Little Pink Starfish

To be honest, Eagle had absolutely no desire to do anything, and Pei Sen never expected the players would take the mission this far. This development was entirely unexpected.

However, now the whole situation had taken such a bizarre turn that even some of those originally planning to stir up trouble were beginning to hesitate.

For example, Frostleaf had originally intended to block Eagle using the commoners. If a massacre began, he and the elites of the Red Maple family would infiltrate the crowd to escalate the chaos and cause more casualties. Mixing into the confusion and acting opportunistically—this was the plan.

But now, everything had fallen apart so quickly that he didn’t even have time to react. He ended up as a prisoner instead.

The middle-aged swordsman who had quietly guarded the sides of the carriage turned out to be far stronger than expected!

Frostleaf couldn’t understand it. Wasn’t Eagle just the lord of a poor, remote borderland? His domain was even smaller than Frostleaf Territory. Why were the people around him so powerful? And what was with that strange group of swordsmen?

Could it be that they’d been ignoring their neighbor for too long? Had Lanno Territory changed drastically? That didn’t seem right either. Though communication between the two territories was limited, there had always been a few smugglers who shared information. The complete cutoff had only happened in the past few months.

Frostleaf couldn’t believe that such a dramatic transformation could have occurred in just a few months.

Filled with confusion and frustration, he was brought with the other captives to the front of Red Maple Castle.

A grand carriage led the way, followed by stern-faced guards, who gazed solemnly at the towering castle ahead.

Lanno Territory was on the fringe of the Kingdom of Esmia, just a rural backwater with a tiny plot of land. No wonder Eagle had despised it so much back then. Even Golden Rose Manor had to be rebuilt after Eagle’s arrival, or it would have been completely unsightly.

Frostleaf Territory was different. It was now one of the top territories in the Duchy of Balst, and Red Maple Castle, after many years of construction, appeared magnificent—no less grand than the old European castles on Earth, perhaps even more stunning.

After all, this was a world of extraordinary power, and nobles never fell behind when it came to luxury.

The players stood in the spacious square in front of Red Maple Castle, looking at the exquisite gardens connected to it and the fountain with a statue at its center. They glanced back at the commoners, who had been so shocked along the journey they couldn’t even cry or speak.

“Look at this castle—so high-end and classy.”

“Then look at these commoners. Not a decent piece of clothing on them, and they’re all skin and bones.”

“This is just a game… Why does even this part feel so real?”

“Actually, when we first arrived, Lanno Territory wasn’t much better, was it?”

“Maybe. It looked poor, but at least the commoners there weren’t as miserable as this.”

That was true. Because Frostleaf Territory had long been embroiled in war, the lives of the commoners were even harder. Red Maple City was one of the better places; the further you went into Frostleaf Territory, the worse it got.

Lanno Territory had its dark side too—Kui Wolf’s gang had controlled Casey City for many years, colluding with the lord to traffic people. Arzi Town had become a haven for mercenaries and adventurers, leaving the commoners with little safety. Adrien City, with its Mage Tower, housed nobles who never considered the commoners human.

Even so, Lanno Territory at least had peace. Eagle was a figurehead lord, and neither Sadin nor Kesso really governed, so the people weren’t doing too badly.

All in all, as long as the nobles didn’t stir up trouble, the exploitation was limited.

Unlike Frostleaf Territory—standing in front of the dazzling Red Maple Castle and comparing the miserable commoners captured along the way, the contrast was harsh.

Players were used to the commoners in Casey City who had begun to warm up to them and lived relatively okay lives. Seeing the extreme misery of Red Maple City’s commoners now was jarring.

But in truth, this was very common across Arly Continent.

“That statue must be the Lady of Red Maple,” Pei Sen said, looking at the sculpture atop the fountain. This ambitious woman had placed her own statue in front of Red Maple Castle, gazing out toward the capital of the Duchy of Balst—quite telling in itself.

Had she not died early, the war in Frostleaf Territory would likely have lasted much longer. She certainly wouldn’t have been satisfied with just conquering two neighboring territories.

She came from a traditional noble family known for valor and aggression, which led to nearly the entire family being wiped out by the time she married.

If not for her stunning beauty and remarkable talent, she never would have married the powerful Marquess of Red Maple. He was nearly twenty years her senior, but after losing nearly her whole family in war, she had few options.

Pei Sen didn’t quite know how to evaluate her. Her ambition displaced countless commoners and left many dead on the battlefield, but she also brought unmatched glory and expanded the territory far beyond what it was.

She made the Red Maple family shine. Originally, Frostleaf Territory belonged to the Marquess of Red Maple, but it was the Lady who truly built its power—not inherited, but conquered.

If she hadn’t died, the Red Maple family wouldn’t even dare to act out. That’s how formidable she was.

Statues may distort reality, but even so, hers radiated power.

At that moment, a remarkably handsome man stood at a castle window. Though no longer young, his graceful demeanor was undiminished, especially when he smiled—carefree and charming. Time had barely touched him, and despite some fine lines, his allure remained strong.

He was Swiji Lanno. Unlike his young nephew Eagle, his aura had matured. While not as refined as Burke Angre, Swiji possessed his own unique magnetism—like the wind: free and untamed.

Swiji looked to the red-haired man beside him. “Looks like you lost. That nephew of yours is already outside the castle.”

From the window, they could clearly see the square. Swiji was puzzled by the people tied to wooden planks.

That red-haired man was Night Hawk, Frostleaf’s uncle and the strategist of the Red Maple family.

In his youth, Night Hawk had been one of the most handsome men in Frostleaf Territory. But standing next to Swiji, he was clearly outshone.

After the Marquess of Red Maple died, the family once considered pairing Night Hawk with the Lady of Red Maple. But she had completely ignored them.

This time, Night Hawk had anticipated Swiji’s move, personally rushing to Red Maple Castle and sending Frostleaf to intercept Eagle. But not only did Frostleaf fail, he failed spectacularly.

Night Hawk chuckled self-deprecatingly. “I lost to you back then, and now your nephew defeated Frostleaf just as easily. What more can I say?”

He remained rational—even his words of self-mockery were carefully crafted to appeal to Swiji’s pride and possibly curry favor.

As a former love rival, Night Hawk knew Swiji well. He had once told Frostleaf: just give me three days, and I can convince Swiji.

But barely a day had passed.

Swiji glanced at Night Hawk, aware of his intentions. Night Hawk was likely the smartest remaining member of the Red Maple family, but Swiji held no affection for the entire clan—just like the Lady of Red Maple had.

He had a terrible relationship with his brother Burke Angre and even less regard for his nephew. Yet compared to the Red Maple family he loathed, that nephew was somewhat more tolerable.

He sent Rin Star to Lanno Territory with a letter simply to avoid benefiting the Red Maple family.

“Let’s go meet them,” Swiji said. Night Hawk’s eyes flickered. He looked out the window again, sighed, and followed.

This young lord of Lanno had arrived too soon. Or perhaps the Red Maple family should have listened to Night Hawk’s advice earlier—when Rin Star first went to Lanno Territory.

But they didn’t want to submit to someone who had risen thanks to the Lady of Red Maple. Only after Eagle crossed into Frostleaf Territory did they scramble to find Night Hawk for help.

But by then, it was far too late.

Night Hawk looked at Swiji again with mixed feelings. Back then, he had said Swiji would follow the Lady in death, but no one believed him.

“He just inherited Lanno Territory. Why would he throw away his life for love?” they scoffed.

But Night Hawk knew Swiji well. As former rivals in love, he’d seen how pure and resolute Swiji was. If he said Swiji would follow her in death, it was because he knew he would.

Swiji was the kind of man who never looked back once he made a decision. He could love one woman for ten years without wavering. So when she died, it made perfect sense he would want to follow her.

Ordinary people just couldn’t be as pure as Swiji.

Night Hawk recalled someone once saying that the Lanno family often produced “devotees of love.” Once they fell, they’d never turn back—willing to give up everything for that one person.

Their beauty and deep love had led to the family’s many downfalls.

Swiji led the Red Maple knights forward, Night Hawk at his side. They soon reached the square outside the castle.

Pei Sen stepped down from the carriage and extended a hand. Eagle took it and descended gracefully.

Night Hawk’s body trembled as soon as he saw the golden-haired, blue-eyed youth. He instinctively looked at Swiji.

The boy looked so much like him—his features echoed Swiji’s. Blood ties were undeniable.

Both of them were beautiful beyond average, instantly commanding attention wherever they went.

“You look less like that annoying Burke Angre and more like me,” Swiji said with a smile.

It was Pei Sen’s first time meeting Swiji, and he had to admit—the resemblance to his young master was striking, despite their different temperaments.

Even the players were stunned.

“This guy’s the little earl’s uncle? He’s insanely hot!”

“The little earl’s cute, but this uncle is just… wow.”

“Little earl will outshine him when he grows up!”

“Wait, who’s that red-haired hottie next to him?”

Aside from Swiji and Eagle, there was another pair of uncle and nephew—Night Hawk and the captured Frostleaf. But next to Swiji and Eagle’s glow, even Night Hawk barely caught the eye.

Night Hawk glanced at his nephew, confirmed he wasn’t badly hurt, then looked at Eagle.

He hadn’t expected such a young lord from Lanno Territory to crush the Red Maple family so completely.

Eagle now looked at Swiji. “Even if I resemble you, that’s not why I’m standing here. You must also think the Red Maple family is unbearably incompetent. If they keep control of Frostleaf Territory, they’ll ruin everything the Lady worked for in just a few years.”

His tone was sharp—only a young man could speak with such cutting clarity.

Eagle was no longer the frail, spoiled boy from Golden Rose Manor. Swiji’s presence was imposing, but Eagle met it head-on.

His words angered all the Red Maple family members present.

But Eagle only sneered. “What, did I say something wrong? You’re all stupid, useless, and underhanded. When my uncle sent Rin Star to Lanno, you failed to assassinate him and gave up. If you had done something then, I wouldn’t be here.”

“You tried to ambush me, failed again. Then, in a disgraceful move, you drove your own commoners here to bait me into killing them and tarnishing my name. That kind of tactic—pathetic even by noble standards.”

Even Frostleaf couldn’t help but feel ashamed. He had to admit, the Red Maple family had always been one step behind.

Swiji laughed. “So that’s why you brought the commoners here? To publicly humiliate us?”

Eagle scoffed. “I’m not that petty. These commoners are your people. I’m just the lord of Lanno—they have nothing to do with me. You invited me to Red Maple Castle. They were misled into trying to stop me, violating their lord’s wishes. I’m returning them to you—it’s your call how to handle them.”

Even Pei Sen was shocked. When he issued the mission, his only goal was to slap the Red Maple family’s face. But fifteen-year-old Eagle was far more calculating. His response was flawless—insulting the Red Maple family while subtly currying favor with Swiji.

Swiji’s gaze deepened, his green eyes seeming to smile.

His eyes swept over the odd “soldiers” and the commoners on wooden planks. He recognized some of them—after all, he had lived in Red Maple Castle for years.

Of course, the Red Maple family hadn’t told him about this stunt. By the time he learned of it, the commoners had already been driven to the city gates.

Night Hawk, still watching Swiji’s face, sighed again.

This final round—the Red Maple family had lost. Completely.

Eagle’s few words had publicly shamed them, strained their relationship with Swiji, and returned the commoners unharmed. His strategy was far superior.

Night Hawk had opposed the plan from the start—Swiji had feelings for Red Maple City. But his voice wasn’t strong enough within the family.

“You really aren’t like Burke Angre,” Swiji suddenly said. “He’s quite foolish. You’re much smarter.”

Eagle raised a brow. “Thanks for the compliment.”

Swiji thought of Eagle’s mother—the Esmia royal family had ruled the Kingdom of Esmia for centuries, producing many outstanding monarchs.

By bloodline alone, Eagle was exceptional. Swiji couldn’t understand why his brother had exiled his son to Lanno Territory.

Was it for King Leiser’s sake? Likely. Swiji smiled bitterly. He had loved the right person and found happiness. Burke Angre loved the wrong one and probably had few happy days.

The Lanno family always seemed cursed—deeply emotional, obsessively loyal. Once they loved someone, they gave it all. They ignored everything else—family, friends, even their lives.

“Lanno people are fools… Love above all isn’t something to be proud of,” Swiji muttered. He too was a Lanno.

He looked at the exceptional young man before him. Could he trust him?

After all, they shared the same last name.

But at least, he was far better than the worthless Red Maple clan.

Swiji wanted the land the Lady had left to thrive.

“Eagle, if I gave Frostleaf Territory to you, could you govern it well?”

Eagle’s expression was proud, his reply firm.

“Of course!”

He would build a brand-new Frostleaf Territory.

Once, Eagle had no interest in ruling even Lanno Territory. But then, someone appeared and said:

“Young master, we can grow stronger together.”

“There are many ways to become strong. If your territory prospers, so will you.”

“Let’s build your new Lanno Territory together.”

Eagle smiled, full of confidence, facing Swiji.

He didn’t need to look at Pei Sen—he knew this man would always be at his side.

This was the one who changed everything.

Rule Frostleaf Territory well? He absolutely could!