Two months later, the training ground.
"Earth Breathing Technique stage two practice complete: Power increased by 0.4, Agility increased by 0.5, Constitution increased by 0.5."
"Herag Merlin: Power 2.0, Agility 1.6, Constitution 2.2, Spirit 1.2."
"Physical data is approaching the genetic limit."
After Herag completed the thousandth Earth Breathing Technique practice, he checked his various statistics.
During these two months, he spent most of his time diligently practicing.
At first, there were occasional attacks and harassments from the Beihad Territory next door, with some grain and property being stolen. But then they suddenly ceased their flags and drums, showing no further interest in Dur Valley.
Baron Buck was frustrated by the harassment from people in the Beihad Territory, and could only passively defend every time an incident occurred. Those people were like flies, causing damage everywhere and often disappearing right after making trouble. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt
He had very few soldiers, with all his guards adding up to only about three hundred people.
This number was barely enough to guard the territory, with no ability to attack the Beihad Territory.
Moreover, the Beihad Territory was suffering from famine, with no resources worth plundering.
After the territory was no longer harassed, Herag and these guards found themselves with free time, no longer needing to rush about defending the land.
"Herag, how’s it going?" Emil came directly over to the training ground to inquire about his progress.
"Still none of that feeling you mentioned, I suppose there’s no hope of becoming a knight for me," Herag replied.
His physical statistics were already about the same as an official knight’s, but he hadn’t awakened a Life Seed, so he couldn’t become a true knight.
According to Shenlan’s Chip’s notification, he had reached his genetic limit, unable to improve any further, and the chance of becoming a knight was slim.
Emil comforted him, "There’s no need to rush, take it slow, and persevere in your practice. Many knights awaken their Life Seeds suddenly during unnoticed moments of practice."
Herag nodded silently, knowing his strength was entirely due to Shenlan Assistance, and in reality, he didn’t possess the talent to become a knight.
"Emil!" An appealing female voice rang out from the edge of the training ground.
Emil looked up, visibly surprised and flustered. Only after flickering his gaze a few times did he bow his head and greet, "Miss Melissa, when did you return?"
Melissa, Baron Buck’s eldest daughter, was wearing an elegant gold long dress, gracefully walking over, her skin fair and exposing a hint of whiteness at her chest.
She sneered and said, "What? Surprised to see me? If I told you beforehand when I’d return, would you have found an excuse to patrol the territory?"
Emil still dared not look up, quickly explaining, "The territory’s been unsafe lately. If I knew you were coming back, I could have prepared to pick you up."
Melissa dismissed it with a laugh, "I’m a student from Nosentan Academy, my tutor is Master Claude, and my father is a Great Knight. Who dares to harm me?"
"It’s always better to be cautious..." Emil murmured.
"Hmph! Look at me! Why do you hesitate to look at me? Do you know why I came back?" Melissa demanded emotionally.
Emil seemingly gathered a lot of courage to look up, only for a brief glance into Melissa’s eyes before diverting his gaze away quickly.
"I’m back to get married! My father is marrying me off to the Duke of Tulip’s son!" Melissa confessed tearfully.
Emil was silent for a long time before speaking, "That’s good, the Duke of Tulip’s territory is vast. You should have a good life there."
"Is that all you have to say?" Melissa asked, her eyes red with emotion.
Emil remained silent.
"I’m in love with you! You’re in love with me too! We both know this! Why can’t you be brave enough to be with me? Who says knights can’t marry their own miss, let those outdated societal rules go to hell! We are young people, our mentor told us, the times have changed, and we have to take charge of our own lives! My father values you so much, if you tell him, he will surely agree!" Melissa cried out in anguish.
Herag stood awkwardly aside. By now, there were only the three of them on the entire training ground.
Being too close, Herag found it difficult to leave or stay, so he stood silently at the side, pretending to be invisible.
"I..." Emil struggled to speak but eventually chose silence.
This was Herag’s first time witnessing Emil so helpless and flustered.
Melissa slapped Emil hard, then left crying.
Emil stood there, staring blankly at Melissa’s departing silhouette, and kept silent for a long while.
After quite some time, Emil left alone as well, leaving Herag the only one left on the vast training ground.
Herag knew he might have heard something incredible, but dared not speak out, escaping to the back garden instead.
Old Henry’s health had been progressively failing lately, diagnosed by Shenlan with several common senior ailments, leaving it uncertain if he could survive this winter.
"Tell Mary if you need anything, I’ve provided her the budget." Herag spoke while sitting at the bedside.
Old Henry lay in bed, his breaths erratic.
Mary was an old maid in the castle whom Herag had employed.
Lately, Herag had been performing well, and his good relations with Emil raised his status outside the castle too.
He had mentioned to Emil that Old Henry needed care, and Emil had quickly arranged it, but Herag still had to pay the wages himself.
Spending some time chatting with Old Henry about the recent happenings in the realm, Old Henry fell asleep during their conversation.
He instructed Mary to look after Old Henry and returned to his cabin.
It was no longer the leaky old hut, but a house all his own.
He had a few Gold Coins in his pocket now, rewards from Lord Baron for his bravery in killing enemies.
Even if he couldn’t become a knight, his combat skills were unmatched among the castle guards.
A regular person might settle for this position, living such a life contently.
Herag leaned against the window, looking at the enlarged round moon in the sky, knowing he wouldn’t be satisfied with this; he knew he hadn’t yet gained control over his destiny.
Yet the path of a knight was nearly blocked, and wizards only existed in legends, leaving him a little lost.
The news of Miss Melissa joining the Tulip Family quickly spread, enveloping the entire territory in festivity.
Everyone knew what this implied: Dur Valley would no longer need to fear harassments from any territory.
No lord of the Norton Kingdom would dare invade Dur Valley unless an enemy country intruded.
No one knew how Baron Buck got in touch with the Duke of Tulip, but indeed, the people of Beihad Territory ceased their harassment of Dur Valley.
"Herag, in the next two months, you’ll accompany me to guard Pumpkin Farm," Emil came to find Herag early in the morning, a pack on his back as if long prepared.