November was the month of bitter winter, and Antifler, situated in the northern reaches, was battered by sharp winds that threatened to transform it into a world of ice and snow at any moment. The clear, pale-blue Donati River wound its way through the city, and the Mecklen Count's garden villa stood upon a rise along the riverbank, backed against the "Saxon Wall" — a cliff face carved with countless reliefs — overlooking the beautiful river as it flowed in silence.
The villa was built in a classical columned style, perfectly in keeping with the conservative, rigid architecture of the Holy Herz Empire. But as Lucian passed through the garden — ablaze with pale-purple "Frost Sprite Blossoms" — and stepped into the villa's grand hall, he found the interior to be the very pinnacle of luxury. Undulating curves, broken cornices, unique structural elements, and exquisite details combined to create an exaggerated sense of depth and layering — the extravagant and ornate architectural form that had originated in the
The surrounding walls and ceiling were covered with expansive murals depicting semi-naked, beautiful women, complemented by an abundance of muscular male statues, creating an atmosphere of unrestrained decadence.
Lucian was, at the very least, half an artist and a fledgling analyst of human psychology. As he admired this peculiar and contradictory architecture — so different from that of the Vorlite Principality, the Holm Kingdom, and the Shahran Empire — he quietly assessed: "The young nobility of the Herz Empire have grown deeply dissatisfied with the empire's aging, decayed, conservative, and rigid atmosphere. They've begun to yearn for the romantic, decadent luxury of the neighboring Kingdom of Syracuse."
"Hmm, this is quite beneficial for the Council and the Holm Kingdom."
Whether it was the cities like Alin, home to the Arcane Magic Council, or the influenced regions like the Holm Kingdom and the Galay Principality, all of them were displaying vibrant development. The widespread adoption of alchemical items would also bring significant changes to social structures and intellectual thought. In comparison, the young generation of the Herz Empire and nearly all the nobles of the Kingdom of Syracuse were living as though drunk on life and lost in dreams.
Although in this world, victory was decided by those of High Rank and above, without a steady stream of reinforcements from the lower ranks, and since neither High Rank nor Legendary cultivators were immortal, a gap in power would inevitably emerge one day.
"So, one thrives in hardship and perishes in comfort..." Lucian quoted this ancient saying to himself, then, wearing a polite and elegant smile, headed toward Denis Mecklen, the host of the banquet.
"Dear Borak! I thought you wouldn't come." Denis was delicate-looking, with long golden hair, and upon his red formal attire, painstakingly tailored and adorned with a multitude of intricate details — lace-like patterns, mysterious ruby pins, and fine silver chains. Looking at him, Lucian felt as though he were gazing upon a "postmodernist artist."
According to Borak's descriptions, this Denis was indeed an "artist" who loved oil painting, sketching, jewelry design, and fashion. He shared many of the common afflictions of artists as well — he preferred men and liked to think of himself as a delicate, perfect "woman."
But Lucian understood that he must not underestimate this Denis. He was the first among Antifler's young noble circle to step into the rank of Great Knight. At only twenty-seven years of age, he was already a Fifth-Rank Great Knight, and the bloodline he had awakened was the fierce and powerful "Lightning."
Suppressing his discomfort, Lucian gave Denis a brief embrace and asked with a smile, "Why wouldn't I come?"
Denis covered his mouth and "giggled delicately": "Just a gut feeling. Men are all such crude and fragile creatures. I was worried you might not be able to help yourself and clash with Alten. He's been longing for exactly that kind of opportunity — to eliminate you before we enter the underground palace, perfectly justifiably. That would make things much easier for him. A band of scattered monkeys will only bow before their monkey king."
His stomach churned slightly, but Lucian made sure his smile didn't look too stiff. Without the slightest hint of "fear," he replied with a smile, "In the end, he's just a monkey."
Denis looked at Lucian with mild surprise in his light-brown eyes. "Borak, have you gained something recently? You're completely different from a few days ago — I can feel your confidence."
Lucian smiled but said nothing, striving to look "enigmatic and unfathomable."
Denis laughed in his high-pitched way. "Things are becoming rather interesting. I'm starting to think about whether I should join the expedition. Borak, do try to win me over, and when the time comes, I'll help you deal with Alten."
The reason "Borak" had accepted the invitation was to win over the powerful ally Denis, since he himself had yet to awaken any bloodline power.
"…Perhaps Alten has other helpers as well." Lucian "showed" a hint of delight.
Denis gave a snort. "Don't get too excited just yet. I haven't even decided whether I'll participate, or whether I'll help you. That old fossil of mine speaks very highly of Alten."
He had the air of someone saying "come on, flatter me," which made Lucian instinctively glance up at the ceiling. The truth is, I really don't need any help…
"If it isn't my dear cousin Borak!" A booming, theatrical voice rang out from the doorway.
Having already heard this voice during his covert observations, Lucian turned to look. A tall, golden-haired man in a splendid military dress uniform was walking in, the arm of a tall, beautiful brunette woman looped through his.
The military uniform was light black, with a golden sash draped across the right breast and a row of medals pinned to the left. Beneath it, a white shirt and white vest set off the golden-haired man's valiant bearing and dashing stature. The woman beside him had refined features and an air of elegant grace. Her pale-blue evening gown exposed her fair, delicate shoulders and a dazzling expanse of porcelain-white skin, drawing the gaze of virtually every man present — Denis was staring as well, though his eyes burned with envy and admiration.
Lucian looked at the golden-haired man, his smile unchanged, and said, "Alten, do maintain that elegant and composed image of a nobleman. I wouldn't want people to think the members of our Plantagenet family enjoy making a scene at banquets — utterly devoid of aristocratic decorum."
"You—" Alten's gaze sharpened. The Borak who for years had either cowered or fumed in frustration before him actually dared to openly mock him? Duda was right — he really had changed dramatically!
So Alten forced out a smile: "Dear cousin, mere aristocratic mannerisms are useless. Our glory comes from our bloodline. Those who cannot awaken their own bloodline don't even qualify to imitate noble bearing. Besides, you can't paint, you don't understand music, you can't play the piano, you can't compose poetry, you can't do any of the refined arts — what difference is there between you and a commoner on the street? No, there is a significant difference: at least many of them can play an instrument!"
When Borak had been at his peak, he was too busy networking with other noble scions and attending every kind of social gathering to have any time to study the arts. After Alten surpassed him, he had thrown himself completely into knight training, but the more desperate he became, the further his goals receded. Instead, he was mocked by numerous nobles as a crude barbarian!
Lucian attended these banquets simply to maintain Borak's habits, so as not to be seen through by the old foxes. He had zero interest in these pointless "power games." Moreover, given the brooding personality Borak had developed over the past few years, concealing his knightly strength at this point to maximize his advantage in the underground palace was exactly what would be expected. So he merely smiled and shook his head: "Only the one who makes it to the end is the victor."
"Is that so, dear cousin? I hear you've been frequenting the underground black market lately. You must have found something good — that's why you're so confident. But external help is always just that: external. It won't take you any further." Alten deliberately revealed that he had been tracking Borak's movements, wanting to appear confident and imposing.
As he spoke, he reached out and pulled the woman beside him tightly to his side: "And women of discernment and intelligence, like Jocelyn here, would choose me without the slightest hesitation."