Chapter 36: Eye of the Storm
A gentle knock on the door interrupted the small gathering of Marquis Visen and the other lords in the study.
Marquis Visen glanced at the sky outside the window and chuckled, “Looks like it’s mealtime.”
At his signal, the door was promptly opened. A butler led several servants pushing in food carts, swiftly setting up a temporary dining table and arranging a variety of dishes upon it.
Seizing the moment, the butler stepped forward and whispered a few words into Marquis Visen’s ear.
Marquis Visen’s expression shifted slightly, showing a hint of surprise, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded.
Once the table was set, the butler and the servants withdrew, and Marquis Visen announced the start of the meal.
For a while, the only sounds in the room were the clinking of cutlery against porcelain; no one spoke.
The atmosphere grew somewhat tense.
“Why has everyone gone quiet?” Marquis Visen said with a smile. “Weren’t we just having a lively conversation?”
The lords kept their gazes lowered, maintaining polite smiles but refraining from initiating any new topics.
Viscount Cardon Weist of the Forest Territory and Baron Ster remained silent, uncertain of Marquis Visen’s temperament and wary of offending him. Baron Hess Billy of the Gem Territory, aware of Visen’s volatile nature and his tendency to execute subordinates over minor mistakes, also chose to stay silent.
Only Viscount Agley Senels of the Bayor Territory, confident in his own strength and background, maintained a detached demeanor, observing the others with a smile.
“Baron Ster, your two household knights are quite impressive,” Marquis Visen said cheerfully. “I was concerned that if that old dog Shuvaric sought revenge, you might be in trouble. But now I’m reassured. The Soderbell brothers are quite capable.”
The others didn’t grasp the full implication of Visen’s words, but Agley raised an eyebrow.
He understood that someone of Visen’s stature wouldn’t offer praise lightly, especially to those outside his own family. This marked the first time Agley took note of the name “Ster Bole.”
In contrast, Baron Ster appeared both honored and apprehensive. “They are unworthy of your praise, my lord.”
Marquis Visen laughed heartily but didn’t pursue the topic further.
He went on to share a few entertaining stories, some from his time as Marquis of the Red Eagle Territory, others about Count Shuvaric’s mishaps, and a few from his days in the capital before he moved to the territory.
As a marquis, Visen Kasein possessed excellent social skills, though he rarely needed to employ them at his level.
But the current circumstances were different.
Among the four subordinate lords present, Baron Ster of the White Mountain Territory had recently defected from an opposing faction; Viscount Cardon, though previously aligned with Visen, was not directly subordinate; and Viscount Agley of the Bayor Territory came from a family that had maintained neutrality for over a century and only acknowledged Visen’s authority after he fully took control of the Red Eagle Territory.
In essence, aside from Baron Hess of the Gem Territory, the other three were meeting Visen for the first time, prompting him to adopt a more affable demeanor.
The simple luncheon concluded swiftly.
There was no mandatory dinner gathering that evening, and the banquet held in honor of Monica’s birthday was scheduled for the following afternoon. Having displayed his amiable side, Marquis Visen saw no need to further assert his stance.
At that moment, none of the lords present mentioned the Viscount of the Red Soil Territory.
Yet, everyone knew that the Viscount of the Red Soil Territory had no future.
Once everyone had departed, the smile vanished from Marquis Visen’s face.
After a short while, Monica arrived.
“You handled this matter poorly,” Marquis Visen said solemnly, looking at his granddaughter.
Within the Kasein family, the second-generation successors included his eldest son Tyrot and third son Wade. After Burton’s death, Monica was the sole third-generation successor.
Barring any unforeseen events, Monica was destined to take over the Kasein family.
This was why Marquis Visen brought her to the Red River Territory and entrusted her with managing all affairs of the manor, to cultivate her administrative and social skills.
“Grandfather, the news of Burton’s death had just spread, and yet Andre of the Billy family dared to act against Anna. I believe that’s the greatest affront to our family,” Monica responded calmly, having prepared her explanation after Schroeder’s guidance.
“He is the primary heir of the Billy family,” Marquis Visen said flatly. “Do you understand the relationship between the Billy family and ours?”
“The Billy family has more than just Andre.” Monica raised her head, meeting her grandfather’s gaze directly.
“The Red River Territory and Eaglehead Territory are under our family's control. Baron Ster of the White Mountain Territory has fully aligned with us. The Viscount of the Red Soil Territory has yet to arrive at the Red River Territory, clearly harboring other intentions. Thus, the Gem Territory is effectively surrounded by four regions. They have no choice but to continue serving as our family's pawn.
“In this situation, whoever becomes the next lord is merely a matter of our family's decision.”
“Do you understand what you're saying?” Marquis Visen's eyes narrowed slightly, and an overwhelming aura pressed down on Monica.
In that instant, Monica felt as if a giant hand had gripped her heart, making it hard to breathe.
Yet, she did not yield. Even as her face turned red, she persisted, “Andre won't make a good lord. Though he hides it well, he's always harbored resentment towards our family. If he becomes the lord, it will only harm our family's interests!”
“Then who do you think should be the lord?” Marquis Visen sneered. “Shuke? Or Anna?”
Shuke Billy was the second son of Baron Hess Billy of the Gem Territory.
His bloodline aptitude was slightly better than Anna's but still inferior to Andre's. Otherwise, given Andre's temperament, he wouldn't have been the primary heir.
“Shuke is unlikely to become a Third-Tier Bloodline User, and Anna struggles even to reach the Second Tier.” Monica shook her head.
“So, even if they inherit the title, they would only serve as acting lords. If their next generation also lacks Third-Tier bloodline potential, the Gem Territory would no longer belong to the Billy family.”
“This approach is time-consuming, and our family can't absorb the Gem Territory, it would be too unsightly.” Marquis Visen shook his head, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
“Why resort to such methods?” Monica's face showed a timely expression of confusion. “Fifth Brother isn't married yet, is he?”
Marquis Visen was taken aback.
In an instant, he understood Monica's implication.
Marriage alliance!
Previously, he hadn't considered this method simply because, as the head of the marquis family, he had long been above such considerations, instinctively overlooking marriage as a legitimate means of annexing another's territory.
Monica was the sixth child of the third generation in the Kasein family.
Her fifth brother, the grandson of his fourth son Arsen, had decent bloodline aptitude.
Achieving Third-Tier Bloodline User status would be effortless for him. Moreover, he possessed his own bloodline inheritance, ensuring that his offspring would also become Third-Tier Bloodline Users.
According to the Sacred Bloodline Codex, if a noble inheriting a territory lacks sufficient strength, they can only serve as acting lords.
After two generations, the lordship is revoked.
However, a supplementary clause states that if the acting lord finds a marriage partner with the requisite aptitude and strength, they can remove the "acting" designation.
By marrying the fifth son into the Billy family, the Kasein bloodline would integrate into the Gem Territory.
After two generations, whether the territory still bore the Billy name or had become Kasein's would be a matter worth pondering.
Such a strategy would be impossible in the Bayor Territory.
But the Billy family of the Gem Territory...
“According to your plan, how do you intend to deal with Andre and Shuke?”
“Yam Soderbell is an exceptional talent.” Monica mentioned softly.
“You may go.” Marquis Visen nodded. “Tomorrow is the banquet. You have many responsibilities to handle.”
“Yes.” Monica nodded.
After cautiously exiting the study, Monica exhaled deeply, suddenly realizing she was drenched in sweat.
But as the panic of walking the edge of life and death faded, immense joy filled her heart.
She knew she had passed this test.
Moreover, her grandfather's words implied that he had entrusted her with the management of the entire marquis estate.
At that moment, she truly felt like an heir.
“The Soderbell family truly is my lucky star.”
...
As news of Andre's injury spread among the lords, not only did Ster Bole's name enter their awareness, but the Soderbell brothers, Yam and Akar, also formally came into their view.
Compared to Baron Hess Billy's anger, Viscount Agley of the Bayor Territory displayed a look of sudden realization.
He finally understood why Marquis Visen had mentioned the Soderbell name during lunch.
“Previously, it was 'Blazing Bow' Akar Soderbell who saved Baron Ster. Now, Yam Soderbell has helped elevate Baron Ster's reputation. Hahaha, the Soderbell family truly is the Bole family's lucky star. There's an exciting show ahead.”
“Father, what do you mean...”
“To think he would lay hands on his own sister. While many pure-blooded bloodline users support such actions, no one has been so blatant. Andre Billy has utterly disgraced his father. To reclaim his dignity and honor, a knight's duel is inevitable,” Viscount Agley Senels remarked with a smile. “However, the more renowned the Soderbell family becomes, the more troublesome it will be for Baron Ster. Regardless of the duel's outcome, the rift between him and the Gem Territory is beyond repair.”
“This must be the scenario Marquis Visen most desires, right?”
“Indeed,” Viscount Agley nodded. “However, if the Soderbell family proves too exceptional, the Bole family might hesitate to retain them.”
“Then, Father, should we place our bets early?”
“You can approach the Soderbell brothers and observe,” Viscount Agley considered before speaking. “Soon, many will seek them out. Your approach now won't seem abrupt. But remember, refrain from making any commitments prematurely.”
“Understood.”