Although Ethan generally trusted Sophia, he didn't harbor any hopes of actually meeting the Grand Duke of the North. After all, a powerful duke with vast responsibilities couldn't possibly have time for someone as insignificant as him. However, to his surprise, two days later, the Grand Duke indeed sent someone to his territory. The person who arrived was none other than Knight Andy, accompanied by six other knights, each with a trained eagle as their mount. Additionally, there was a spare eagle, conspicuously present.
Andy had now officially been appointed as the liaison officer for the Lawson family's territory, a promotion that not only spared him from punishment but also elevated his status. Especially after witnessing the consequences faced by others, he felt particularly grateful to Ethan. Thus, when he saw Ethan, he warmly embraced him.
"Dear Knight Ethan, I'm delighted to see you again so soon."
Ethan, finding the embrace too tight due to Andy's enthusiasm, lightly patted his back. "Knight Andy, that's enough! Why don't you tell me the purpose of your visit?"
Realizing his excessive enthusiasm, Andy released Ethan and awkwardly smiled. "The Grand Duke has summoned you. We are here to escort you."
"The Grand Duke summoned me?" Ethan was incredulous. "The Grand Duke wants to see someone as insignificant as me?"
"Yes, Knight Ethan," Andy replied with a smile. "But please don't refer to yourself as insignificant. You are a lord! When the Grand Duke learned that the attack on your territory was orchestrated by someone within the North, he was furious. He has already ordered his guards to thoroughly investigate the matter, and several people have been punished. Thanks to you, I..."
Andy didn't finish his sentence about his own experience but shifted the topic. "To express his apologies, the Grand Duke has invited you to dinner. The eagles are ready for you. And don't worry about the safety of your territory during your absence. We will leave three knights behind. They belong to the Grand Duke's First Knight Regiment. Although their average strength is only at the ninth level of the Golden Rank, they are battle-hardened and each one can match a master-level knight in combat."
Andy then leaned closer to Ethan's ear and whispered, "You also don't need to worry about them causing trouble here. On the way, I gave them a stern warning and vividly described the previous knights' behavior and their subsequent fate. You see, we landed the eagles in the snow this time, and that was their suggestion. It seems they got the message."
Ethan found this amusing but managed to keep a straight face. He glanced around at the knights and said, "It's morning, and the Grand Duke has invited me for dinner. Isn't the time gap too long, or did I hear wrong?"
"You heard correctly," Andy confirmed. "You may think there's plenty of time, but the reality is different. If we don't depart soon and change mounts once along the way, we might not make it in time for dinner."
Realizing the urgency, Ethan made a quick decision. "It is an honor to be invited by the Grand Duke, but I need a moment to prepare some gifts. Also, Knight Andy, I hope you can take the attacker's body back. You should know where it is. And please understand, although the body is decapitated, it happened during the battle, and I did not desecrate it."
Recalling the Northern custom Sophia mentioned, Ethan explained, and Andy nodded in understanding. Relieved, Ethan went to pack his things. He didn't have much to pack, mainly a gift of finely packaged coffee. He hoped to promote coffee in the North. If the Grand Duke enjoyed this beverage, even if the business in Maro City didn't meet expectations, he could still make a fortune in the North.
Soon, Ethan was ready, carrying a small box of coffee. He mounted the eagle prepared by the Grand Duke and set off. Though it was his first time riding an eagle, Ethan found the ride surprisingly smooth and enjoyable, making him want one for himself. When he first saw the eagles, he noticed a reaction from his "Hawk Training" skill, indicating that these eagles could be tamed. He had considered taming one but decided against it to avoid trouble with the Grand Duke, given that these eagles were private property.
Despite the smooth ride, flying through the biting winter wind was harsh. Ethan felt like his ears were about to fall off. Thankfully, Andy noticed his discomfort and gave Ethan his earmuffs, while wrapping his own head in a scarf. After several hours of flight, they changed mounts at a fortress and arrived at the Grand Duke's castle before sunset.
The Grand Duke's castle, situated next to William Fortress, was built into a mountain peak, unlike most grand castles. Only a tall gate tower was exposed, while everything else was inside the mountain. The castle was integrated with the fortress, forming a formidable war machine. Though Ethan knew the Northern ruler was pragmatic, seeing the castle's austere design still impressed him.
With a sense of respect, Ethan followed Andy into the castle. Before entering the gate tower, he was stopped by guards and asked to surrender his sword. This made Ethan uneasy, as being without a weapon left him vulnerable. After some hesitation, he handed over his sword, trusting that the Grand Duke meant him no harm, although the feeling of being defenseless was uncomfortable.
Treading carefully, Ethan followed Andy through long corridors, spacious halls, and winding stone stairs until they reached a warm, cozy room. The room was not large, with a fireplace blazing on one wall, casting a warm, golden light throughout. It made the room feel even cozier, especially contrasted with the heavy snowfall outside.
Andy poured Ethan a cup of hot tea and asked him to wait for the Grand Duke while he left. Ethan felt something was off. Being left alone like this was not proper hospitality, but he didn't know what to do, so he sat nervously, waiting for the Grand Duke to arrive.