Chapter 136: Natalia
The buildings of Sea Cliff Castle were scattered across the mountainside, divided into many different complexes.
The direct members of the Kennedy Clan generally resided in the area closer to the mountain’s peak, which was the core of the castle.
Duane’s carriage creaked and groaned as it followed the Guard Captain toward the building complex to the right of the main keep.
As this was an informal meeting and the Count’s daughter was the one receiving him, the meeting place was not set in the reception hall of the Count’s main keep.
"Baron, Miss Natalia’s garden courtyard is just ahead. Please forgive me, but this is as far as I can accompany you!"
"Alright. Thank you for leading the way."
The Guard Captain politely placed a hand over his chest in a salute, then turned his horse around and departed.
Duane also stepped down from his carriage and looked ahead.
Before him was a mountainside garden courtyard with several independent suites and small villas.
This single complex was comparable to the castle of an ordinary noble, a testament to the Kennedy Clan’s immense power.
Duane walked forward and, within a few steps, saw a female guard wearing Light Armor.
"Excuse me, are you Baron Duane from Black Forest Island?"
Duane nodded. "Hello."
As he spoke, he sized her up slightly. ’She must be an Extraordinary Warrior, but I don’t know her specific Level.’
"I am Eleanor, Miss Natalia’s head guard."
The female guard bowed and introduced herself. "Miss Natalia is currently in Meditation, but she arranged for me to wait for you here. Please, follow me."
"Much appreciated."
Duane replied politely, "I hadn’t realized Miss Natalia was a Mage."
Eleanor walked ahead. "Miss Natalia is highly gifted in Magic and is known by many as a magical genius."
Duane couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows, growing even more curious about the Count’s daughter whom he had never met.
He searched his memories but found no information related to Natalia. It seemed his predecessor had never crossed paths with her.
They walked into a spacious courtyard.
Although it was called a garden, flowers were only planted in one corner.
It was currently winter, yet some unknown variety of flowers was still in bloom.
Duane’s attention was drawn to the other greenery.
He let out a soft sound of surprise. "These don’t seem to be ordinary plants."
"You have a keen eye."
Eleanor replied, "Miss Natalia is a Mage, and her Magic Classes include Magic Potion Study. Therefore, many of the plants in this courtyard are Magic Plants she is learning to cultivate."
Duane was secretly astonished.
’So many Magic Plants, and most are varieties I’ve never seen before.’
’The Count’s daughter, a genius Magical Girl, is on a whole other level.’
’To have access to so many resources just for her studies...’
Marveling as he walked and observed, Duane quickly crossed the garden courtyard under Eleanor’s guidance and arrived in front of a small villa at the back.
This area, in contrast, had quite a few flowers and looked more like a proper garden.
Duane tilted his head back slightly to examine the exquisite building.
The villa wasn’t particularly large, but every detail exuded elegance and refinement. There were even magical carvings on the walls and window lattices.
It was clear that Count Kais held his daughter in high regard; otherwise, he would never have spent so much money to prepare all this for Natalia.
"Is that Baron Duane who has arrived?"
Before Duane could even step inside, a voice as crisp and clear as crystal wind chimes drifted out.
Immediately after, a tall young woman walked out slowly from within.
She wore a sky-blue, full-length dress, its hem swaying gently with her steps. Around her waist was a jewel-encrusted belt, its arcane patterns looking both elegant and mysterious.
A smile touched the corners of Natalia’s lips, but her pale blue eyes were calm, like a bottomless lake, making her difficult to read.
Duane placed a hand on his chest and bowed. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, my beautiful lady."
Natalia curtsied slightly in return. "My father and brother happen to be away from the castle. My mother arranged for me to receive you in their stead, considering we are of the same age. I hope you don’t mind."
Her voice was cool and polite, carrying a faint sense of distance that made the meeting feel more like a formality.
Duane understood.
He was purely here to build a better relationship. As long as Black Forest Island’s merchant ships could pass through Silent Harbor unimpeded in the future, that would be enough.
"My visit is a bit abrupt. I should have sent a formal letter of introduction beforehand, but..."
Duane smiled and spread his hands. "As you know, Black Forest Island is quite far from the Silent Shore."
Natalia hadn’t known about Black Forest Island originally, but to ensure she wasn’t impolite during the reception, she had done some homework.
At the very least, she had gained a Basic understanding of Duane’s past and the geographical location of Black Forest Island.
"Black Forest Island is indeed far from the Kingdom. You’ve had a long journey."
She said, gesturing for him to enter, "Please."
The two of them entered the reception hall, one after the other.
Eleanor stood at the door and did not enter. Seeing this, Michele and Benur quickly took up positions outside the door as well.
If they hadn’t seen the female guard’s example, they might have followed him right in.
Duane looked at the decor in the reception hall. It was fully furnished with plush armchairs, sofas, and the like. The most conspicuous features were the several portraits hanging on the walls.
"These are the previous Clan Leaders of the Kennedy Clan."
Natalia explained with a smile, "They made many contributions to my family and are worthy of our remembrance."
She also recounted the glorious deeds of her grandfather, Devon House, who was the one who formally established the Kennedy family’s status as a Kingdom Count.
Duane couldn’t help but remark with feeling, "Remembering one’s ancestors is not only a sign of respect for their contributions and a tribute to history, but also a profound recognition of one’s own bloodline and responsibilities."
After hearing this, a bit of warmth entered Natalia’s cool gaze.
"You’ve summarized it perfectly. I completely agree!"
She smiled and gestured with her hand. "Please, sit!"
At that moment, several maids had already served a few plates of fresh fruit and prepared two glasses of fine wine for them.
In this world, wine and beer were standard offerings for guests, not just reserved for banquets.
Duane found this custom slightly unfamiliar.
"The butler told me you only went to Black Forest Island around April of this year. It’s said to be very dangerous there, with Demon Beasts often invading human cities. Is that all true?"
Natalia was indeed a little curious about the situation on Black Forest Island. Besides, she rarely entertained guests and needed a topic to talk about to pass the time.
"It’s true that incidents of Demon Beasts invading the Territory have occurred."
Duane said with a smile, "For example, around May or June, a group of over a hundred Frog Fish Monsters approached my Territory."
"Frog Fish Monsters?"
Natalia searched her mind. There were countless types of Demon Beasts; it was impossible for her to know them all.
Duane gestured as he described them. "They’re a type of Low Level Demon Beast with the head of a fish, the body of a frog, and the tail of a fish."
"Quite the patchwork creature," Natalia commented.
"Yes. Most of them are as strong as ordinary beasts, but there are also many powerful individuals at Level 3 or Level 2."
Natalia was somewhat surprised. "A horde of over a hundred such Demon Beasts invaded your Territory, and you dealt with them?"
"Yes!"
Duane said, "I consolidated the forces on the island and, together with my Guards, annihilated the Demon Beasts that invaded my Territory."
"That must have come at a considerable cost, didn’t it?"
Natalia guessed subconsciously, also wondering if this Demon Beast invasion was the reason he had come to the Kennedy Family seeking financial support.
’Otherwise, her father wouldn’t have said something about casually giving him one or two hundred Gold Coins.’
"It did indeed come at a considerable cost."
Duane recalled, "One of my Guards was struck by a Frog Fish Monster’s spear and was severely injured. Another four suffered scrapes and sprains, and they needed more than half a month to recover."
Uh...
Natalia blinked. ’That’s what he calls "a considerable cost"?’