The Prodigal Son Returns Home

The convoy traveled for two full days before finally arriving at its final destination – Firefall Fortress.

Before arriving at Firefall Fortress, the first thing that catches the eye is a vast expanse of farmland that spirals up the mountainside like steps.

It was August, the month of blazing sun, the growing season for crops. Tender green wheat seedlings swayed in the morning light, winding paths meandered through them, and farmers were bending over to work—these scenes were incredibly familiar to the original owner, yet somehow different.

The farmland in my memory seemed more vibrant, but now, many fields are abandoned and overgrown with weeds, and the drainage ditches are silted up due to lack of dredging.

More importantly, when the farmers saw the guards adorned with the Summer Star emblems passing by, they no longer bowed in awe, but instead lowered their heads blankly, as if avoiding some kind of plague.

At the edge of the horizon lies Firefall Fortress.

As one of the gateways to Cormier's eastern border, this castle was built entirely for war. Built against the mountain, its gray-white granite walls blend seamlessly with the mountainside. Its strategic location makes it easy to defend and difficult to attack. The only ramp leading to the castle gate is only wide enough for two carriages to travel side by side and is completely exposed to the view of the arrow towers.

This fortress, so easy to defend and difficult to attack, would be a nightmare even for the elite of the Purple Dragon Legion.

Behind the castle, a huge waterfall cascades down from the mountaintop, often appearing as a fiery red glow in the sunset, hence the name "Firefall".

"Young Master, the castle seems... a little different from when we left." Below Ye Wei'an's chin, Eileen's head also leaned in, looking around and sighing.

"Really? I didn't notice it."

"Look over there," Eileen said, pointing to the tower on the flank. "Has that arrow tower been heightened?"

Recalling his past life's memories, Ye Wei'an did indeed notice the differences.

Compared to four years ago, the castle's defenses have been significantly strengthened.

The tower on the west side had been raised by an entire floor, and several crossbow firing ports had been added to the outer wall. Moreover, some of the guards on the city wall were wearing dark gray cloaks, which were not the traditional dark green of the Xia Xing family, but more like the uniforms of the private soldiers of the Amarisk family.

It seems that the Baroness's influence over Firefall Castle has been steadily increasing since the Baron fell ill.

"Finally back," Ye Wei'an sighed softly, his tone devoid of any warmth of returning home.

The convoy stopped at the first guard post at the foot of the gentle slope below the castle.

Just a few minutes ago, the sentry let in a guy riding a donkey.

The sheer size of the convoy immediately alerted the guards.

"Halt! This is Baron Xia Xing's territory. State your identities!" The two soldiers on the sentry post abruptly cocked their crossbows. Although they were intimidated by the large force, their tone remained firm.

Kane spurred his horse forward, abruptly unfurling the seal and document from his robes, his powerful voice echoing through the valley:

"Open your eyes and look carefully! This is the Baron's son, Young Master Yeweian Xiaxing! The mage who has returned home after completing his studies in Susar!"

"The illegitimate young master is back!"

The sentries' tense expressions became incredibly varied—surprise, hesitation, and even a hint of panic.

Soon, the loud whistle blew up the gentle slope, step by step.

The horns on the watchtower sounded urgently, and the heavy tension cables made a strained grinding sound as the thick black oak drawbridge of Firefall Fortress began to slowly descend.

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The Baroness's living room in the castle.

The furnishings here are extremely luxurious, with velvet curtains partially obscuring the view, and the room is filled with the expensive scent of ambergris.

Lady Serena was pruning a pot of violets from the south when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

The fellow who had just ridden the donkey—he was the lady's personal attendant, and usually prided himself on his appearance—was now leaning against the doorframe, his official hat askew, his boots covered in mud, panting heavily.

"Madam... Oh... Madam! Something terrible has happened!"

"Hey Sheenworth, can't you be a little more composed? You look like a groom being chased by wild dogs."

Lady Serena frowned slightly and asked with displeasure, "Did Gray Raven succeed? Didn't I tell him to report to me personally after he was done? Why is it you who came?"

"No, it didn't work out!" The officer's voice trembled violently. "Firefall Town has changed! That bastard... he's not dead at all! Instead, Gray Raven himself has disappeared, and his men have been arrested in large numbers. According to the townspeople, they were all taken care of by a 'righteous young master Xia Xing.' Tyr must be blind!"

"What did you say?!"

With a "snip," Serena's scissors cut off a section of the blooming flower branch.

"What did you say? Are the Gray Ravens' men just sitting around doing nothing?"

"It's all over! They've all been arrested!" the official explained, trembling. "He's been handing out money in town with great fanfare, digging up all the property deeds that the Grey Ravens had forcibly seized, and using the money from those assets to give to those lowly people! My Goddess Woking, that's thousands of gold coins! Now the whole of Firefall is calling him 'Savior'!"

Serena swayed, barely managing to stand by bracing herself against the edge of the table.

She simply couldn't believe her ears!

"That's all my money!" she shrieked. "That bastard killed my people and used my money to buy their loyalty! How dare he!"

Then she turned to her subordinates and questioned, "Why did it take you so long to receive the news? Why did you personally come back to deliver it? Have all the Gray Ravens been captured?"

"Madam, I doubt a single one of the Gray Raven's men escaped!" The official, his face contorted with grief, collapsed to the ground. "I was ordered by you to go to the countryside to check the rent, and this morning I ran into some townspeople visiting relatives, excitedly discussing what had happened... I immediately rode my donkey back to inform you, rushing as fast as I could, my throat is practically hoarse from running. And... and..."

"And what?!"

"And when I entered the city gate just now, I heard the sentries below reporting... that bastard son is already at the foot of the castle! Right behind me!"

The scissors in Serena's hand fell to the ground with a thud.

"Four years have passed, and that once silent and timid guy has changed so much..."

She stared intently out the window, her fingernails digging deep into the flesh of her palms.

In her memory, Ye Wei'an had always been a cautious and taciturn fellow, almost invisible in the castle.

This was also why she felt comfortable letting him go to Susar to learn magic—he was just an ordinary illegitimate son, and even if he learned some magic, he wouldn't pose any threat.

"Madam, according to the townspeople's boasts..." the official lowered his voice, a hint of unconscious awe in his tone, "that Ye... bastard, is now an extremely powerful mage. The townspeople speak of him in incredible terms, saying that he only needs to glance at people, and those wicked thugs will kneel down crying and confessing their sins..."

"A mage?" Serena turned her head sharply. "That's not right! The intelligence from Susar clearly stated that although that kid had been in the academy for a few years, he had no magical talent whatsoever; at best, he was just an apprentice who knew a few tricks! How could the goddess of magic, Mystra, favor a bastard?"

But then, her face turned from deathly pale to ashen.

"Hidden well... really well." She spat out these words through gritted teeth.

If the intelligence is wrong, it means that Ye Wei'an has been pretending for the past four years, and even the people sent to monitor him have been fooled.

The assassination attempt failed because the opponent's strength was underestimated.

"What about the Grey Crows? Any news?" the lady pressed.

"I don't know... but judging from the situation, it's most likely fallen into the hands of Ye... that bastard."

Serena's breathing became rapid instantly.

That's the Grey Raven! That's the black glove that does all the dirty work for her, holds countless secrets about her, and even knows the evidence of her collusion with the Amareske family!

If Gray Raven really does fall alive into that kid's hands...

Countless terrible consequences flashed through her mind in an instant: murdering one's own child, colluding with bandits, smuggling contraband... If these crimes were brought before the still-breathing old man of the Dragon Throne, or to Susar's court, even if she was the daughter of the Amaresk family, she would be in big trouble!

"Madam... Madam?" the clerk whispered.

In his eyes, the Baroness had always been shrewd and composed; this was the first time he had ever seen her so flustered.

After a long pause, Serena took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the turmoil surging in her chest.

As someone from a prestigious family, after the initial shock, she finally regained her composure, quickly walked to the mirror, tidied her slightly messy hair, and restored her elegant demeanor.

"What's the panic? This is Firefall Keep. I am the Baron's rightful wife, the rightful ruler of this land. Sheenworth will protect my reputation and status. As long as he still acknowledges his Xia Xing identity, he can't do anything to me anymore."