After a while, Sauron shook his head.
Joining Second Princess Hestoria might provide an opportunity to inherit Night Raven City, but getting involved in royal disputes would undoubtedly bring him a lot of trouble.
For the current Sauron, inheriting Night Raven City was not crucial. With the proficiency panel at his disposal, Sauron's strength was advancing rapidly. Perhaps, in a short time, he could accumulate enough power to inherit Night Raven City based on his own abilities.
"Enhance strength!"
Sauron took a deep breath, deciding to continue his cultivation, focusing on boosting his own strength. He would consider other matters later.
After finishing a day of cultivation, Sauron returned to the dormitory.
With the assistance of the Golden Blood, the Night Raven Breathing Technique had been upgraded to Level 6, but Sauron still had a gap to bridge before advancing to an intermediate level Knight.
Dong, dong, dong!
Just as Sauron was preparing to rest, a knocking sound came from outside the door.
"Ron?"
Seeing the silhouette outside the door, Sauron's face showed a hint of surprise. It was Ron, whom he hadn't seen in a week. Ron's expression at the moment looked grim.
"Can you come out for a moment?" Ron's voice was hoarse.
"Sure."
Sauron didn't hesitate much, following Ron out of the dormitory and into a tavern near the Academy, entering a pre-booked private room.
The two sat across from each other.
Ron's face showed a trace of hesitation. He opened his mouth but didn't say anything.
"What happened?" Sauron asked.
"My father is in trouble!"
Ron took a deep breath and said bitterly, "Not long ago, my father led a caravan to trade in the South and was ambushed by a group of bandits."
"Now, those bandits have captured my father and sent a letter demanding ransom from me!"
As he spoke, Ron took out a parchment.
Sauron looked at it, and the brief information indicated that Ron's father had been kidnapped, and they were demanding a ransom of twenty thousand gold coins.
"What do you need me to do?" Sauron got straight to the point.
"I want to ask you to make a trip."
Ron didn't mince words, saying solemnly, "The bandits who kidnapped my father are in the South, and the situation there is currently chaotic!"
"I can pay the ransom, but I don't know if those bandits are trustworthy."
"I'm afraid they might take the ransom but not release my father. So, I want you to accompany me to the South."
"I know this is difficult, but now, I have no other choice."
"To raise the twenty thousand ransom, I've even mortgaged our family's Chamber of Commerce. If it weren't for being compelled by circumstances, I wouldn't want you to get involved in danger."
As he spoke, Ron's face showed a sigh.
"The South?" Sauron contemplated, nodded, and said, "Alright! No problem. When do we leave?"
In the current situation, accompanying Ron to the South would indeed put himself in danger. However, Ron was in trouble, and Sauron couldn't just stand by.
When he first crossed into this world, if it weren't for the two hundred gold coins from Ron, it would have been challenging for Sauron to advance to Knight. This favor had always been remembered by Sauron.
"Many thanks!"
Seeing Sauron readily agreeing, Ron's eyes flashed with gratitude, saying, "Sauron, please rest assured. As long as we can save my father this time, I will forever remember your kindness!"
"No need to be so polite between us," Sauron shook his head, saying.
"Shall we set off tomorrow?" Ron took a deep breath, saying, "This time, heading to the South, in addition to you and me, Uncle Murl and the bodyguards of our family's Chamber of Commerce will also accompany us."
"According to the address sent by those bandits, we should arrive in about two days!"
"Alright!"
Sauron nodded. The Murl mentioned by Ron was the Knight his family had served for many years, following Ron's father from a young age.
The main concern on this trip to the South was the bandits not keeping their word. Therefore, Ron invited Sauron to provide an extra layer of insurance, with two Knights accompanying them, enough to deter those bandits.
The next day, early in the morning.
The light of dawn appeared on the distant horizon, marking the arrival of the Revival Season. The melting snow on the ground, and the trees started sprouting tender buds, creating a vibrant scene.
In the Northern Part of City, the capital.
With all the bodyguards assembled, Ron and the others set off toward the South. Sauron and Murl were at the forefront, each riding a group of black horses.
"For this matter, I'll have to trouble Mr. Sauron."
Murl, a middle-aged Knight, and not the first time meeting Sauron, displayed a gentle attitude. However, a hint of anxiety could be seen in his eyes.
Evidently, he was very concerned about Ron's father being kidnapped.
"No need for courtesy, Knight Murl."
Sauron shook his head and said softly, "Ron is my best friend. If he has trouble, I cannot ignore it."
As they spoke, Sauron looked at Murl.
Like himself, Murl was a primary level Knight. Although Murl looked middle-aged, his actual age was likely over fifty.
The vitality of Murl, who was in his fifties, had begun to decline. Even though he maintained the Knight realm, if they were to engage in a real fight, Sauron was confident he could defeat him within twenty rounds.
And this was a conservative estimate.
Ron, aware of Murl's current condition, invited Sauron, who had recently advanced to Knight, as an additional insurance measure.
The team set off from the northern gate of the capital, heading towards the South.
Perhaps due to concern for his father, Ron remained low-spirited throughout the journey. After two days and one night of travel, they had arrived at the southern border.