"This will be your exclusive bed from now on, Rhine."

  "As for the empty space under the bed, you can use it to store some miscellaneous items."

  "Rest assured, starting today, I can't speak for the others in the castle, but at least in my militia, no one will treat you as a slave anymore. So, you don't have to worry about anyone tampering with your belongings under the bed."

  "However, keep in mind that while I have the authority to let you join the militia, your true identity is still that of Baron Angelo's slave."

  "I can grant you a degree of freedom, but I cannot override what Baron Angelo has already decided."

  "Therefore, you must continue your original work in the stables. Only after completing those duties will you be allowed to train with my militia. Understood?"

  Rhine nodded and replied, "Understood, Master Fergus."

  Fergus glanced at Rhine's thin frame and the faded, coarse linen clothes he wore. After a moment of thought, Fergus stepped forward and patted Rhine on the shoulder.

  "Work hard. If you perform well enough, there's a chance in the future that Baron Angelo might release you from your status as a slave."

  "For now, what you need to focus on is simple: improve yourself as much as possible."

  "Only by proving your worth will I be able to create an opportunity for you to present yourself before Baron Angelo. Whether you can seize that chance to change your fate will depend on you."

  Rhine nodded again, signaling his determination to try his best.

  After giving his instructions, Fergus left the militia's quarters near the castle's open yard.

  Once Fergus was gone, Rhine finally had the time to take a closer look at his new bed.

  Although he had merely moved from an empty stable to an ordinary house, Rhine understood that this was already a significant step forward for him.

  As Fergus had said, even though Rhine had earned the favor of the castle's apprentice knight, Fergus, it did not change the fact that he was still a slave.

  In the entire castle, only Baron Angelo had the authority to change that.

  And since Baron Angelo was not currently in the castle, Fergus, despite his goodwill, was powerless to remove the "slave" shackles bound to Rhine.

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  Still, Rhine knew this was progress. It was a tangible improvement in his status within the castle, no matter how small.

  It was like the faint light of dawn breaking through the dark night of his future, giving him a glimmer of hope.

  Just as Rhine was about to organize his new bed, footsteps echoed from outside.

  Turning toward the sound, he saw a maid standing at the door of the militia's quarters, carrying a wooden basin filled with clothing.

  "You must be Rhine, the one Master Fergus mentioned?"

  "I've left the items here for you. Come and take them yourself."

  Without waiting for a response, the maid turned and left the quarters without looking back, as though she couldn’t bear to stay a second longer.

  Her speed was so quick that Rhine didn’t even manage to catch a proper glimpse of her face.

  Once the maid was gone, Rhine picked up the basin placed near the door.

  Inside, there were only a few items: two sets of clean clothes and some toiletries.

  Clearly, this was something Fergus had specifically instructed the castle’s maids to prepare for Rhine after noticing his situation.

  Although the items were not expensive, they conveyed Fergus's concern for him.

  It was evident that Rhine's recent behavior had left a very positive impression on Fergus.

  Otherwise, Fergus, as an apprentice knight of the castle, would not have gone out of his way to prepare these things for a mere slave.

  Taking out a set of clothes and some bathing supplies, Rhine entered the militia's shared bathing room.

  This was the first time in two years since coming to the castle that he had the opportunity to wash himself thoroughly.

  In the Morton Duchy, slaves were not even considered people.

  With the sun fully rising over the castle grounds, warm sunlight streamed over the outer walls, illuminating Baron Angelo's castle and dispelling the lingering chill from the autumn rain.

  "Put some effort into it! Are you all starving or what?"

  Fergus's booming voice echoed across the castle yard as he scolded the sluggish militia members.

  His roar jolted them to attention, prompting them to pick up their pace and put more strength into their movements.

  Just as Fergus was about to continue berating the group, a figure walking toward him caught his eye.

  The sight of a slender, silver-haired boy approached him.

  The boy's attire was plain, the coarse gray cloth worn by the commoners of the Morton Duchy. It had no patterns or adornments whatsoever.

  Yet, somehow, the boy's exceptional features and bearing elevated the simple outfit, giving it an inexplicable air of refinement.

  This boy was none other than Rhine, freshly bathed and dressed in his new clothes.

  Seeing how different Rhine appeared, Fergus couldn't help but laugh. "If I hadn't seen you just recently, I'd almost think you were a noble young master from one of the royal families."

  "Not bad. The more I look at you, the more I think you have the potential to become a knight."

  "Thank you for your praise, Master Fergus."

  "Haha, this isn't praise. It's just an honest statement from a knight."

  "Alright, kid, go and join the other lads in their training."

  "Becoming a knight isn’t just about talent. You’ve got a long road ahead of you."

  "I will follow your guidance, Master Fergus."

  With Fergus’s nod of approval, Rhine joined the militia's training.

  But the other militia members couldn’t help casting glances at Rhine, their thoughts filled with silent questions.

  Why does he look so different, even though we’re wearing the same clothes?

  While they were reluctant to admit it, the militia members felt a twinge of jealousy.

  It was acceptable for Rhine to have more talent than them, but being so much better-looking and exuding a noble aura was simply unfair.

  Wasn't it said that the Lord’s love was equal for all?

  Why did Rhine's existence make them feel like the Lord had shown clear favoritism?

  They couldn’t understand it. And they wouldn’t.

  After all, things like natural beauty and presence were beyond their ability to change.

  Late at night, on the outskirts of Thornbush Town.

  An elderly butler dressed in formal attire drove a carriage slowly along the dirt road outside the town.

  When they reached the outskirts of Thornbush Town, the butler lightly knocked on the carriage behind him.

  "My Lady, we have arrived."

  The sound of a window opening followed the knock, and a young girl in a black Gothic-style dress emerged from the carriage.

  Her face was veiled, and her gloved hands rested delicately on the windowsill.

  She gazed out at Thornbush Town, now shrouded in the darkness of night, her vision seemingly unaffected by the lack of light.

  "Jet, are you certain the people from the Sacrament Order were last seen here?"

  The butler, Jet, replied, "Yes, I am certain, Lady Lilissa."

  "Very well. Let us pay the local lord a visit."

  "As you command."