Chapter 774: Tension among the group
In front, on a raised platform, sat two luxurious chairs that resembled thrones.
The symbol of the Astran Duchy was carved prominently into the backrests, showing that these seats were reserved for the Duke and Duchess.
Just in front of them, on a slightly lowered platform, were another two chairs of equal elegance but slightly less ornate, clearly meant for Liam and Louisa.
Further ahead, rows of tables and chairs had been arranged, where several important members of the duchy were already seated, looking around the hall in appreciation.
***
Just then, the Duke entered the hall, flanked by Commander Aldric on one side and a middle-aged man wearing the knight’s armor on the other.
"Is everything okay?" the Duke asked, glancing sideways at the Commander as they walked.
Aldric bowed his head slightly in respect.
"Yes, my lord. The envoy is resting in the guest quarters. They will be ready in an hour or so."
The Duke exhaled slowly, a faint line of worry creasing his brow.
"That’s good." He paused for a moment, then added in a lower voice, "How strong is he? Did you measure him?"
Aldric’s face took on a complex expression. It was not quite fear, but more like genuine helplessness mixed with unease.
"No, my lord. I am not sure, but his mana is... unique."
The Duke raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Unique? In what way?"
Aldric continued carefully, choosing his words with caution.
"How do I put it... When we talk about mana, we might use words like purity, advancement, or nature. But when it comes to the captain, his mana feels dark. Not necessarily evil, but dark... as if it is unpure and... not nourishing. It feels heavy. Cold. Like it drains the life around it rather than giving strength."
The Duke’s eyes widened at that. He stopped dead in his tracks and completely turned to face Aldric.
"Dark?" he repeated, his voice rising in pitch. "But how? ... Is he learning black magic?"
The older knight beside them immediately lowered his voice and leaned in closer.
"My lord, it is not wise to speak of such blasphemous things out in the open. And especially not while accusing one of the captains of the royal guard."
Realizing his mistake, the Duke looked guilty for a brief second and immediately lowered his voice to match Bethel’s.
"You are right, Bethel. I just got flustered."
Knight Bethel was the captain of the Duke’s personal army under Commander Aldric. He was one of the most loyal subordinates the Duke had and handled matters strictly related to the army and the borders, unlike the Commander who followed the Duke everywhere and served as his personal knight and advisor.
Bethel was a sturdy, middle-aged man with a short beard and sharp eyes that missed nothing. He had served the family for nearly twenty-five years and was known for his level-headedness and strict discipline.
The three men continued walking slowly toward the raised platform, their voices kept low enough that no one else in the hall could hear.
"Still," the Duke said after a moment, his tone grave, "if what you say is true, this envoy is no ordinary messenger. A dark mana that feels unpure and draining... that is not something a normal royal knight should possess. The First Guardian would not send someone like that without reason."
Aldric nodded.
"I agree, my lord. I felt it clearly when we rode back together. The closer I got to him, the more uncomfortable I became. It was like standing near a shadow that wanted to swallow light. I did not dare probe too deeply, but I am certain there is something unnatural about him."
Bethel frowned deeply.
"Should we increase security around the hall? Or perhaps delay the meeting until we can verify his identity more thoroughly?"
The Duke shook his head slowly.
"No. We cannot afford to show distrust openly. The King’s delay already puts us in a delicate position. If we treat his envoy with suspicion, it could be seen as an insult to the crown. We must proceed carefully."
The three men reached the raised platform. The Duke sat down on his throne-like chair and his expression became composed once more, though his eyes remained sharp and calculating. Aldric and Bethel took positions on either side of him, standing tall and vigilant.
The grand hall buzzed with activity as more nobles and officials took their seats, but the three men at the head of the platform shared a silent tension that no one else could see.
The main thing that worried them was the uncertainty about the real identity of the captain and what he was hiding. They knew that he served under the First Guardian and had heard of his exploits and achievements, but none of them had ever seen him personally.
Not even the Duke had laid eyes on the captain before.
Now that they were about to meet him for the first time, they realized that this man was a different breed altogether. The reports of his dark, unpure mana had left a deep impression on all three of them. It made them nervous, especially the Duke, who wondered what the King was truly up to by sending such an important person just for a formal apology.
The Duke pushed that thought aside for the moment and looked at the empty chair beside him. His brows furrowed slightly.
Olivia was normally the first to enter the hall during any official meeting. She was always punctual, always prepared, and always by his side when matters of the duchy were discussed.
Is she late? he thought, a flicker of concern crossing his mind.
But he immediately pushed that thought aside. His wife was too diligent and too hardworking to be careless with something like this. Something important must have forced her to be late. He trusted her judgment completely.
As he was having this internal conversation with himself, his eyes caught a movement near the entrance.
A woman who seemed to be in her mid-twenties, wearing a beautiful blue gown, flanked by a couple of maids, entered the hall with graceful steps. The Duke’s smile widened at the woman’s appearance.
