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The castle is entirely constructed of grey rocks, with thick and solid city walls rising up to twenty-five meters. The wall is smooth with not a single gap visible. The moat surrounding the city wall connects to the Winterspring River. The pristine surface of the water glistens, with occasional jumping fishes and shrimps.

A large iron-clad oak drawbridge spans across the ten-meter-wide river. A few strong soldiers are stationed by the winch. Thus, at any time when the guards on the lookout tower raise an alarm, they can immediately raise the drawbridge.

The Grant family also once had its glory days. It is said that more than five hundred years ago, they were one of the most distinguished families among the Counts within the Flame Region. Back then, Springs Town was not as desolate as it is now but was Winterspring City, a bustling city where more than three hundred thousand people gathered.

Unfortunately, during the invasion of the Second Orc Empire’s main force into the Flame Region, Winterspring City unfortunately stood in their way.

Then, the city became a ruin.

The Grant family also lost their nobility in the process, until more than a hundred years ago, when their descendants finally rose again, regaining their nobility. Although they were only a Baron, it was a beginning nevertheless.

Springs Town and Winter Spring Castle were rebuilt, but they never recaptured their former glory.

So, when the luxurious caravan of the St. Hilde family gradually drove into Springs Town, the locals looked at this motorcade with curious and reverent eyes.

Baron Grant had already come to the outskirts of the town personally to welcome Duke St. Hilde and his party into the castle.

Although once glorious, this honor had been thoroughly eroded in the long river of time. The present Grant family was no different from the average rural nobles.

When Sunny, Baron Grant’s younger brother, assumed the position of Minister of Agriculture for the Empire, the Baron thought that the opportunity for the family to be revived had finally arrived. However, his younger brother was quickly oppressed and objected to his agricultural reform program, and he eventually even lost his job.

After this blow, Baron Grant became even more pragmatic and low-key. Duke St. Hilde’s sudden visit raised some doubts in his mind but he still put on the warmest welcome ceremony.

He ordered the moss on the city walls to be scrubbed clean, the interior of the castle to be thoroughly cleaned, new red carpets to be laid, and guards to form a ceremonial procession. Every effort was made to make Duke St. Hilde feel the sincerity of the Grant family.

Unfortunately, the Grant family was just a Baron’s family. While the study in Winter Spring Castle was spacious, the low ceiling gave an oppressive feel, and the small windows let only a little sunlight in. It was necessary to rely on candles to brighten up the room.

Only the thick mahogany long table gave off an aroma of aged timber, which reflected some of the depth of the Grant family.

Baron Grant sat on the sofa, looking somewhat constrained.

Colin and Vera, although courteous and graceful, gave off a noble aura that made Baron Grant feel somewhat inferior.

Plus, there were Prince Harrison and Princess Judy nearby. Although they didn’t speak much, being the successors to the Empire, they also exerted a great pressure on Baron Grant.

“Duke, Viscount, please try this mushroom tea. It’s a special product of our Grant region.”

The silver cup on the long table was steaming. The tea inside smelt like meat soup, but it was not greasy when drank. Instead, it had a light and delicious taste.

“It has a very distinctive taste.” Vera commented politely.

Baron Grant perked up and explained proudly, “Duke, I’m glad you like it! This mushroom tea is made from red mushrooms picked from the Dark Forest, combined with spring water from the upper reaches of the Winterspring River. Unfortunately, it cannot be preserved, otherwise, I would definitely send you some.”

“Can’t the red mushrooms be dried for preservation?” Colin asked with a smile.

Baron Grant shook his head: “Viscount, mushrooms alone are not enough. It has to be made with the spring water from the upper reaches of the Winterspring River to have this unique refreshing taste.”

Colin inwardly laughed at the lack of business savvy of Baron Grant. He was too honest, which was probably why his life was so difficult and his family could not regain its former glory.

However, he had no interest in guiding him and instead stated the purpose of his visit:

“Baron, our visit to Springs Town this time is mainly to meet Scholar Sunny. As you may know, the North Territory is currently experiencing a famine. We want to invite Sir Sunny to go to the North Territory to implement agricultural reforms to alleviate the food crisis. In this regard, we hope you will understand and offer your support.”

Upon hearing Colin brazenly state that his primary purpose for visiting Springs Town was to see his younger brother, Baron Grant couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment. However, he quickly adjusted his mood.

He was well aware of his position in society and knew that a minor baron like himself could never warrant a personal visit from the Northern Duke.

Baron Grant was indeed an honest man. He harbored no jealousy towards his younger brother; on the contrary, he was genuinely pleased for him, believing he now had an opportunity to put his knowledge to good use.

“Of course! It’s an honor for Sunny to be noticed by the St. Hilde family. As long as he doesn’t object, I certainly won’t hinder him.”

Scholar Sunny glanced at his sibling before speaking, “Your Grace, I would like to make a presumptuous request.”

Vera nodded with a smile, “Please, go ahead.”

“My plan is to bring a group of apprentices to the North Territory as assistants. However, they are all citizens of the Grant estate – their departure will undoubtedly cause a labor shortage here. Therefore, I hope that you could gift a number of slaves to the Grant Family as compensation.”

“Of course!” Vera immediately nodded in approval, then turned to look at Colin.

Colin also nodded, finding the request quite reasonable, and inquired, “How many slaves do you need?”

Scholar Sunny, after a moment of consideration, replied, “I will be bringing about a hundred apprentices to the North Territory, so an equal number of slaves would suffice.”

However, Colin shook his head, “No, I’ll replace your apprentices with slaves at a three-to-one ratio for the Grant Family.”

If he were to give a gift, he would give it wholeheartedly. Moreover, he had a good impression of the Grant Family, and he was willing to make friends with such a family.

“Thank you for your generosity!” Scholar Sunny bowed deeply in gratitude.

Baron Grant was also quite thrilled. Although three hundred slaves were not a considerable gift for a baron, what he truly valued was the friendly attitude shown by Colin.

If he could connect with the St. Hilde family through Scholar Sunny, Baron Grant felt that there was still hope for his family’s revival.

“Sir Baron, may I borrow your study to write a letter? I’d like to have the slaves sent to Springs Town from Ice Rock City as soon as possible.”

“Of course.”

Baron Grant led Colin to a desk and dutifully laid out a sheet of parchment for him.

However, Colin’s gaze was fixated on a stack of peculiar paper in the corner of the desk and he remained silent for a while.

Baron Grant noticed this, and explained with a smile, “Sir, those were simply the tinkering of my servants during their leisure time. It’s convenient for writing, but it’s not suitable for someone of your high stature.”

Nonetheless, Colin didn’t deem it as a simple “tinkering”.

He knew that parchment was the most commonly used writing material among the aristocrats of this world. As for the commoners, they couldn’t afford the expensive parchment and instead used a type of papyrus.

Colin had seen this type of papyrus; it was rough and inconvenient for writing, nowhere close to the paper he had used in his previous life.

Regrettably, he didn’t remember how to make paper. Otherwise, he could’ve earned a fortune through this craft.

However, right now in Baron Grant’s study, Colin saw something very similar to paper!

Although this “paper” was slightly yellowed and not smooth on the surface, it was already very close to the paper Colin had used in his previous life.

He immediately cast the parchment aside, picked up a sheet of the yellowed “paper” with interest, and started writing on it with enthusiasm.

Seeing this, Baron Grant was perplexed, but decided not to say anything.

After writing the letter, Colin nodded in satisfaction before turning to Baron Grant, “May I meet the craftsman who made this paper?”