Avril held the soft cushion given by Luo De and returned to her cabin, lying on the bed, her thoughts countless.

This gift reminded Avril of the warmth already far away—the last time someone cared about her discomfort during her period, it was her mother.

Even on her father's lucid days, he never cared about her discomfort during her period.

She didn't know Luo De didn't think much of it, just that women from his previous life used this kind of thing, so he casually provided some convenience for her and Milly.

But for a sensitive girl like Avril, this small cushion carried extraordinary meaning, distinct from other food or items.

Thinking of Luo De's concern for her private matters made her cheeks flush, her heart race, with a hint of unusual sweetness and warmth growing.

Inadvertently, it felt like her relationship with Luo De had grown closer.

Avril eagerly wanted to respond to this sweetness.

Not to repay but to respond.

Just like in ambiguity, when someone says goodnight to you, you eagerly want to say goodnight back.

Avril pondered all morning and then decided to personally sew a sachet.

The herbal knowledge she learned from Luna came in handy; she knew many herbs with a fresh scent that could also repel insects, perfectly suited for making a sachet.

This sachet could effectively prevent mosquitoes from approaching and biting while walking in the wild, more importantly, it could stay with Luo De.

After a busy day and night, Avril woke up early the next morning, eager to hand-deliver the sachet to Luo De.

As she stepped out the door, she saw all the soldiers busy, even the latest trained reserve militia was no exception.

"What's happening?"

Avril asked in confusion.

Luo De was also fully equipped, wearing his Dragon Scale Armor, layered with a new Chain Armor on the outside.

Luo De smiled and answered, "Nothing much, been in town too long, taking them out for training, otherwise the weapons might get rusty."

Rusty?

Avril was filled with doubt.

These soldiers treated their longswords and shields like beloved wives every day, meticulously polishing them, how could they possibly get rusty?

But she didn't voice her doubts.

When men are doing things, it's best for women not to speak unless he actively seeks your opinion.

This was taught by her mother.

In fact, Luo De didn't deliberately hide anything, he just didn't want to make Avril worry.

Even if she knew, it wouldn't change anything.

If he did need Avril's help, he would ask without hesitation.

"You all be careful during training."

Avril spoke softly, taking out the meticulously made sachet from her pocket and handing it to Luo De.

"I embroidered this last night; the herbs inside are insect-repellent ones sister Luna taught me,"

Avril's cheeks slightly reddened, "I think if you carry it outdoors, it should reduce a lot of troubles."

Luo De took the sachet, carefully observing the pattern— a beautiful griffon lying on the ground, next to blooming tulips, intricately designed, fine stitching.

Avril secretly gazed at him, eyes full of expectation.

But Luo De merely praised, "Very pretty, I like it very much," and prepared to put the sachet away.

Avril hurriedly stopped him, "You should hang it on your waist; it works better that way. Should I help you hang it?"

"Sure."

Luo De slightly lifted his clothes, allowing Avril to kneel in front of him and carefully tie the sachet to his waist.

"Alright, it's getting late, I should be off."

Luo De said goodbye to Avril, walking to the manor gate, mounted Gang Le's horse, and led the team gallantly onward.

"Lord Baron, it seems you're about to win over Miss Avril."

Gang Le said half-jokingly.

Luo De smiled slightly, not denying it.

Having lived twice, Luo De learned more about how to be a lord.

As for how to treat women, he didn't have much knowledge, so he always went with the flow.

He was generous in his goodness towards Avril.

He didn't reject Avril's good intentions towards him either.

As for anything else, he hadn't thought about it yet, after all, he was still young.

Luo De flicked the reins,

"Let's first win this battle."

...

...

The southwestern hills of Black Pine Ridge.

A troop of dozens was advancing.

The front half of the team wore uniform Chain Armor, clearly a regular army, but only twenty men.

Behind them followed forty or fifty people in plain clothes, occasionally a few wearing Cotton Armor.

"Damn it! There's no exact location for that town?"

On horseback beside the team, Knight Chris cursed, his voice full of frustration and fatigue.

The Hawk Count only ordered them to loot, without providing specific location information.

And the map from that Simon Merchant was full of random marks, impossible to discern the location of Frost Leaf Town.

Unfortunately, he had just been captured for questioning, and before a night passed, he died in the dungeon, otherwise taking him would definitely help quickly find the exact location.

Chris estimated that Simon had surely been killed by someone.

But Hawk Count found no clues, and eventually left it unresolved.

"If I knew that town was so hard to find, I should've gone to Border City to ask the Desert merchants for better intel."

Chris felt some resentment but dared not openly complain to Hawk Count.

Even though he held the most authority in this troop.

"Those Desert merchants only know the roads to the west; they haven't traveled east."

Chris's deputy, Oren, reported.

"Actually, I don't think this is a major issue; we don't need to come here for reprisal."

Oren mumbled quietly, gauging Chris's expression,

"That Baron didn't participate in the looting, just purchased some slaves and took in some refugees.

The refugees went to Black Pine Ridge due to Simon Merchant's deceit."

Oren's voice grew fainter,

"That cunning merchant Simon was the real culprit, now he's dead, these matters should end."

Eagle Ridge's soldiers just came off a prolonged battle, everyone was physically and mentally exhausted.

No one wanted to quickly dive into another fight.

But Lord Earl didn't care at all.

At the noble lord's command, they had to risk their lives.

This bred a seed of war weariness among many soldiers, including Oren.

It's harvest season, not the right time for battle.

"What do you know?"

Chris coldly glanced at deputy Oren,

"How do you know that merchant wasn't associated with Baron Rod? Maybe it was his order?

Otherwise, why kill Simon?"

Chris scoffed, "Besides, you're thinking too simply.

To Lord Earl, right or wrong doesn't matter; what's important is having a legitimate reason for looting."

"Earl's Domain suffered heavy losses in battles this year, must compensate from elsewhere."

"And this small Baron domain of Black Pine Ridge is the most suitable target."

"But isn't he the Tulip Clan's second son? Wouldn't we offend the Tulip Clan this way?" Oren asked worriedly.

"Anyone sent here is certainly not a favored offspring,"

Chris brushed it aside dismissively,

"Besides, Lord Earl has legitimate reason, Tulip Clan is far away, they won't send an army to avenge a son exiled to the Northern Territory."

"Furthermore, we're not going to kill anyone, just grab some goods and return."

"Stop overthinking, first find a place to camp, and then get some decent food."

Chris interrupted Oren, who was about to speak further, rubbed his stomach uninterestingly,

"Days on end eating dry rations have shrunk me."

As Hawk Count's knight, Chris hadn't suffered like this for a long time.

"Yes, sir."

Oren nodded, immediately instructing the scouts to find a suitable camp.

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