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After saying that, Darius slowly sipped his red wine, smacked his thick lips, and shook his head.
His plump, fleshy face wobbled.
His words, however, were completely at odds with his outwardly simple and foolish demeanor.
"I disdain James. In the struggle for the succession, the Boreas family still has its uses. The greater good must come first."
He grinned.
"Am I truly someone who lacks such foresight, Your Highness?"
The First Prince, Gravell, nodded at his words, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. He leaned back in his chair again.
He paused for a moment, then spoke again.
But this time, it was a possibility completely opposite to the previous question:
"Then what do you think? Did that dog James intentionally use this ambush's deployment to kill that boy Allen, who was a threat to his position as family head? That's why he ruined a good plan? He lost two King-rank individuals along the way (the Prince's resources did not include Wayne, the mercenary)."
"Though only one of them had intentions of becoming a retainer, it was still a definite loss. Tch. His doing."
This time, he was genuinely sincere.
Darius paused slightly, looking at the red wine in his glass. He recalled the day he first interacted with Allen, at the instruction of a god.
An anonymous tip, arranged to be sent to James, informing him that Allen Boreas Greyrat was secretly planning to leave the royal capital.
And then.
He single-handedly orchestrated the ambush of the Red Dragon's Jaw.
Darius narrowed his eyes. After a long moment, he chuckled.
His two shrewd pupils, nestled amidst his fleshy face, gleamed with a subtle brilliance.
"...There's no such possibility. It's more likely that James was outmaneuvered by Philip of the Fittoa territory. As for the loss of potential retainers, Your Highness need not regret it."
"North King Vita is not useful."
"Water King Fuhlwine Redbat cannot be used."
"In the plan, they were simply pawns that could be discarded after this ambush succeeded."
Gravell merely nodded this time, and hearing this, he didn't question Darius.
One probe was enough; avoiding conflict between retainers only required restraint.
Too much was worse than too little.
He nodded, was silent for a moment, then stroked the hair of the maid kneeling before him.
"So, according to that, Allen Boreas Greyrat truly possesses extraordinary strength? When did a lion like that emerge among the royal capital's nobility?"
Darius, like a boor who couldn't appreciate red wine, drank the entire glass in one gulp.
He placed it on the table with a thud.
"According to current intelligence, that is correct. Does Your Highness the Prince have any intention of recruiting him?"
The First Prince was silent for a moment, then scoffed.
"Even if the intelligence is true, what does it matter? Ultimately, it's personal martial strength. The next head of the Boreas family will still be James. They certainly cannot coexist."
Darius toyed with his fingers, noncommittal.
Gravell, seeing this, added.
"If I could abandon my retainers at will, how would I gain the allegiance of more nobles? Furthermore..."
He shook his head.
"He's merely a Sword King. That foolish sister of mine seems to cling to him like a drowning man to a straw, full of fawning. The royal family's dignity has been completely lost by her. How could I stoop to play this retainer game with her?"
"Short-sighted. Allen, this descendant, ultimately cannot represent Boreas."
Darius reached out and pinched Doristeena's cheek, signaling her to put in more effort.
His plump, greasy thigh muscles tensed.
His words, however, were quite relaxed.
"...That's true. However, I did hear some interesting things today."
Gravell glanced sideways at Darius.
"Oh?"
"I heard that Allen Boreas Greyrat plans to hold a public commendation ceremony for his promotion to Water King tomorrow afternoon at the Water God Style Main Dojo."
Gravell froze.
"Water King rank? Wasn't the intelligence a Sword King?"
"Reportedly, he claims he's already a Water King."
"Hahahaha!" Gravell's laughter suddenly echoed through the council hall.
However, no imagined words of agreement sounded beside him.
Darius's expression remained unchanged.
The laughter ceased abruptly. Gravell turned to look at Darius, narrowing his eyes as he observed Darius's fleshy face.
"Oh? Does Sir Darius believe this to be true?"
Darius shook his head.
"I don't know, but it seems Reida has accepted it. I wrote to her today asking about it, and her words showed no concealment; she quite frankly acknowledged Allen Boreas Greyrat's strength."
Gravell narrowed his eyes and pondered for a long moment.
"If that's truly the case, does he intend to join 'Dawn'?"
Darius remained noncommittal, merely leaning back in his chair, looking up.
Gravell pondered for a while, then continued.
"In that case, my sister is truly utterly foolish, always doing such meaningless things, like trying to win public favor."
Darius let out a long breath, his face easing into a look of satisfaction.
"It's not entirely clear yet. I heard he also put out word about returning to the Sword Sanctuary, which seems like a publicity stunt. If it truly is for fame, then whether he wants to enter 'Dawn' is still unknown."
Gravell raised an eyebrow, "Holding out for a better price?"
"Perhaps."
A moment of silence.
"Heh heh, then we'll see what this boy is up to."
As Gravell was making this playful remark, at some point, Darius beside him was already glancing at him sideways.
The smile at the corner of his lips was enigmatic.
Allen and his companions ultimately declined Ariel's invitation to stay for dinner. They proposed leaving soon after Pilemon departed.
They didn't even leave Ariel the chance to invite them for a cup of black tea in the reception hall.
The group bid farewell at the mansion gates.
Ariel had arranged a carriage.
"Our intrusion ends here today. Last night's assassination must have exhausted you. As I said before, rest assured, there won will be no more assassinations these next few days. Just rest well."
Allen looked at the two knights patrolling in the shadows outside the mansion gates at night, and said.
Ariel, however, looked at Allen, shaking her head helplessly.
"You know that's not what I want to say."
Allen turned to look at Ariel's face.
"Then I thank you in advance."
Ariel replied. "Tomorrow afternoon, the more nobles, the better?"
"Mm, the more, the better. The Water God Style Main Dojo is very large, so there's no fear of overcrowding. And with more nobles, social strata will naturally emerge, and many lower nobles will naturally yield front-row positions to higher nobles."
Ariel stared into Allen's eyes, blinking.
"Then does this still count as fulfilling the 'price' of the 'loan period'?"
Allen observed Ariel, as if judging something, but ultimately smiled.
"Consider it a personal favor I owe you."
Only then did a smile surface on Ariel's face.
"Good!"
The carriage rumbled away.
The carriage's silhouette gradually receded in her cerulean eyes, shrinking into a black dot, disappearing around a bend at the end of the wide street.
She seemed to be in a very pleasant mood. She turned and walked towards the mansion, even casually stretching in between steps.
Looking as if a great burden had been lifted.
She even commanded the maids beside her, with a smiling face, about whom she would favor tonight, making the maids blush profusely, assenting repeatedly, and quickly running to inform the named maids.
It seemed everyone would be very tired tonight.
Yes, including herself.
However, Derrick Redbat beside Ariel had a troubled, tense expression.
He had originally thought he could recruit Pilemon. But instead, in just one hour, this potential investor, Pilemon, not only failed to offer sufficient terms but even slammed the table and left.
What was even more hateful was that Allen Boreas Greyrat still hadn't said a word about joining Ariel's faction.
He even threatened Pilemon, saying he would kill his own father?
What kind of logic was that??
Was he insane??
Even stranger, Her Highness Ariel could actually relax and still think about such things?
It truly worried him.
How much do you trust this man?! Don't you think his words and actions are becoming increasingly strange?!
"Your Highness... are you not going to ask Mr. Allen... he just said he was going to kill..."
"No need to ask. Allen naturally has his own ideas. Whether it's verbal inducement, forcing Duke Pilemon to retreat, or having other meanings, I don't care."
"Derrick Redbat. This is already the best outcome."
"Allen Boreas Greyrat is different from others. To gain him, you must first trust him, stand by his side, and interact with him sincerely. As for his intellect, do you truly think he is a reckless person?"
Ariel's social composure, maintained all day, melted into the playful lilt of her words.
Her golden hair was somewhat disheveled across her forehead, but her expression held a faint excitement.
"Has the mansion been 'cleaned' again, Derrick Redbat?"
Derrick Redbat wanted to say something, but Ariel changed the subject, making him feel a little guilty. After all, he had allowed the maids and guard-assassins onto the ship.
"I've ordered them to be driven away."
"No need for that. Allen said on the ship that the assassination situation has ended. Judging from the motive, my dear brother must have placed all the assassins he could arrange on the ship. And it's likely that Father has already sent people to inspect before we returned."
"At least for now, the mansion is absolutely safe. No one in the royal capital, given the current rumors, will allow anything to happen to me again."
Derrick Redbat smiled bitterly, shaking his head.
"You fully trust Mr. Allen, then."
Ariel blinked at him.
"He saved me. If I don't trust him, who else can I trust?"
Derrick Redbat froze, his face somewhat distraught. He was about to declare his loyalty.
Then he heard Ariel speak.
"Of course, I also trust you, after all, you are my Guardian Mage, aren't you?"
"...This assassination was indeed my dereliction of duty..."
"Derrick Redbat! Enough! That matter is in the past!"
"..."
Ariel patted Derrick Redbat's shoulder.
"You're tired too. Get some sleep early. Don't think too much. You've been too tense since last night, haven't you?"
"...As you command."
"Release the news of the commendation banquet first thing tomorrow morning."
Derrick Redbat nodded. "Simply an invitation from Her Majesty Reida, or my presence at the banquet, might not have much impact. But combining these two, plus Boreas, even if it's just out of curiosity, I think many nobles will go to the Water God Style Main Dojo. I will personally draft the invitation."
"I'll trouble you with that."
"...It's my duty."
Ariel gave a playful smile and left with light steps.
Derrick Redbat watched her walk away, surrounded by maids.
He sighed, his face growing even more troubled.
He walked with his head bowed, heavy-hearted, back to the mansion, closed the door, and was about to refine the banquet invitation when a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
Derrick Redbat got up and opened the door.
Outside was a maid responsible for cleaning his bedroom and delivering his meals.
She was dressed somewhat scantily, looking up at him with lowered eyes.
The Guardian Mage's bedroom was very close to Ariel's bedroom, and the bathroom was naturally next door.
Certain subtle sounds had already begun to filter through.
It seemed Ariel was truly tired.
The maid looked at Derrick Redbat's dazed expression and cautiously began to speak. "Master Derrick Redbat, I heard Her Highness Ariel said you seemed very tired... She instructed me to come tonight..."
"No need!" Derrick Redbat flatly refused!
Are you kidding? A good man of Asura should be riding the waves of power in the royal capital, not thinking about riding this every day!
The maid looked a little disappointed. The next moment, she pulled out a letter from behind her back.
"Alright. If you need anything, you can call me at any time. Also, this is a letter that came from outside the royal capital a few days ago."
Derrick Redbat didn't even want to take the letter, but before he could refuse, her next words drifted into his ear.
"This time, it doesn't seem to be from your hometown. Judging by the postmark, it's from the Fittoa territory."
He froze, then quickly snatched the letter.
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome, Master Derrick Redbat."
A moment later, the maid excused herself. The letter was spread open on the table. Derrick Redbat read every word meticulously, a look of dawning comprehension and subtle excitement on his face.
To Derrick Redbat,
First, allow me to introduce myself.
I am Philip Boreas Greyrat, Mayor of Roa City, Fittoa Territory.
It is presumptuous of me to inquire about you and write this letter without permission.
But I believe that perhaps at this very moment, as the struggle for the succession begins, you are at a time when a certain stance is required.
You and I both know that James Boreas Greyrat is serving under the First Prince in the struggle for the succession.
This is a disheartening fact.
To be frank with you, from my personal perspective, I never believed that either the First Prince or the Second Prince were the destined next rulers of Asura. Though I have been away from the royal capital for a long time, the decadent weariness of the nobility is utterly apparent.
If one disregards Asura's future, placing one's own selfish desires above power...
This would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to Asura's future.
But, fortunately, Asura still has Her Highness the Second Princess.
I believe deep in my heart that Her Highness Ariel, if she truly holds the people's will, might possess the ability to change the current situation.
Therefore, I have, according to my own thoughts, sent the Boreas family's most outstanding third-generation heir to the royal capital.
Allen Boreas Greyrat.
Although it's somewhat difficult to speak of, he is not James's third son, but my eldest son. Due to certain family traditions, he was sent to the royal capital as a hostage in infancy.
But last year, he reconnected with us and gained Duke Saul's approval.
The future of Boreas rests in his hands.
I imagine you will meet him soon.
This is an opportunity for both you and me.
Allen is a child who respects martial prowess, and he has already gained the recognition of martial artists in the Water God Style Main Dojo. I am proud of him.
However, this is not suitable for the situation in the royal capital.
The struggle for the succession must ultimately revolve around political connections.
Because Allen has practiced martial arts since childhood and achieved some success in it, he greatly respects martial strength.
He greatly disdains power.
Certainly, 'Dawn' is a path.
But this is not the outcome I wish to see. This would waste his talent and be useless for this struggle for the succession.
To be frank with you, Allen, my child's, talent in strategy and political maneuvering even surpasses his martial talent.
You may scoff at my words, but I would like to ask you to reach out to him. You will receive a satisfactory answer.
This is Allen's opportunity.
This is my opportunity.
This is also Boreas's opportunity.
Ultimately, I believe.
This is also Her Highness the Second Princess's opportunity.
Finally.
I cannot represent Boreas.
But my son, Allen Boreas Greyrat.
He can represent Boreas.
Though the future lies in the future.
The future can also be now.
—Philip Boreas Greyrat.
Thump, the thick letter, bearing the Boreas Iron Heart crest, dropped onto the table.
Derrick Redbat's face was pale, his fingers trembling slightly.
The information was complete.
And all of Allen's seemingly strange behaviors suddenly had an explanation.
James Boreas Greyrat was not his father at all!
Philip Boreas Greyrat was!
Allen disdained power!
Allen was loyal to the blade in his hand!
He wanted to reclaim the position of Boreas family head!
The simplest way was to gather prestige and then wield his blade to kill James!
That's why he had consistently refused Her Highness Ariel's invitations! Because his mind was simply not on the succession struggle right now!
But how could this possibly work????
How could prestige outweigh law?! And how could 'Dawn' be his backyard guard????
Could Her Majesty Reida, the Water God, protect him, a patricide????
Attempting to crush power with martial might????
He...
He...
He's a madman!!
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