Chapter 175: Guest
"All respect and honor to Marquess Cuthbert of Randall" comment
The head gatekeeper’s voice boomed through the hall as the massive doors slowly swung open to welcome the announced guest.
All heads turned toward the entrance with a speed that betrayed the nobles’ usual calm, collected demeanor. Normally, an announcement would be met with applause, its volume shifting depending on the newcomer’s rank in the Empire. But this time, a strange, heavy silence fell over the room.
To the sound of steady, echoing footsteps, a tall man stepped forward. He wore a black suit that emphasized his powerful, muscular build. His thick black hair was slicked back, though a few strands had come loose, while his commanding presence burned in his deep blue eyes. A scar stretched from his eyebrow down to his sharp jawline, adding to his intimidating look. He didn’t need to say a single word; his mere presence radiated an intense aura, enough to silence every noble in the room.
The grand hall stretched out for hundreds of meters, a masterpiece of architecture that embodied the Empire’s immense power and glory. Its vaulted ceiling rose dozens of meters high, decorated with breathtaking murals and intricate carvings created by the greatest architects and artists in history. Towering marble pillars lined both sides of the room, and hanging between them were golden banners, each bearing a phoenix crest that glowed with magic, a constant reminder of the lord and ruler of these lands.
The crowd of nobles, young and old alike, watched the Marquess advance with measured steps. Then, a child’s innocent voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Father... is that the monster you told me about?"
The moment the words left the boy’s mouth, a hand clamped over his lips.
The boy looked up to find his father staring down at him with wide eyes, his face pale with terror.
’This boy is going to get me killed...!’
Patrick, the Baron of House Leobart, let out a quiet sigh as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He quickly turned toward the Marquess and bowed deeply.
"I deeply apologize, Lord Randall. My son is still young and hasn’t learned proper court etiquette yet"
It was complete nonsense.
Children of noble families were all trained in etiquette from the moment they could walk, long before they even learned to read or write. His words were just a desperate attempt to save his boy from the wrath of a madman. Even to this day, the Baron couldn’t forget what happened at the last banquet he attended, where he watched the palace guards carry away the corpses of those who caused a scene.
The marquess didn’t say a word
He gave him a slight nod, accepting his apology.
The Baron let out a deep breath, as if he had just escaped death. Grabbing the kid’s hand tightly, he swore that he would punish him severely after they got back home.
He wasn’t the only one feeling relieved.
All the guests let out varying sighs of relief; they were thankful that another bloodbath had been avoided. Even though this banquet was meant to celebrate the first appearance of the third princess, no one doubted that the madman would turn it into a sea of blood if he felt anyone had crossed the line. Even if it meant insulting the imperial family itself.
"HAHAHAHA! Still clinging to those stiff manners of yours, I see? When are you going to drop this act and find yourself a beautiful wife"
A loud voice echoed through the hall, breaking the silence once again.
Cuthbert turned toward the source of the noise, followed by the gaze of all the nobles in the room.
It was the Duke Sinetra. He was taller and broader than almost everyone here. His massive build made him look more like a walking fortress than an aristocrat, and his thick arms bulged so much they threatened to tear right through his sleeves. With his short white hair and thick beard, he looked strong enough to take on a Monitor tribe warrior in a contest of strength and win.
...but above all else
He was Cuthbert’s uncle
Cuthbert stopped in front of him, gave him a slight bow, and spoke in his usual calm, steady voice.
"It is an honor to see you again, Lord Sinetra"
Just as the words left his mouth, the Duke burst into a booming laugh
"Lord Sinetra? When did you become so formal with me?"
He took a step forward and slapped Cuthbert on the shoulder with enough force to nearly knock him off balance
"Call me uncle, just like you always used to"
Cuthberst let out a sigh of resignation before correcting himself, without the slightest change in his expression.
"It is an honor to see you again, Uncle..."
Sinetra grinned with satisfaction as he nodded, "Much better. Those formalities don’t suit me at all"
He then hit his chest with his thumb and laughed again
"I never understood pleasantries, and I definitely don’t understand political nonsense. If you face a problem, settle it with your fists. And if that doesn’t fix it "
He clenched his fist with a wicked smile
" Then try again. Harder"
"And that’s exactly
It is an honor to see you again, Lord Sinetra"
Just as the words left his mouth, the Duke burst into a booming laugh
"Lord Sinetra? When did you become so formal with me?"
He took a step forward and slapped Cuthbert on the shoulder with enough force to nearly knock him off balance
"Call me uncle, just like you always used to"
Cuthberst let out a sigh of resignation before correcting himself, without the slightest change in his expression.
"It is an honor to see you again, Uncle..."
Sinetra grinned with satisfaction as he nodded, "Much better. Those formalities don’t suit me at all"
He then hit his chest with his thumb and laughed again
"I never understood pleasantries, and I definitely don’t understand political nonsense. If you face a problem, settle it with your fists. And if that doesn’t fix it "
He clenched his fist with a wicked smile
" Then try again. Harder"
"And that’s exactly
"All respect and honor to Marquess Cuthbert of Randall" comment
The head gatekeeper’s voice boomed through the hall as the massive doors slowly swung open to welcome the announced guest.
All heads turned toward the entrance with a speed that betrayed the nobles’ usual calm, collected demeanor. Normally, an announcement would be met with applause, its volume shifting depending on the newcomer’s rank in the Empire. But this time, a strange, heavy silence fell over the room.
To the sound of steady, echoing footsteps, a tall man stepped forward. He wore a black suit that emphasized his powerful, muscular build. His thick black hair was slicked back, though a few strands had come loose, while his commanding presence burned in his deep blue eyes. A scar stretched from his eyebrow down to his sharp jawline, adding to his intimidating look. He didn’t need to say a single word; his mere presence radiated an intense aura, enough to silence every noble in the room.
The grand hall stretched out for hundreds of meters, a masterpiece of architecture that embodied the Empire’s immense power and glory. Its vaulted ceiling rose dozens of meters high, decorated with breathtaking murals and intricate carvings created by the greatest architects and artists in history. Towering marble pillars lined both sides of the room, and hanging between them were golden banners, each bearing a phoenix crest that glowed with magic, a constant reminder of the lord and ruler of these lands.
The crowd of nobles, young and old alike, watched the Marquess advance with measured steps. Then, a child’s innocent voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Father... is that the monster you told me about?"
The moment the words left the boy’s mouth, a hand clamped over his lips.
The boy looked up to find his father staring down at him with wide eyes, his face pale with terror.
’This boy is going to get me killed...!’
Patrick, the Baron of House Leobart, let out a quiet sigh as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He quickly turned toward the Marquess and bowed deeply.
"I deeply apologize, Lord Randall. My son is still young and hasn’t learned proper court etiquette yet"
It was complete nonsense.
Children of noble families were all trained in etiquette from the moment they could walk, long before they even learned to read or write. His words were just a desperate attempt to save his boy from the wrath of a madman. Even to this day, the Baron couldn’t forget what happened at the last banquet he attended, where he watched the palace guards carry away the corpses of those who caused a scene.
The marquess didn’t say a word
He gave him a slight nod, accepting his apology.
The Baron let out a deep breath, as if he had just escaped death. Grabbing the kid’s hand tightly, he swore that he would punish him severely after they got back home.
He wasn’t the only one feeling relieved.
All the guests let out varying sighs of relief; they were thankful that another bloodbath had been avoided. Even though this banquet was meant to celebrate the first appearance of the third princess, no one doubted that the madman would turn it into a sea of blood if he felt anyone had crossed the line. Even if it meant insulting the imperial family itself.
"HAHAHAHA! Still clinging to those stiff manners of yours, I see? When are you going to drop this act and find yourself a beautiful wife"
A loud voice echoed through the hall, breaking the silence once again.
Cuthbert turned toward the source of the noise, followed by the gaze of all the nobles in the room.
It was the Duke Sinetra. He was taller and broader than almost everyone here. His massive build made him look more like a walking fortress than an aristocrat, and his thick arms bulged so much they threatened to tear right through his sleeves. With his short white hair and thick beard, he looked strong enough to take on a Monitor tribe warrior in a contest of strength and win.
...but above all else
He was Cuthbert’s uncle
Cuthbert stopped in front of him, gave him a slight bow, and spoke in his usual calm, steady voice.
"It is an honor to see you again, Lord Sinetra"
Just as the words left his mouth, the Duke burst into a booming laugh
"Lord Sinetra? When did you become so formal with me?"
He took a step forward and slapped Cuthbert on the shoulder with enough force to nearly knock him off balance
"Call me uncle, just like you always used to"
Cuthberst let out a sigh of resignation before correcting himself, without the slightest change in his expression.
"It is an honor to see you again, Uncle..."
Sinetra grinned with satisfaction as he nodded, "Much better. Those formalities don’t suit me at all"
He then hit his chest with his thumb and laughed again
"I never understood pleasantries, and I definitely don’t understand political nonsense. If you face a problem, settle it with your fists. And if that doesn’t fix it "
He clenched his fist with a wicked smile
" Then try again. Harder"
"And that’s exactly
It is an honor to see you again, Lord Sinetra"
Just as the words left his mouth, the Duke burst into a booming laugh
"Lord Sinetra? When did you become so formal with me?"
He took a step forward and slapped Cuthbert on the shoulder with enough force to nearly knock him off balance
"Call me uncle, just like you always used to"
Cuthberst let out a sigh of resignation before correcting himself, without the slightest change in his expression.
"It is an honor to see you again, Uncle..."
Sinetra grinned with satisfaction as he nodded, "Much better. Those formalities don’t suit me at all"
He then hit his chest with his thumb and laughed again
"I never understood pleasantries, and I definitely don’t understand political nonsense. If you face a problem, settle it with your fists. And if that doesn’t fix it "
He clenched his fist with a wicked smile
" Then try again. Harder"
"And that’s exactly