Crabbe was taken aback, then frowned.

“Young Master Renn, it’s not that I don’t want to exchange it for you, but this bear monster has been with the Heywood family for hundreds of years and has come to have other meanings for the Heywood family.”

Upon hearing this, Ryan's eyes showed regret, but Crabbe changed the subject and said...

“But Ryan, you’re practically a member of the Haywood family now. If you really want it, consider it a gift for you and Diane.”

Renn's eyes lit up with joy, and he quickly said, "Uncle, you're too kind... How about this..."

“I see that your current strength is at the mid-level of the fifth rank, Uncle. I will provide you with treasures for the high-level of the fifth rank and for advancing to the sixth rank.”

"I guarantee you will advance to the sixth rank in the shortest possible time, and you can exchange that for this bear monster."

Crabbe waved his hand in refusal. Compared to these resources, how could this bear monster compare?

"No, what you're talking about, Renn, is too valuable."

Ryan pressed Crabbe's hand down and made the decision directly: "Uncle, listen to me, it's just some resources."

"I just returned from the Misty Lands, and I still have some resources for advancement and breakthroughs."

Seeing that Ryan had made up his mind, Crabbe nodded with a wry smile, "Then Uncle has really gotten a great deal this time."

Raine then put the display case containing the bear monster into a magical device, and then took out a ring and handed it to Crabbe.

"Uncle, the treasure inside the ring can help you break through to the sixth rank."

Crabbe accepted the ring and nodded.

After obtaining the bear-monster corpse they wanted, the three left the collection room and returned to the reception room.

After chatting with Crabbe for a while in the drawing room, Ryan returned to the Gray family after having lunch with the Haywood family.

In the back garden of the Grey family manor, Ryan lay on a rocking chair under a tree, feeling the warm breeze on his face.

"With the bear monster's corpse in hand, we'll be two-fifths done once Rosalia brings over the corpse of that dwarf villain."

"The rest are... that fallen angel from the Church of Light, and the crystal dragon from the Magic Association."

"There's one seat left, where should we look?"

“Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to form the Pentagram Dim Star Annihilation Array…” Raine frowned slightly.

Just then, a leaf was blown down from above Renn by the wind and drifted down to his front.

Ryan reached out and grabbed the leaf. Looking at the veins of the leaf in his hand, Ryan had a flash of inspiration.

"It seems it's time to visit the Elf Forest. It's been a long time since I've seen Estella and Ophelia."

The thought of the voluptuous and majestic Estella filled Raine with a burning desire.

"The Elf Forest has been passed down for so long, it must contain the remains of some powerful beings. Let's go to the Elf Forest after Father awakens."

Having figured out his plan, Renn relaxed in the rocking chair, sunlight filtering through the layers of leaves and dappling his body, while the tinkling laughter of the maids occasionally reached his ears.

...

One month later.

The Crown Guard Knights' holiday ended, and one by one they returned to their post from the Gray family's territory.

The knights looked radiant, as if their recent experiences were a dream.

But Granville quickly poured cold water on the knights, berating them for their recent indulgence.

Even the simplest daily training was neglected, and Granville then began the assessment of the Crown Guard Knights.

If someone fails the assessment, the consequences... well, you can imagine.