Chapter 1309 – 1309. The Plum Blossom Swordsman Reincarnated Into The Baek Family
“Lady Melissa Argent and Eugene Prucus are entering!”
The butler’s announcement at the entrance of the banquet hall instantly silenced the room. Countless gazes turned towards us. The looks directed at Melissa were filled with complex emotions, while those aimed at me were brimming with hostility. This was because I was the commander of the enemy forces who had declared war on the Cobalt Kingdom.
Melissa and I strode confidently into the banquet hall. Today’s event was for Melissa. I had intended to stay in the background, but… Melissa, who had linked her arm with mine, wouldn’t let go. So, I decided to stay by her side until the end.
Nobles approached Melissa, those who followed the Argent Duchy.
“My lady… no, Duchess. I’ve heard from the Duke. I’m glad you’ve returned.”
“You are as beautiful as ever, Duchess.”
“This might be the last banquet… I’m glad to see you like this, Duchess.”
The nobles were friendly towards Melissa.
Even before leaving the Argent Duchy, Melissa must have been popular. She was beautiful, with a flawless figure and face. Her personality was also good, and she was capable. It was hard to dislike someone like her. Even within the maid mansion in Tevra, Melissa was popular.
And she had even completely captivated the current King, Dulibad.
“Thank you. I feel the same way. It’s a pleasure to see and talk with you all after so long.”
Melissa smiled gently. The young male nobles stared at her, as if bewitched by her smile.
Melissa was still linked to my arm. Was she worried I might be bored? She subtly moved her body, rubbing her large chest against my arm.
The banquet was dull, but I could endure it thanks to Melissa.
“Count Prucus, I see. I never imagined I’d see you here.”
“I heard you conquered the Solfmed Kingdom recently. Impressive. The people of the Rapelli Kingdom must be praising your name. But I also heard that hundreds of thousands of people died in that war. Oh, no offense. I was just stating a fact.”
The treatment I received was sarcastic. They didn’t openly show hostility, but subtly revealed their animosity.
I suppressed the urge to cause a ruckus.
This banquet was for Melissa. I couldn’t ruin it.
Duke Graus Argent appeared near the end. As soon as he appeared, the atmosphere turned solemn. This banquet was not just a simple party.
“Melissa Argent, come forward.”
Duke Argent said. His voice was low, yet it resonated throughout the entire banquet hall. Melissa finally released my arm and walked towards Duke Argent with a dignified stride.
Melissa knelt on one knee before Duke Argent. The Duke drew a sword from his waist. The hilt was made of gold, and the blade was adorned with patterns and jewels. It was a ceremonial sword, not for combat.
“Melissa Argent. As one who carries the great blood of the hero Argent…”
Duke Argent began to speak with a serious face, droning on with tedious content.
‘They said they’d keep the succession ceremony brief… but they’re doing everything.’
Servants who had entered through the back door of the banquet hall quietly placed items around Duke Argent and Melissa. Portraits of past Argent Dukes, expensive-looking flowers, and more. It seemed to be a kind of tradition.
“I cannot accept this!!”
Someone shouted abruptly.
It was a young man’s voice. All eyes in the banquet hall turned to a boy. A boy with dark blue hair, who looked about 15 years old, was glaring at Duke Argent and Melissa.
Duke Argent frowned as soon as he saw the boy.
“…Berdo. The succession ceremony is underway. Be quiet and don’t cause a disturbance.”
Duke Argent tried to resume the ceremony, but Berdo shouted again.
“I said I cannot accept it! That woman left the family! And suddenly she returns today and inherits the title?! It doesn’t make any sense! I am the rightful heir to the Argent Duchy!”
“Berdo. Don’t call her ‘that woman.’ Melissa is your sister and the new Argent Duchess. Apologize to Melissa for your rudeness.”
Berdo gritted his teeth.
“I refuse!”
“…Berdo Argent…!”
Duke Argent seemed angry at his son’s defiance. The atmosphere around them had already turned as cold as ice water.
Berdo flinched. But he soon clenched his fist and confronted Duke Argent. Melissa didn’t seem inclined to intervene. Well, if she did, things would only get more complicated.
Duke Argent quietly sighed.
“…Berdo. It is my authority as the current Argent Duke to decide the heir to the Argent Duchy. Your approval is not needed in that process.”
“I am my father’s heir! I have lived as my father’s heir! I have been educated and trained in swordsmanship and magic to inherit the title! And now everything changes in a single day?! Does that make any sense! Father! You were the one who named me as your heir!”
Berdo glared at the retainers standing around him.
“Why didn’t any of you stop Father! Do you really think this is the right thing to do?!”
“Young Master Berdo… please calm down. This matter is…”
The retainers were watching Duke Argent’s reaction. It seemed they hadn’t explained the situation to Berdo. Melissa wasn’t going to be the Argent Duchess forever. Once this was over, the title would be meaningless. The Argent Duchy would become the royal family.
“Berdo. Return to your room.”
Duke Argent said. The order, without any explanation, only fueled Berdo’s defiance.
“I refuse!”
Duke Argent sighed. Just as he was about to order the knights to drag Berdo away, a young noble stepped forward.
“Duke Argent, with all due respect, we support Lord Berdo. The position of heir rightfully belongs to Lord Berdo. While we acknowledge Lady Melissa’s lineage and abilities, it is not right for her to inherit the Argent Duchy.”
He was clearly a lower-ranking noble. It meant he didn’t know the full situation.
Starting with the young noble, other nobles stepped forward, expressing their opinions. The common factor was that they were all young.
“I also support Lord Berdo.”
“Lord Berdo is the rightful heir to the Argent Duchy.”
The young nobles rallied around Berdo. Berdo’s face looked more relaxed than before. He glared at Duke Argent with confident eyes.
“You, you fools!”
“Those who know nothing are stepping forward…!”
The retainers were furious at the young nobles’ behavior. Some nobles were even yelling at their own sons. The surroundings became noisy and chaotic.
Duke Argent was also at fault for this situation.
‘He must have only explained the situation to his trusted retainers.’
I knew what he was worried about.
Spies.
Even if the information was going to be revealed anyway, he wanted to delay it as much as possible.
‘Well, it’ll be resolved soon. The only ones supporting Berdo are the young nobles. The nobles with real power are all on Duke Argent’s side.’
Duke Argent had control over his retainers. The situation would be resolved quickly.
Kuuuuuung.
It was a strange reverberation.
The nobles who had been voicing their opinions all fell silent at once. They were all looking at the ceiling.
Wooooooong.
The ceiling was rippling. The ripples spread in all directions. They moved to the walls and even affected the ground. The floor was shaking. No, it only appeared that way.
‘…It only looks like it’s shaking and distorted. The ceiling and floor aren’t actually moving. The fact that the fruit on the table hasn’t even budged is proof of that.’
This was an attack.
‘It’s not magic. If it were magic, I would have noticed it immediately. It’s a relic or a demon’s power.’
It was likely the latter.
A demon contractor from the Pantheon must have decided to kill me after seeing me. And if they killed Duke Argent as well, it would be a great help to Dulibad.
‘Still, they’re moving too fast… They must have been monitoring Duke Argent from the beginning.’
Then the story fits.
Yuria wasn’t by my side right now. But I wasn’t particularly afraid.
“Master. This is an attack.”
A telepathic message came from Melissa. I made eye contact with her.
“Yes. It’s probably a demon. I don’t know which one yet. Don’t let your guard down.”
I sent a telepathic message. We tensed up and surveyed our surroundings.
Wooooooong!
The ceiling, walls, and floor began to ripple. The surroundings immediately became chaotic.
“I-is it magic?!”
“Knights! What are you doing! Resolve this situation!”
“I feel like throwing up… I need to get out… I need to get out.”
Some of the nobles opened the doors of the banquet hall and ran out. But the situation outside was similar. As the situation worsened, Duke Argent spoke sternly.
“Everyone calm down!! The ground is not actually moving! It’s just a cheap trick! Those who feel nauseous, close your eyes! Knights, prepare for battle!”
Duke Argent’s charisma calmed the situation. But the situation was still serious.
Wooooooong.
The distorted waves covered the entire space. Now even people looked like they were melting.
‘I see. It’s the demon from the original story. If I remember correctly, its name was… Birubiru.’
The mirror demon, Birubiru.
It was a demon closer to a formless phenomenon. It had no ego. Therefore, its abilities were activated according to the will of the demon contractor.
‘A troublesome one has appeared.’
