A sudden, sharp whistling sound came from the distance.

A Pegasus Knight carved an arc through the sky, landing precisely in the square outside the castle.

The Knight dismounted, dropping to one knee in a single, fluid motion. The Pegasus folded its wings beside him and snorted.

"My Lord!"

Soon, Personal Guard Captain Ed hurried from the inner keep, presenting the Knight’s report to Raylo.

"An urgent message. Lady Anna’s convoy has crossed the Black Water River and entered the southern part of the territory. They are expected to arrive at Black Stone Castle in three hours."

Lady Anna.

The name gave Raylo a moment’s pause.

The Duchess, his stepmother in name, and Lillian’s biological mother.

’A woman whose image had been vague in his memory but had recently grown sharp.’

"Understood."

Raylo pulled his thoughts back to the present.

"Ed."

"Here, my Lord."

"Send the order. In two hours, have the Moonlight Knight Order assemble before the main castle to welcome the Duchess’s arrival."

Raylo commanded.

"Also, inform the kitchens to prepare a luncheon. The highest standard."

"As you command."

Ed accepted the order and departed, his footsteps quickly fading down the stairwell.

Raylo’s gaze returned to the world outside the castle.

On the distant horizon, the Sun and his "Celestial Vault’s Fang" had become a cluster of barely visible specks.

Lady Anna’s arrival was both unexpected and perfectly logical.

When he was first exiled to this barren Northern Territory, the Duchess had not offered a single word of concern.

It was only after he established a foothold in the Northern Territory and his reputation grew—especially after Lillian also came north—that "goodwill" from Lady Anna began to flow generously and just in time, like melting spring snow.

A batch of experienced Civil Servants, a considerable amount of supplies, and even a personally crafted High Tier Protective Badge.

Raylo knew full well what this meant.

Lady Anna was a shrewd and pragmatic noblewoman whose actions were strictly governed by the exchange of benefits and the rules of the aristocracy.

「Three hours later.」

A long, drawn-out Horn blast sounded from the watchtower of Black Stone Castle.

Raylo stood in the square before the castle.

Behind him were Personal Guard Captain Ed and the impeccably formed ranks of the Moonlight Knight Order.

The Moonlight Knight Order was a force Raylo had established in the name of the Silver Dragon Moonlight, its members comprising the elite of the elite.

They were clad in masterfully crafted Silver Full Body Armor that reflected the sunlight with a cold gleam, like flowing Moonlight.

On the horizon, a long convoy slowly appeared.

It was led not by a carriage, but by a hundred-Knight squadron from the Duchy’s Thunder Dragon Knight Order.

The convoy halted a hundred meters from the castle.

The Thunder Dragon Knights expertly parted to either side, clearing a path.

A luxurious carriage pulled by six pure-white steeds emerged slowly, finally stopping before Raylo.

The carriage door opened. A handmaiden stepped out first and respectfully placed a footstool on the ground.

Then, a lady in a long purple dress elegantly descended from the carriage with the handmaiden’s assistance.

She appeared to be in her thirties, with a beautiful and well-preserved face. Her long, golden hair was styled in an intricate bun, adorned with tiny Gemstones that accentuated her gentle yet noble bearing.

This was Anna Flame, Raylo’s stepmother in name.

Following her was a youth of about seventeen. He wore a well-fitted knight’s training uniform, standing tall and straight with handsome features, though there was still a hint of immaturity about him.

When he saw Raylo, a flicker of curiosity and reserve crossed his eyes, and he bowed slightly in greeting.

This was Arthur, the younger brother Raylo barely remembered.

"Welcome, Lady Anna."

Raylo inclined his body slightly, performing a standard aristocratic bow.

Lady Anna’s gaze swept over Raylo before lingering for a moment on the Moonlight Knight Order behind him, a flash of surprise in her eyes.

A gentle smile graced her face.

"It’s been a long time, Raylo. It seems your Black Stone Territory is far more prosperous than I imagined."

"That is all thanks to your generous aid in the past."

Raylo turned to the side, making a gesture of invitation.

"The luncheon is ready. Please, come in."

Inside the castle’s banquet hall, a long table was covered with a white tablecloth and laden with exquisite dishes and fragrant wine.

The atmosphere could be called harmonious, yet it carried a polite distance.

Both sides were carefully maintaining a delicate balance, making it feel like both a family reunion and a meeting between nobles.

"That Protective Badge you had Lillian deliver to me last time was a great help on the battlefield."

Raylo raised his wine glass and took the initiative to speak.

"And the Civil Servants and urgently needed supplies... without them, Black Stone Territory could not have gotten on track in such a short time. I toast to you."

Lady Anna lifted her glass and lightly clinked it against his, the smile on her lips becoming much more sincere.

"We are family; helping each other is only natural. As for Lillian, she has been under your care as her brother all this time. That child has been willful since she was young. I’m sure she’s caused you no small amount of trouble, has she?"

"Lillian is a once-in-a-century genius. Only by working together as brother and sister can we better establish our footing in this borderland."

Raylo’s answer made the smile on Lady Anna’s face grow even softer.

"Sister is amazing."

Arthur, who had been eating quietly, suddenly mumbled. He seemed to greatly admire his sister.

"Be quiet while you eat, Arthur."

Lady Anna said this coolly, without looking at him.

Arthur immediately straightened his back, lowered his head, and fell silent. His hands, holding his knife and fork, seemed to stiffen.

Raylo took in the scene without a word.

He could see that Lady Anna had high hopes for her younger son, and her discipline was therefore exceptionally strict.

Halfway through the luncheon, Raylo clapped his hands.

Ed understood at once and came forward carrying two trays covered in velvet.

"With such short notice, I didn’t have time to prepare anything decent."

Raylo’s tone was casual, as if he were just presenting two trivial trinkets.

"A small token of my appreciation. I hope you like them."

He lifted the velvet from the first tray, revealing an exquisite rosewood box.

As the box opened, a soft halo of light instantly spilled out, bathing everything around it in a dreamlike hue.

A necklace and a pair of earrings lay quietly inside the box.

They were crafted from an unknown silver metal and inlaid with dozens of Gemstones of varying sizes.

These were not ordinary diamonds or Crystals. They were a deep, night-sky blue, with flecks of silver light flowing slowly within, as if a sea of stars had been sealed inside them.

"These are the ’Tears of the Star Sea.’"

Raylo explained.

"I seized them from a Countess’s dressing table during the war with the Fiery Sun Kingdom. It’s said this type of Gemstone is found in Magic Nodes deep beneath the sea, with only a few produced each year. Wearing them has the effect of calming the mind and nourishing the spirit."

Even Lady Anna, who was accustomed to seeing rare and exotic treasures, had a look of unconcealable awe in her eyes.

The value of this jewelry set could no longer be measured in Gold Coins.

It was not just a symbol of wealth, but a testament to military achievement and Power.

She did not refuse, but only gave Raylo a deep look and said softly,

"You are very thoughtful."

Next, Raylo pushed a larger birchwood box in front of Arthur.

"Arthur, you have already started on the path of a Knight. This gift might be suitable for you."