Eagle Town, nestled within the valley, has a long history.

In fact, judging by the five-meter-high city walls, Eagle Town could actually be called a small city.

However, its remote location means that Eagle Town has too few residents, making it hard to be called a city.

In fact, compared to the other three provinces, the population of the Count's Territory could only be compared to that of a Viscount.

Especially the southern province where the Royal Family resides, where some ancient Viscount families have territories with populations surpassing that of the Hawk Count.

There's no helping it; aside from those who originally lived here, most people wouldn't move to the Northern Territory.

Even though the land is vast, the winters are too harsh, and you can only harvest one crop of wheat.

The days of journeying left Vivian cold and exhausted, completely worn out.

Following the map of the town that Chris provided earlier, Vivian found a somewhat secluded tavern to stay in.

Taverns of this era were combined with inns, with drinking on the first floor and lodging on the second.

During the day, the tavern was basically empty, and the bewhiskered owner dozed off at the bar.

The bell on the door rang, and the owner frowned as he lifted his head, quickly changing to a smile,

"Welcome to the Winter Night Fire Tavern, beautiful lady,"

The tavern owner stood up straight, offering a fawning smile, "Would you like a sweet ale, or perhaps two pieces of delicious toasted bread?"

"A clean room, with a brazier."

Vivian replied coldly, "And a bowl of hot soup, two slices of toast, how much?"

Vivian had food in her bag, but it was all cold.

In the Northern Territory, the cold is often more frightening than hunger.

"Only fifty Copper Coins, beautiful lady."

The owner said with a grin.

Just as he spoke, Vivian turned and walked away.

"Wait!"

The tavern owner rushed out, "Why are you leaving, miss?"

"I came here to find relatives, not to be a fool."

Vivian cast a disdainful glance over the whole tavern—dilapidated, old tables and chairs, some tied with rags.

"This kind of tavern and you want fifty Copper Coins?"

"My late father was a businessman; this place is worth at most fifteen Copper Coins a night."

Vivian's words left the owner with an awkward smile.

Vivian had hit upon the tavern's usual rate with one remark.

"I didn't expect you to know so much, forgive my mistake."

The tavern owner, quite thick-skinned, stroked his beard and said, "Then let's say twenty Copper Coins for you, including your meal and brazier."

Vivian shot him a look, returned to the bar, and counted out twenty Copper Coins.

In truth, Vivian didn't care about the few Copper Coins.

But being too generous would attract attention; her persona as a merchant's daughter had to be shrewd and calculating.

"Upstairs, the room at the end of the hallway, the brazier and food will be brought up to you shortly."

The tavern owner handed over the key with both hands.

"Have you heard of the Andrew Chrysanthemum family?"

Vivian casually inquired, "That's the family I'm looking for; I could give you ten more Copper Coins if you take me to them."

The tavern owner frowned in thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"Sorry, I'd love to earn your money, but I've never heard of them."

"Alright then."

Vivian said with some disappointment, taking the key and heading upstairs.

Inside, however, Vivian was secretly laughing.

Of course, he hadn't heard of them, because the name was fabricated.

Vivian entered the room and lay down to rest; when the owner brought the brazier and food, she toasted some jerky she had brought and satisfied her hunger.

Afterward, she didn't stay in the room until late at night, when the drunkards in the tavern were slumped over their tables; only then did she quietly slip out through the window.

Even though Chris had given Vivian a simplified map of Eagle Town and the castle, to carry out the assassination mission, she still needed to familiarize herself with every road and position for further action.

This was her first mission, crucial for her.

—She couldn't afford to embarrass herself in front of Baron Rod; otherwise, she'd lose the freedom to eat sweets.

The night was as dark as ink, with no moon and only sparse stars scattered across the sky.

"Looks like fortune is smiling upon me."

Vivian thought to herself with a sigh of relief.

A night like this was ideal for her moves; as long as she stayed out of the lights, no one could see her.

The town's night was surprisingly quiet, with sporadic dog barks and drunkards' mumblings standing out sharply.

If not for the freezing cold, Vivian might have wanted to stroll the streets.

Relying on her memory, Vivian swiftly bypassed the main streets of the town, arriving before Eagle Castle.

Eagle Castle stood at the highest point in the town, indeed like an eagle surveying its domain below.

The ten-meter-high city wall was mottled and scarred, bearing the marks of time, speaking of the Hawk Clan's ancient lineage.

Avoiding the patrolling guards, Vivian chose a relatively hidden corner on the west side of the wall.

The wall there was poorly maintained, with uneven stones that served as footholds for climbing.

Vivian took out her Claw Hook, aimed for the battlements atop the wall, and swung it up.

"Clink"

A soft sound rang out, and Vivian carefully looked around. After confirming she hadn't been spotted, she tugged hard on the Claw Hook.

Once assured it was secure, she began to climb upward, using the wall's indentations as support points.

This skill had been part of the specialized training from the Hunting Team, something Vivian excelled at.

Of course, as a novice, her movements weren't yet smooth, but under the cover of shadows, no one could notice the figure hiding there.

The lights outlined the castle's silhouette in the night, the dense buildings reminiscent of the Red Griffin's castle.

As the former eldest daughter, Vivian had a natural understanding of the expected structures within a castle.

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