"Exactly, people need faith." Mr. Laine nodded repeatedly. Since Alfred established the chapel of the Justice Church in his Baron's domain, many villagers began to believe in the God of Justice. The Paladins worked tirelessly to cleanse corruption and spread justice, which positively impacted the territory's law and order.

"In this country, I haven't found any underground cults or the Chaos Sect spreading corruption. The elite knights are dispatched everywhere, and they never shirk responsibilities like the Imperial Guard, but the people live harder lives. I can only say it has its pros and cons." Alfred continued, "I am a Holy Professional, I won't interfere or influence your rule. What I can do is bring them faith."

"Many places in this country need change, Afu, but I currently lack the capability." Laine shook his head with a bitter smile, "I'm just a Baron. My domain can barely pull two or three hundred troops. I need to be promoted, to become wealthier, I need to build up my strength."

"I understand, justice without trial isn't true justice." Alfred raised his mug, "Anyway, Happy Winter Festival, my good friend!"

"Happy Winter Festival, Afu!" The mugs clashed, and the two drank heartily. Then Alfred and Laine bid farewell. The Paladins had to keep vigil on the night of the Winter Festival. The two embraced in salute, and Alfred left gracefully, ignoring the snow covering his messy blond hair.

This good friend of his was quite carefree. Laine shook his head with a smile as he gazed toward the mountains and the distance. He remembered his foster father and mother. After arriving at the Baron's domain, he sent a letter, along with a hundred Gold Crowns, to Autene, not knowing if Norman received it.

Getting up, he returned to his master bedroom and opened the door, hearing a burst of joyful laughter. Amelia was back, teaching Veronica's young apprentice Catherine to play chess. The two girls were sitting on the carpet, playing military chess that came from the Empire.

This military chess consisted of many pieces, including Long Spear Soldiers, Archers, Artillery, Knights, Bishops, Prince-Electors, and the Emperor. Amelia seemed particularly skilled at this game, defeating Catherine repeatedly.

Each chess piece was very vivid; some wielded swords, others wielded spears, the knights rode warhorses holding cavalry lances, the Bishop wore a crown and held an iron hammer, and the Prince-Elector wielding the Holy Sword was crafted delicately. The Emperor was fully armed, even the feathers on his casque were made very realistically.

So, this set of military chess was extremely expensive. Laine was reluctant to spend thirty Gold Crowns to buy a set of characters as a decoration at home. Thirty Gold Crowns equaled the annual income of many Senior Noncommissioned Officers or even Ranger Knights.

The military chess was a New Year's gift from Surya to him. In return, Laine sent the Duke's daughter a Secret Silver Armor and a bottle of Wood Elf Perfume.

Seemingly to celebrate the Winter Festival, both girls wore bright red cotton-padded jackets, especially the stunningly beautiful Amelia. Seeing Laine come in, she stood up happily, "Laine Your... Lordship!"

The girl's face turned red. She instinctively wanted to call him Mr. Laine, only to remember he was now addressed as Lordship.

"Didn't I say, just call me Laine." Laine's face beamed with a smile as he gently embraced Amelia, "So, what did you learn at the Academy?"

"I think our little maid has learned how to serve you, right? Amelia?" Veronica spoke from the sofa before Amelia could reply.

Tonight, the Jialan Witch wore a red sugar mocha wide-sleeved arm-bundling strap dress, wrapped herself in gold velvet, showing only a foot with red-painted nails from under the quilt. She coquettishly asked, "Darling, where is my Winter Festival gift?"

"I have some, there's something for each of you." Laine took out four gift boxes. He had ordered four pairs of gemstone earrings from the Wood Elves, consisting of sapphires, emeralds, cat's eyes, and rubies; everyone in the room received one.

Ollica was making tea for everyone and didn't expect to get anything herself, "Master, is this for me?"

"Yes, this is for you, Happy Winter Festival, Ollica." Laine took out the cat's eye earrings, placed them in Ollica's hand, then dominantly lifted the Dark Elf and spun her around, "Do you like it?"

"Li... like." The yellow cat's eye matched the Dark Elf's amber eyes and wheat-colored skin, which caught her fancy immediately.

"Glad you like it." Laine gave the Dark Elf's cherry lips a light kiss, then successively handed the sapphire and emerald earrings to Amelia and Catherine respectively, causing Catherine to feel very uneasy. The young apprentice looked down, "La... Laine Your Lordship, I can't accept this..."

"Just take it, Catherine." Veronica's lazy voice came from the sofa, "Consider it my Winter Festival gift to you."

The young apprentice finally accepted the earrings, secretly liking them very much, to the point of extreme fondness.

After a while, the two girls and Ollica tactfully left, leaving Laine and Veronica alone in the complete space.

Laine sat beside the sofa, reached out to take the book from the witch's hand, put it aside, and then embraced her. Veronica's long black-brown hair was sleek and smooth like silk. The witch sighed and stretched her arms to embrace Laine's neck, offering her fragrant kiss.

Two minutes later, their lips parted, and Veronica leaned against Laine's chest, sighing, "Do you remember four years ago? Your Winter Festival when you were twenty-two?"

Laine tightened his embrace around Veronica's beautiful body, smiling, "Of course I remember, that was the last Winter Festival we spent together."

Although he said that, Laine didn't stop his hands; his hand slipped inside the witch's skirt, caressing her silky stocking-clad legs.

"At that time, you defeated 'Sharp Fang' Gor, solidifying your legendary realm. I was happy I hadn't chosen the wrong partner, but also quite anxious. The poor witch rummaged through her room, finding nothing decent to congratulate her partner." Veronica used her jade-like fingers to stroke Laine's face, reminiscing about the past, "In a moment of desperation, I decided..."

"You decided to offer yourself as the gift." Laine recalled, "So we ended up in your room..."

"I brought that bed along." Veronica giggled alluringly, blowing a breath on Laine's face, "Don't you want to try again?"

"Oh! That's indeed a great idea!" Laine's eyes lit up.

...(Omitted)...

After several rounds, until the clouds cleared and rain ceased, Laine embraced Veronica from behind, his hand resting on her lower abdomen.

The mysterious mark was responding to the man's Spiritual Energy, emitting a silver glow. Within the silver heart was the pattern of a sharp sword, with wing-like silver patterns extending from the sides.

Veronica was too tired to move, the witch holding the man's hand, "Laine, is it just my imagination? Since coming to your side, the wings of the spirit rune you gave me seem to be spreading wider."

"Are you afraid?" Laine grinned mischievously.

"I feel as if you're using this mark to control me." Veronica said with a hint of suspicion.

Long after the two confirmed their relationship, the Jialan Witch was surprised to find such a silver mark on her lower abdomen. Initially, it was just a sword and heart pattern, but as time passed and the interactions with Laine increased, wing-like patterns began to appear around the heart.

Now, the wings were gradually spreading.