"When I return to Monte Castle, I’ll have people monitor any unusual movements in the direction of the Eastern Territory," Murphy said gravely. "The Peric Clan’s attitude will be the key. Annie is still at Monte Castle. That could be an opportunity, but we must be cautious."

In this world, prominent families often held multiple noble titles.

Take Margaret, for example. Her family name was Purple Eagle, a name belonging to the Royal Family. For her meritorious service, she was granted the title of Duke Temeris and went on to establish the Temeris Clan. Her official title was "Duke Temeris."

The situation was similar for the Peric Clan, the ancient rulers of the Iron Ridge Mountain Range in the Eastern Territory.

The head of the clan held the title of "Ironspine Duke," conferred by the Kingdom. His full, formal title was "Duke of Ironspine and Blackstone Fortress." Their family castle, Blackstone Fortress, guarded a strategic chokepoint and was the Iron Wall of the Kingdom’s Eastern Territory.

He was also commonly known as Duke Peric.

The title "Viscount Peric," however, specifically referred to the clan’s publicly acknowledged heir. Using the family name as the title was, in itself, a clear symbol of the future Duke.

Therefore, as the daughter of Viscount Peric, Annie Peric’s status and potential influence far surpassed that of an ordinary viscount’s daughter. She was, in effect, the princess of the Eastern Territory.

"Annie Peric..." Margaret mused. "The Little Princess of the Eastern Territory. Securing her, and by extension gaining the goodwill—or at least the neutrality—of the Peric Clan is vital for us to handle any potential upheaval from the East. The old Duke Peric is a shrewd pragmatist, but he is also fiercely protective of his own and prioritizes his family’s interests. If necessary, I can speak with him directly in my capacity as Duke Temeris."

She paused and looked at Murphy. "You’re leaving tomorrow?"

"The night is perfect." Murphy’s gaze drifted toward the boundless darkness to the north.

Margaret fell silent for a moment. "In that case, until we receive more definitive information, we’ll each focus on solidifying our own positions and see how things unfold. Taymer Palace and Monte Castle must maintain clear communication. The moment the Listener or the Eye of the Profound has anything concrete, I’ll inform you immediately."

"Good," Murphy replied.

It seemed everything that needed to be said had been said.

They stood side by side under the moonlight, their shadows stretching long across the smooth floor of the terrace, nearly merging into one.

"Go see her before you leave?" Margaret suddenly suggested, her voice softening.

Murphy didn’t answer, but his feet were already carrying him toward the palace’s inner chambers.

Margaret followed in silence.

They passed through silent corridors and arrived at the antechamber of Eleanor’s bedroom.

A lady-in-waiting, Leia, sat on a low stool by the door, her head bobbing as she dozed. She startled awake at the faintest sound and, seeing the Duke and the Governor, scrambled to her feet to curtsy.

Margaret gave a slight wave of her hand, gesturing for silence.

They gently pushed open the door to the inner room. By the faint glow of the last embers in the fireplace and the moonlight filtering through the window, they could see Eleanor curled into a tiny ball on the large bed, sound asleep.

Sure enough, one of her small hands was lying outside the blanket, resting gently on the Crystal Ball Astrolabe, which shimmered with a faint, starlike light, as if she were still guarding the precious gift even in her dreams.

Murphy stopped at the doorway, his gaze heavy as it fell upon his daughter. He watched her for a long time.

Margaret stood half a step behind and to his side, her own gaze just as quiet.

Finally, Murphy let out a breath, so faint it was almost inaudible.

He took a step back and silently closed the door, once again shutting the tranquil, sleeping face away from view.

"I’m leaving." He whispered the two words to Margaret. Without saying more, he turned and headed back down the path toward the secluded side gate, his pace steady and quick.

Margaret didn’t follow to see him off. She simply stood where she was, watching as his deep blue-clad figure was swiftly swallowed by the shadows of the corridor.

Her face was expressionless, but in her eyes, which seemed all the more profound in the darkness, an incredibly complex emotion flickered and was gone.

The side gate opened and closed without a sound.

Outside, the cool mountain wind surged in, carrying the scent of vegetation and night dew.

Murphy’s figure blended into the boundary between moonlight and darkness. Without the slightest pause, the flow of Qi within him suddenly accelerated. His toes tapped the gravel path, and he shot forward like a shadow skimming low across the ground, streaking toward the rolling silhouette of the mountains to the north.

The moment he was beyond the palace walls, his speed surged to its absolute peak, even swifter than his pace had been on arrival.

The moonlight was bleak, the starlight dim.

With a few bounds across the rugged, forested mountains, the deep blue-clad figure vanished completely into the heavy darkness of the north, leaving only the towering Taymer Palace behind, gleaming with a cold, lonely whiteness beneath the moon.