The knights, trembling, escorted Viktor and Kevla back to the territory of the Delin family.

The icy, snow-covered journey finally came to an end, replaced by an enormous steel castle looming before them.

Its impenetrable defenses were enough to make any would-be invader despair.

Once inside the city, they saw groups of new knight recruits everywhere, engaged in various grueling training exercises.

This was the domain of the Delin family, the largest frontline on the northern border of the Empire.

While peace reigned within the Empire's borders, numerous potential crises lurked beyond.

To the south lay the long-standing magical creature rifts, to the north were tribes with special powers, and to the west was the Kingdom of Kant.

However, thanks to Aurelianne's presence, the Empire and the Kingdom maintained a relatively peaceful relationship, rarely crossing each other's paths.

Of course, each region had its corresponding family to guard it.

The Delin family was stationed at the northern defense line.

This was the territory of Earl Angus.

This massive castle was renowned as a breeding ground for knights.

As such, the Delin family's power was formidable, even reflecting their status within the Empire.

The steel beast's great maw slowly opened. Before the enormous castle, the two of them looked like tiny black insects.

They rode their horses, slowly traversing a long, dark path.

Upon fully entering the castle's interior, Kevla waved to the knights escorting them from behind.

"You may leave now."

Upon receiving the order, the knights, as if pardoned by an emperor, scattered with obvious relief, not wanting to stay near Viktor for a second longer.

The lead knight, seeing his subordinates suddenly disperse, hesitated for a moment. Looking at Kevla, he hurriedly said,

"Well... um... Miss Kevla, I'll... I'll go inform the master!"

With that, he quickly followed the knights who had left earlier, disappearing from sight.

After everyone had left, Kevla looked at her 'brother-in-law', whose expression remained cold, and teased:

"What's wrong? Angry because you think my father wants to change your fiancée from Gwen to me?"

Angry? That wasn't quite the emotion.

On the train, Viktor had just felt a bit gloomy.

He had been trying to handle everything.

He only needed some time to help Gwen escape that future righteous posture.

He only needed a little while to feel at ease, to no longer have to worry about that righteous Valkyrie, to obtain that divine power.

Perhaps because the future Viktor would die by Gwen's spear.

Viktor had been constantly in contact with Gwen, gently trying to change their relationship.

However, what Kevla had said to him completely disrupted Viktor's plans.

If Viktor and Gwen's engagement was canceled, he would have no reason to continue monitoring Gwen.

He didn't know when Gwen would become stronger, when she would turn into that absolutely cold-blooded righteous figure.

No matter what, this engagement had to be maintained.

"I didn't expect you to be so devoted," Kevla said with a smirk.

"Ah, big sister here wasn't chosen, I'm really heartbroken."

Viktor gave her a cold glance, his voice somewhat indifferent.

"You didn't have this attitude on the train."

He had made a deal with Kevla.

No matter what Angus intended to do, Kevla would do her best to help him keep the engagement with Gwen.

Although Kevla was just guessing.

Being a monster hunter was just her part-time job. As a politician, Kevla only needed to think a bit to guess her father's intentions.

Viktor's current status wasn't worth a family's cast-off child marrying into.

Yes, a cast-off.

Kevla knew very well that the family didn't take Gwen seriously at all.

From childhood, she had only received training as an ordinary knight. Her current development was entirely due to her own efforts and talent.

Even though Gwen had become the captain of the Royal Knights, and even the Emperor favored her, without access to the family's internal power, she would always be a family outcast.

Anyway, the engagement was there, and in her father's eyes, Viktor and Gwen had no feelings for each other.

So even if the engagement was changed, it didn't matter.

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As long as it ensured a deeper relationship between their Delin family and the Kravina family, that was enough.

And who would be the new sacrifice?

Unless Angus had gone mad and wanted his most satisfactory heir to cross swords with Viktor.

So that person could only be her.

Kevla Delin.

However, once she relaxed, she still couldn't control her mouth, and teasingly said to Viktor:

"Hmm? So do you like Gwen more, or do you like this big sister more?"

"After all, big sister is so old now, even if I wanted to get married, no one would have me."

Kevla asked with a grin:

"Why don't you just marry me too?"

Viktor coldly lowered his head and swept his gaze over Kevla.

His eyes shamelessly appraised her body.

And then...

"Heh."

It was just a faint, cold chuckle, but it seemed filled with endless mockery.

Viktor rode his horse forward on his own, not caring about Kevla left behind.

Kevla, however, had a puzzled expression, but inexplicably felt a surge of anger.

"What did he mean by that?"

She really couldn't figure it out, so she simply stopped thinking about it and hurried to catch up.

Arriving at the Delin mansion, a huge black wooden house stood before them.

A family knight slowly bowed to Kevla, gently pushing open the black wooden door in front of them, making a gesture of invitation to the two.

The family had already received news from those knights that Kevla would return with Viktor.

Entering the mansion, Viktor surveyed the room inside.

This huge house was filled with various furniture made of fine black walnut wood. The entire black tone reflected a lot of conflicting ruggedness and elegance.

Several large beast furs were nailed to the wooden walls of the house, and warm flames crackled in the fireplace.

Although simple, it was very cozy.

The Delin family had to cultivate the Empire's knights at all times, resulting in huge family expenses.

Angus hadn't wasted a penny on home decoration, the setting was just right.

Soon, a white-haired butler appeared before the two.

"Mr. Viktor, please wait for a moment."

"The master will be back soon."

He turned to look at Kevla and slowly said:

"Young miss."

"The master said that there are some things he wants to discuss with Mr. Viktor personally."

This was her father intentionally keeping her out of this matter.

Kevla clearly felt this signal.

But why was this?

If her father intended to replace the fiancée with her, then she should be present.

Could it be that she had guessed wrong?

Kevla looked at Viktor with some concern, but only saw him nod slightly, following the servant, moving ahead towards the meeting hall.

Kevla was about to say something, but the butler had already said:

"Young miss, perhaps you should go see your brother."

"Master Jaxu is looking forward to your return, and he misses Miss Gwen, his sister, very much."

Father was displeased about Gwen not returning.

So he questioned her in the name of her brother, isolating her from this event.

Huh, truly a flawless tactic.

Kevla watched Viktor's back disappear completely as he followed the servant, then nodded faintly.

"Lead the way."

"Let me see if Jaxu has made any progress in recent years."

The butler bowed respectfully to Kevla again.

"Yes."

......

Led by the servant, Viktor was brought to a slightly more luxurious hall compared to the others.

The feel of the sofa beneath him made Viktor relax a bit, and the black walnut table in front of him also exuded a natural aura.

The maid gently placed tea in front of Viktor and retreated.

As the butler had said, the master would be back soon.

The door was slowly pushed open, and an imposing middle-aged man walked in.

He was wearing a white cloth inner shirt, which seemed to have some sweat stains on it, obviously having just taken off his armor.

Angus's build wasn't particularly burly, but his silver hair was quite messy, seemingly unkempt due to years of training. His face also had some white stubble that hadn't been cleanly shaved.

But Viktor knew that this man was of the same generation as his deceased father.

So, he stood up first.

"Uncle Angus."

No matter what followed, proper etiquette couldn't be neglected.

"It seems that our long separation hasn't made you lose your due courtesy, my nephew."

Angus's expression didn't change much, he just calmly looked at Viktor and sat down in the leather chair.

Viktor also sat back down, his eyes showing no more fluctuation.

Finally, Angus spoke first.

"I'm very curious how the offspring left by my late brother has become so outstanding."

"Outstanding to the point where my daughter is no longer worthy of him, outstanding to the point where my family doesn't know how to approach him."

Viktor just quietly listened to him speak, he had no extra response at all, just being a polite listener.

Finally, Angus moved again.

He tucked both hands into his sleeves, seemingly a habit formed from years of severe cold in the north.

Then, he stood up and began to slowly pace around the room.

"I think you must be very clever, Viktor."

"Perhaps when that letter was delivered to your home, you already knew the purpose of my invitation."

Viktor's gaze never left him, trying his best to maintain a silent demeanor.

"But..."

He stood still, looking directly at Viktor.

"There's one thing I'm most curious about, it puzzles me endlessly."

"If I can't get an answer to this, I can never feel at ease entrusting Gwen to you."

"So, I need you to tell me..."

Swoosh!

Before he could finish speaking! A cold, sharp light flashed instantly, tearing the surrounding air into a vacuum at a speed that left no time to react.

Clang!

A round shield appeared out of thin air. Viktor tilted his head slightly, holding the shield on his left arm, easily blocking the sharp blade.

In a moment of daze, health bars and levels appeared in front of Viktor.

Lv45

Angus showed an 'as expected' expression, his voice carrying a hint of coldness.

"Who exactly are you?"

The crow cawed in a hoarse voice, its tone icy cold. Viktor's eyes slowly filled with a flowing azure light.

"Patience."

A faint smile played on Viktor's lips, exuding confidence and nonchalance.

"In a moment, the one taking the beating..."

"Will be you."