Chapter 65: Patriarch’s Game
He casually twisted his wrist utilizing his monstrous strength to effortlessly rip the weapon entirely out of her desperate grasp.
"But your grip is incredibly sloppy. Does House Vance not train their Eldest daughter?"
The main courtyard was plunged into a profound suffocating silence.
The heavily armored knights of House Vane sat frozen atop their warhorses while the estate guards of House Sterling stared in sheer unadulterated disbelief.
Lady Isolde Vane was widely renowned across the continent as a prodigious magical fencer possessing a lightning aura so fast and lethal it could blind a normal man.
Yet the rugged dark haired servant had just effortlessly pinched her glowing enchanted rapier between his bare thumb and index finger before casually ripping the weapon right out of her desperate grasp.
[Quest Completed Successfully!]
[Your trousers remain perfectly intact and your dignity is preserved.]
[Distributing Rewards: +20 Agility, Skill ’Lightning Resistance (Intermediate)’ Acquired, 400 Shameless Points.]
A sudden explosive surge of weightless energy flooded his legs pushing his Agility to a staggering two hundred and fifteen points.
The Lightning Resistance skill burned its protective mechanics into his nervous system providing a dense insulating layer over his muscular pathways that perfectly neutralized the residual electrical current sparking off the stolen blade.
Leon stood perfectly relaxed holding the glowing rapier casually by his side.
He offered the stunned noblewoman a charming wicked smirk that made her emerald eyes widen in a highly confusing mixture of aristocratic outrage and primal terror.
"How dare you!" Lord Vane finally roared breaking the silent spell that held the courtyard captive. The arrogant nobleman spurred his white stallion forward his face twisting into a mask of pure murderous fury.
"You filthy insolent rat! You dare lay hands on a daughter of House Vane? I will have you drawn and quartered for this transgression!"
The emerald knights accompanying the diplomatic envoy aggressively drew their weapons and channeled their green auras preparing to execute the impudent servant.
Leon utilized his dark magnetic gaze to stare down the encroaching knights projecting his heavy Intimidation Aura to blanket the immediate vicinity.
"Stand down Lord Vane," the Patriarch of House Sterling commanded in a deep resonant voice that echoed like rolling thunder.
The elderly warlord did not raise his voice to a shout but the sheer majestic gravity of his golden aura instantly snuffed out the hostile intent of the visiting delegation.
The Patriarch slowly descended the grand marble steps flanked closely by Seraphina and Commander Vance.
A highly satisfied calculating gleam danced in the elderly nobleman’s glowing golden eyes as he observed the humiliated state of his arrogant rivals.
"Your daughter drew a lethal weapon on my newly appointed personal warden within the walls of my own estate," the Patriarch stated smoothly crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Leon merely defended himself using the bare minimum amount of force required. If he truly wanted to insult your house he would have broken her arm instead of simply correcting her sloppy grip."
Lady Isolde let out a sharp breathless gasp of sheer indignation but she wisely kept her mouth shut.
Her wrist was throbbing with a dull agonizing ache from the sheer monumental kinetic force the servant had generated when twisting the blade away from her.
She looked down at Leon attempting to project her haughty disdain but her Lie Detector aura wildly flashed with intense blinding curiosity.
She could not comprehend how a man lacking noble blood possessed such terrifying physical power.
Lord Vane gritted his teeth and aggressively yanked his horse’s reins fighting a desperate battle to maintain his diplomatic composure.
He had arrived at the Sterling estate expecting to find a broken weakened family begging for his resources. Instead he was met by an awakened Aura Lord and a monstrous servant who effortlessly dismantled his elite daughter.
"It seems the rumors of your house’s vulnerability were greatly exaggerated Lord Sterling," Lord Vane spat bitterly while gesturing for his knights to sheathe their weapons. "We came here offering medical supplies and building materials in the spirit of aristocratic unity."
"We humbly accept your generous gifts," the Patriarch replied offering a sharp predatory smile that lacked any genuine warmth. "Beatrice will coordinate the logistics with your quartermaster. Now I suggest your delegation retire to the guest wing to rest after your long journey."
Leon casually tossed the glowing rapier upward allowing the enchanted weapon to spin gracefully through the air before catching it flawlessly by the hilt.
He stepped forward and politely offered the blade back to the stunned noblewoman sitting on the horse.
"A beautiful weapon requires a firm steady hand Lady Isolde," Leon murmured in a deep magnetic tone ensuring only she could hear the patronizing advice. "Try not to lose it again."
Isolde snatched the rapier from his grasp with trembling fingers her pale cheeks burning a brilliant furious shade of crimson.
She glared at his face intending to burn his features into her memory before roughly turning her horse to follow her father toward the guest wing.
Seraphina walked down the remaining marble steps and stopped directly beside Leon. The Silver Goddess watched the retreating emerald knights with a deeply satisfied smirk before turning her violet eyes toward her rugged warden.
"You truly have a talent for making powerful enemies Leon," Seraphina noted softly a faint trace of highly possessive amusement coloring her tone. "But I must admit watching that arrogant redhead sit frozen in terror was a highly entertaining spectacle."
"I aim to please Lady Seraphina," Leon replied smoothly offering a respectful bow.
"The Patriarch has granted you official access to the Vanguard armory," she instructed while gesturing toward the massive stone keep looming behind the main manor. "You cannot fight said enemies holding wooden practice swords or stolen rapiers. Go find a proper weapon. You will need it for the training sessions I have planned for you."
Leon nodded and walked away feeling the heavy weight of the massive system rewards burning in his inventory.
His Shameless Points balance now sat at a highly lucrative seven hundred points providing him with the perfect currency buffer for his upcoming martial ascension.
