Reborn As Noble

Chapter 377: The Race for Power ( 377 )

Duke Ibzles was waiting for the mysterious person to enter his private room.

When the man arrived with his butler, he bowed respectfully. ”Duke Ibzles,”.

”Hmm… so when can I get that thing?” the duke asked impatiently.

”Ah… it seems like a certain party also wants that ʼthingʼ and its power, my lord,” the man replied.

”Hah! It should be mine!” Duke Ibzles declared.

”Ah, donʼt worry about it, Duke Ibzles. The seal location for that thing is now secure. Itʼs just… we need more men or women for the sacrifice…”

Duke Ibzles turned toward his butler. ”I believe youʼve already handled this matter?”

”Yes, my lord. Donʼt worry, we will use the prisoners for this.”

”Ah… that still wonʼt be enough,” the mysterious man said. ”We need more. By the time the seal nearly breaks, that thingʼs power will become yours alone, my lord. But only if the sacrifice is sufficient.”

Duke Ibzles tapped his fingers against the table, his impatience growing. ”Tsk… prisoners alone wonʼt be enough? Then find more. I donʼt care how—just get it done.”

The mysterious man smiled, his eyes gleaming with a sinister glint. ”Understood, my lord. The preparations are already underway. By the time the seal weakens, the power of that ʼthingʼ will belong solely to you.”

Duke Ibzles leaned back, satisfaction creeping into his expression. ”Good. Make sure no one else gets in our way.”

The butler bowed. ”We will handle it discreetly, my lord. No loose ends.”

The duke smirked. ”Excellent. Soon… very soon, the power will be mine.”

The room fell into a tense silence, the air thick with dark anticipation.

Duke Ibzles turned his gaze toward the mysterious man, his sharp eyes narrowing with suspicion. ”How can I be sure that you wonʼt betray me and take the power for yourself?”

The mysterious man chuckled. ”Ah, worry not, my lord. I cannot, no matter what. My task is merely to find a suitable vessel—someone who can wield its power. Once the thing chooses its host, my only role is to serve that person. If you wish, you can use a slave collar on me to prove my loyalty. I am nothing more than a guide in this matter.”

Duke Ibzles smirked. ”Thatʼs what I like to hear. Thereʼs no need for that. I believe in you.”

The mysterious man grinned. ”By the way, Duke Ibzles…” His voice took on a teasing, almost sinister tone. ”Among the Seven, you will claim one. Are you prepared for the inevitable struggle?”

The dukeʼs eyes glinted with greed. ”No! I refuse to share! The power should be mine and mine alone!”

The mysterious manʼs smirk widened. ”Thatʼs what I wanted to hear, Duke Ibzles.”

”Once you claim that power, Duke Ibzles,” the mysterious man continued, his voice laced with anticipation, ”your next mission will be to eliminate the others who wield the remaining ones. Crush them, devour their power, and make it yours.”

Duke Ibzlesʼs grip tightened on his armrest, his expression filled with greed and ambition.

”Once you claim all Seven,” the man added with a sinister smirk, ”you will be unstoppable.”

Duke Ibzles turned to his butler, his eyes gleaming with ambition. ”Make sure everything goes smoothly. When I obtain that power… you shall have anything you desire.”

The butler bowed deeply, his expression unwavering. ”As you wish, my lord.”

Duke Ibzles clenched his fists, his body trembling with anticipation. ”That power… I canʼt wait for that power!!”

The mysterious man smirked. ”Oh my lord, how about we visit that place?”

”Ohhh!! Now!?” Ibzlesʼ eyes widened with excitement.

”You should see it for yourself, my lord…”

”Letʼs go! Ahhh!! At last… the sooner I get that power, the sooner I can crush Edmund and take the throne for myself!”

”Then let us not waste any time, my lord,” the mysterious man said smoothly.

”Lead the way!”

With that, Duke Ibzles and the mysterious man stepped out of the room, his elite guards following closely behind, their silent presence a testament to their loyalty.

Meanwhile, in the Klimbert region…

”Anem!!!”

”Yes, my lord?”

Klimbertʼs furious voice echoed through the grand chamber. He clenched his fists, his face twisted with rage. ”That thing in the human kingdom! We still canʼt get close to it!?”

Anem lowered his head slightly. ”Our intelligence unit has confirmed its location, my lord. However, it is heavily guarded by the Royal Elite Force and…”

”And what!?” Klimbert snapped.

Anem hesitated before continuing. ”...And Armandʼs Special Force.”

Klimbertʼs entire body tensed, and his expression darkened with pure hatred. ”GARIUS AGAIN!!? THAT LOWBORN SCUM!!” He slammed his fist onto the armrest of his throne, cracking the finely carved wood.

”My lord…” Anem called cautiously.

”What now, Anem!?”

”We should focus on another location. We have identified the position of one of the other ʼthings.ʼ”

Klimbert gritted his teeth. ”But the one in the human kingdom is supposed to be strong, right?”

”Yes, my lord. But if we delay in securing the others, I believe our chances…”

”Ugh!! Where is our elite assassin unit!? Where is our special forces!? And where is our intelligence unit!?” Klimbert roared.

Anem remained composed. ”I have already sent some of them to ʼsecureʼ the location, my lord, but it is a bit far. It is in the dwarven kingdom. If we make a large-scale human movement there, it will—”

”Ugh!! DAMN IT!! DAMN IT!! DAMN IT!!” Klimbertʼs voice grew hoarse from shouting before he finally exploded. ”FUCKKKK!!” His rage-filled scream echoed through the chamber.

After Klimbert finally calmed down, he let out a long breath before turning to Anem.

”Anem…”

”Yes, my lord?”

”Any news about the mysterious person?”

Anem nodded. ”According to our special intelligence unit that has infiltrated noble regions, the mysterious figures total six in number.”

Klimbertʼs eyes narrowed. ” Go on.”

Anem continued, listing them one by one:

”One is currently at Duke Ibzlesʼ mansion.”

”One is in the Halfling Kingdom. We believe he is working alongside Halfling King Gurdan.”

”Another is also in the Human Kingdom. However, the person this mysterious figure has aligned with remains unknown.”

”One is in the Amazarak Kingdom, currently with Queen Zephyra. According to our intelligence unit—who is disguised as the former Sword Heroʼs confidant—the ʼthingʼ is indeed in the Amazarak Kingdom.”

Klimbert frowned. ”And the other?”

Anem shook his head. ”Still unknown, My lord.”

Klimbert clicked his tongue. ”So we only have partial information. Annoying.”

”Indeed, my lord. But for now, our main target is the one in the Dwarven Kingdom. Let us hope our best units can secure it and bring it to us before anyone else does.”

Klimbert scowled, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair. ”So… the thing Duke Ibzles wants—where exactly is it?”

Anem hesitated before answering. ”Unknown, my lord. Our special disguise unit has been unable to get anywhere near the duke. They have failed to uncover the real location. It seems the mysterious figure may have discovered their presence.”

Klimbertʼs expression darkened. ”Tch… Anem.”

”Yes, my lord?”

”Tell our units in Duke Ibzlesʼ domain to fall back before they get exposed.”

Anem raised an eyebrow. ”Are you certain, my lord?”

”Yes,” Klimbert said firmly. ”We canʼt afford to waste any more talented operatives. If that mysterious figure realizes we have spies inside the dukeʼs territory, weʼll be in serious trouble later.”

Anem nodded in understanding. ”Understood. I will send the order immediately.”

( End of Chapter )