In the makeshift martial arts arena.

Two forest warriors clashed fiercely, fighting with primitive weapons.

Neither wore armour, and you could see their well-developed muscles, hideous scars and all sorts of tattoos.

It wasn’t quite accurate to call them tattoos. Aaron knew that the ancient forest warriors liked to paint their bodies and faces with green or blue dyes, making simple patterns.

Even now, the custom was still widespread in the forest.

Although he didn’t think the guy with the green and blue spots on his face was terrifying, it was said that it could be effective in scaring the enemy.

These green barbarians had once been the nightmare of the northern lords of the Kagash Kingdom!

“Bang!”

While he was lost in thought, a warrior with a large beard on the stage had already struck down his opponent with a stone axe. He roared at the audience, showing off his muscles.

“Very good!”

On the high platform, Theodore raised his hand and announced loudly, “The winner of this tournament is Mokto of the Barren Land!”

Aaron looked around in boredom. Lady Sonia, Ginny, Sean and even Colin were on the stage with the best view.

This martial arts competition was originally held to celebrate the birth of a new generation of successors.

It was worth noting that Sylvie had also survived, and according to Ginny, she had recovered very well, without any symptoms such as bleeding. It seemed that the allicin had played a part in this.

In fact, Aaron didn’t have much confidence at the time. All he could say was that the other party had been very lucky this time.

….

At night.

There was a big banquet at the castle.

A roasted suckling pig was placed in the middle of the long table, an apple in its mouth, surrounded by all sorts of sumptuous dishes.Aaron held a glass of wine in his hand, not liking the noisy atmosphere of the banquet.

It had to be said that the nobles of this era were very barbaric and open. Even banquets were a good place to communicate.

Some men and women who met for the first time couldn’t wait and flirted passionately with each other. They even arranged to meet in the garden or in the servants’ quarters.

In short, it was a foul atmosphere.

Well, there was no shortage of knights’ daughters who wanted to ‘chase’ Aaron, and even knights’ wives who came over to curry favour, which annoyed him to no end.

“Ha ha, my child, you are still as shy as ever. You can’t get used to this kind of situation.”

Theodore laughed as he walked over. The people around him automatically stepped aside. They obviously knew that the Count wanted to have a heart-to-heart with his second son.

“You should learn more from Colin. He’s adapted very well.”

When a woman opened her mouth, she could quickly draw the men closer to her.

But Theodore’s opening remark made Aaron feel a sense of courtesy and importance.

He smiled faintly. “Colin is a very fine successor. Hmm, if only he may be a little more humble… Father, is there anything you need from me?”

This directness made Theodore frown. “You are seventeen years old. It’s time to think about marriage. Hmm… According to Kagash, an Count can bestow titles on lesser nobles. Perhaps you should mention your title as well. It won’t increase your fiefdom, but it’s nicer.

In the Kingdom of Kagash, barons and viscounts were not granted nobility, not even knighthood.

That kind of power was only available to counts. Counts were therefore often seen as the true rulers of a region and the threshold to great nobility.

Of course, if a baron or viscount insisted on conferring a title and cutting off their own territory, the document would be sent and approved.

If they had an count under them, the count would be responsible for approval.

If not, the report would be sent directly to the king’s desk.

Under normal circumstances, great nobles would not refuse. After all, this was the weakening of the lesser nobles.

Of course, the situation in the Green Forest was different.

This place was vast and sparsely populated. In fact, many knights had large fiefs that would make their peers in the kingdom jealous.For example, Aaron’s fief could be developed further. The area was comparable to that of a baron in the kingdom, but he did not have as many people.

It was the same with Theodore. He preferred to call himself a lord rather than a baron or a noble.

So Aaron knew very well that this was not what Theodore really wanted to say.

Why do I feel that Theodore has changed since he ruled the Green Forest? He’s more political?

He complained inwardly. “It would be a great honour for me to be given a title by you, but I haven’t found a lady I really like …”

“That’s too bad. Perhaps you could consider the ‘Sheep Girl’ of the Kingdom of Kagash?” Theodore said.

The lords of the Kingdom of Kagash were cowardly and not good at fighting. They were often ridiculed by the nobles as sheep men, so their daughters would naturally be sheep girls.

“A political marriage?”

Aaron smiled. “If Father wants to be fully integrated into the Kingdom of Kagash, it’s a good idea…”

“I’m still considering it. Philly suggested it to me once, but I sense something is wrong. It’s a trap.” Theodore said.

If it was in the past, he would not even have to discuss Aaron’s marriage with his son. He could just arrange it and then tell him.

However, Aaron now had another identity as his vassal, so he had to discuss it.

However, Aaron felt that this was also Theodore’s secondary goal. Amused, he chatted with him for a while.

Finally, Theodore seemed to say in passing, “I hear you’ve been using a new method of farming in your area. There’s also something called fertiliser that can double the yield per acre? Hmm, you’ve been good at inventing since you were young. The paper you made is already being sold in the kingdom, and the merchants are going crazy over it.”

So it’s all because of that?

Aaron nodded inwardly, but his expression did not change. “It’s just a small improvement. If Father wants, I can have a good talk with your agricultural officer.”

Theodore’s expression immediately turned serious. “How can I covet the things of my son, my vassal?”

But with Aaron’s persuasion, his expression gradually softened.

…

Not long after, Aaron returned to his room and chuckled. “Is that the common trait of feudal lords? They like to take all the good things for themselves? ”

“But I also got what I wanted.”

Tonight he had made a political deal with Theodore. Specifically, he used advanced farming techniques in exchange for absolute autonomy in his marriage.

Theodore had also hinted that as long as he did not marry a peasant girl, he could do as he pleased. He could even marry later. This made Aaron sigh with relief. He did not want to be forced into marriage by Theodore like Colin. He looked at the crack in the door and suddenly smiled. “Tia, come in!”