Kingdom of Hutton, the southernmost frontier of the Southern Vantina Territory.

The land is located in a very strategic natural location, backed by the Knox Mountains known as the "Guardian's Ridge", which is rich in mineral and forest resources, and hides ancient ruins and unknown secrets in the depths, making it a paradise for adventurers and researchers.

Since crossing the long Knox Mountains will lead to the border of the Cress Empire in the south of the Hutton Kingdom, most travelers who are interested in ancient ruins will stay in the territory of Nan Vantina as a place to travel from.

For merchants, if they wanted to trade with the Cress Empire, it was more appropriate to take the sea route.

Not only is the south side of the South Vantina Territory bordered by mountains, but the east side is also known as the "Blue Sea", the port is busy with merchant ships and fishing boats, and the beautiful sandy beaches and clear waters along the coast are a good place for the residents of South Vantina Territory to relax.

On a summer morning in early June, the sun rises at the station of the city of Lord Nan Vantina.

Ranch and Hubertarian hurried out of the train that had just stopped.

The station is an old building, and the stone bricks in the corners are covered with moss and vines, which is more natural than the Central Station of Icherita.

Along the road, Ranch and Huberian introduce his hometown.

"That being said, although the Nanvantina Territory has always been quite popular with the inhabitants of all parts of the Hutton Kingdom, I'm sorry that Hubertian brought you here for the first time, and I had to rush back to Wilford's house in such a hurry."

Ranch responded to Hubertian's admiration with embarrassment.

Yesterday, they hadn't cleared their luggage, so they rushed back to Ichrita Central Station with their luggage, bought the fastest flight, and took the magic train overnight to Nanventina.

Huberian was not at all afraid that the continuous journey was in a hurry, but looked forward to a new journey.

"It's okay, I've been here a few times as a kid and I've always loved it."

Huberian smiled and said to Ranchi,

"Even in my dreams, I miss coming here."

On the concourse floor, the crowd surged, and the passengers shuttling and the family members who greeted them had a leisurely expression in the soft conversation.

The pace of life in Nan Vantina is very leisurely and slow, and even most of the shops will be closed by five o'clock in the afternoon.

"I see."

Ranch was slightly stunned, then nodded, and he and Hubertion made their way through the crowd and out of Nanventina Station.

Behind the two of them, the towering bell tower echoed in the early morning air as the morning bell rang.

Ranchi remembered that in the Falling Gentle Country Fantasy Before, he and Hubertian were indeed on the same train, and the scenery outside the window was inexplicably familiar, and it turned out to be the route from the royal capital of Ixerita to Nanventina.

"Anyway, will we have met when we were kids?"

Hubertarian stared at Rankie's face as she walked, muttering to herself in confusion.

Just when she accidentally mentioned it, she also thought back to that illusion.

Riding with Lanchi to Nan Vantina, the reality inexplicably becomes the same as a dream.

"It depends on whether my father and your father Mi Ya know each other, last time he didn't find out that you were Miss Duke for half a day, and he seemed to regard Ling as an ordinary girl with a good family background."

Ranch felt that Hubertarian's face was too close, and politely leaned back a little, and replied.

After the story of meeting Char in the snowfield province of the Northern Continent, Lan Qi felt that it was not impossible, mainly depending on whether the parents of both sides had met many years ago.

"Oh!"

Huberian seems to have found herself too close to Lanchi, and may have suddenly remembered the last time she was at the Academy Hospital in Ichrita, Ranchi's father gloated, "Duke Miyaya can marry a demon wife, Lanchi, can he?" She ran away in embarrassment.

"Meow meow, what are you talking about?"

Boss Cat asked in confusion as he poked his head out of Lanch's shoulder.

"That time my dad came to the royal capital, it was me and Hubertian and Frey who had just finished the second Shadow World Templar Villain dinner, and then as soon as we came out of the Shadow World, Hubertarian and I went to the hospital to visit Daddy, and we went to the Cat Boss Restaurant that night to find Tata, and it was also that day that Huber Ann lived in the Cat Boss Restaurant, so it happened to be before I met Cat Boss you."

Lanch patiently explained to the cat boss.

"Why didn't you tell Tata about it?"

Boss Cat turned his head again and looked at Huberian.

It was always listening to Hubertarian and Tata talk about interesting things, but he didn't expect Huberian to have such a story that didn't mention a word.

“……”

Hubertarian's cheeks flushed slightly and she looked away.

It's all to blame for Ranchi's father, who told some strange jokes, and she accidentally almost agreed.

The two of them waited briefly outside Nanventina Station, and Ranchi waved a magic vehicle.

"Go to Heartpulse Plaza North, 25 Nosma Street."

"No problem."

With a kind smile on his face, the driver motioned for the young travelers to put their luggage on board.

Soon Ranch and Hubertarian were in the back seats, and the car started slowly, making its way down the cobblestone road through the streets of Nanventina.

Outside the window, the city-state was more architecturally fresh than Ixerita's, the streets were flooded with the golden glow of the rising sun, and the cobblestone pavements lined with rows of manicured plane trees, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze.

Boss Cat sat between Ranch and Huberian, looking left and right at them.

For some reason, Ranch has been getting a little restless since yesterday.

Boss Cat wonders if Ranch is sick.

"Speaking of Lanqi, wouldn't it be a little bad for me to come to visit so suddenly."

Huberian felt a little nervous as she got closer to Ranchi's house.

"I brought you here suddenly, don't worry, Daddy also said that you are welcome to play in Nan Vantina at any time, and he has a very good impression of you."

Ranch replied.

"Is that so?"

Huberian whispered.

In that case, she was not so afraid.

In the future, we must continue to make a good impression on the Wilford family.

But there shouldn't be any problems, she is a professional spy and priest trained by the Ice Witch teacher, and she will never overturn at a friend's house.

The vehicle passes through the city center, known as the "Heart Pulse Square", which is the political, economic and cultural bustling area of the lord city of Southern Vantina, where a sculpture of Vantina Frontier stands hundreds of years ago, commemorating the city's founder and history.

Ranch's home, not far away, is located in the northwest corner of the city, on a branch of an avenue called the "Guardian's Path".

The street is wide and secluded, lined with tall oak trees and manicured bush hedges.

As the car progressed, the silhouette of the mansion gradually appeared outside the window.

The Wilford family mansion is an elegant three-story building with a pale yellow limestone façade and a roof covered with crimson glazed tiles.

The main entrance of the mansion is carved with oak inlaid with the family coat of arms, and in front of the door, two copper vases are filled with blooming blue and white irises that exude a faint fragrance.

"Here we are, Hubertarian."

"Okay."

The car stopped on the street outside the courtyard gate of the mansion, and Ranchi and Huber Ann got out of the car, took out their luggage, and stepped up the stone steps that led to the main entrance of the courtyard.

The hedges on both sides of the stone steps are neatly trimmed and hung with dew, shimmering with the glow of the rising sun.

"Young Master Lanch, are you back?"

The guard outside the door said in surprise the moment he saw Lanchi, and then hurriedly stepped forward to take Lanqi and Huberian's luggage and cat.

They hadn't seen Ranch for more than half a year, and they missed it so much.

The rich young man Lanqi, who had a bad reputation for a while, became very good two months before he left home to go to school in the royal capital of Ichrita, and the servants in the mansion fell in love with this good young man.

"I'll come back for a while, and I'll leave the luggage to you."

Ranch greeted them, and hurriedly led Hubertian all the way through the garden, to the main entrance, pushed open the heavy oak door, and entered the mansion.

"Meow meow, I'm not luggage!"

Boss Cat struggled with the guard's hand and jumped into the garden.

"Fog grass, cats can talk?!"

The guards looked at the little black cat running away in amazement and shouted.

Boss Cat quickly catches up with Ranch and Hubertarian and follows them into the mansion.

Inside, the spacious foyer is bright and welcoming, with portraits of family ancestors and delicate sconces on the walls, and a string of light footsteps echoing up the stairs, indicating that everyone in the family is up and ready for the day.

The door behind Ranch and Hubertarian closed, and they entered Wilford's house, where breakfast seemed to have just been finished and the servants were packing up the dishes.

Before the two of them could take a few steps, a familiar muffled voice sounded not far away.

"Oh? Master Ranchi? ”

In the spacious first-floor living room, Hans turned and noticed the two men, who, as the steward of the Wilford family, were directing the affairs of the mansion for the day.

Hans's emaciated figure was straight, his white hair neatly combed, and his face was carved with the marks of age and deep wrinkles, but his eyes still sparkled with intelligence and kindness.

"Hans, I'm back."

Ranch nodded.

Sometimes I think Hans is like a killer, and he will show a perfect smile in the face of people he obviously hates, but now Lanch is not afraid of Hans.

Although they didn't know why the wealthy merchants of the Southern Vantina Frontier were able to recruit such an old butler with a full sixth order, Lanchi was willing to believe that Hans was their family's man.

"Young master, you've become stronger."

Hans was surprised at first, then his eyes became relieved.

Hans's gaze then turned to Huber Ann, who was standing next to Ranch, and raised his eyebrows slightly, apparently more surprised by the guest: "Oh, this young lady is...... Miss Huberian Ann? ”

"Uh, yes."

Huberian was stunned, she didn't expect Hans to suddenly call out her name, and she nodded hurriedly.

She could tell that the butler had a good relationship with Ranchi.

"Mr. Noe told me about you last time he came back from the royal capital, and he was always looking forward to the day when Ranch would invite you to Nanventina to play, but he didn't expect that something good would happen today."

Hans maintained modesty and courtesy, showing the demeanor of an experienced butler, explaining,

"When I go to the study on the second floor, tell the master, and I will definitely entertain Miss Huber Ann during this time."

"No, no, no, you don't need to give me a place to live, and you don't need to use honorifics on me."

Huberian waved her hand.

She and Ranchi still have to go back to the Academy of Icerita to hand in a report, how can they stay at Ranchi's house, listen to the old housekeeper's meaning, how are they all going to arrange for her and Ranchi to have a good time in Nanvantina for a while.

"By the way, Hans, are we having any guests in our house these days?"

Lanch interrupted the conversation between the two of them and asked with a solemn expression.

Hans, the butler, turned to observe Lanch, who had rarely seen a young master with such an expression.

The last time the young master was obviously a little uneasy, it was the young master who found him in the living room and asked him to help deal with the matter about the pigeon that was accidentally brought back.

"Not a guest, but Miss Tata came to our house for breakfast before you did, and Francine is now taking her around the house."

Hans was stunned for a moment, but quickly regained his composure, his voice still calm.

In his opinion, Tata was nominally the steward of their house, and although he rarely came to the house before, he was also a tutor in Lanchi, not a guest.

As Ranchi's most familiar maid, Francine has also met Tata several times, and is Tata's closest person in the house.

The only thing that is a little strange is that Miss Tata and Master Ranch happened to be back, but they came back separately, and they didn't know each other's schedules.

“！？”

Ranch's eyes widened.

Originally, when he saw the calm appearance of his family, he thought that nothing had happened, but he didn't expect that death was already one step ahead of him.

I don't know where Tata is now, but her goal is definitely his bedroom on the second floor!

I don't want to be Tata's big brother——!

Ranch was sweating profusely, as if he had returned to a nightmare, and let out a cry of his heart.

It's a gravitational pull called fate.

Calm down.

On the bright side.

It's not really that bad.

The mansion still looked peaceful, indicating that Tata was not angry, and she must not have reached her bedroom on the second floor!

As long as you can rush back to the bedroom before her, hide the painting, and put it on with a portrait of a poor and poor old lady, and everything will be fine!

I can still be saved.

"Hans, I've got something!"

Ranch didn't say anything more, and hurried towards the stairs, as if all anxiety and exhaustion had vanished in this moment.

As he galloped on the second floor, he saw Francine, the maid cleaning the corridors.

"Eh, Master Lanqi, you're back!"

As soon as Francine saw Ranchi, a smile of surprise immediately appeared on his face.

Originally, she was very happy to see Tata come back, but she didn't expect Lanchi to follow him home.

"Yes, I'm back, let's talk later!"

Ranch only hurried back, his voice hurried and short, and he didn't stop.

He had only one goal now, and that was his bedroom at the end of the corridor not far away!

"Sure enough, the young master likes Miss Tata the most, so anxious to see her."

Francine smiled and muttered to herself, before she could say anything more, she looked at Hubertarian who was chasing.

Francine suddenly covered his mouth, and the look in his eyes seemed to say: Oh my God, Young Master Lanchi actually brought two girls home!

Despite her curiosity and shock, Francine maintained her professional dignity and saluted Hubertarian, knowing when to speak and when to be silent.

On the other side, at the end of the hallway, the galloping Lanch leaned hard against the porch to slow down, grabbed the handle of the bedroom door, and pressed it hard and impatiently.

Lanch's heart was beating faster, but he finally felt a little at ease at this moment.

Wait a minute.

Isn't Francine supposed to be accompanying Tata around the mansion?

If Tata wasn't by Francine's side, then where was she.

Lan Qi frowned slightly, he was too panicked just now to realize this problem.

The door opened slightly, revealing a gentle rayof light, and the confusion and tension in Rankie's mind intertwined.

When the bedroom door opened completely, Lanch stood in front of it, stunned by the sight in front of him.

In the spacious bedroom, sunlight shines through the light gauze curtains on the floor, creating dappled light and shadow.

Everything in the room was well placed and it was clearly cleaned regularly even though the owner hadn't lived in it for a long time.

The most prominent position is a portrait on the wall, showing a woman wearing an old gray cloak, and her eyes reveal a touch of melancholy and unyielding, as beautiful as a wolf in the snow.

And in front of that painting.

A gray-haired woman stood there, her face facing Lanchi quietly, her coat slim cut, and a silk tie neatly tied under the collar of her dress looked elegant and rigorous.

The gentle wind swept across her face, causing her gray hair on her shoulders to flutter slightly in the wind.

The golden pupils that stared at the looming portrait were full of confusion, emotion, and consternation.

In this moment of tranquility, the gray-haired and golden-eyed figure seems to blend into a picture with the surrounding environment, and it seems that her presence is the only one in this painting.

Ranchi stood in the doorway, and the half-step back movement disturbed Taria.

The moment Taria's golden eyes stared at Lanchi.

Ranch suffered cardiopulmonary arrest.

(End of chapter)