Chapter 366

Carissa's eyes reddened slightly. Was Adrian intending to take Ryan back to Meadow Ridge?

+25 BONUS

Adrian looked at Ryan with a meaningful expression. “Why do you want to improve your martial skills?”

“To protect my aunt,” Ryan replied loudly. He paused, feeling that this ambition was too small. “Like my grandfather and my father, to go to the battlefield, protect my home, defend my country, and safeguard the territory.”

Adrian smiled. “Good. You’re young, but you have such grand ambitions. However, being a hero means enduring hardships and exhaustion. Can you handle that?”

“I can!” Ryan said, puffing out his chest. Although he didn’t understand why Adrian asked this, answering loudly could never be wrong. Besides, he had endured all kinds of hardship before.

“What if you were told to part from your aunt? Could you handle that too?” Adrian asked.

“I can… Ah!” Ryan immediately took two steps back and shook his head instinctively. “No, I can’t leave my aunt.”

Carissa felt reluctant to part with Ryan as well. He was now the only male of the Duke of Northwatch’s family.

“Sage Adrian, if he wants to learn, I will teach him martial arts,” she said.

Adrian replied, “Naturally, you should be the one to teach him first. He knows nothing at present, and it’s not necessary for me to personally teach him the basics. Once his legs are healed, he can practice for two years in your residence. You can teach him the basics, and then he can go to Meadow Ridge to learn other things from your senior guild members.”

Ryan would one day inherit a title, and with him being the only one in the estate, it would undoubtedly be very challenging. It would be reassuring if he were well-prepared and capable of defending himself.

Carissa understood Adrian’s thoughtful intention. With tears in her eyes, she said, “Yes, I understand what to do.”

Joining the Pathfinders Guild was a dream many people yearned for. Not only was it about martial arts, but there were also other skills to be learned. For example, someone like Kyle, who was young but a great scholar, was rare in this world.

Kyle wasn’t just skilled in painting—his expertise in various arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting was impressive, but his true greatness lay in his profound knowledge. He was well-read in both ancient and modern texts, capable of offering true insights and writing books.

Salvador was his number one admirer. When Kyle visited Northwatch Estate, the king came in person to seek him out, further solidifying Kyle’s status.

Salvador didn’t even dare to consider recruiting Kyle into the court, because someone like him should be revered and admired from afar.

Scholars and literati of the kingdom, as well as the current stream of civil officials, held Kyle in the highest regard. Even someone as esteemed as Trevor, a scholar of the present age, held him in high regard.

“When will all of you be leaving?” Carissa asked through her tears, her voice filled with reluctance.

“It’s uncertain. We will let you know when we depart,” Adrian replied.

“You must tell me. You can’t leave without saying goodbye,” Carissa insisted, her eyes brimming with tears. She worried they might sneak away without informing her. Adrian hated farewells—every time she returned home from Meadow Ridge, he would always hide and claim to be busy.

Adrian assured her, “We definitely won’t leave secretly.”

Carissa found little comfort in Adrian’s words. Given how he had previously said he would attend her wedding and then changed his mind, only to plan such a grand surprise, it was evident he had a knack for unexpected departures.

After lunch, the male senior guild members took Rafael aside into a side hall for a private conversation. Their words were meticulous, devoid of any veiled threats. They expressed various pleas for him to take good care of their youngest guild member, yet an unspoken pressure was palpable in their tone.

Rafael responded appropriately, his demeanor serious and respectful. The men patted him on the shoulder, showing their approval. Though they were part of the martial world, they were also aware of the rules of aristocratic circles in the capital.

For Carissa to remarry was seen as a loss of virtue in the eyes of outsiders. For Rafael, a prince, to be willing to marry her as his rightful wife and swear loyalty to her alone was indeed commendable.

Before they left, Winona said privately to Rafael, “If one day, you also find yourself no longer fond of her, please don’t harm her. Return her to us.”

The single word “also” made Rafael stiffen his resolve.

“No, that day will never come.”