The knights, trembling, brought Viktor and Kefra back to the territory of the Delin family.
The icy, snow-covered land along the way finally came to an end, replaced by the massive steel castle standing before them.
A tightly sealed, powerful defense that could make any enemy attempting to break in feel absolute despair.
After entering the castle, they could see, everywhere, large groups of knight recruits undergoing all kinds of exhausting training.
This was the Delin family's territory, the largest battlefront on the empire's northern border.
Although the inside of the empire was peaceful, there were quite a few hidden dangers outside.
In the south, there was a long-term stationed monster rift; and in the north, there was a group of barbarians possessing special powers. To the west was the Kingdom of Cant.
However, because of Aurelian's existence, the empire and the kingdom never crossed each other's boundaries, maintaining a relatively peaceful relationship.
Of course, each region had its corresponding family assigned to guard it.
On the northern line of defense, the Delin family was stationed.
This was Count Angus's territory.
Inside this massive castle was a place renowned for producing knights.
So the Delin family's strength was immense, and even their status in the empire was displayed through this.
The steel giant's mouth slowly opened. In front of the gigantic castle, the two of them looked like two tiny black insects.
They rode their horses and slowly passed through a long, dark passage.
Only after fully entering the inside of the castle did Kefra wave her hand at the knights escorting them from behind.
"You can leave now."
The knights, upon receiving the order, looked like they had just been pardoned by the emperor himself. Relieved, they immediately ran off into the distance, not wanting to stay around Viktor for even a second longer.
The leading knight watched his subordinates scatter in every direction all at once. He froze for a moment, looked at Kefra, and hurriedly said, "Th-then… um… Miss Kefra, I… I'll go inform the teacher!"
After speaking, he quickly chased after the other knights who had run ahead and soon disappeared without a trace.
Only after everyone had left did Kefra look at her still-cold-faced "brother-in-law" with a smile in her eyes, teasing, "What? Are you mad because you thought my father was going to swap your fiancée from Gwen to me?"
Mad? That emotion didn't quite apply.
On the train, Viktor had only felt a bit depressed.
He was clearly trying to handle everything.
He clearly only needed some time, and he could help Gwen escape that future righteous posture.
He clearly only needed a little longer, and then he could relax, no longer constantly on edge, fearful of that righteous Valkyrie obtaining that divine power.
Perhaps because the Viktor of the future would die beneath Gwen's spear.
Viktor had always approached Gwen, always gently changing their relationship bit by bit.
However, one sentence from Kefra had completely disrupted Viktor's plan.
If Viktor and Gwen cancelled their engagement, then he would have no reason to continue monitoring her.
He didn't know when Gwen would grow stronger, or when she would transform into that absolutely cold-blooded embodiment of justice.
'No matter what, this engagement... must be maintained.'
"Didn't expect you to be the loyal type," she said.
"Aww, as your big sister, I'm really hurt you don't fancy me."
Viktor glanced at her indifferently, his voice a little cold.
"You weren't acting like this on the train."
He and Kefra had made a deal.
No matter what Angus wanted to do, Kefra would try her best to help him keep Gwen's engagement intact.
Although Kefra was only guessing.
Demon-hunting was just her side job. As a politician, all she needed to do was think it through a little to guess roughly what her father was planning.
Viktor, as he was now, was not worthy of marriage ties with a family's abandoned child.
Yes, an abandoned child.
Kefra knew very clearly that the family's internal circle didn't consider Gwen important at all.
She was raised with the training of ordinary knights from childhood. Everything she had developed into now was achieved solely through her own effort and talent.
Even though Gwen had become the captain of the Royal Knights and even the emperor himself treated her with special regard.
As long as she had no access to the family's internal authority, she would always be an abandoned child.
The engagement was just there. In her father's eyes, Viktor and Gwen had no feelings for each other anyway.
So even if the engagement was switched, it wouldn't matter.
As long as the Delin family and the Krevena family deepened their ties, that was enough.
And who would the new sacrifice be?
Unless Angus had gone insane and wanted his most favored successor to duel Viktor, then that person could only be her.
Kefra Delin.
But once she relaxed, she still couldn't control her mouth, teasing Viktor again, "Mm? So who do you like more, Gwen or me, your big sister?"
"After all, your big sister's already getting old. Even if I wanted to get married, nobody would want me."
Kefra laughed mischievously and asked, "How about you marry me while you're at it?"
Viktor looked down at her coldly, sweeping his gaze over her body without restraint.
Then, "Heh."
Just a faint, indifferent laugh, yet it seemed filled with endless mockery.
Viktor simply rode his horse forward, not caring at all about Kefra who was left standing behind in confusion.
Kefra had a baffled expression, and for some reason felt a sudden flare of anger.
"What was that supposed to mean?"
She really couldn't figure it out, so she simply gave up and hurried after him.
When they arrived at the Delin mansion, a massive black-wood house stood before them.
A family knight bowed slowly to Kefra, then pushed open the large black-wood doors and gestured for the two to enter.
The family had already received the knights' message that Kefra and Viktor would return together.
Entering the residence, Viktor looked around the interior.
The large house was filled with all sorts of furniture made of fine black walnut wood. The deep black tones reflected a conflicting mixture of ruggedness and elegance.
Several huge animal pelts were nailed to the wooden walls, and warm flames crackled in the fireplace.
It was simple, yet very cozy.
The Delin family constantly trained knights for the empire, which made their expenses extremely high.
Angus had not wasted a single coin on excessive decoration. Everything was set just right.
Soon, an elderly white-haired butler appeared before the two.
"Mr. Viktor, please wait a moment."
"The family head will return shortly."
He then turned to Kefra and said slowly, "Miss."
"The family head said there are some matters he wishes to discuss with Mr. Viktor personally."
This was her father intentionally keeping her out of the matter.
Kefra clearly sensed this signal.
But why?
If her father planned to switch the engagement candidate to her, he should want her present.
Could her guess be wrong?
Kefra looked at Viktor with some concern, but he only nodded slightly and followed the servant toward the meeting hall.
Kefra was just about to speak when the butler said, "Miss, perhaps you should go see your younger brother."
"Master Jashu is very excited for your return, and he misses Miss Gwen, his sister, very much."
Her father was displeased that Gwen had not returned.
So he used her brother as an excuse to question her, while isolating her from this matter.
:Heh, an impeccable tactic.'
Kefra watched Viktor's figure disappear down the hallway, then quietly nodded.
"Lead the way."
"Let me see if Jashu has improved at all over these past years."
The butler respectfully bowed again.
"Yes."
———
Led by the servant, Viktor entered a room that was slightly more luxurious by comparison.
The feeling of the sofa beneath him relaxed him quite a bit, and the black walnut table in front of him gave off a natural scent.
A maid placed tea in front of Viktor and withdrew.
Just as the butler had said, the family head would be here soon.
The door slowly opened, and a stern-faced middle-aged man walked in.
He wore a white cloth undershirt that still showed traces of sweat, clearly having just removed his armor.
Angus was not particularly burly, but his silver hair was messy, the kind that came from years of training and lack of grooming, and his face carried unshaven white stubble.
But Viktor knew, this man was of the same generation as his deceased father.
So he stood up first.
"Uncle Angus."
Whatever would happen afterward, the proper courtesy could not be neglected.
"Seems like not seeing me for a long time hasn't made you forget your manners, my nephew," Angus said.
His expression didn't change much. He simply looked at Viktor calmly and sat in the leather chair.
Viktor also sat back down, his eyes steady.
Finally, Angus spoke first.
"I'm very curious. My deceased brother's child, how did he become so outstanding?"
"So outstanding that my daughter is no longer worthy of him. So outstanding that my family doesn't even know how to approach him."
Viktor simply listened quietly, without giving any unnecessary reaction, just playing the role of a polite listener.
At last, Angus moved again.
He tucked both hands inside his sleeves, perhaps a habit formed from the north's bitter cold.
Then he stood up and began pacing slowly through the room.
"I think you must be very smart, Viktor."
"Perhaps when that letter reached your home, you already knew the reason I invited you."
Viktor's gaze never left him, maintaining a silent posture.
"But…"
He stopped walking and stared directly at Viktor.
"One thing has always made me extremely curious."
"If this question doesn't get an answer, then I will never be at ease entrusting Gwen to you."
"So, I need you to tell me..."
Swish!
Before the sentence finished... A cold flash suddenly struck out, the speed tearing the surrounding air apart into two halves of vacuum, leaving no time to react.
Clang!
A round shield appeared from thin air. Viktor tilted his head slightly, his left arm holding the shield as he easily blocked the fierce blade.
In an instant, a flicker, his health bar and level appeared before Viktor's eyes.
[Lv. 45]
Angus revealed an expression of "I knew it," his voice carrying a chill.
"You... just who are you?"
A crow croaked coldly in a raspy voice, and Viktor's eyes slowly turned into a flowing deep blue.
"Don't be hasty."
A faint smile curved Viktor's lips, filled with confidence and nonchalance.
"The one who's about to get beaten…"
"Is you."