Time Travel? Rebirth? I Will Win This Time!

The same exquisite villa. Despite the city being plagued by misfortune, akin to a human hell, the steward remained engrossed in his book, indifferent to the chaos outside.

The butler, with great caution, pushed open the door and quietly stood before the desk.

After a long silence, a voice came from behind the desk.

"Well?"

"The princess has fled, but His Majesty the Emperor is still in the palace."

"Useless! You let a child escape?" The steward's cold gaze pierced through the butler.

With a sharp sound, the butler dropped to his knees. "Please, Lord Steward, punish me!"

"Enough. It's only a girl. She won't amount to much," the steward muttered, returning to his desk. "Do you know what to say?"

"The rioters stormed the palace, and the princess is missing," the butler replied.

The steward waved his hand, signaling the butler to leave. With his head bowed, the butler stepped back.

"Remember," the steward added coldly, "there won't be a second chance."

"Yes, Lord!" The butler's sweat ran down his face.

In the port district, Otto stood on the dock, anxiously scanning the entrance of the harbor.

"Uncle Otto, what are you looking for?" a voice called out.

"I'm looking for…." Otto whipped around, surprised to find Mike Bai and the others right behind him.

"Thank God! Thank you for hearing my prayers," Otto exclaimed.

He quickly strode forward, inspecting Mike Bai and his companions.

Looking at their disheveled state, Otto immediately asked, "Mike Bai, are you alright? Not hurt?"

"I'm fine! Just brought back a little girl," William answered for him.

Only then did Otto notice Mike Bai was holding the hand of a cute little girl. She seemed scared, hiding behind Mike Bai without speaking.

"Thank God for His blessings, I knew you would return safely!" March ran up excitedly. "We'll talk on the ship. I've just received word—the rebels are almost in control of the Golden Horn. If we don't leave soon, the harbor will be sealed off!"

Upon hearing March's words, they said no more and quickly boarded the ship.

The anchor was swiftly lifted, and the white sails caught the wind. The "Fortune" seemed to be blessed by God, with the monsoon winds and the tide pushing them forward. They managed to leave the city—now a hell on Earth—before the chains of the Golden Horn could rise.

As the city slowly shrank in the distance, Mike Bai couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

"Rome may be beautiful, but it's no place for us," Mike Bai murmured.

"Oh, by the way, what's your name?" he suddenly remembered, realizing he hadn't yet asked the little girl.

"Anna," she replied, peering up at him with cautious eyes. "Anna Comnenus."

After 13 days at sea, Anna began to emerge from her shell, her childish innocence gradually returning.

"Mike Bai, look!" Anna called excitedly from the bow of the ship.

"Ugh." Mike Bai, feeling like a dried-up fish, hung limply over the railing. Despite being at sea for several days, he still couldn't get used to it.

A seagull landed in front of him, tilting its head as if curious about when such a large fish had appeared.

"Shoo, shoo!" Unable to tolerate the bird's mocking, Mike Bai waved his hand.

The seagull flapped its wings and took off, soaring into the sky. As it flew away, Mike Bai sighed in relief, staring at the distant port city ahead.

Akka Port—finally, they had arrived. Mike Bai mumbled tiredly.

The next day, in a church at Akka Port:

Before a giant statue of the Holy Virgin, Baron Otto stood in full armor, sword in hand. Behind him, a Templar knight and a priest in golden and white robes led the mass.

Mike Bai, wearing a simple linen tunic, knelt on one knee before Baron Otto, a shield placed in front of him. William, Patrick, and Demore, fully armored and holding swords, stood behind him.

"Repeat after me, child," the priest instructed.

"I will always honor God."

"I will remain loyal to my liege."

"I will cherish my alliances."

"I will show humility to my subjects."

"I will protect the labor of the people."

Once the oath was complete, Otto placed the tip of his sword beneath his arm, offering it to Mike Bai. Mike Bai received the sword and placed it flat on the shield.

"I will use this sword to cleanse all errors, and this shield to protect all that is good."

Otto removed a ring from his hand and placed it in Mike Bai's palm. "From this moment, you are officially made Baron of Wallenstein."

Mike Bai took the ring but did not wear it, instead holding it in his palm.

"From now on, you will wield the rights of a noble." Otto slapped Mike Bai across the face. "And remember, you must also fulfill the duties of a noble!"

With half of his face swollen, Mike Bai stood and faced his three knights, raising the ring high.

"From this moment, I will exercise the rights of a noble and fulfill the duties of a noble!"

"Loyal unto death, my lord," the three knights knelt, replying respectfully.

Mike Bai's thoughts, however, drifted back to the previous night when Otto had found him alone.

"What?! You want me to inherit the title?" Mike Bai had exclaimed. "Don't tell me you're dying?"

"I'm perfectly healthy!" Otto had responded, slightly exasperated.

"I've just reached the Holy Land. When the Grand Master of the Templars conducts my initiation, I will forsake all worldly things and take up the sword in His name."

Mike Bai blinked a couple of times. "Sounds like you're becoming a monk or something."

"Mike Bai, you're a good boy. Smart and eager to learn," Otto had said with a smile.

"Just obsessed with money," he hadn't said aloud.

"I've been worried about how you would handle this journey, but your performance has exceeded my expectations. In Mainz, Veneto, and Constantinople, your wisdom and courage have impressed me."

"I'm leaving the family in your hands. I trust you'll carry it on."

"Uncle Otto, can I still visit you?" Mike Bai had asked, feigning innocence but with a hidden desire to keep close ties.

"Don't worry," Otto had reassured him. "I'll still come visit you when I'm off duty."

Back at the church, the ceremony concluded, and they returned to their inn.

"Mike Bai, are you really a baron now?" Anna asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, why?"

"Then, will you still want Anna?" she asked quietly.

"Of course I will! How could I leave you behind because of something like this? You're my big sister!" Mike Bai ruffled Anna's hair, though he didn't quite understand what "big sister" meant. But Anna, reassured, smiled faintly.

As they sat in the corner, William, Patrick, and Demore were seated awkwardly, their usual easy-going selves replaced by tension.

In the past, William would have been boasting or lining up for food, Patrick maintaining his weapons, and Demore checking the supplies. But since their oath of loyalty, the three of them sat in silence, waiting for instructions.

"Uncles, don't be like that!" Mike Bai walked over with a seemingly innocent look. "I'm still your little Mike Bai, and you'll always be my uncles! Besides, I'm just holding onto this ring for Uncle Otto. Once his service is over, we'll all return to Wallenstein together!"

Sensing the sincerity in his voice, the three of them relaxed. Then:

"Hahaha!" William jumped onto the table. "Give me money! Ten silver dinars each, I knew little Mike Bai wouldn't change!"

Patrick tossed ten silver coins, smiling at Mike Bai. "I'm so happy to lose ten silver dinars to this fool."

Demore, ever the simple one, chuckled and handed over his silver.

"You guys!" Mike Bai laughed helplessly. "You're actually betting on me!"

William winked at Mike Bai. "I told you, even if Mike Bai became a baron, he wouldn't change. These two didn't believe me and bet against me. Look who's lost!"

Mike Bai knew William was bragging again, so he pretended to be angry and kicked him. The two of them started playing a game of tag around the table.

The others laughed at the sight of the two acting like children.

William grabbed Mike Bai, "Let's go! We've got money now—Frankish wine for everyone, and juice for the little one!"

Otto stood, gazing at the group leaving, as if he were transported back to his youth.

"Uncle Otto, hurry up! You're going to miss out!" Mike Bai shouted from afar.

"Coming!" Otto replied, a warm smile on his face as he followed.