As I spoke of engagement, the surroundings erupted with noise.
A commoner from Berg County daring to join a Ducal House? The notion seemed intolerable to them.
"Hah, you made such a promise?" The Third Elder of the Council stepped forward, her black mourning clothes stark against the opulent hall.
Unlike the Seventh Elder who had attempted to strangle me earlier, she was an elderly woman with a face etched by countless wrinkles. She regarded me with revulsion before turning to address the Grand Duke.
"I always admired how you cherished your daughters. To show such unwavering affection without favoring sons over daughters—how could I not consider you exemplary in fatherhood?"
"Is that so?"
"But now… I wonder if that sentiment was too misplaced. To exchange House matters of grave importance for a mere daughter's life..."
The Third Elder struck her cane sharply against the floor, releasing a chilling Aura. "To accept a man with no reputation, no skill—nothing—as a son-in-law to a Ducal House? And from a family aligned with the Noble Faction? Is this sound judgment?"
"Berg County stands renowned throughout the Empire. Is it prudent to dismiss such a prestigious family based solely on political alignment?"
"Hah! How absurd to hear you speak thus, sir, when you demand absolute fealty to the Imperial House. I shall overlook that inconsistency. However, political stances aside, whether this young man befits our House remains a separate matter."
The Third Elder's eyes bulged as she fixed her glare upon me before returning her attention to the Grand Duke.
"I acknowledge Berg County's illustrious reputation. My concern lies with its youngest son."
She adjusted her mourning attire with finality. I understood the depths of her contempt. She likely suspected me as a Noble Faction spy, dismissing Lea's cure as merely groundwork to infiltrate the family.
Karma, it seems.
I sighed quietly, studying the Third Elder. Among the Council, she alone despised both the Council Head and the Artezia Duchy. Her daughter and husband had perished through Artezia's machinations, and since then, she had worn only mourning clothes.
As the Grand Duke's sister, her influence was considerable. If memory served, she would be assassinated five years hence, likely by Artezia agents.
Should I intervene to save her?
I couldn't determine whether this would benefit my position. The enemy of my enemy might indeed be my ally, but gaining the Third Elder's trust would prove challenging. How could I persuade a woman who, decades later, still mourned her child?
I'll maintain distance for now. A favorable opportunity might show itself in time.
I shifted my gaze back to the Grand Duke, who addressed the Third Elder with evident displeasure. "What do you propose then? A promise must be honored. Those were my terms."
"You shouldn't have established such terms initially! Don't you comprehend the weight a Patriarch's word carries?"
"Do you, who speak thus, defy your Patriarch's declaration before the assembled family?"
The tension escalated rapidly. As the decisive moment approached with everyone revealing their true intentions—
"Why not verify his worth?" From within the assembly, the Council Head stepped forward, stroking his white beard. His gaze swept the room, seemingly delighted by the unfolding drama, before he spoke with a disarming smile.
"Let us put him to the test. The Third Elder questions whether Berg County's youngest son truly befits our Ducal House. We can ascertain this through verification, can we not?"
"How so?"
"Perhaps by entrusting him with the Goblin Lord subjugation the Patriarch planned? Fortuitously, our information source stands among us… Young Master Louis." The Council Head flashed me a faint smile.
In essence, the Council Head embodied both serpent and fox—a venomous snake and cunning predator. No description suited him better.
Even now, he’s acting to position me against the Third Elder.
As expected, when I glanced aside, the Third Elder now directed even more intense hostility toward me. At this rate, I might spontaneously combust.
I struggled to ignore her piercing gaze.
The Grand Duke interjected, his tone suggesting the proposition was ludicrous. "Entrusting a Goblin Lord subjugation to an Aura Novice? That amounts to execution."
"You misunderstand. I never suggested he undertake this alone." The Council Head chuckled softly. "He shall join our House knights in the subjugation. If he demonstrates capability beyond mere adequacy, he will have proven his qualities as a knight, thus qualifying as a suitable son-in-law. Honestly, putting aside their Noble Faction alignment, the Berg County family stands exemplary in all respects, does it not?"
The Council Head clapped my shoulder genially. His eyes resembled those of a doting grandfather regarding his beloved grandchild.
…Would it be impolite to vomit over his face?
As I contemplated this profound ethical dilemma, the Council Head turned to the Grand Duke with a placid smile and continued.
"There is, however, one condition. The Patriarch must abstain from this subjugation, and Lady Lea must accompany him."
At that moment—
"You propose sending a child barely recovered from a mysterious ailment into mortal danger?"
The Grand Duke unleashed an overwhelming killing intent. The air around him shimmered as cracks spiderwebbed across the mansion's pillars.
CRUMBLE!
"Argh...!"
"Gasp!"
Under the crushing pressure of his Aura, everyone present simultaneously groaned. They finally recognized the absolute being before them—a Grand Master, one of only three on the entire Continent.
This formidable figure, radiating deadly intent, spoke. "Until now, I overlooked your insolence, believing it served the House. I attributed it to my focus on guarding the Demonic Realm, assuming your transgressions stemmed from my inattention to internal affairs."
RUMBLE!
"But your arrogance has exceeded all bounds. You dare threaten my daughter?"
"Agh... I am not attempting to harm Lady Lea, so please withdraw your killing intent. If you eliminate us, can you withstand the political consequences from other Houses alone?"
"Do you believe I cannot?" the Grand Duke inquired, his voice dangerously soft.
In truth, the Grand Duke had tolerated the Council because collective power exceeds individual strength.
A Grand Master might annihilate a single family, but what of an entire nation? An Empire? The equation changes. However transcendently powerful an individual might be, they become insignificant against a vast system.
This explained why the Grand Duke had permitted the Elder Council to consolidate political influence within the House. Or rather, he had acquiesced to it.
After all, he spent the majority of his time in the Demonic Realm at the Emperor's behest. His Grand Duke title derived from his Grand Master status, with its attendant responsibility of guarding the Demonic Realm.
Moreover, as Royalist Faction leader, he could not defy Imperial commands. Consequently, he had delegated House affairs to his daughters and tolerated political maneuvering from the Council.
But when they dared challenge the House master directly?
Death seemed the natural consequence.
"Answer me. Do you believe I cannot?" the Grand Duke demanded.
"Indeed, you cannot. You must soon return to the Demonic Realm, Patriarch, leaving the resulting pressure upon the Ladies of Praha."
"You vermin."
The Grand Duke's teeth ground audibly as killing intent radiated from him, poised to eliminate the Council Head at any moment. Yet the latter casually dismissed this deadly aura, offering a faint sneer.
"Furthermore... Lady Lea has yet to complete her coming-of-age ceremony. Her affliction earned her exemption until now, but those circumstances have changed, have they not?"
The coming-of-age ceremony—a ritual preserved within Praha Duchy, guardians of the Demonic Realm border.
Both direct and collateral Praha lineages must demonstrate their talents before family members upon turning twenty. Most proved themselves through hunting prowess, occasionally through wartime accomplishments.
"Traditionally, this would require at least an Orc Warrior, but given her illness-impeded advancement, I consider a Goblin Lord sufficient accommodation. Yet the Patriarch appears displeased with my concession. Or do you believe our Ducal House's illustrious traditions may be disregarded?"
The Grand Duke's fists clenched tightly.
Indeed, when going through the coming-of-age ceremony while accompanying a subjugation force, defeating something like a Goblin Lord wasn’t enough to earn real recognition.
He glared at the Council Head, weighing his options. Kill or spare? He considered which choice would better serve his daughters.
Just then—
"…Accept the terms, Your Grace." I managed to speak despite the Grand Duke's suffocating Aura.
The Grand Duke regarded me coldly. "This matter doesn't concern you."
"I will protect my lady by any means necessary. I swear to defend her life with my own if required. Please trust me and accept these conditions."
Though breathing laboriously, I met his gaze unflinchingly.
The Elder Council represented future targets, but not immediate ones. Eliminating them now would create dangerous power vacuums within the family.
Authority, inherently organic, never leaves such spaces unfilled. Inevitably, a new Council would form and clash with the Grand Duke again. Better to contend with this Council, whose future actions I could anticipate.
But someday, I swear to destroy you all.
My eyes flashed with lethal intent as I glared at the Council Head.
Did he sense my murderous thoughts? The Grand Duke studied me intently before withdrawing his killing intent.
"Can you truly safeguard her?"
"Yes. I will protect her absolutely, staking my House's honor upon it."
After prolonged deliberation, the Grand Duke finally nodded—silent permission granted.
Thus concluded the confrontation between Grand Duke and Council Head.
I leaned against a pillar, steadying my trembling legs as I exhaled deeply.
It sure is goddamn hard to get married.