Pioneer Wizard's Notebook

River Bend, the Pharlos family castle.

First floor banquet hall.

Below the wall adorned with a huge flag bearing the coat of arms of a sailing ship, Lind and the Rangers sat at one side of a long table.

Opposite them stood Lady Maria and a group of scribes from the castle.

Agatha wiggled her legs, wanting to sit next to Lynd.

With her older sister Monika holding her back and giving her a stern look, the girl had no choice but to pout and obediently adopt a ladylike demeanor.

Lind was leaning back on the soft fur chaise lounge, waiting for Mrs. Maria's explanation.

After seeing the situation of his illegitimate son Aubrey, he did not linger on Brothel Street, but went straight to the castle.

With her concealed information exposed beforehand, Mrs. Maria looked helpless and could only describe the current situation.

"As you can see, the powerful baron near the Riverbank Territory, the Baron of High Cliffs from the Dewitt family, has intervened and wants to support his illegitimate son, Aubrey, to compete for the position of Baron of the Riverbank."

"This is a powerful and troublesome baron. I originally intended to explain to you slowly after you had rested in the castle, not to deliberately conceal it."

Mrs. Maria spoke apologetically.

The reason she didn't describe this in the letter was that she was afraid Lind would be intimidated and refuse to help after hearing the name of Baron High Cliffs.

She lost her husband and son, and if even the Sunflower Movement abandons her for help.

Mrs. Maria really didn't know what to do.

"On what grounds did the Baron of High Cliffs intervene in this title dispute?"

Linde asked, puzzled.

He knew the baron; they had met when they were in the military alliance in Blackrock City.

His tall stature combined with his extraordinary knightly strength creates a powerful sense of pressure.

But no matter how strong one is, if one dares to interfere with the succession of titles in other territories without a legitimate reason, Jason, the "usurper," will be besieged and attacked.

"Aubrey's mother, that prostitute, was the illegitimate daughter of the Baron of High Cliffs, and her lineage was verified by the heraldic officials."

Lady Maria sighed, "Not long ago, the Baron of High Cliffs announced that he had recognized his daughter, using this as a pretext to intervene in the struggle for the title of Riverbank."

After hearing the explanation, Lin De was speechless.

The private lives of these nobles were truly beyond imagination.

The baron's illegitimate daughters were so numerous that they became prostitutes in other territories.

Unfortunately, the Riverbank Baron hit him with a single shot, which led to the current complicated situation.

The situation was quite troublesome, and Linde began to think about solutions.

Seeing this, Lady Maria said reassuringly, "Don't worry, I've already written a letter and sent it to Blackrock City."

"As long as you represent the Sunflower Family, their military alliance will definitely put pressure on Baron High Cliff to stop this offensive behavior!"

Lady Maria's confidence was not without foundation.

Supporting an illegitimate child to seize power is a disgraceful act that can easily become a stain on the aristocracy and draw criticism.

It's one thing to do it secretly behind someone's back.

Now that the barons have formed a military alliance, it is a time when unity is needed, and there is no reason to let the Baron of High Cliffs do such a thing.

It sounded like a good idea, but Lind knew very well that it was unreliable.

Military alliances have virtually no binding force on powerful barons. Even if Baron High Cliffs seizes River Beach Territory, what difference does it make?

The status of an illegitimate child is valid and conforms to the customary inheritance law of the northern provinces.

Would other barons abandon this powerful ally because of some stain on their reputation?

The answer is self-evident: Madame Maria's expectation of a military alliance to restrain her only shows that she has not yet grasped the harsh reality of the present situation.

The honor that nobles once took pride in is no longer important in the face of life and death.

Today, power equals authority.

Even so, Lind did not immediately refute it.

Lady Maria now represents the House of Pharos of Riverbank Territory, not the Sunflower House.

Although they are family, there has long been a divide between them due to their different power structures.

Linde himself came here to poach people, and he's no better than that Baron of High Cliffs.

He planned to observe how things developed before making a decision.

In the blink of an eye, a day has passed.

Lind was standing on the top floor of the castle, looking down over River Bend.

At the same time, inquire with the clerk here about the specific situation of the artisans in the town, so as to facilitate the subsequent recruitment of personnel.

Suddenly, he noticed a crowd gathering at the town gate in the distance.

Another troop of cavalry entered the town.

The emblem banner of the high cliff and long sword fluttered in the wind.

The leader was none other than Baron Highcliff Castle, who led his knights into River Bend Town in broad daylight, heading straight towards the castle.

The arrival of the uninvited guest created a tense atmosphere in the banquet hall on the first floor of the castle.

At the long table in the conference room.

"Dear Mrs. Maria, it makes me so happy to see you in good health. Please don't look at me like that; I've come with good intentions."

Baron Byron de Wit, the Lord of High Cliffs, sat on a bench with a broad smile on his face.

"Does your so-called goodwill mean condoning an illegitimate child who steals the family of a woman whose husband has just died a heroic death in battle?"

Mrs. Maria maintained a calm expression, but her words were sharp.

"If you still have even a shred of noble honor left in your heart! Now, take that bastard child and leave the Pharos family's territory!"

Sensing Lady Maria's emotions, the castle knights recalled the image of the Riverbank Baron's heroic death.

The crowd was immediately enraged, glaring unkindly at Baron Gaoyabao and his men.

The overwhelming pressure came, but Baron High Cliff Castle laughed indifferently.

He said, "Not long ago, I received a letter of condemnation from the Blackrock City Military Alliance, demanding that I cease my interference in the power of the Riverbank Territory."

"What they say makes some sense. It is indeed an insult to the Riverbank Baron to allow a lowly bastard to rise to power."

Sensing his concession, Mrs. Maria's tense nerves relaxed, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing the lady's naive behavior, Baron High Cliff Castle found it somewhat amusing and suddenly changed his tone.

"But arriving here today, I suddenly realized that the Riverbank Territory has lost its ability to protect itself!"

As he spoke, he stood up, his tall figure looking down at everyone present.

The extraordinary power unique to High Cliff Fortress, the black glow of "Severing Mountain Edge" shimmered all around.

The castle knights retreated hastily, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Look at your performance! If it weren't me standing before you right now, but a ferocious, extraordinary demon, how would you defend your territory?"

Lady Maria shielded her two daughters, gritting her teeth as she said, "Byron! What exactly do you want to do?"

"Madam, please understand that the rules in the Northern Lands have changed."

Baron of High Cliffs extended his hand to her. "My wife passed away five years ago, and I have not remarried since. Marry me, and I promise to protect you, your daughter, and your lands."

"This is the best possible outcome for the riverbank territory."

Lady Maria looked at him in disbelief, then suddenly understood.

No wonder they didn't bring that illegitimate child with them when they entered the castle.

Because from beginning to end, the illegitimate son Aubrey was merely a tool used by the other party for threats, and was completely irrelevant.

The real purpose was to marry her, thereby legitimately taking over the riverbank territory!

If she refuses, the illegitimate child will be officially used as a pawn to compete with her for the position of baron.

Lady Maria's forehead was constantly covered in sweat.

Judging from the Baron of High Cliffs' attitude, he no longer cares about his reputation, and military alliances are probably out of the question.

The immense pressure of facing this difficult choice left the recently widowed woman feeling dizzy and disoriented.

Just then.

The crisp sound of knuckles tapping on the long table broke the deathly silence of the hall.

Seeing everyone, especially the Baron of High Cliffs, looking at him with surprise, Linde slowly stood up and said:

"The Pharos family are friends of the Sunflower, and the actions of the High Cliff Sword have crossed the line."

Hearing the warning in his words, Baron High Cliff chuckled and shook his head.

"Kid, even your father isn't qualified to say that. I consider you an ally, but that doesn't mean you..."

Baron of High Cliff Castle suddenly stopped speaking.

Blazing flames rose before his eyes, and the intense heatwave tore through the brilliance of the "Severing Mountain Edge".

The scorching heat, like facing the sun directly, plunged Baron High Cliffs into a long silence.