uneasy about how her grandfather, the hot-tempered War Hound Earl, would respond.

As for Baron Reddo’s territory…..

maybe if Father were still around it wouldn’t matter, but with Father now missing, though he trusts Uncle Reddo, he believes such a move would certainly attract malicious rumors.

No matter how upright a person is, one cannot shield from others’ malevolent speculations.

The current righteous Mr.

Leon is the best example; clearly, a loyal Knight devoted to Miss Olivia, yet is rumored to fancy collecting beauties, regardless of gender….

People enjoy speculating about others with malice.

David often felt indignant on Mr.

Leon’s behalf.

However, after much thought, only Avalon Castle seemed appealing.

The distance from Archers to here is not far, convenient for Mother to visit his brother whenever she wishes, yet politically, it distances her from the Thorny Flower family’s palatial power, affording Mother more freedom here.

Moreover, Avalon is blessed with clear mountains and waters, a pleasant environment, with the strong leadership of Miss Olivia and the Avalon Knights; Mr.

Leon and Lord Larian, who saved Mother from two assassination attempts, are there.

No place reassures him more than Avalon.

Leon readily agreed to David’s request, promising to arrange a noble residence adjacent to the main castle for Lady Adelina promptly.

Unexpectedly, after making a round, he found himself assuming the duty of protecting the Baroness once again, after Selva.

But now with his significantly enhanced forces, it would undoubtedly be simpler.

After leaving the Holy Hall, Leon returned to the main castle and first headed to the administrative study.

Pushing the door open, unsurprisingly, Azeryan was inside, handling the governance of the territory.

The noble son was approving the allocation of fuel resources to ensure no oversight over the land controlled by the Knight Order.

This year, an unexpected snowfall sharply increased demand for heating fuel across the territory; fortunately, Kovis had predicted the sharp temperature change at the Mage Tower’s Observatory, so they were well-prepared.

Hearing the commotion, Azeryan set aside the scroll, looked up at Leon, and frowned with a click of his tongue: “Why are you back again?

Out, out, these few days are the most important in your and Olivia’s entire life, take a proper rest; there’s no need for a hero like you to worry about these trivial matters.”

Feeling his kindness, Leon smiled warmly, then casually closed the door, drew an isolation magic technique with his fingers, and continued with a serious expression: “David has arrived, and there may be news of ‘him’ in the Roslava Territory.”

Azeryan paused, sighed, and gently placed the quill back.

After a long while, he shook his head:

“No need to worry, Leon, he…

is no longer my father, at least not fully.

That state is also a torment for him.

When the time comes, I’ll go with you; if there’s a chance….

Let him rest in peace…”

When he raised his eyes again, Azeryan’s gaze was steadfast.