Chapter 36: Testing the Waters

“Twenty years ago, the Northern Barbarians coveted the land beneath our feet.”

At the time, I was but a naïve child, yet the battle reports from the front made it clear to me that this war was far from optimistic.

Felix’s grave words pulled all the nobles present back to the events of two decades past.

“They are natural-born warriors. Even their conscripts—used merely to bolster their numbers—could hold their own against three trained imperial soldiers.”

“The blizzards of the northern lands are cruel. I’ve seen many soldiers withdrawn from the frontlines in the capital; they are brave, and though many have lost limbs, there remains an unyielding spirit in their eyes.”

The mood grew somber.

Many of the older nobles who had lived through that war whispered quietly among themselves.

“But they are unworthy to stain our country with their touch. The children of the Empire are industrious and courageous—far nobler than those barbarians.”

“Fortunately, we have all of you here. We possess noble blood by birth, and on this continent, none can make us submit—not even those lizards of the Dragon Court of Aisorea!”

As Felix’s speech continued, the mood soared.

Many young nobles looked at him with admiration in their eyes.

“The Western Nobles sent arms and supplies to the front lines without pause; the Eastern Nobles destroyed their armies with magic; and at last, the Northern Knights forged an iron wall, driving them from the Empire.”

“This victory belongs to every one of you present!”

“We are the future of the Empire! Twenty years ago, they defended the Empire—twenty years later, let us bring the Empire to greatness!”

With that, the proud prince bowed to the gathering.

Thunderous applause followed, and the banquet began in this high-spirited atmosphere.

“Impressive, isn’t he? That guy,” Karen sighed, “Every time at moments like this, I can’t help but wonder—just what kind of monster is Her Highness the Princess… to be able to push such a natural-born king to the brink.”

“What a headache. I’ll have to put on a show for him again later… Do you have any plans, El?”

As the heir to the Grand Duke of the East, Karen’s role at the banquet was crucial.

Interaction with the major figures was unavoidable.

“I want to try prying open their mouths,” El said, his target clear. “Leah, the ball hasn’t started yet—let’s split up for now.”

Aurelia nodded softly.

“I’ll come find you once the ball begins.”

Compared to Karen, her social pressures were much less.

People were, after all, much more forgiving toward a lady.

The nobles in the hall had formed various small groups, enjoying exquisite delicacies as they chatted and debated.

Under the bright lights, they raised their glasses and exchanged information.

“Next…” El searched the hall for his target.

Before long, a figure caught his eye.

Sainote Lavaud—the duke’s heir (though this was in question).

His surroundings were rather empty; the young nobles much preferred to cluster around Pino.

The real reason El chose him was simple—Cielsa had once complained to him: “The eldest son of Duke Lavaud is so stupid it’s hard to believe he’s that old fox’s son at all.”

El had never been confident in his own social skills, but Sainote seemed a fair match.

He strode toward Sainote—then suddenly halted.

“Ivena?” El asked tentatively.

“Young Master, I’m here.”

***

Suddenly, the figure of the elven maid appeared beside him.

He could even catch the faint fragrance of Ivena’s platinum hair.

“Hiss—What are you doing here? Someone might notice you,” El said, lowering his voice in surprise.

He glanced around, but no one was looking their way, even with such a beautiful elf present.

“They can’t see me, Young Master, don’t worry. As long as I don’t act, even the strongest here won’t find my position.”

Ivena’s voice remained gentle.

“I’ve scouted the whole manor—nothing seems out of place. There are many strong individuals here, but with me present, no one can harm you. Besides, there’s also that one…”

El followed her gaze.

Wald, who had once been so dispirited, was now dressed in formal attire, beard trimmed, handsome face revealed, exuding mature charm.

He sat at a round table, drinking with others, laughing boisterously—a true knight, as one might expect.

“In any case, you need not worry about your safety.”

Wait, with Ivena here, why am I bothering to extract information from Sainote?

She sensed El’s thoughts.

“I’ll assist you in your actions, Young Master.”

***

Sainote had always cared deeply for his younger brother—at least, he once had.

As they grew, Pino revealed talent far beyond his own, whether in magic or in managing affairs.

At some point, Pino’s gaze toward him grew hostile.

His eyes said it clearly—he wanted the position of duke.

Sainote valued family ties; as everyone said, he knew he was slow-witted and held little obsession with the title.

If Pino wanted it, he was willing to give it up.

He had even offered to change the successor himself.

But the old duke refused, believing that Sainote was more suitable for the role than Pino.

Not only did Pino fail to appreciate this, he often mocked him, calling him hypocritical.

Even a clay figure has a temper.

From that moment, the bond between the brothers was broken.

Lately, Sainote sensed that his father and Pino were hiding something from him, wounding his pride.

He drank alone in a corner, eyes full of resentment as he looked at the adored Pino.

At this moment, an elegant gentleman in black formalwear appeared before him.

“El Regis, what business do you have with me?” Sainote asked warily.

“No business at all. You are the outstanding heir of Duke Lavaud, I simply wish to speak with you—unlike Pino, that counterfeit who is unworthy.”

Sainote believed him.

He knew El—his brother’s nemesis.

The reason made perfect sense.

He was happy—at last, someone recognized his worth.

This guy… Whatever he’s thinking is written all over his face!

Even without Ivena, El knew what Sainote was feeling.

“But aren’t you with the Princess’s camp? The other day, she searched the Lavaud estate, humiliating our family.”

“Oh, there’s no such thing as a Princess’s camp. We’re all nobles of the Empire.”

“To be honest, I found Her Highness’s actions rather unreasonable—I argued against it, but she wouldn’t listen.”

“Let’s not discuss this. Let me toast you first.”

El picked up his glass and drained the red wine in one gulp.

Mmm… Blueberry wine from the Kant Manor.

El had wanted to try it for ages.

Smooth and slightly sweet, with a faint flavor—the real deal.

El is a good man, Sainote thought.

“She even threatened the Lavaud family with Bloodstone. Our family’s reputation was nearly ruined by her.”

Sainote recalled that day—the old duke, seeking peace, gave a huge portion of the family estate to Cielsa.

Calculated in golden dragons, it was worth far more than this entire Kant Manor.

Humiliation—what utter humiliation!

Yet, afterward, he did notice some oddities in the Lavaud family.

The numbers on the account books never seemed to match up.

The old duke was often away, and his brother… At times, it was as if he’d become a different person.

Ivena whispered softly in El’s ear.

Sainote was so easy to read—his thoughts went in circles, plain as day.

El’s smile became a little more sincere.

“Let’s not mention Her Highness for now. Speaking of which, that bastard Pino really does have talent. I hear his magic is about to break through to the Gold level.”

He couldn’t risk being too obvious in sowing discord.

So El chose to praise Sainote’s rival, hoping to provoke a reaction.

“Impossible! He hasn’t practiced magic at home in ages. He even turned down instruction from Master Dotok.”

Still, Sainote had noticed it—the magical power in Pino had grown ever more immense.

He had even begun to detect faint traces of dark arts.

He had recently investigated this himself.

Of course, he could not tell anyone that Pino was colluding with heretics—it would implicate the whole Lavaud family.

“Mr. Regis, if you’ll excuse me,” Sainote said.

He might be dull, but the old duke had taught him well—he soon realized El’s ill intent.

El did not stop him.

“Of course, take care.”

Today’s harvest was enough; there was nothing more to squeeze from Sainote.

There was still some time before the ball began.

Should he seek out Pino? He likely wouldn’t bother with El, and he was no fool—there was no way he would walk into El’s trap.

The next focus ought to be the Lavaud family…

All of today’s intelligence was gained solely through his own maneuvering—not a single point in his stats.

El thought.