"Hmph, so they really are using the bandits to leverage their own importance?"
As long as this manor remained in the hands of Caria, these Cuckoos could use it as a pretext to continuously demand military funds, which in turn put Raya Lucaria Academy in an awkward position.
If they didn't pay, the Cuckoos would just pack up and leave, and then what right did they have to block the Carian army? If they did pay, setting aside whether they wanted to or not, how was that any different from aiding the enemy? "Heh, that bunch of traitors must be having a miserable time right now."
Allen quietly approached, patted the parapet, and laughed with satisfaction: "I heard they're already recalling the wandering sorcerers. Hmph, they don't even look at the state of the world—with wars breaking out everywhere, how many of them will actually come back obediently?"
Recalling sorcerers? Then why hadn't I received any news about that? Thorne muttered to himself. At his strong insistence, his titles of Knight of Merit and Honor had been kept hidden. As the saying goes, a man fears fame like a pig fears getting fat; he didn't want to be targeted by a crowd the moment he stepped outside.
Regardless, Caria was surrounded so tightly that many people couldn't equate a 'Bloodhound Knight' with a Magic Apprentice, so the secret wouldn't be leaked in the short term. "But having said that, will Raya Lucaria Academy use Her Majesty the Queen to force us to act?" "Rest assured, they wouldn't dare." "Why? Just because they left one Carian Knight?" "That guy Moongrum is worth nothing."
Allen reached out and pointed toward the giant tree in the distance, "As long as the Erdtree stands, those sorcerers wouldn't dare harm Her Majesty even if they were given ten times the courage!"
These words were spoken with conviction. Thorne nodded slightly upon hearing them. The logic was sound; no one in The Lands Between knew whether Radagon was dead or alive. If that Elden Lord were to suddenly return one day, how would Raya Lucaria Academy account for themselves? Betrayal could be smoothed over with profit, but harming Radagon's ex-wife—where would that leave them?
Without face, they wouldn't be worth a damn as an Elden Lord. "Then the Academy has no choice but to play tai chi with the Cuckoos. I don't think that Matthews is stupid, so let them wear each other out. By the way, is today's victory celebration also a way to test the waters?"
The manor was bustling with activity. The open space was filled with tables laden with mutton, fish, shrimp, and strong liquor, making the hundred soldiers remaining on the walls swallow their saliva. "Are you a tapeworm in War Counselor Iji's stomach? You even know that?"
The knight curled his lip and patted Thorne's shoulder. "Everything is prepared. If the Cuckoos dare to pull any tricks, I guarantee they'll never make it back. Go have fun; this is what you deserve."
"Alright, then I'm off." Thorne turned to leave, but his wrist was caught.
"You're too blunt, you can't even be bothered to say a few polite words. Go on, go on. Remember to save some room in your stomach to drink with me when I change shifts. I'll show you the drinking capacity of a Carian Knight then!"
Thorne broke free and shrugged, thinking to himself that he was courting death.
He didn't have many hobbies, but he liked to have a few small drinks when he had nothing to do. How did that saying go? "In this life, I love only poetry and wine, a flash of sword light to ferry the world."
Thinking of the taste of the fruit wine in The Lands Between, he hurriedly wiped his mouth. Damn, I'm drooling.
Thorne descended the steps. The Carian soldiers who knew him greeted him one after another, and he returned every greeting, showing no sign of class condescension despite becoming a knight.
When he reached the open ground and looked around, the scene that met his eyes was indescribably chaotic. There were people everywhere. The mess cooks, who usually wore sour faces, were smiling and serving up delicacies. A few Trolls sat cross-legged on the ground, using their greatswords to hang ropes, while some young soldiers swung on them like swings, and others climbed onto their shoulders, jumping up and down.
Just then, someone wearing a glintstone headpiece ran past him. Thorne sidestepped to avoid them, seeing a bald sorcerer chasing after them.
After running a few steps, the sorcerer grabbed his knees and gasped for air, causing those around them to burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Rodri, no wonder you wear your headpiece even when eating. I have a secret recipe for hair growth here, want to try it?"
"You bastard, this bald head is a symbol of wisdom, what the hell do you know?" The man straightened the few stray hairs on his head and went off to find his companions for help, cursing as he went.
Seeing his 'dashing' appearance, with a few hairs fluttering wildly in the wind, Thorne clutched his stomach and doubled over.
Hahaha, it's a good thing this body isn't bald, otherwise I'd be wearing a headpiece and refusing to take it off too.
"Hey, what are you laughing at?" Thorne felt a heavy pat on his back and turned around, wincing. He saw the burly, tough woman standing behind him. The wounds on her face had healed, though the scars looked quite fierce.
"It's just that sorcerer, he's a bit funny. By the way, Captain, your wounds healed so quickly?"
"The idiots in the infirmary learned a few tricks from the Royal Capital's Perfumers; their skills aren't bad."
Karin thumped her chest with a resounding thud. She teased in a low voice, "You're a Knight Lord now; I can't afford the title of 'Captain' anymore."
"We are comrades who have faced life and death together; that won't change even if I become the Elden Lord."
"Well said. I hate those formalities the most. But you're different today than usual."
"What am I like usually?"
"Hmm... a bit gloomy, I guess."
"Eh, battle is battle, life is life. I'm not some person filled with deep bitterness and hatred."
"Well said. I like you more and more. How about coming to my room tonight?"
"This, I think I'll pass."
As the two talked while walking, they soon saw Arnor waving at them. The latter had saved two empty seats and was waiting for them. Thorne found a seat and sat down, taking the opportunity to poke the bandages on the boy's abdomen: "So, you're healed up too?"
Arnor gasped in pain, dodging away: "Can't I come to soak up the atmosphere!"
"Sure, sure, but I'll take this wine then." Thorne took the wine glass from his table. Supplies in Caria were scarce, and there wasn't much wine—only about an ounce or so per person.
"Wait, you never used to drink before. You said alcohol would affect your thinking."
Thorne smiled and offered his little companion four words: "I've figured it out." Many things couldn't be explained, so why should he bother pretending to be Thorne Wright? With wine and meat, it was enough to live comfortably.
Arnor was about to continue asking, but then the noisy venue fell silent. Looking up, he saw Blaidd the Half-Wolf appear on the roof, so he had to shut his mouth.
"Everyone, I congratulate you on behalf of Her Highness Ranni. It is because of your heroic fighting that we have held onto the land beneath our feet." The werewolf's cold voice echoed. Everyone was accustomed to Ranni's style, so they listened intently.
Unexpectedly, Blaidd was truly not good with words, so he simply turned his wine glass upside down and poured it onto the ground.
"This first cup, in honor of the fallen warriors." As his voice fell, he took another wine glass handed to him by an attendant and continued: "This second cup, to celebrate your bravery!" He tilted his head and drank it in one gulp, took another, and then raised it high. "This third cup, may Caria exist forever like the full moon!"
"Glory! To Caria!"
Everyone responded in unison, followed by a chorus of gulping sounds. Countless soldiers wiped the wine stains from their mouths and sat down with a thud, followed by a cacophony of cheers, toasts, and scrambling for meat.
Are you drinking water, damn it! Thorne shook his head and put down his cup, still wanting more. He was reluctant to drink a second cup of wine, but just then, a mess cook passed by and silently tossed him a copper flask.
Little rascal, playing games with me, are you? He guessed this was sent by Allen, opened the lid to sniff it, and his eyes lit up involuntarily. Good wine!
This was definitely a personal reserve. Seeing Karin reach for it, he quickly protected the bottle, only pushing Arnor's glass over to her.
"Tch, stingy."
"Heh, Captain, your wounds haven't healed yet, I'm just looking out for you."
"What do you know? The more the wound hurts, the better it feels!" Thorne looked astonished, thinking to himself that she was a masochist. He poured himself a glass of fine wine and raised it solemnly.
"Karin, thank you for taking care of me."
"What are you saying? If it weren't for you, I'd be dead long ago."
The tough woman stood up, pulled Arnor up alongside her, and asked directly, "You're being transferred out of the manor, right?" Thorne glanced at his little companion, who was full of reluctance but remained silent. True friends, he realized, were those who thought of others.
"Yes, I need to find a path to become stronger."
"Remember to let me cling to your coattails when you do." The two smiled at each other and drank it all in one gulp. Thorne sat down, picked up his knife and fork, and waved his hand heroically. "Come on, let's eat!" This meal lasted from dusk until late at night.
Soldiers with bulging bellies were lying all over the manor. Fortunately, the climate in Liurnia was warm, so they didn't have to worry about catching a cold sleeping like that. The Cuckoos, on the other hand, not only didn't come, but held a banquet in their camp outside the city as a show of force. Feasting inside and outside the city—one wondered if this scene would give the sorcerers a brain hemorrhage from anger. The two sides with blood feuds were just that tacit, allowing the originally tense nerves to relax.
By midnight, Thorne was walking unsteadily down from the city wall, clutching the wine flask. He felt his head spinning and his tongue felt thick. Damn, I forgot this isn't my original body... Even though the Magic Apprentice's body was much stronger, it was still sensitive to alcohol. After finally getting down the stairs, he leaned against the wall and dry-heaved. "But I still took Allen down. Hmph, I told you you were courting death." Thorne panted heavily. Just as he was about to wipe his mouth, a handkerchief was handed to him from the side.
He took it absentmindedly, then felt something was wrong and hurriedly turned around. A petite figure wearing a black cloak was standing behind him. That exquisite face looked very familiar.
"Your High..."
"Shh, I came here without Blaidd knowing." Ranni placed a hand over her lips. Seeing Thorne's look of astonishment, she coughed lightly and explained:
"Don't overthink it. As the only remaining member of the royal family, I naturally had to come and see such a remarkable victory."
"Then you should have come earlier."
Thorne was still puzzled. He pointed at the sprawled soldiers. "Are you going to give a speech?"
"Wait a moment, I'll wake up Knight Allen immediately."
"Don't!"
Ranni raised her voice, quickly stopping the idiot. She cast a sidelong glance. "I'm just here to take a look. As for you, aren't you going to thank me for the gift I sent?"
"So this wine was a gift from you? No wonder it tasted different." Thorne realized this with a start and raised the flask. He hadn't been able to bring himself to drink it, feeling it was on par with the famous 'Dragon Spring' wine.
"Shh, keep it down." Ranni was truly speechless, so she pulled the young man along. "Come with me."
The two climbed to the top of a stone tower. The guards stationed here had long since gone to rest. The silver moon shone down, and the view was excellent, though the snoring from below was a bit of a mood killer.
Thorne looked around. To the left was the calm Liurnia of the Lakes. Beyond the cliff on the right was the boundless sea. He took a deep breath and exclaimed, "The scenery is beautiful."
"I told you. Actually, a long, long time ago, Rykard and I often ran up here to watch the scenery." Ranni sat on the wall, her figure seeming to blend into the full moon.
"So that bottle of wine is my personal thanks. If it weren't for you, this place that holds so many memories would surely have become a ruin." Her tone was a bit wistful. The life of a demigod was simply too long, so long that those fond memories had become somewhat blurred; that was why places that held memories were so precious.
Thorne didn't say anything, just quietly stared at the girl under the moon. Her figure appeared hazy in the moonlight.
"What are you looking at me for?" Ranni didn't turn her head, so her expression was unclear.
"I just feel that Your Highness isn't very dignified today, but instead, you seem more real."
...A long silence followed. Just as Thorne wondered if he had said something wrong, the figure with her back to him suddenly said:
"From now on, just call me Ranni in private. Hmm, I just find the title 'Your Highness' a bit strange; I always feel like you're teasing me."
"Yes, Your Highness, very well, Your Highness."
"You!"
The girl turned her head sharply, staring at the man with an expressionless face, but the latter was still full of smiles. After a stalemate, her azure eyes turned, and her gaze became somewhat mischievous. "Give it here." She suddenly reached out her hand.
"What?"
"The wine. I've been observing for a long time today and noticed you quite like drinking. I'll make an exception this once and have a few drinks with you."
Thorne, holding the wine flask, didn't move, just stared blankly at the Princess. It wasn't that he was reluctant, but he had remembered something. You're a doll, right?
Doesn't this count as cheating!?
Half a month later, Caria Inner City.
Thorne lifted his head from a large stack of books, his gaze passing through the door of the magic tower, able to see the scene outside. The mist had dissipated a bit today. Green grass and pale blue flowers swayed gently in the breeze. Some buildings that looked like flower houses were dilapidated, as if they hadn't been tended to for a long time, and might collapse in the near future.
Large patches of glintstone crystals were scattered among them, and one could vaguely see a Glintstone Dragon lying on the ground snoring, with another high tower behind it. "As expected, the 'pet' reflects the master." Thorne yawned, closed his glintstone Application Theory, then put his legs on the table and tilted his chair back to doze off. This was the core area of Caria Manor—the Three Sisters towers. He had been transferred as a Royal Guard Knight for several days now, but Thorne hadn't seen Ranni once.
This doll girl had sealed off the sorcerer's tower, and he didn't know what she was doing inside. Recalling the scene at the Moon-Viewing Pool, an image appeared in his mind. Ranni sitting on a high chair, head bowed, with a soft snoring sound coming from her. The Erdtree remained brilliant, and the full moon rose as usual. Apart from occasionally bumping into the hurried Half-Wolf, Thorne rarely interacted with anyone, but he had spent these days meaningfully.
He practiced sword skills in the morning, integrating the distinct skills of The Lands Between into his style; he read books in the afternoon, learning magic through the System's theory; then, after dinner, he would stroll around the city, always making sure to go to sleep before nine o'clock every day.