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It was evening, and the majestic Winterfell City appeared more solemn under the glow of the sunset.

When Colin arrived beneath the city wall, he found Vera already standing at the drawbridge, waiting to welcome the man returning from afar.

She was wearing a purple noblewoman’s long dress, which complemented her beautiful body curves and was still modest and elegant, and her light makeup made her already beautiful face even more radiant. Her beautiful eyes looking at Colin were filled with tenderness and affection.

Colin’s heart warmed, he dismounted immediately and strode up.

Although he deeply wanted to hug the beauty in front of him, Colin restrained this impulse and knelt on one knee according to the appropriate noble etiquette, greeting his own lord.

But unexpectedly, Vera pulled Colin before he could kneel down and affectionately said: “Colin, welcome home!”

Colin also didn’t bother with any more formalities. He bent down and kissed Vera’s smooth forehead, smiling and saying: “My lady, you are extremely beautiful today!”

Vera smiled sweetly, then linked her arm with Colin’s and they walked towards the city together.

“Hello, teacher!”

Inside the city gate, Prince Harrison and Princess Judy greeted in crisp voices.

Colin nodded back at the two little ones, then helped Vera into the horse-drawn carriage.

Escorted by a team of guards, the carriage went half through the city and arrived at Lion Roar Castle on the hilltop.

The servants had long prepared a sumptuous banquet to welcome Colin’s return.

Entering the Knight Hall with Vera, the air was filled with the faint scent of roses.

Marquis Garcia, dressed in immaculate noble ceremonial dress, stood in the center of the hall, nodding his head in greeting to Colin.

Compared to a month ago, Marquis Garcia looked much better. His face had regained some color, but his body was still hunched. He leaned on a walking stick, and the sharpness in his eyes was no longer present. It seemed like the once-dominating God of Army of the North Territory had completely disappeared.

Colin quickly returned the bow and exchanged a glance with him, but didn’t say much.

At this point, Scholar Doan, Knight Kambening, and retired Archbishop and others also took turns greeting Colin.

Young Master Joyce was also in the hall, but the teen was not very good at hiding his emotions. After perfunctorily nodding at Colin, he pouted and looked at the ground, seemingly reluctant to be here.

Of course, Colin wouldn’t pay attention to a sulking child. He then invited everyone to take their seats.

In such a formal banquet, everyone’s seating was particular. Colin and Vera sat side by side in the main position, to their right were Marquis Garcia and the retired Archbishop, to their left were Prince Harrison and Princess Judy, further below were Joyce, Scholar Doan, along with a line of Knights from the St. Hilde family.

As Archbishop Agani was currently in Swan City, dealing with the aftermath of Archbishop John, in Winterfell City, the retired Archbishop represented the Church at the welcome banquet.

Colin glanced around and didn’t see the former Minister of Agriculture he’d lured away from Springs Town. He asked, “Why isn’t Scholar Sunny here?”

Scholar Doan smiled slightly and said, “Scholar Sunny said he wanted to conduct research in the North Territory to prepare for the upcoming agricultural reform, so he is not currently in Winterfell City.”

Colin nodded, thinking that Scholar Sunny was really dedicated. He’d started researching the moment he arrived, so Colin let it be, laughing and asking Vera to announce the start of the banquet.

Vera immediately picked up the gold wine glass and declared, “Everyone, please drink this to the full. May the glory of the Lord of Glory protect us, and may the St. Hilde family forever prosper!”

Everyone promptly picked up their wine glasses and echoed loudly.

Colin drained the champagne from his glass and laughed, “Everyone, please enjoy the food tonight!”

Everyone cheered, and then began to concentrate on the food on the dinner table.

In this world, a lord hosting a family banquet is a very serious matter, with a set of very standard etiquettes.

During the meal, no one was allowed to speak until the main course was served. Only after indicating that they were full by tapping their plate with a knife and fork could they converse with others who had also finished eating.

The entire process was quite dull, with the only amusement being who could eat the most.

This was also part of etiquette – the more one ate, the greater the satisfaction they expressed towards the food prepared by the host, and it also showed their strength and bravery.

Of course, the cooking level of the head chef of the St. Hilde family was top-notch. Charcoal-grilled crocodile tail, white mushroom oysters, steamed salmon, wine-roasted goose liver, cream salad… various delicious dishes covered the giant long table.

Amidst the clanging sounds of the expanding cutlery, everyone strove to stuff all these foods into their stomachs while maintaining etiquette.

The maids, like fluttering butterflies, moved lightly, constantly changing clean plates for everyone and refilling their drinks.

Though Colin didn’t need these ordinary foods to replenish his energy, seeing everyone with hearty appetites, he also began to eat heartily. The maid behind him had already changed his plate four times.

Seeing the maid preparing to change his plate for the fifth time, Colin finally tapped the plate, indicating that he was full.

Vera, who had finished eating a long time ago, laughed, “Colin, you’ve got quite an appetite today.”

“Yes, I’ve been away from the North Territory for so long, I still miss the food from home.”

The retired archbishop also tapped his plate, put down his cutlery, and asked, “My lord, I heard that Bishop John of Swan City was killed by Lucien?”

“More precisely, he was assassinated by Lucien in collusion with outsiders…”

Next, Colin selectively narrated to everyone about what had happened in Swan City.

Of course, he did not mention the “Duke St. Hilde” who returned from the dead, but replaced him with a “mysterious man”.

Mr. Ji’s necromancy was too bizarre, hard to explain clearly. Also, Colin had reached a secret cooperation agreement with Mr. Ji, he did not want unnecessary trouble.

Even though Colin had hidden this most bizarre part, everyone had a shocked look on their faces. They obviously hadn’t expected this kind of thing to be carried out by the husband of Count Schultz, a peak warrior.

“May the Lord’s light shine on Archbishop John and let his soul rest in peace!” After listening, the retired Archbishop prayed with a complex look on his face.

Seeing this, everyone else also bowed their heads in prayer, expressing their mourning.

Colin watched the devoutly praying crowd with a complicated expression, and thought to himself, if they knew that the Lord of Glory could no longer hear their prayers, or receive their power of faith, would these people still remain devout?

After the prayer, everyone started to chat.

Seeing that everyone had finished their main meal, the butler instructed the maids to serve dessert.

Colin and Vera shared their various experiences from the trip to Dragon City, and the atmosphere gradually became relaxed and harmonious.

However, Colin noticed that Joyce had been whispering in Princess Judy’s ears all the time, making her giggle.

This caused Colin to become intrigued. He wondered, was Joyce genuinely getting along with Princess Judy, or was she approaching the princess on purpose, under someone else’s instruction?

If it was the latter…

The candles on the long table gradually burnt out, bringing the banquet to an end.

Vera stood up and announced the end of the banquet, then walked out, hand in hand with Colin.

However, at the door of the Knight’s Hall, Colin stopped and waited for Marquis Garcia to catch up. He then smiled at Vera and said, “You go ahead, I would like to have a few words with the Marquis.”

“Okay.” Vera gave a gentle smile and left.

Marquis Garcia nodded to Colin and said, “Let’s go to my study.”

“Okay.”