Following Old Green's advice, after training and dinner, Green sat at his desk in his room, holding a book about the history of the Kingdom of Lodin. However, his slightly dilated pupils indicated that his attention was not focused on the book.
[The chip summarizes my current physical condition.] Green thought to himself.
[Current physical condition: right forearm strain, left shoulder bruising, lower back muscle fatigue, and increased cellular activity throughout the body. Estimated repair time: 7 hours.] Green nodded in satisfaction upon seeing his stats. Having been in this world for so long, Green had also noticed his own anomaly; his body's recovery ability surpassed that of ordinary people.
However, considering the existence of extraordinary powers in this world, it's normal for special individuals to emerge. Although he doesn't know the secrets of his own origins, Green doesn't intend to pursue the truth. Before acquiring absolute power, such actions could easily bring him risks. Once he possesses power, these problems will be easily resolved.
After confirming through the chip that his body had no hidden injuries, Green exited the chip's interface. He put down the book he was holding, got up, opened the window, and looked out at the snowy scenery.
A layer of snow had already accumulated by the window, and a gust of cold wind blew in through the window, brushing against Green's body and invigorating him. However, this level of cold wind had no effect on Green's current physical condition.
As Green gazed out the window at the snow-covered landscape under the moonlight, feeling the utter silence, a sense of peace and contentment filled his heart.
After calming his mind by appreciating the snowy scenery, Green was about to close his window when a faint light suddenly appeared in his eyes. This light, completely out of place with the surrounding environment, instantly alerted Green.
[Firelight? How could there be firelight on a night like this?]
The flames appeared for only a brief moment before disappearing into the snowy landscape. To rule out that he was seeing things, Green immediately pulled up the chip's real-time recording.
After reviewing the footage repeatedly, Green confirmed, based on the visual information recorded by the chip, that a fire had indeed occurred.
Green immediately had the chip retrieve a map of the Baron's territory, data he had gathered about the surrounding environment during his run. Larger maps, however, were obtained from old Green's books.
A three-dimensional image was projected into Green's eyes. After careful comparison, Green determined that the firelight was coming from the Annapurna Mountains, which intensified his unease.
[The Annapurna Mountains were already snowbound at this time, and the people in the baron's territory would never take that risk; there's something wrong with the firelight.]
Without the slightest hesitation, Green closed the window and turned to find Old Green. This situation clearly required someone more experienced; no matter how strong Green's learning ability, he hadn't been in this world long enough and lacked life experience.
"Bang, bang, bang," Green's loud knocking on the door instantly woke up the old Green who was almost asleep.
"Old Green, I need to tell you something. Open the door right away," Green called from outside. Hearing Green's voice, Old Green immediately opened his bedroom door.
"What happened?" Old Green asked Green as soon as he opened the door.
Greene recounted to old Greene in detail how he had spotted firelight in the Annapurna Mountains while watching the snowscape.
After listening to Green's words, Old Green sat down on the edge of his bed and took out a map from the drawer beside him. It was a detailed layout of the Baron's territory and the Annapurna Mountains.
"Green, based on your observations, can you mark the approximate location of the fire?" Old Green asked Green, pointing to the map.
Having the chip, Green had already calculated the exact location of the fire, but to avoid suspicion, he only pointed to the map and gave a general direction.
According to the map, the firelight appeared on the outer edge of the Annapurna Mountains, where a river called the Nathan River flows, the very river that runs through the Baron's territory.
Green and old Green instantly realized that, if it wasn't a coincidence, it seemed someone was planning to attack the Baron's territory.
"It's very likely just a reconnaissance mission. The mountains are blocked by heavy snow in winter. The conditions are too harsh, making it difficult to breach the castle." Old Green looked at the map, pondered for a while, and then voiced his guess.
But both of them knew this was not good news; the peace of the territory might be broken, and the risks would increase significantly outside the castle.
"Green, bring out the carriage, we're going to the castle." Old Green thought for a long time before finally telling the Baron his decision.
Green quickly led the carriage out and, under the moonlight, drove it through the snow towards the castle. Fortunately, the castle was not far away, and in less than half an hour's time, they arrived at its foot.
On the castle, a large contingent of sentries were patrolling. The presence of watchtowers and firelight allowed the patrolling soldiers to quickly spot the carriage that had appeared outside the castle.
By the firelight, the sentries quickly spotted the carriage bearing the Crowe family's eagle insignia, and its rather worn appearance. The castle sentries soon realized it was Old Green's carriage. However, as sentries, they still had to fulfill their duties.
"Old Green, what brings you to the castle so late at night?" the sentry called out to Old Green from the city wall.
"Open the castle gates immediately and inform the Baron that I have something important to tell him in person." Old Green did not explain the reason, only saying that he had something important to tell the Baron personally.
The guards on the city wall exchanged glances; they did not have the authority to directly inform the Baron. Normally, only the captain of the guard was entitled to a direct audience with the Baron.
Calant, the squad leader of the patrol tonight, also looked troubled. However, thinking of Old Green's relationship with the Baron, Calant took a deep breath and instructed the guards beside him, "You go open the door and let Old Green in. I'll go see the Baron myself."
Before he had taken more than a few steps, Calant turned back. "Remember to take good care of old Green, and make sure they don't get frostbite."
The soldiers nodded repeatedly, indicating that they would definitely carry out the mission well.
With the combined efforts of the guards, the castle gates were quickly opened, and Green drove the carriage into the castle.
Upon entering the castle, the guards led Old Green and Green to the guards' lounge next door.
"Please wait a moment, our squad leader has gone to inform the Baron, he'll be back soon." Old Green nodded in understanding. He then brought over two steaming cups of black tea and handed them to Green and Old Green.
Old Green naturally accepted the black tea offered by the guards and slowly drank it. As for Green, he didn't move at all, but closed his eyes to rest.
The guards looked at Green with envy mixed with a hint of jealousy. Green was incredibly lucky; after becoming an orphan, he was taken in by Old Green and treated like his own son. He was very likely to inherit Old Green's breathing technique, which made the many guards who had no connections extremely envious.
Calant, who had gone to meet the Baron, quickly returned to the castle entrance, but this time he was followed by someone.
Basel, the butler of Château de Clos. Although Basel arrived in a great hurry and his clothes were somewhat disheveled, as a butler, he still maintained his composure and was not too disorganized.
"Old Green, come with me to meet the Baron!" Basel didn't exchange any pleasantries and directly led Old Green to meet the Baron.
Green continued to wait in the guards' lounge, where he met with the Baron, but soon returned alone.
"Well, what did the Baron say?" Old Green returned with a grim expression.
"The peaceful life will probably end in the next two years. Several years ago, there were rumors that the Kingdom of Saladin had found a passage through the Annapurna Mountains that could directly cross the Annapurna Mountains to the border of the Kingdom of Lodin. However, the possibility was too low, and everyone treated it as a rumor. But the fire that has appeared now is very likely to be real. The Baron is preparing to send guards to investigate, and we will have results soon." Old Green answered Green with a worried look.
The guards nearby looked worried when they heard the news. They didn't want war to break out, because people would die on the real battlefield.
Just as everyone was filled with worry, Captain Os and the Baron set out together, leading a large group of guards, each carrying a torch, and galloping towards the Annapurna Mountains. Under the moonlight, their silver armor gleamed coldly, and a chilling killing intent emanated from the ranks.
Green and Old Green didn't leave the castle; instead, they stayed there. It was no longer safe outside, and going back to the warehouse would be foolish. They should at least wait until dawn to retrieve their belongings.
Under the arrangement of the butler Basel, Green and old Green moved into the room used to entertain guests.
That night, Green tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Although he had been quite radical in his previous life, it was only in terms of methods; he had never truly experienced war. It wasn't until late into the night that Green finally drifted off to sleep.