The Lord Of Blood Hill

Chapter 643: The Baron of Waterhill

"Father, was that formal attire really given to you by the lord of Blood Hill?"Facing his youngest son's question, Pacino proudly tugs at the knightly formal attire he is wearing. "Of course. Would your father lie?"

"This Peace Haven formal attire was specially tailored by Henwell according to my measurements."

"Also, when you were born, that beautiful carriage was a gift Henwell specifically sent."

"During festivals and holidays, we often exchange gifts and letters."

"Every year, aside from the portion offered to the royal family, I always reserve one barrel of Waterhill's finest plum-berry wine for Henwell."

Here, Pacino pauses and lowers his voice. "Do not tell anyone about this."

"Premium plum-berry wine can only be enjoyed by the royal family. If others learn Henwell can drink it too, that will cause trouble."

Pacino's youngest son is only six years old. After hearing many stories about the lord of Blood Hill, he questions it again.

"How could that be? The lord of Blood Hill is a great hero. He is the strongest knight in the kingdom. Who would dare cause trouble for him?"

Pacino flicks his son's forehead. "Silly child, I mean we would be in trouble. Who would dare provoke Henwell?"

Pacino has come to Silver Peak City this time to present plum-berry wine.

Unable to resist his youngest son's begging, Pacino simply brings him along to see the world.

Because he is presenting the wine, Pacino is allowed to attend the palace banquet.

This is the only time each year when Pacino can come into contact with the kingdom's upper ranks.

As one of the royal wines for the Midsummer Festival celebration, Pacino is still rather well known.

In the past, at banquets representing the kingdom's core of power, Pacino was only a minor figure, an invisible nobody who received no attention.

Then, one day, curiosity drove him to chat with Henwell.

Afterward, every Midsummer Festival, Pacino no longer feels so inferior.

The kingdom's top nobles, or their heirs, politely greet him.

Sometimes they even come over to chat with him for a few lines. For a low-ranking noble, this is a tremendous honor.

Thinking of this, Pacino realizes he has not seen Henwell for a long time.

The last time they met was at Henwell's wedding, when Pacino was invited to attend that grand ceremony.

Even now, he carefully preserves the invitation Henwell personally wrote back then.

Looking at his youngest son beside him, Pacino decides that after this Midsummer Festival, he will turn south to visit Henwell.

While he is there, he will also send his youngest son over to study. He has heard that Peace Haven's education is excellent.

Pacino has achieved little in his own life, but if possible, he does not want his son to be laughed at the way he was.

He believes Henwell will definitely educate his son well. Thinking of this, he cannot help rubbing the head of the child who is looking around curiously.

After a while, he frowns and looks at the lively banquet around him.

Why has King Amir still not appeared?

And where are those powerful friends of his?

Why can he not see any of them?

Afterward, Pacino asks several familiar friends.

Only then does he learn that none of his friends have come to this banquet.

Spencer, the eldest son of the Grand Duke of the Eastern Territory, is representing Duke Marcus on a mission to Billie Kingdom.

Prince Arius has followed his wife Karitan to visit the Rose Princess of Billie and has not attended this grand banquet either.

General Fabio, Lord of the Western Iron Wall, is representing the kingdom on a mission to Ika Kingdom to sign a new border trade agreement.

Crocker, heir to neutral grand duke Reyes, has also followed an envoy group to Ogiro Kingdom on the grand duke's behalf.

So many powerful nobles are conducting frequent diplomacy because this year is the final year of the ten-year safety period.

After the Midsummer Festival ends, the Holy Spirit Church's right of protection will expire.

Although the chance of war with the surrounding countries is not high, Vorry still needs to send envoys to discuss its future relations with every country.

The absence of these friends leaves Pacino disappointed.

But he soon smiles again. In a little over a month, he will be able to go to Peace Haven and visit Henwell.

Just then, King Amir appears. He first delivers a speech, then begins chatting with the various powerful nobles.

Pacino originally thinks the formalities are over and plans to return early to rest.

Unexpectedly, King Amir actually walks over.

He studies the honest-looking Pacino. "Baron of Waterhill, your wine is excellent."

"When your father was alive, he often sent wine to me. You have inherited the craft well, and you have improved it quite a bit."

"The output has increased, and the quality of the wine has improved as well."

"For letting us drink such fine wine, I personally must toast you. You must keep working hard in the future."

Pacino is overwhelmed by the favor and quickly says this is only what a subject should do.

Amir gently pats his shoulder. "You have a good relationship with Henwell. I heard you intend to visit Peace Haven?"

"Good. Take a bottle of wine to him for me. Speaking of that bottle, I have treasured it for many years, and only now did I remember it."

"But time spares no one."

"When I finally want to drink it, my body no longer allows it. Take that bottle of wine to Henwell."

"I cannot reward him with anything else. I can only use this bottle of fine wine to toast Henwell, Vorry's warrior."

After saying that, Amir leaves with a smile.

Soon after, a guard delivers a bottle of wine. Although it has been well preserved, the packaging is already very old.

Fortunately, the bottle has been protected well and has not suffered the slightest damage.

Seeing the signature on the label, Pacino becomes a little excited. That is his father's handwriting.

It really is a fine bottle of aged wine.

Pacino loves wine to begin with, and he cannot help happily turning the bottle over in his hands.

After returning to his residence, he studies the bottle carefully and much wants to open it for a taste.

But when he thinks that something this good only has meaning if he drinks it with his friend, he restrains the urge to unseal it.

After a while, he suddenly frowns. The date on the bottle feels familiar.

He cannot immediately remember what that date means.

But it is definitely not the production date. It should be the date the wine entered the royal wine cellar.

After lying down to rest, Pacino begins calculating when he should leave.

While his thoughts wander, Pacino suddenly remembers what day that date was.

It was the day Amir ascended the throne. It was also the day of Amir's palace coup, when he defeated his competitors and forced the old king to abdicate.

Pacino rises from the bed, lights a lamp, and examines the bottle of wine again.

Countless thoughts churn in his mind.

What does King Amir mean by this?

Does he want Pacino to warn Henwell?

Or does it mean something else?

Or is Pacino simply overthinking it?

Ah.

His mind is not sharp. If only those friends of his were also in Silver Peak City, they would certainly understand...

As he thinks this, Pacino's body stiffens, and the bottle slips from his hand and falls to the floor.

Fortunately, the bottle is made of excellent material, and there is also a carpet beneath it, so it does not shatter.

Pacino, who loves wine, no longer pays attention to the precious wine on the floor.

At this moment, his face is pale, his body trembles lightly, and sweat begins dripping from his forehead.