Overwhelming Firepower

After all the Tower Masters had given their wonderful gifts, the nobles were rather envious of the third prince for gaining such precious items.

Most of them, no matter how hard they try they would be lucky to even see such items, much less gain them.

Despite them already being better off than commoners, the nobles’ greed knows no bounds, and they covet more than what they should.

Viscount Cedric Darenthal looked at the other nobles, and when he saw the unprecedented greed in their eyes, he sighed.

’To covet the presents of a seven-year-old, that’s even their prince... Are the nobles of this country already rotten to this extent?’ He thought grimly.

As Cedric looked around, there were only a few who didn’t care about the treasures given to the third prince, Elion Viren.

The Tower Masters were, of course, uninterested since they were the ones who gave the gifts. Then there were the Dukes, the most powerful nobles in the Kingdom of Norvaegard, like the Tower Masters, who showed little to no interest in the Third Prince’s gifts.

”As expected,” Cedric sighed inwardly. ”Those with true power have no need to chase after trinkets.”

Cedric did not show any envy when looking at the third prince receiving such wonderful gifts, but when he looked at the Tower Masters and the Dukes, his eyes burned with the fire of envy.

Cedric calmed himself down. Such emotions would only disturb his thinking and would make him make bad moves.

’Right now, I’m nowhere near taking a seat near them, but the time will surely come.’

He recalled the whispers that followed him through the noble courts: ’Darenthal has quite the talent and potential, unfortunately, he’s just a Viscount.’ How many times had he bitten his tongue and smiled through veiled insults?

He had learned long ago that power came not only from one’s name, it was from leverage and patience.

As he was looking around, Cedric’s gaze drifted towards Lucen Thornehart. He was the centre of many rumors as of late, and he’s also the reason why the frozen north was starting to change.

In the past, Vardon Thornehart and all the Thorneharts before him, all except for the first Duke Edric Thornehart, were content in simply defending Norvaegard from all threats.

The shield of Norvaegard had strong military power focused solely on protecting the North, but now they were starting to make other moves.

’It all started to change the second Lucen Thornehart decided to move. Now it’s hard to predict what the Thorneharts will do.’

Among the nobles, Cedric believed that it was the four Dukes who were the most dangerous element in the Kingdom of Norvaegard. It was said that the combined military might of the four Dukes was greater than the entire power of the kingdom of Norvaegard.

’Even if they are the strongest swords and shields of the Kingdom, they are also the most dangerous elements in the kingdom.’

The beautiful sound of the music in the ballroom could not be heard by Cedric as he was formulating his next plan.

***

In a different area of the ballroom, a young girl with a bright smile was watching the gifts being given by the Tower Masters.

She watched curiously, eyes unblinking as each Tower Master presented their gift. This young girl was none other than Lysette Crowlorne.

’What wondrous gifts those were, and the presentation was also top notch. However, the Third Prince seems to be quite the shy one. Still, I wonder since the gifts of the Tower Masters were this good, how about the Dukes, what will they be giving?’

Lysette’s eyes were almost sparkling from curiosity as she continued to watch the scene. That was when her eyes rested upon a person, Lucen Thornehart.

’I would have wanted to talk to him, but it seems that there are many thinking of the same thing.’

Lysette, with her observant eyes, noticed several people eyeing Lucen, which was different from the others. Most eyes looking at Lucen were of curiosity, but some eyes were looking at him anxiously or thinking rather deeply about something.

Still, there was one person who was looking at Lucen with hidden hostility.

’That person is Reginald Vermont. I did hear from others that his personality is not quite noble, despite being the heir of a Count. He treats commoners as if they were his slaves. Truly a bad personality, I guess Lucen wouldn’t like that, so maybe they had a conflict before.’

Lysette observed everyone on the side of the Vermont family. She knew that the wife of Count Vermont was the daughter of Marquess Eron Halbrecht. It was known to many that the Marquess dotes on his grandchildren, whom he only had three of. She then glanced at the Marquess, and he, too, was peeking at Lucen every now and then.

’I guess the Count and the Marquess have the same idea of apologizing or doing something similar. Based on my understanding from the rumors I heard at my tea party. The Marquess would go to war for his grandchildren, but, I guess, when faced with someone like a Duke, it would be quite difficult.’

Lysette placed her finger near her chin, deep in thought.

’Since Reginald has such a wretched personality, he should have gotten into a conflict with Lucen because of something he did and asked his father for help.’

Lysette was tapping her finger onto the side of her chin as he thoughts went deeper.

’Learning that it was Lucen Thornehart, Reginald was in conflict with, the Count should have decided to make Reginald apologize to Lucen or do something similar.’

Lysette could pretty much imagine the scene of Lucen and Reginald meeting. Even though Reginald was the older person, his maturity and intelligence were truly lacking.

Yet, nobles still entertained him, flattered him, and aligned with him, all for the power of his bloodline.

What use was a noble title, Lysette wondered, if it was worn by someone with the manners of a thug and the mind of a brick?

Such a person who uses his status to do whatever he pleases wouldn’t even bother to know who Lucen was, Lysette thought to herself.

’Seeing Reginald’s expression, it doesn’t seem like he wants to apologize... Hm, I wonder what kind of action he will take.’

Lysette glanced at Reginald, then at Lucen, trying to predict what kind of things would happen later.

***

In the back of the crowd, in a corner of the ballroom, Viscount Reval Drenwick was watching the gift-giving with irritation.

’I thought giving that rare falcon with silver wings would get me some attention from the royals. I even made sure that it’s properly trained, but now, all that effort for nothing.’

Reval then glared at Robert, who was standing beside the Thorneharts.

’Not only was my initial plan ruined, but that guy Robert embarrassed me in front of so many other nobles... Everything seems to be going wrong for me ever since the Thorneharts started taking action against me.’

Conveniently, he forgot it was he who struck the first blow.

’I might not be able to do much against the Thorneharts, but I should be able to do something about that eyesore Robert. Always being compared to that crazy fool who isn’t even a noble was f*cking irritating. I wasn’t planning to do anything at first, but since he decided to humiliate me, I, of course, need to strike back.’

Just thinking about what Robert said to him infuriated Reval like no other. They had known each other for such a long time. Every time his name was mentioned, so was Robert’s name.

The genius son of Viscount Drenwick, one who could rival Robert Duskwell. That was what they said before, but now they say. Viscount Reval Drenwich, one who used to rival Robert Duskwell as a genius mage.

At first, he didn’t really mind. Who cared what others thought of him? He had inherited a wide land with many servants and coins. He got everything simply because of his bloodline. Why should someone like him work hard for anything?

Why even bother comparing him to a commoner who had nothing and had to work hard to get even half of what he has? Those were his thoughts before meeting Robert again, and hearing those mocking smiles as Robert said he did not know him.

’That arrogant wretch dares claim he doesn’t remember me? That arrogant f*cking nobody dares to say that to me! He thinks just because the Thorneharts employ him, that I won’t be able to touch him. Hmph, I will make sure to teach you a lesson that you would never forget.’

***

Unaware of the many thoughts of the people present were aimed at him, Lucen, who was standing straight, continued to watch how events unfold, like he was watching a cut scene from a game. He was waiting to see what the other Dukes would give the Third Prince.