Leo was just about to head out when footsteps echoed from the doorway.
A flicker of thought crossed his mind as he quietly spoke to Bone One.
“Return for now.”
At his command, Bone One’s form dissolved from its feet upward into specks of black light that dispersed into the air.
In less than two seconds, it vanished completely, leaving behind only a faint ripple of residual magic.
Convenient.
Leo silently praised this function.
He opened the study door and saw the old butler carrying a tray with freshly baked bread and jerky.
“Your Highness, you must be hungry. Have something to tide you over first.”
Alfred placed the food on the table.
Leo didn’t hesitate and grabbed a warm piece of bread, biting into it immediately.
The flavor was good—crispy on the outside, soft within.
While eating, he summoned the map of this territory in his mind.
This was a built-in game feature, far more precise than any paper map.
The entire Blackwood Ridge looked like a cookie with a bite taken out of it.
Most of it was plains and hills, while the “bitten” part was the Black Forest.
The small town where the lord’s manor was located, called Blackwood Town, sat right at the border between the plains and the forest.
It was less of a territory and more of a forward outpost set up to monitor the Black Forest.
According to the game’s setting, the monster levels inside the Black Forest increased in tiers from the outer edges inward.
The outermost area, adjacent to Blackwood Town, contained monsters ranging from levels 1 to 5—slimes, wild boars, goblins, and the like.
They weren’t very aggressive and weren’t densely packed, making it the ideal leveling area for beginners.
However, for ordinary people without combat power, it was still a deadly threat.
Thus, the townsfolk only dared to chop wood at the forest’s edge, never venturing deeper.
Further inside was the mid-layer of the forest, where monster levels jumped above 10, including wolf packs and giant boars.
As for the deepest part of the forest…
Leo drew a red line on the map.
That was the playground for high-level players and the graveyard for low-level ones. Before reaching level 30, he wouldn’t even think about approaching it.
“My goal is clear—to grind monsters on the outskirts until the skies darken.”
Leo quickly drafted a rough plan.
First, level up and allocate attribute points.
Then learn several new summoning skills to build up combat power.
With proper operation, he could snowball into growing ever stronger.
With that thought, he finished the bread in a few bites, brushed the crumbs off his hands, and stood up to leave.
“Your Highness, where are you going?”
Alfred’s voice came from behind.
“Oh, just out for a walk—to inspect my territory,” Leo answered casually.
“It’s late, and it’s unsafe outside.”
Alfred’s insistence left no room for argument.
“Please forgive my boldness, Your Highness, but if you are to patrol the lands, I must accompany you.”
Leo stopped in his tracks and turned to look at him.
The old butler’s face was full of wrinkles, but his posture remained straight.
Memories of the original Leo surfaced in his mind.
Since he could remember, this old man had always been by his side—teaching him to read, showing him proper etiquette, silently treating his wounds when his brothers bullied him.
Later, when the original Leo grew up but his talents failed to manifest, he fell into despair and even spoke harshly to this loyal butler who cared for him.
Yet Alfred never left.
He was like a silent mountain, shielding that lonely boy from countless storms.
Until the end, when the original was exiled, Alfred didn’t hesitate to pack his bags and follow, bringing along servants who were willing to stay loyal.
He was someone Leo could truly trust.
Leo had made up his mind.
He had never planned to hide his abilities—after all, his future plans for this place depended on them.
This butler was trustworthy; others would need further evaluation.
“Alfred.”
Leo switched to the more familiar name.
“Come with me.”
Instead of heading toward the lord’s manor gate, he turned and walked toward the backyard.
Though curious, Alfred didn’t question him and silently followed.
They passed through an overgrown backyard and arrived at a long-abandoned warehouse.
Leo pushed open the creaking wooden door, and a musty, stale smell hit them.
The warehouse was empty except for a pile of broken farming tools in a corner.
Moonlight filtered through a hole in the roof, illuminating the swirling dust.
“Your Highness, this place…”
“Alfred.”
Leo cut him off and turned to look directly into his eyes.
“Are you willing to swear eternal loyalty to me? No matter what I become in the future, no matter what I do.”
His voice rang clear and sharp in the empty warehouse.
Alfred hesitated for a moment but then knelt on one knee without hesitation.
He placed his right hand over his chest and performed the most solemn knightly salute.
“My life and loyalty belong to you forever, Your Highness Leo.”
“Since the moment you were born, it has always been so.”
Leo nodded slightly.
“Very well, then look carefully.”
He raised his right hand, channeling his spiritual energy through his body.
The summoning knowledge he had just acquired flooded his mind.
“In my name, answer my call.”
A pitch-black miniature magic circle appeared again on the floor before him.
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