Five individuals heard the sound behind them, their running figures abruptly freezing, as a profound sense of peril pierced through their senses like a sharp sword at their necks.

Suddenly, a colossal figure materialized before them, obstructing the castle gates.

The baron's icy gaze fixated upon Osiris, his golden hair tousled by the wind, resembling an enraged lion.

A faint breeze enveloped him, accentuating his already formidable stature. Though the baron wielded no weapons, a palpable dread began to seep into the hearts of those present.

"Gurgle..."

Osiris swallowed hard, his pallid face struggling to produce a semblance of a smile.

"Uncle Green... I erred. I shouldn't have harmed your daughter. Please spare me... I'll have my father compensate you with ten chests of gold... Yes, ten chests of gold..." His trembling words betrayed his fear.

Fleeing was futile in the face of a knightly powerhouse already agitated. Even clad in full plate armor, Osiris couldn't escape unscathed.

Observing Osiris trembling uncontrollably, the baron frowned slightly, his frigid eyes devoid of any emotion.

"Ten chests of gold... Very well..."

Hearing the baron relent, Osiris nearly burst into tears.

"Ah! Thank you, Uncle Green... Thank..."

*Thud!*

Before he could finish, Osiris was sent hurtling through the air, crashing heavily to the ground. His limbs twisted unnaturally, blood gushing from his mouth, his eyes rolling back as consciousness slipped away.

The baron appeared in Osiris's former position, slowly retracting his fist, his crocodile-like gaze revealing gleaming white teeth.

Meanwhile, the four guards standing beside Osiris slumped to the ground, their necks bearing bruised marks of instant death at the hands of the baron.

Disregarding the corpses, the baron leisurely approached the unconscious Osiris, a hint of cruel coldness curling his lips.

"I promised not to kill you, but it doesn't mean I won't incapacitate you!"

*Pft...*

His index finger, raised like steel, effortlessly pierced Osiris's abdomen, splattering blood.

Standing upright, he wiped his fingers with a white handkerchief.

Meanwhile, several stable boys who had been waiting at the castle gate were now petrified by the scene before them.

Four formidable guards plus their young master, all dispatched in an instant...

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Casually discarding the blood-stained handkerchief, the baron turned to the shocked stable boys, his voice booming.

"Osiris intended to harm my daughter. In deference to Viscount Balthazar's face, I'll graciously spare him. However, Osiris has agreed to compensate for his misdeeds with ten chests of gold! Have you all heard!?"

Upon hearing the baron's words, the stable boys vigorously nodded.

Satisfied with the scene he desired, the baron nodded approvingly before vanishing once again.

In the silent corridor, Freya stared blankly at the vanished figure, a faint tremor in her heart.

She had always believed her speed rivaled the baron's, but today shattered that belief...

However, she was unaware that the baron's formidable display just now was a manifestation of his latent potential, unleashed by his innate aura. Under normal circumstances, his speed was on par with hers.

"This speed, the true power of a knight... Even sight can't keep up..."

Amidst her shock was a hint of excitement and anticipation. "This power... If only I could attain..."

Surviving the ordeal had given her a fundamental insight into the world, shifting her perspective on strength from mere self-preservation to something more.

As Freya picked up the broken wooden sword, intending to depart, a familiar figure suddenly appeared before her.

It was the baron, returning after his departure.

Surveying the torn clothes on Freya's chest and the broken sword in her hand, it was evident she had narrowly avoided losing something precious.

"Are you injured?" the baron furrowed his brow.

Sensing his concern and care, Freya shook her head, a faint scent of blood emanating from the man before her, indicating she understood.

"Father didn't kill him, did he? After all, he's Viscount Balthazar's son," Freya suddenly inquired.

"No, but it's close enough," the baron replied.

Thinking back to Freya's perilous situation earlier, the baron's worried gaze turned dark.

"I reckon he'll be bedridden for the rest of his life!"

"Erm..." Freya looked wordlessly at the man before her. With her understanding of the baron, she knew Osiris's fate was sealed.

In this world where strength ruled, losing power meant even nobility couldn't ensure safety. A lifetime confined to bed... Perhaps it was a punishment worse than death.

Feeling no remorse for Osiris's fate, given his prior intent to kill her, Freya acknowledged she might have done something even more terrifying than the baron if she had the capability.

Observing his expressionless daughter, the baron wore a pensive look.

Then, he gently stroked Freya's hair and smiled.

"Go rest first. Dinner will be sent directly to your room. No need to visit the dining hall."

"Yes, Father."

Noticing the change in the baron's demeanor, Freya nodded in understanding and left.

The baron remained in place, watching the departing girl.

He discerned the impact this incident had on Freya, who typically showed slight discomfort at such bloodshed, despite not opposing it.

With his knightly perception, he noticed the difference in his daughter's demeanor.

"Perhaps it's too stimulating... Whether it's good or bad... If it's bad, then Viscount Balthazar, you won't just lose two sons so easily!"

A decision seemed to have been made in his heart as a trace of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes before he turned and left.

Returning to her room, Freya requested hot water from her handmaiden.

Shedding the tattered hunting attire, she stepped into the tub, letting the warm water seep into every corner of her body.

The warmth enveloped her, dissipating the emotions from earlier.

Since her journey through time, she had always felt a slight sense of urgency.

Today, however, she truly grasped the level of danger in this world.

It made her realize that despite her extraordinary strength, facing danger with courage and utilizing her power in battle were two different things.

Various footsteps outside the door indicated servants were cleaning up the aftermath left by the five individuals, and several maids had been injured as a result.

Dipping her entire head into the water, Freya's golden hair fanned out on the surface, blocking out the cacophony outside.

Under the tranquil water, her azure eyes opened, bubbles drifting across her line of sight. This secluded tranquility allowed her mind to think more clearly.