The dense forests stretched for thousands of miles, and the emerald green plains were endless.

And at the bay, houses densely packed like a game of chess crowded around the towering castle; although not as prosperous as the Eastern Yonette countries, it already resembled a medieval metropolis.

Northern Territory Duchy, Winter Castle.

As the northernmost capital city of the Mireya countries, this place was not as cold as many people thought; on the contrary, because it was near the coast and affected by the Star Moon Sea's warm current, it had a relatively mild and humid climate.

However, because of the higher latitude, the winters here were longer, which is why the city was thus named.

On the bustling streets, tall and muscular Isaac Cavalry stood tall and proud, lining both sides, escorting the envoy group from the Castel family, drawing curious glances from the surrounding residents.

At the front of the group rode a rugged-looking noble of the Northern Territory, splendidly attired, chatting and laughing with the handsome elf riding side by side:

"Ha-ha, Lord Sebastian, I've long admired your renowned name. Ever since I was a child, I've heard of the 'Crimson Blade' who dominated the Black Land of Eastern Yonette. I never expected you to become an aide to Count Castel! Welcome to Winter Castle! Please consider this your own home! My brother has already prepared a lavish dinner in the castle, awaiting your and Lady Lotti's arrival!"

"Marquis, you flatter me. I remember the last time I was here, this place was just a village on the edge of a marsh. I never imagined that in merely a hundred years, it would have become such a bustling city."

"Ha-ha-ha-ha, Lord Sebastian, a hundred years might just be a flick of the finger to an existence like yourself, but for us humans, it has already spanned four or five generations!"

"Being able to build such a city out of a marsh in just four or five generations is indeed a tremendous feat."

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…"

The two chatted and laughed, the atmosphere quite harmonious.

Sebastian kept a graceful and appropriate smile on his face, but his thoughts had already taken flight.

Marquis Vladimir, a Blazing Sun Level Berserker, and also the younger brother of the current Northern Territory Duke Stefan Sobieski, the second most important person in the Northern Territory.

That such a weighty member of the Royal Family was sent to welcome the Castel family's envoy group was enough to show the Northern Territory Duke's emphasis on this visit.

With this in mind, Sebastian couldn't help but scrutinize Marquis Vladimir's clothing.

Exquisite satin, handsome embroidery, typical Yonette noble attire, but more splendid and more extravagant.

Not only that, he was also adorned with a lot of jewelry, looking glittery and rather imposing.

This is probably the tradition of Northerners who adore ornaments, although to elves and Yonette people, such attire seems a bit exaggerated.

Clearly, as the rumors suggested, the unified Northern Territory Duchy aspired to the culture of the Yonette countries.

This attire, this poor Yonette accent in the common tongue, all served to prove that Duke Stefan truly sought to "Yonettize."

It wasn't just Marquis Vladimir; all around Winter Castle, one could see the influence of Yonette culture everywhere.

With just a glance, Sebastian saw many civilians and nobles dressed in Yonette garments, bustling Yonette shops, and even the architectural style of Winter Castle somewhat featured the distinctive pointed arches of Yonette.

This... perhaps was the yearning and learning of a backward culture towards an advanced one?

Sebastian reflected in his heart.

Just a hundred years ago, the people of the Northern Territory were just a loose alliance of tribes, either hunters or herders engaged in hunting and livestock, or pirates and bandits who knew only to plunder and pillage, with years of war as the main theme of this land.

But now, everything had come to an end with the unification of the Northern Territory.

This even reminded Sebastian of the time when the Elf Clan first set foot on the Mireya Continent.

Perhaps... back then, the learning of humans from elves was similar to the current Northerners' learning from the Yonette people?

Except, one was the yearning of a backward culture for an advanced one, while the other was the enlightenment of a civilized society toward a savage culture.

Thinking this, Sebastian couldn't help but look at the Marquis in front of him again.

He now had a better understanding of the history of the Northern Territory.

If one were to ask who was the hero in ending the Northern Territory's division, it would undoubtedly be the Sobieski family to which the Northern noble in front of him belonged.

Perhaps due to the God's favor, the Sobieski family had produced three wise Lords in a hundred years, finally accomplishing the unification of the Northern Territory.

And now, the young Duke Stefan Sobieski had surpassed his father and grandfather, not only bringing advanced knowledge and culture from the south to the Northern Territory but also seeking a thorough religious and ideological unity.

It was precisely because of this that the visit of the Castel family eventually took place.

And for Sebastian, his original intention was simply to take the opportunity to do missionary work in the Northern Territory and to seek the support of the Northern Territory Dukedom in the conflict over the succession to the Falling Star throne.

Of course, now that the True Ancestor had awakened from his slumber and grown even stronger, seeking aid seemed no longer so important to him – it would at most be the icing on the cake.

However, besides missionary work, he now had an additional new task.

Thinking of this, Sebastian's gaze fell on the surrounding residents who were curiously eyeing the envoy group, and he asked calmly,

"Speaking of which, I've heard that in the Northern Territory, there seem to be many tribes worshipping totems, ancestors, and even legends?"

Upon hearing Sebastian's words, Marquis Vladimir snorted and curled his lip with slight contempt,

"Hmph, a bunch of foolish dimwits indeed, placing their hopes on trivial and elusive things, yet forgetting the reverence due to the True God!"

With that, he lifted his head and awkwardly made the symbol of the Holy Royal Court on his chest, then smiled at Sebastian,

"You've seen our ridiculousness, Lord Sebastian. Only a respected Holy believer like yourself could bring the Divine Lord's teachings to our spiritually barren Northern Territory."

Recalling the behavior and speech of the other party along the way, Sebastian pursed his lips and then said apologetically,

"I apologize, Marquis, there is something I must admit to you first, that I am not a believer of the Holy Royal Court. The arrival of this envoy group was personally ordained by my Lord, without any directives from the Church Authority Country or the New Moon Diocese."

Marquis Vladimir was immediately taken aback.

He couldn't help looking at Sebastian again and, upon realizing that his expression seemed genuine, gave a dry laugh and said,

"Cough cough... no matter, I too only recently started following the Divine Lord. Um... no worries, no worries, it's even better to say... without the directives of a diocese or the Church Authority Country, haha, don't worry about that, if we truly wanted to invite representatives from the Church Authority Country or diocese bishops to spread the glory of God, my brother would have already written to the Chief High Priest of the Holy Royal Court."

Seeing the other party's reaction, Sebastian's heart instantly understood.

Indeed, just as the True Ancestor had judged, the Northern Territory Duke did not truly wish to spread the faith of the Holy Royal Court to the land of the Northern Territory.

He merely wanted to unify the thoughts of the Northern Territory, incidentally choosing the Holy Royal Court which had the most difficulty reaching the Northern Territory and yet possessed the greatest power, the most convenient option for the Northern Territory Dukedom to integrate into the southern world.

"Uh... Lord Sebastian, since you do not believe in the Holy Royal Court, why do you follow Count Castel? Could it be... that you still believe in the Moon God?" Vladimir asked, curious.

Sebastian's gaze shifted slightly; he pondered for a moment, ready to reply, but suddenly there was a commotion at the front of the convoy.

The procession immediately halted, and Marquis Vladimir's brows instantly furrowed, he asked irritably,

"What's happened? Why have we stopped?"

Soon after, a tall Isaac Cavalry soldier came forward to report:

"Marquis, it's some children from the tribes making trouble up ahead."

"Tribe? Which tribe?" The expression on Marquis Vladimir's face instantly soured.

"It seems... it seems to be the Forest Sea Tribe, which has already converted, along with the Freedom Alliance from the strait side." The Isaac Cavalry soldier answered.

"The Freedom Alliance? That Freedom Alliance again? Those faithless lot! Truly a bunch of ill-mannered fools!" Marquis Vladimir cursed.

After that, he somewhat apologetically bowed to Sebastian:

"My apologies, Lord Sebastian, it's our Northern Territory's uncivilized barbarians—I'll send someone to drive them away immediately!"

With that said, he dismounted and walked toward the front.

The Freedom Alliance?

Sebastian's mind stirred slightly.

He pondered for a moment, then likewise dismounted from his horse.