CHAPTER 535: CHAPTER 513: PUZILIO ARRIVES AT FEILIU CASTLE

The midday of autumn, though a murky sunlight shone down, the air still exuded a hint of dry coldness.

Under the sunlight, the towering walls of Feiliu Castle cast thick shadows that covered the outskirts of the land.

Dust flew on the wide road, mixed with the low hum of horse hooves and the clashing sound of metallic armor.

Groups of elite mercenaries and land servants marched in formation, flanked by constantly patrolling high-tier knights, accompanied by their squire knights, nearly a thousand in total.

The crest of the Broken Horn Bull, representing the most noble family of Thorn Garden, fluttered on the land of Thousand River Valley.

After nearly two months of preparation, the first batch of reinforcements from the Oslar Clan finally arrived at Feiliu Castle at noon in the latter half of November.

Watching the dust flying all over, Prince Kongdai coldly snorted imperceptibly.

Although he needed the help of the Oslar Clan, he hadn’t forgotten that it was the Oslar Clan that funded the Lanfeng, which took away his throne.

Yet at this moment

His expression was stern, his gaze sharp, yet his face carried an appropriately fitting smile, concealing all bitterness and arrogance.

This demeanor was honed from years of bearing humiliation, even when facing those nobles who caused his family’s ruin, he still had to maintain this courteous smile.

Among the iron-armored infantry coming along, a dozen cavalrymen escorted a young man dressed in a luxurious, gold-edged fine wool hunting suit.

This man was naturally the son of Duke Omes of the renowned Oslar Clan of Thorn Garden, Puzilio.

Facing those who welcomed him, Puzilio straightened his back, even though deep inside, he had long regretted and felt uneasy about this journey.

Especially when he saw the giant-like Prince Kongdai, his once confident smile almost faltered.

Puzilio’s stature could not be described as anything but tall, yet before Prince Kongdai, who stood nearly three meters tall, he appeared so frail and small.

"Welcome to Feiliu Castle, my friend Puzilio." Prince Kongdai laughed heartily and stepped forward, giving Puzilio, who had just dismounted, a giant hug.

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness... hic... representing the Oslar Clan, I bring you a gift." With shoulders almost squeezed together by Prince Kongdai, Puzilio’s face, flushed purple, bore an impeccable smile, "A foal of a Dragon Blood Horse."

"Oh?" Prince Kongdai’s cheerful smile gained an extra layer of sincerity.

For a titled knight like Prince Kongdai, who was just one step away from becoming a Great Knight, they already exhibited some traits of a Great Knight.

Firstly, they were overwhelmingly tall and robust, horses could not bear them in battle, while those fit to be warhorses were not able to carry them.

No matter what horse Prince Kongdai rode, it gave the impression of a fat person riding a small dog; only naturally large horses like the Dragon Blood Horses could support his weight.

The price of a Dragon Blood Horse generally ranged in the thousands of gold pounds—a cost Prince Kongdai could afford.

But the problem was that Dragon Blood Horses were tributes to the Leia Royal Family, and though they cost between 800-1000 gold pounds, not everyone had the privilege to buy them.

As a remnant of the previous dynasty, Prince Kongdai had to make appointments and wait three to five years for a horse to trickle down from the nobles to him.

Earlier, he waited five years for one, and that was only because of the Old Pope’s influence.

But in a blink, it was fortuitously shot through the abdomen by Horn with a bronze bow Ferdinand.

"A good horse... just a pity it’s too small." Stroking the mane of the foal whose snout was bound with an iron bridle, Prince Kongdai remarked regretfully.

This foal would need at least a year or two before it could be ridden, rendering it useless for the current warfare.

Though it was just a juvenile Dragon Blood Horse, it was already as large as the warhorses beside it, yet its size still couldn’t bear Prince Kongdai.

This didn’t hinder Prince Kongdai’s affection for the foal as an equestrian enthusiast.

Engrossed in discussing the foal with Puzilio, he almost forgot about the serious matter.

Fortunately, Lakunio hadn’t forgotten, seated on horseback, his gaze swept over the army ahead, slowly furrowing his brow.

There seemed to be less than four thousand people here.

Although it was a fresh army, it was not quite what Lakunio had imagined.

"Lord Puzilio, is this the first batch of reinforcements?"

"To be accurate, it’s the army seeking vengeance for Countess Marika." Puzilio adjusted the clothes wrinkled by Prince Kongdai, "This is not the first batch, but the entire army accompanying me."

Prince Kongdai, fondling the foal, didn’t even glance this way.

"Only these four thousand people?" Lakunio scrutinized the young man.

"Of course, it’s not just four thousand." Puzilio first bowed to Lakunio, after both introduced their lineage and identity, he continued speaking.

"My brother Derrick will lead a thousand family private soldiers to Shattered Stone Plain, where the local nobles will form a coalition, numbering from three thousand to six thousand.

By then, we will rely on the pretense of attacking the Salvation Army to make our way through Reif County. Moliat will surely disapprove; we’ll seize the opportunity to create a diversion and aid you in holding them in check."

The army at Shattered Stone Plain...

A gleam flashed in Lakunio’s eyes. With Ludvik dead and the Grey Knight attacking Deer Horn Town, combined with the army at Shattered Stone Plain...

If not for Puzilio’s presence, Lakunio would have turned back immediately to review maps and sand tables; he felt he had discovered an excellent opportunity.

After finishing his affectionate session with the young Dragon Blood Horse, only then did Prince Kongdai turn, slapping the hoof print on his thigh: "Why discuss so much here? We’ll talk business later. Come, come, you gifted me a fine horse, I’ll give you some great wine.

Whoever it is, bring out the last barrel of Blue Blood Grape Wine from the wine cellar, the chilled one.

Remember to lead this foal to my palace, I want to raise it personally. Lord Puzilio, please follow me."

Puzilio, Prince Kongdai, and several others detached from the main force, while Banifus led the army towards the predetermined camp.

Back at the palace, the kitchen was already preparing a banquet, but neither side was too particular, as the Leia nobles valued dinner more than lunch.

To them, only farmers paid much attention to lunch because they had work to do in the afternoon.

These Old Blue Bee banner disciples were born to enjoy themselves, when their fathers followed the King of Fajinueman into Changge City, they completed all the work they needed to do for this lifetime.

Why work blindly and for whom? Was their life at stake?

Therefore, at lunchtime, there were only a few dishes of creamy pastries, filling jerky, and several bowls of fruit on the table.

With a gulp of refreshing wine, Puzilio unfastened the button on his collar and leaned back on the carved armchair in the lounge room.

He surreptitiously glanced sideways, seeing Prince Kongdai displaying an appreciative and relaxed demeanor. He picked up his copper cup again, sipping to cover his triumphant smile.

From the outskirts of the city, he noticed Prince Kongdai seemed to belong to the straightforward type, undoubtedly favoring this casual style.

Proficiency in changing demeanor and style was one of the reasons Puzilio gained the favor and recognition of most core nobles.

Both were of noble birth, and ordinarily shared similar interests and hobbies, from Branded City’s ceramics, Chimera Port’s crystal glass, the tea trees from the Xilan Islands to the smooth girls of Changge City.

In stark contrast, Lakunio had not touched a drop of alcohol, instead, held a charcoal pencil, writing and drawing on a parchment map.

It wasn’t until the conversation was well underway that Lakunio, having not sipped a drop of wine, began sketching and writing with a charcoal pencil on a parchment map.

Both of them wiped away their previous expressions, knowing that it was time to get to the point.

"Precisely, to avenge Countess Marika..."

"Lord Puzilio, no one can enter this palace. It’s as secure as a fortress." Prince Kongdai interrupted Puzilio’s statement, "Let’s be honest, there’s no need for pretense. Not even children would believe such words, would they?"