In the following days, Martin would routinely spend his daily life in the castle.
To avoid losing face due to etiquette issues in the Imperial Capital, Martin had his steward find several etiquette tutors and legion instructors, preparing to learn etiquette while also exercising his body.
In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight streamed into the room through the curtain gap, Martin had already awoken from his sleep.
After quickly washing up, he changed into neat and proper attire, and then walked towards the place specifically used for teaching noble etiquette.
There, experienced tutors would patiently and meticulously teach Martin various intricate and complex yet crucial etiquette rules.
Whether it was walking, sitting posture, or dining, every movement and detail had strict requirements and standards.
Martin listened attentively to the tutors' explanations and continuously repeated practicing those seemingly simple but actually quite difficult movements, striving to integrate these etiquettes into his bones, making them a natural habit.
In addition to learning noble etiquette, Martin would also spend a lot of time on the spacious and open Training Ground.
Training facilities were placed here for him to exercise his physique, with instructors guiding and adjusting body-strengthening potions suitable for Martin to avoid harming his body.
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was almost time to depart for the academy.
During this period, Martin and Beitan could only communicate through letters. After all, magic communication crystals were expensive; one cost 5 gold coins, and even with money, one couldn't spend it like that.
The castle gave Martin 10 gold coins each month, which was not a small amount; two gold coins could be a commoner family's annual expenditure.
However, anything related to magic was generally not cheap. Once a descendant had a fief, the Earl would not provide money.
It was learned from the letters that they had already completed several tasks, accumulated twenty gold coins, and their current location was gradually approaching the Royal Capital.
The training over the past half month made Martin's body look stronger. During this time, Madam Ellie also often came to check on him.
Today, as usual, while Martin was training on the Training Ground, a figure appeared without warning in the Sky—it was a Griffin Knight!
He, riding that scarred griffin, circled weakly in the Sky, as if it could fall at any moment.
Finally, the griffin landed with difficulty on the castle's Training Ground, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Upon seeing this, the other knights present were greatly alarmed; they quickly put down the weapons and tasks they were practicing, rushing from all directions like a tide.
In the blink of an eye, the Training Ground was surrounded by many nervous and fully armed knights.
The Griffin Knight, with an anxious expression, without pausing to catch his breath, quickly dismounted and hurried towards Commander Vali, who was hastily approaching the center of the crowd.
Before Commander Vali could even ask, the Griffin Knight eagerly shouted, "Commander Vali, quickly go find the Earl! Something terrible has happened! The Orc Kingdom suddenly launched an attack and has already breached Frost Zero Pass!"
With that, he collapsed from exhaustion and fainted.
When that shocking news swept into the ears of all the knights like a sudden gale, without exception, their faces were filled with disbelief.
They were seen with wide eyes, some even subconsciously gaped, as if they had heard an Arabian Nights tale. How could such a thing happen?
In their understanding, even if the enemy truly breached the impregnable Frost Zero Pass, how could there be no prior news at all?
Had the A-rank magic array, Frost's Fury, which had always played an important role, not been able to withstand it?
And what about the magic communication crystals?
Why, at such a crucial moment, did no one use it to transmit vital military intelligence?
Just as the knights were full of doubts, looking at each other, and the atmosphere was extremely tense, a figure appeared as if out of thin air in front of everyone.
Everyone's gaze was instantly drawn. Upon closer inspection, the person who arrived was none other than the Earl; his appearance made the already tense atmosphere even more solemn.