I Died and Became a Noble's Heir

Chapter 367: I’ll kill her

The observation platform buzzed with activity as nobles emerged from their protective positions, their voices rising in animated discussion about the spectacle they’d just witnessed.

Lord Dustpire approached Duke Alaric first, his scarred hands clasped in a gesture of respect. ”Your Grace, that was... extraordinary. I’ve fought in three wars and never seen combat at that level. Your son is truly remarkable.”

”Indeed,” Lady Mistfang added as she inclined her head toward Lady Genevieve. ”The divine channeling alone would be noteworthy, but the training and intelligence he has is beyond his years.”

Alaric’s expression remained carefully neutral, though pride flickered in his golden eyes. ”Jack has always exceeded expectations. Even when he was younger, his dedication to improvement was unmatched.”

”Unmatched?” Lord Arydn’s laugh carried genuine amusement. ”Your Grace, with all due respect, that’s an understatement bordering on falsehood. The boy just fought a mythical-rank spirit to a standstill while channeling divine power. ’Unmatched’ doesn’t begin to cover it.”

Lady Genevieve squeezed Alaric’s arm gently, her own smile gracious as she accepted the flood of compliments. ”We’re very proud of him. Though I confess, watching him fight at that level is... concerning. A mother worries, even when her son is clearly capable.”

”As well you should,” Evelyne Veyra interjected. ”Power at Jack’s level attracts attention, both positive and dangerous. I imagine you’ll be fielding marriage proposals from every major house within the month.”

The comment drew knowing looks from several nobles. Political marriages were the currency of power, and Jack had just demonstrated he was worth an exorbitant price.

Off to the side, the four families that had witnessed the duel from the beginning congregated in hushed discussion.

”The divine channeling was extraordinary,” Lady Veyra muttered. ”He was channeling a god’s essence through his body. And he hasn’t been chosen too long ago. It’s quite extraordinary.”

”And survived it,” Lord Arydn added quietly. ”That’s the truly frightening part. Most chosen ones who attempt direct divine channeling either burn out immediately or suffer permanent damage to their mana channels. Jack walked away with nothing worse than exhaustion.”

”Did you see his regeneration?” Lord Dustpire’s voice sounded as though he was genuinely impressed. ”Every time that spirit landed a hit, his recovery was almost as fast as it was depleted. I’ve never seen sustain at that level outside of legendary-tier healers.”

Their conversation dropped to even lower volumes as they discussed the political implications, but the consensus was clear. Jack Kaiser had just announced himself as a force that would reshape the kingdom’s power dynamics.

Near the platform’s edge, Charlotte Stormblood stood with her hands clenched into fists, blue lightning crackling faintly across her knuckles. Her gaze intently followed Evelyne Veyra, observing the older woman’s amusement at Lord Dustpire’s remark.

’She’s too close to my love,’ Charlotte contemplated, her jaw clenched with barely suppressed anger. ’Always positioning herself near him, always making comments about marriage proposals. She wants to use Jack for political advantage.’

The blue lightning intensified, spreading up her arms as her control slipped fractionally. Charlotte’s hand rose, fingers extended like a blade, electrical energy condensing along the edge like a sword.

Three steps. That’s all it would take. Three steps to close the distance, drive her lightning-coated hand through Veyra’s back, and eliminate a threat.

Her first step forward was smooth, natural, drawing no attention from the nobles engaged in conversation. Her second step brought her within striking range, her hand already moving toward....

Someone grabbed her wrist with a grip like iron.

Charlotte spun, blue lightning flaring defensively, and found herself staring into S’s concealed face. The man had appeared from nowhere, his presence so subtle that even Charlotte’s unstincts hadn’t sensed him.

”Walk with me,” S said quietly. ”Now.”

He pulled, not roughly, but with inexorable strength that made resistance pointless, and Charlotte found herself being guided away from the crowd without drawing attention.

Within seconds they were in a shadowed alcove beyond the observation platform where their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.

”What do you think you’re doing?” Charlotte hissed, blue lightning still crackling across her frame. ”Release me immediately.”

”No,” S replied, ”You were about to kill Lady Veyra. I prevented it.”

”She’s a threat to....”

”She’s an ally,” S interjected. ”One of Master Jack’s political connections. You don’t see the full picture, girl, and your jealousy was about to create a diplomatic incident that would damage everything your family has built.”

Charlotte’s lightning flared brighter. ”You dare lecture me about....”

”Master Jack would not take kindly to you harming his allies,” S continued, speaking over her outrage with calm precision. ”Regardless of your feelings, regardless of your... attachment... to him, if you act against his interests, you become a problem. And Maser Jack erases problems.”

The words hit like cold water, dousing Charlotte’s fury with sudden clarity. She’d just watched Jack fight a mythical spirit. Had seen him channel divine power and walk away grinning. The idea that she could become a ”problem” he needed to ”handle” sent ice through her veins.

”I... I wouldn’t harm him,” Charlotte stammered, her lightning dimming.

”Not directly,” S agreed. ”But by killing his allies, you’d force him to choose between his political interests and whatever affection he might hold for you. That’s a choice he’d make wouldn’t be emotional. Do you understand?”

Charlotte’s jaw clenched, but she nodded slowly. The logic was sound, even if she hated hearing it.

”Yes.” He released her wrist and stepped back. ”Channel your intensity into your training.”

Charoltte toward her head realizing that no matter what she did the man before her was too strong for a butler.

He whispered into her ear. ”Its far too early to cause chaos.”

He vanished back into the shadows before Charlotte could respond, leaving her alone in the alcove.

Charlotte had went from fury, to sadness, to glee. She realized it wasn’t what she was doing. It was when she was doing it.

Back on the main platform, Evelyne Veyra turned slightly, her instincts prickling with the sense that something had happened behind her. But when she glanced back, she saw only nobles engaged in conversation. Nothing appeared amiss.

She returned her attention to the discussion about Jack’s marriage prospects, filing away the momentary unease for later consideration.

Across the platform, Chiron Stormblood stood apart from the main crowd, white lightning crackling more intensely across his body than it had all day.

His expression of satisfaction bordered on euphoria. He had finally found what he craved. A being that could match his strength. He wasn’t ready yet, but the prospect that there was someone out there sent shivers done his spine.

He called out, his voice cutting through the noble chatter with casual authority. ”A word. Privately.”

Duke Alaric courteously withdrew from the commendations. Moving to join Chiron at the platform’s far edge, where their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.

Lady Genevieve remained with the other nobles, her social skills more than adequate to handle continued well-wishes.

”That was magnificent,” Chiron said without preamble, his white lightning still dancing across his skin with barely contained excitement.

”I haven’t seen someone use white lightning since... well, since I mastered it myself. And to watch him nearly kill a mythical spirit while channeling divine power? That’s the kind of fight I’ve been dreaming of seeing.”