The banquet in the castle hall was very lively, but Alcardo said it was not a large banquet.

At most, they would invite people from the manor to have a meal together.

The autumn feast following the harvest festival was much larger and featured a much richer variety of food.

After all, it was a banquet for the entire city of Orwick, and all the officials in charge of the city were gathered together.

Warriors who perform exceptionally well during the autumn hunt may be knighted by the nobles.

Just as the banquet was about to end, a scout brought a secret message.

Ecardo took the secret letter and looked at it; the recipient was Aize.

“Aize, this is a letter from your classmate.” Ekado knew who the person on the envelope, Wolsen, was—a priest who was somewhat well-known among the nobles.

He was also the first friend Aize made.

“It’s Worson!” Aize took the envelope, opened it, and said, “It’s still a long time before school starts, I don’t know what to say.”

But as he looked at the contents of the letter, he frowned. Ledo, who was beside him, noticed something was wrong and asked, "What's wrong?"

“Walson said…” Aize crumpled the letter: “A goblin kingdom has been discovered in the Hed Mountains near Orwick City.”

"A silver-rank mercenary group confirmed that the goblins are gathering an army, and they expect to launch an attack on Orvik City during the Harvest Festival."

"Ridiculous!" Ecardo shouted. "Goblins attacking a city? Those brats can't even stop ordinary cavalry!"

“But, Uncle, the letter says that this goblin kingdom possesses a large amount of ironware, and… they seem to be gathering up nearby goblin lairs.” Aize put down the letter and said, “They might really be preparing for war.”

"Wolson advised me to abandon Orwick City and persuade everyone to lead the people to Locke City for refuge."

“Mr. Walson’s judgment is not without merit,” Kyryat said. “No matter what the brat is planning, our main force is still fighting the Sia family.”

Kyryat took out his notebook, which contained a simple map of the city of Orvik.

"The combat strength of the nearby city-states is not sufficient to come from afar to provide support, and the main force of the family is also unable to arrive."

"There are many villages near Orvik City, and our agricultural income will be greatly affected once the goblin army launches an attack."

Kylyat continued his analysis: "I think I understand."

"This goblin king knows this is Tiran's homeland, a place where heavy cavalry are prevalent, but how many are truly heavy cavalry?"

Elsie nodded, listening as she was held by Ferry.

Although I couldn't understand it, I was deeply moved.

Aize said, "My heavy cavalry can't gain an advantage in the Hed Mountains, and there aren't many plains near Orwick City, so we may be severely limited."

“Goblins are very fast. If they circle the village and let us get away with it, we’ll be in trouble,” Kelyat continued. “And it will affect the autumn hunt and the winter season…”

"Winter!" Rig suddenly cried out in terror from the corner, crouching down and trembling. "Winter is coming... winter is coming..."

“A harsh winter?” Ledo repeated.

Ecardo, as if struck by a sudden thought, immediately went over to meet Rigg's gaze: "Look at me, Rigg!"

"What exactly is winter? Or what happens during winter!?"

Rig's breathing became rapid, his eyes suddenly turned blood red, and several streams of bloody tears flowed from his eyes!

Her body trembled uncontrollably: "Winter..."

"The Blood Crown Appears in the Cold Winter!"

"It is the knight's nemesis!"

After saying his last sentence, Rig collapsed and fainted.

"The knight's nemesis, that's no compliment!" Ledo said.

Kyryat stared at the map without offering any comment.

Aicardo shook Rigg to make sure she was really unconscious before reluctantly handing her over to a maid to take her to rest.

He pondered those two sentences. If this was Rig's prophecy, then the so-called once-in-a-lifetime Blood Crown would soon appear in the dead of winter.

And the moment it appears, it will inevitably stand on the opposite side of the knight.

Ekado stroked his beard, thinking of the Blood Crown Ode that Elsie was going to experience, in which a Blood Crown also appeared. Would this affect Elsie?

“My lord,” Kyryat finally spoke.

He looked at Azer and Elsie, and said to Ekado, "The prophecy of the Witch Rigg and the goblin army are too coincidental."

"I don't recommend involving heavy cavalry in the battle. If you must, please have them remove their heavy armor."

"Finally..." Kelyat also looked at Ledo: "I hope that Young Master Aize can take Princess Elsie to Locke City."

"It's a plain area, with large cities nearby, and also Young Master Aize's alma mater."

"At least ensure their safety until we deal with those goblins."

Ekado patted Elsie's head: "Alright, I have no objection. What about you, Ledo?"

Liedo looked at Aize and said, "Young man, you've grown up. What are your thoughts?"

Aize's eyes hardened: "I will stay and fight to the very end..."

"Then you shouldn't even think about it." Liedo interrupted Aize: "Take Elsie to Locke City, and bring your pathetic heavy cavalry legion with you."

Aize was speechless. It seemed that it was just a thought; the decision still rested with Ledo.

“Haha, okay, it’s settled then.” Kyryat glanced at Firi and said, “This maid should come along too. Aize isn’t good at taking care of children.”

"No, no!" Aize retorted, blushing.

"Yes, I'll go inform the other officials," Ecardo told his servants to prepare clothes for him.

Kyryat then went to prepare the carriages for them for the next morning.

"The plan is for you and Elsie to go to Locke City first," Liedo said to Aize. "Take good care of your cousin."

“Other citizens will also seek refuge near Locke City before the harvest festival, so you need to keep in touch with the Worson family during this time.”

Ledo took out the golden compass from his pocket, looked around, and made sure no one else was looking in their direction.

He stuffed the compass into Aize's clothes: "Silly boy, be smart this time."

"This compass is a Western artifact that I acquired from the Merchant Alliance. If the Watson family does not agree to provide assistance, I will use this as a bargaining chip."

“Wolsen…” Aize felt that Walsen wouldn’t be unfriendly to him, but then he thought about how this was a conflict of interest between the families.

He asked, "What if they forcibly take the compass?"

“Smart, but don’t worry,” Liedo laughed. “I’ll send someone to contact Mr. Bernardi tonight, and he’ll be happy to help you.”

"Assassin Master Bernali?" Aize had heard of him before; he was the nemesis of all heavy armor classes!

“I fought alongside him when I was young. It’s not a very honorable thing, so I won’t go into it. Anyway, you know what I mean.” Liedo put his arm around Aize.

"May Tiran protect you."