Chapter 22: One Year

The sun and moon had cycled countless times over the Starlink Continent, and the seasons had quietly completed yet another round of change. Unbeknownst to him, Lin Wei had now spent a full year in this land.

Tulip Territory.

The sky was ablaze with crimson clouds, the sun sinking into the horizon. Within the manor, servants and guards bustled back and forth, their busy figures a testament to the vitality and prosperity of the count’s domain.

Over the past year, Tulip Territory had grown much more tranquil. Sword and Flower had been eradicated, and the local scoundrel Jon was sent to the War Academy of the Glimmering Moon Empire for study. Ordinary folk sowed the seeds of their own dreams, while the nobles, lofty as ever, continued to indulge in their privileged lives.

Within Tulip Manor.

On the training grounds.

A handsome young man in light armor stood facing the wind, arms crossed, a silver-gray cross sword hanging at his waist. His slender, refined face and brown, shoulder-length hair fluttered in the breeze. In his sky-blue eyes was a depth and unfamiliarity that did not quite belong to this world.

Before him, a burly young man led dozens of sword-wielding youths in enthusiastic fencing practice. Most of the boys were eleven or twelve years old, their slim bodies awkwardly clutching long blades. Their clothes were soaked with sweat, some arms trembling faintly, yet each gritted their teeth and persevered.

“That’s enough. Let’s call it a day,” the handsome youth spoke suddenly, his voice bearing a composure and gravity beyond his years.

The burly young man received the order and bowed slightly. “Yes, Lord Lin Wei.”

Throughout this year, Lin Wei had quietly honed his strength in Tulip Territory, steadily amassing power. Thanks to the intelligent orb core, he did not need to train as arduously as others, and instead devoted much of his time to perusing the count’s library, exploring every available record of Starlink Continent’s culture, history, and secrets. He deliberately sought out news of the sorcerers, but to his disappointment, they seemed to exist only as shadows—absent from all written accounts.

Though his search for the sorcerers yielded little progress, Lin Wei achieved remarkable success in advancing his own abilities and in the development of Tulip Territory.

Just days ago, the intelligent orb core had fully parsed the knight’s training method for the Grand Knight phase, enabling Lin Wei to reach the level of a Grand Knight. To conceal the secret of the orb core, however, Lin Wei only announced his promotion to knight. Even so, his talent quickly became famed throughout Tulip Territory, and even nobles from other regions had heard his name.

Count Lamo himself viewed Lin Wei with newfound respect. In just over half a year, Lin Wei had been promoted from captain of the tenth squad of Tulip Guards to vice commander, second only to the commander, Naken, in the Tulip Guard Corps.

The children standing before Lin Wei now were the reserve seeds of the Tulip Guard Corps, chosen from commoner families in hopes of serving the count through their own efforts and gaining enviable status and income.

Watching the crowd disperse, Lin Wei murmured to himself, “It’s true—the only path for commoners to achieve anything is to serve the nobility. At such a young age, they are already subjected to harsh physical and mental training, and in future drills, they may even pay with their lives…”

“Lord Lin Wei!”

Just as Lin Wei was lost in thought, a hurried voice sounded beside him.

A guard on horseback approached, leaping from the saddle and bowing slightly. “Lord Lin Wei, the count requests your immediate presence in the council hall.”

Lin Wei instantly recognized him as one of the count’s messengers.

“Who else has been summoned?” Lin Wei knew at once that the matter was urgent, or the count would not have called him at this near-night hour.

“The count has also summoned Lord Raluman and Lord Naken,” the messenger replied respectfully.

Lin Wei nodded, seized the reins, and with a light leap mounted the horse, riding swiftly toward the council hall.

…

Upon entering the council hall, Lin Wei immediately saw Count Lamo seated at the room’s center.

At that moment, Lamo’s brows were tightly knit, his eyes glinting with thoughtful brilliance. He rubbed the ring on his finger, lost in calculation.

Beside Count Lamo stood Naken and another middle-aged man.

The man wore a faint beard and long hair that fell past his shoulders. His eyes were a deep brown, showing wisdom, and his demeanor radiated a calm and steady presence.

Raluman, the count’s chief deputy—the nominal administrator of Tulip Territory.

“Count,” Lin Wei performed a noble’s salute to Lamo, then met Raluman and Naken’s gaze with respect.

Raluman and Naken smiled in response, regarding Lin Wei with a mentoring attitude. Though their ranks differed from Lin Wei’s by only a single level, their influence and connections in Tulip Territory far surpassed his. Decades of service had earned Raluman and Naken great prestige throughout the land.

“All are present,” Count Lamo cast a glance over the group.

“My lord, such an urgent summons—may I ask what has happened?” Raluman’s voice was rich and magnetic, instinctively inspiring trust and goodwill.

Count Lamo lowered his gaze. “The kingdom is going to war.”

War?!

Lin Wei’s eyes sharpened. Raluman and Naken exchanged glances, each seeing unease in the other’s eyes.

“The battle will be fought on the kingdom’s southwestern border; the enemy is the Snowthorn Kingdom,” Count Lamo explained slowly. “But you need not worry—we are far from the southwestern border. The flames of war will not reach Tulip Territory.”

Raluman and Naken almost simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. If conflict spread to Tulip Territory, as chief administrator and chief military officer, they would face immense pressure.

“However, the kingdom’s orders have arrived, and we must make preparations for wartime.” Count Lamo laid out his plan. “This news is still confidential; it will be officially announced to the public in about a week. In the meantime, you must ensure everything is ready.”

“Raluman, you are to handle the diplomatic affairs regarding foreign residents within the territory. Guarantee the safety and offer verbal assurance to those from non-hostile powers. As for those from the Snowthorn Kingdom… detain them directly.”

There was a hint of coldness in the count’s tone.

Raluman’s eyes hardened. “Yes, sir!”

“It seems… this war will be fiercer than expected.” Lin Wei now had a rough sense of the kingdom’s situation.