101: Dinner and Hunting

"As expected of someone from a great family, this territory is built much better than Paris's!"

Reck stood on a high ground, gazing at the territory being constructed in the distance.

That was once the site of Black Iron Fortress; now, the prototype of a new castle was being established on the original site.

A large camp of tens of thousands of people was distributed around the castle's prototype. People were coming and going within the camp, and many were working hard to transport stone for the castle's construction.

At that moment, snowflakes began to fall from the sky, and in an instant, countless flakes were fluttering down.

Reck casually caught a falling snowflake; his body heat melted it into a drop of water that remained on his palm.

"It's snowing!"

"Winter has arrived!"

Early this morning, Reck had taken ten Wolf Knights north to keep his appointment. Riding a Magic Wolf, it wouldn't take Reck long to reach the former Rock Crystal Fortress, now Bright Moon Castle.

Along the way, he first passed Paris's territory, then Edwin's territory—who hailed from the Lambert Family—and finally, the territory of Baron Dario before him.

Paris's territory, which lacked backing, was built extremely crudely. In over two months, only a simple camp and a wooden fort had been erected for temporary residence; the family's castle was still nowhere in sight.

The remaining two barons from great families were much stronger; their castles already had prototypes, and their camps were very well-developed.

After observing the situation of his three neighbors from afar, Reck quietly left. He didn't go to visit; there was no need for the time being.

If Alistair hadn't invited him, Reck wouldn't have gone out. He had just broken through to High Silver Rank yesterday; normally, he should be stabilizing his strength now instead of attending some dinner.

However, he didn't have a choice right now. The Archduke's own son had kindly hosted a dinner for him and sent someone specifically to his door to invite him; could Reck really not give him face?

Furthermore, he wasn't eating this meal for free!

A beautiful Magic Wolf followed behind Reck. This Magic Wolf was snow-white all over, except for a tuft of black fur on its forehead.

This was one Reck had specifically picked out from over a thousand Wasteland Wolves for having the best appearance. It wasn't the strongest or most physically fit, but it was the best-looking and most handsome.

Afterward, Reck fed it many resources to raise this Magic Wolf to Bronze Rank.

This Magic Wolf's appearance was truly excellent, rivaling Dorok's in its own way. After raising it, Reck almost didn't want to give it to Alistair and wanted to keep it for himself.

But Alistair had already sent Field to his door, so Reck could only painfully part with his treasure.

"Let's go!"

Having no interest in staying longer, Reck led the Magic Wolf Knights to speed toward Bright Moon Castle.

When afternoon came, Reck's group arrived at Bright Moon Castle.

"Holy crap!"

"What a huge castle!"

"Was this thing just built?"

At this moment, Reck had the same mindset Charlie had when he first arrived at the Red River Territory not long ago.

The tall Bright Moon Castle made Reck crane his neck for a long time. Such a large castle, equipped with a complete complex of subsidiary buildings—if Reck were to build it, even with his personal magic to help, it would take at least half a year.

The key was that even if it were built, it wouldn't be as beautiful as this one. Bright Moon Castle was not only large in scale but also extremely gorgeous in design.

The entire castle was snow-white. The main keep was over a hundred meters high, like a sharp sword piercing into the clouds. Nearby subsidiary buildings surrounded the main keep, looking like a white crown from a distance.

The patterns and sculptures on the castle walls were exceptionally exquisite, and flowers, plants, and trees were readily available in every corner. Compared to the monotonous Red River Fortress, this place actually looked like a residence for nobles.

"Tsk tsk, truly extravagant!"

Reck could only sigh inwardly once more; it was good to have a good father.

Although Bright Moon Castle was beautiful, the construction of the nearby Bright Moon Town was far less complete than the castle. While it was much better than what the three new barons to the south had built, there was still a huge gap compared to Red River Town.

Clearly, whether it was the three barons to the south or Alistair, the core of their construction was their own castles. As for how the ordinary subjects lived, no one cared.

Moreover, those under them now were all Slaves, not even counting as ordinary subjects. Their living conditions could only be described as such that the people inside wouldn't easily freeze to death.

At the towering gate of Bright Moon Castle, a group of people was waiting.

"Welcome, my friend!"

Alistair went to meet Reck. In the entire Red River Valley, the only one who could talk to him as an equal was Reck.

As for the three to the south, Alistair didn't want to deal with the two from Count families. Regarding the remaining one, Paris, Alistair felt he was too boring and his attitude was too humble, making it hard to talk to him.

Only Reck gave Alistair the feeling of equal communication.

"Thank you for the invitation, Lord Alistair!"

Reck handed over the Magic Wolf he had brought to Alistair.

"This is the gift I promised you; I hope you like it!"

Alistair had actually seen this beautiful Magic Wolf from the start, and he had liked it at first sight.

When Reck presented the Magic Wolf, he happily accepted it and stroked the tuft of black hair on its forehead, liking it more the more he looked at it.

"Thank you very much, my friend. I like your gift very much!"

"This is my return gift; please don't be polite!"

As Alistair spoke, a potion appeared in his hand, which he handed to Reck.

"A Silver Rank auxiliary magic potion?"

"You are truly generous!"

Seeing the potion, Reck recognized it at a glance as the Silver Rank auxiliary magic potion he had once taken, which could greatly enhance the Battle Qi in his body.

"Exchanging one Bronze Rank Magic Wolf for a bottle of Silver potion... it would be great if this business could go on forever."

This thought suddenly flashed through Reck's mind, but he dismissed it instantly; it was certainly impossible.

Alistair was in a good mood, and so was Reck. In a happy atmosphere, the dinner began.

For the first time, Reck personally experienced the extravagant life of the nobility.

A wide variety of rich delicacies filled the huge dining table. On the table, which was two or three meters wide and seven or eight meters long, there were only Reck and Alistair.

Luxurious silverware, comfortable deluxe furniture, and beautiful, gentle maids provided full service, nearly feeding the food directly into Reck's mouth.

Even so, Alistair apologized to Reck, asking him not to mind the simple conditions.

"Lord Alistair must be joking. This is already very good; if you were to go to my Red River Territory, I could never achieve this level."

"Fortunately, I didn't invite you to my Red River Fortress before, otherwise I would have lost face!"

Reck and Alistair chatted and laughed, and the dinner proceeded very smoothly.

When everything was over, Reck intended to take his leave and return, but he was unexpectedly stopped by Alistair, who was in high spirits.

"Reck, let's go hunting tomorrow. I'll happen to be riding Dorok!"

"Hunting?"

"Alistair, the Black Forest is very dangerous!"

At Alistair's request, their way of addressing each other had become familiar enough to use their first names.

"I am a Silver Mid-rank knight, and you've already broken through to High Silver Rank, Reck. What's the danger in hunting on the outskirts?"

"Besides, I'll bring along Knight Wilson and the brave Black Blade Knights; there won't be any danger."

"Get a good rest tonight. Tomorrow, we go hunting in the Black Forest!"

"I've heard there are many magical beasts in the Black Forest. When the time comes, we'll have a magical beast barbecue!"

Alistair was already planning tomorrow afternoon's barbecue party.

Unable to dissuade Alistair, Reck had no choice but to stay at Bright Moon Castle for the night.

Outside Bright Moon Castle, deep in the Black Forest, a flash of light flickered and vanished.