Chapter 33
"What are you implying, Young Master Joshua?" Chiffon frowned, looking down at the boy. Joshua smirked back at him, no shame or fear in his eyes.
"It is what it is. Shouldn't you try it for yourself? See if I really did borrow a monster's power or not? You can tell for sure if we fight, can't you?"
‘One wrong move and I'll be punished by the Master. But if it was his real ability…’?Chiffon's jaw clenched. Agreeing was not an option, right in front of the Duke. The vassals who had raised their voices earlier now wore casual expressions and kept their lips sealed, as if the whole situation had nothing to do with them.
‘They're like vultures.’ Chiffon cussed under his breath.
‘If it comes to a fight… the boy's skills are…’
Chiffon was loath to admit it, but Joshua really didn't need a monstrous weapon to be a monster. He had seen Joshua's fight with Babel, when the boy had torn his elder brother to shreds without raising his ridiculous stick more than once. Of course, he could have borrowed the powers of a monster, but there was still the distinct possibility that it was not the case…
‘It’s definitely a losing fight for me, either way,’ Chiffon thought.
The other vassals that had been chattering just a while ago had suddenly turned silent and watched the situation unfold with vested interest.
‘Damn it.’ Chiffon spat inwardly.
The boy that was currently occupying his thoughts was looking him straight in the eyes, with a devilish smile dancing on his lips.
.
"What, aren't you confident? Hahh… Shouldn't one of the Duke's four commanders be among the bravest of his knights?"
Chiffon wouldn't have normally reacted to such a blatant, childish provocation, but something about the situation made his blood boil.
‘This brat!’ There was death in Chiffon's eyes, but Joshua grinned daringly at him.
"Stop." The conference room rattled under Duke Agnus's mana-infused voice.
"Chiffon, you should stop. Joshua, you need to stop also."
“Yes Sir.” Chiffon stepped back, and Joshua shut his mouth as ordered.
"There is one thing you all, including Chiffon, are overlooking. You haven't forgotten who was there when Joshua's mana was assessed, have you?"
The doubt that had surfaced in his vassals' eyes faded, replaced by realization and widened eyes.
"I don't believe our family's knights are inferior to them in any way, but… they are the best knights in the Empire, aren't they?" Duke Agnus continued.
"The Imperial Knights…" Armstrong groaned.
Duke Agnus was right. The strongest among his four battalions, the ‘Golden Mane Battalion’ was comparable to the Imperial’s top five battalions. This meant that the 9th Battalion that had visited them the other day was at the very least on par with any of his own.
‘But no one can predict that until they actually face each other in combat. The fact that the Imperial Knights Templar are the strongest in the Empire is unquestionable.’
Yesterday's fight had been spectated not only by the Imperial Knights, but also by the Imperial Chief Mage Evergrant and the Duke himself, one of the Nine Stars of the Empire. One of the Imperial Knights had even personally crossed blades with Joshua.
‘If he really did use a monster's power, someone would have noticed. After all, these are the most extraordinary men in the Empire.’
Not to mention, Joshua had the Duke's utmost attention, so how could the Duke have failed to sense something like that?
"I believe that should resolve the controversy. Any objections?" Duke Agnus smiled.
No one was stupid enough to respond. Their mouths were shut and they looked elsewhere, as if the issue had never come up in the first place.
"I’ll take that there are no objections. In my opinion, that weapon didn't look like a monster's artifact at all. But…" Duke Agnus glanced across the hall, then turned his gaze onto Joshua. "...That doesn't mean all the questions have been answered."
Duke Agnus's grim, humorless smile seemed to pin Joshua in place, making the younger boy flinch ever so slightly.
"I have many things I'm curious about. I wanted to inquire about your sudden growth, and I'm sure my vassals are curious as well."
‘Yes!’ Chiffon cheered, exhilarated. ‘What was I so worried about? If the Master wishes it, I'll gladly dig up this boy's dirt.’
Chiffon gazed imploringly at Duke Agnus but wasn't spared a glance.
"As for you, boy… I’ll be taking you with me to the capital."
"Your Grace?" Chiffon was bewildered, and the rest of the vassals were no different.
‘Taking him to the capital?’ That could only mean one thing.
"Questions aside, Joshua's talent is undeniable. According to the customs of the Duchy, we must give the child a chance," Duke Agnus said sternly.
Such was the iron rule of the Duke: all talented people are given equal opportunities regardless of rank. Anyone with a passion for battle would not be left wanting.
“I’m planning to send Joshua to the Imperial Academy to give him a more systematic and basic training, which means he won’t be only learning swordsmanship, but also other subjects, such as etiquette and other disciplines that most nobles know.”
‘This damn—!’ Chiffon bit his lip angrily. The moment that brat got away from here, it would disrupt all his plans. If he was this talented now, then when he returned in a few years…
‘Young Master Babel would lose the race for succession! I don't even want to think about it…’ It wasn't far-fetched at all, seeing how fast he had grown till now.
‘That monstrous talent can render all my power meaningless… but there's no point in fretting. The Master's words are final. What more can I say?’
"Are you dissatisfied?" The Duke regarded Joshua with a slight smile dancing on his lips.
‘Obviously, going to the capital is a massive advantage at this point. But…’?Joshua shook off his doubts.
"I have one request."
"What is it?" Duke Agnus looked at Joshua curiously.
"I want to go to the capital with my mother."
"That's impossible!" Chiffon shouted. "If the Duke went to the capital with Madame Lucia, what would become of Duchess Vanessa?"
"What if she decides that she doesn’t want to stay put?" Joshua's voice was frigid. "Are you saying the Duke should only care about her selfish reasons?"
‘You little bastard!’?Chiffon clenched his teeth, feeling the atmosphere turn against him. Again, he couldn't say "Yes" here, or that was bound to make him sound like a mother-in-law. The feeling of being led around by this kid was driving him crazy.
"I-I am only worried that the Duke's reputation will suffer if he only favors Madame Lucia." Chiffon tried and failed to hide his embarrassment.
"Shut it." Duke Agnus raised his hand.
"Yes, Duke."
"I'll allow it."
"Thank you, Duke." Joshua bowed.
Duke Agnus smiled. Joshua's bow was unusually sincere.
‘He's still no ordinary child.’ The Duke chuckled to himself. ‘I don't know how long it's been since I've felt this way. I never experienced it with Babel or that Red Cross kid.’
"Does anyone have an opinion on this matter?" Duke Agnus looked around.
"Everything according to the will of the Master." Count Anghel was the first to bow.
"Everything according to the will of the Master!" Even Chiffon followed.
"Then it's decided." With that, Duke Agnus rose from his seat. "As soon as we clear the Black Forest, we leave for Arcadia. All things related to your reports must be completed by then."
"Understood!"
"And Armstrong? Bring Pontier's report to my room as soon as it's in order. Even better, bring the knights from the dispatch with you, if possible."
"I heed your order." Armstrong bowed.
"Joshua, I want to see you in my room as soon as the meeting is over."
"Yes."
"Today's meeting is adjourned." The vassals bowed as Duke Agnus walked forward with a satisfied smile.
"Wait a minute!" A loud voice slipped through the open door.
The person who emerged from behind the door left the vassals dumbfounded.
1. He’s referring to Cain
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