Under Chelf's terrified gaze, Hastur tossed him into the artificial lake. With a splash, his obese body hit the water, sending ripples across the surface.
"You'd better cool your head down there."
-----------------------------
Chelf's face was full of terror. He shouted for help while struggling to swim toward the shore.
Fat as he was, his swimming skills weren't bad. Just as he was about to reach the bank and climb up, Hastur kicked him back into the lake.
Hastur had been fretting over not having anyone to provoke him, so he could speed up the digestion of his potion.
This Viscount Chelf Barren had the nerve to show up and treat him like some pushover rabbit, he was practically begging for a beating!
Hastur glanced around. Unfortunately, he didn't see any handy long weapons, like a bamboo pole or a wooden staff. Otherwise, he would've let Viscount Chelf experience what it meant to have his skull cracked open.
Very soon, the commotion attracted nearby nobles, who gathered around.
Seeing someone fall into the water, they called their attendants to jump in and rescue him.
Hastur didn't stop them. He simply stood on the bank. When two attendants finally dragged Chelf out of the water, Hastur walked over, smiled, and lifted his right foot, kicking Chelf square in the chest and sending him plunging back into the lake.
Chelf wanted to curse in anger but instead gulped down a mouthful of lake water.
The surrounding nobles quickly realized this was no accident. Chelf had obviously gotten into a conflict.
Hastur stood out in the crowd and was soon recognized.
The smarter nobles slipped away immediately, unwilling to get involved.
Those on good terms with Chelf shouted accusations that Hastur was attempting to murder a noble.
Audrey and Glaint arrived nearby. Seeing Hastur at the center of the trouble, Audrey was slightly surprised and blinked.
Kicking a viscount into the water in front of so many nobles, this was truly bold and fearless.
After all, this was a royal banquet. Even the high-ranking nobles had to restrain themselves and at least keep up appearances.
Glaint hurried forward, pulling Hastur away so he wouldn't send someone else flying into the lake.
"That Viscount Barren may be nothing special, but this is a royal banquet. Don't make too much of a scene, or it could leave a bad impression."
Glaint carefully analyzed the pros and cons to stop Hastur from acting rashly again. Hastur only listened quietly, showing no concern.
Even if the man had been a prince, Hastur would've kicked him all the same.
A legitimate excuse for self-defense was too rare to waste.
A while later, Chelf was dragged from the lake again, coughing violently and spitting water, he had clearly swallowed a lot.
But he didn't dare confront Hastur directly. He just shot him a venomous glare before slinking off and leaving the banquet early.
Kicking someone wasn't dignified, true, but the one who got kicked was even more humiliated.
Soaked to the bone, staying any longer would've only made him a laughingstock.
After this brief interlude, the lively atmosphere returned.
When Greg and the Crown Prince appeared, it signaled the banquet was halfway through.
"The Crown Prince is highly favored and trusted by the King. He's very likely to become the next monarch," Glaint whispered.
Not just likely, when George III failed in his attempt to ascend as the Black Emperor, this prince would become Loen's new King, Jevington II.
Hastur thought to himself as he watched Greg chatting warmly with the prince. He couldn't help but sigh, the Negan family truly had a talent for betting on the right horse.
After greeting the surrounding nobles, Greg led the Crown Prince toward Hastur's direction.
Glaint quickly straightened his attire, stood tall, and composed himself to look sharp and elegant. Bringing Hastur along, he went up to greet them.
Greg introduced, "This is Baron Hastur Campbell, the last heir of the Campbell family. It was he who helped the police crack the Sunrise Almshouse case. He's also a good friend of mine."
The Crown Prince smiled. "Young and promising. The kingdom needs nobles like you, full of wisdom and courage."
Hastur replied with a few polite words. After a short exchange, the Crown Prince excused himself.
Greg shot a look at Glaint, who understood and quietly left.
Greg asked, "What did that Viscount Barren do to offend you tonight?"
"It was a small matter. He received the punishment he deserved."
Greg nodded, dropping the subject. "After the banquet, don't leave yet."
"The King's reward?"
"Yes. The King sent the Crown Prince to present it, which shows how highly he regards you."
Hastur understood. The King wanted him to feel grateful toward the Crown Prince.
It was indeed a sign of favor.
He was young, wise, and courageous, and the Campbell family had once held a hereditary earldom.
His future was bright.
Only fools like Chelf, blind and brainless, would dare offend him openly.
Greg didn't linger. After a few words, he left. But his presence alone sent a clear signal to the surrounding nobles:
Hastur Campbell was a close friend of Greg Negan.
With Greg's backing, nobles who had considered siding with Chelf dropped the matter quietly.
Undisturbed, Hastur raised his wine glass and joined the small circle of Glaint and Audrey, exchanging smiles and small talk while waiting for the banquet to end.
He was curious, what kind of reward would the King bestow?
Surely not less than 2,000 pounds? If it was 10,000, he would let Greg invest it in stocks for him and make a profit first.
With Glaint and Audrey present, Hastur displayed the elegance and propriety expected of a noble.
In conversation, he left a deep impression on everyone.
Especially on several unmarried young ladies, who looked at him with eyes full of admiration and curiosity.
Curiosity was the first step toward falling.
Fortunately, Hastur wasn't like Glaint. Whenever such a spark appeared, he quickly restrained his charm to avoid these noble ladies disturbing his peaceful life.
By around eleven, the nobles began leaving one after another. Glaint wanted to leave with Hastur but, with some envy, had to go alone.
As the crowd dispersed, attendants approached Hastur and led him into the private quarters of the manor.
Inside, the Crown Prince, Greg, and Hibbert were already seated on a sofa, chatting casually.
So these were the future core influential figures of the Kingdom of Loen.
Greg represented the Negan family. Hibbert had the support of Earl Hall. Both were powerful nobles of Loen with wealth and influence.
Hastur glanced around, then naturally walked over to greet each one.
One day, he believed, he too would become a influential figure entering Leon's core power circle.
After some light conversation, the Crown Prince ordered a yellow-brown chest to be brought forward and placed before Hastur. "This is a reward for your courage and wisdom."
…
After the banquet, in the carriage.
Hastur set the chest on his knees and slowly opened it.
With so many people present earlier, it would've been improper to check it in front of the Crown Prince.
He had endured his curiosity until now. Finally, he could take a look.
Inside lay three sheets of paper, more precisely, three land deeds.
One was for a large house in Empress Borough, a property that originally belonged to the Campbell family but had been lost by Voltaire.
The other two were noble estates in South, together covering about 1,000 acres.
That was roughly 400 hectares.
Compared to a true noble estate, 1,000 acres was only about one-sixth of a standard earl's territory.
Here, Voltaire's ingenuity had to be mentioned. He had divided his estate into fifteen parcels, fifteen deeds of roughly equal size.
Normally, nobles were forbidden from selling land without royal approval, let alone using it for gambling.
But Voltaire found a loophole. He didn't call it a wager, nor did he directly sell. Instead, he allowed nobles holding the deeds to "manage" the estates for him.
The output and tax revenues of those lands were simply considered management fees.
Hastur quietly put the deeds back into the chest and closed it.
A pity the King hadn't given him a choice. Otherwise, he would've taken gold pounds instead.
With the repeal of the Corn Laws, lands would lose value, and the economic returns from estates would drop significantly.
He could've taken the money, profited in the stock market, then bought up cheap land later.
That would've been a huge difference.
Still, the house in Empress Borough wasn't bad. Living there was far safer than in the West Borough.
As for the estates in South, he had no intention of managing them for now.
He could only ask Butler Neil to send someone to investigate. The rest could be dealt with later.
…
Hall of Stars.
Fifteen days later, Hastur appeared in the image of the Lord of Stars, extending two Chains of Order to summon the Son of Chaos and the Mother Tree of Desire.