Chapter 249: Kurudo’s Visit

Chapter 249: Chapter 249: Kurudo’s Visit

That night, several carriages drove into the Golden Crown Opera House.

As they approached the main gate, the window of one carriage opened, revealing Count Kudro’s tall, bear-like figure.

He glanced at the massive promotional painting hanging there, a cold glint in his eyes.

He couldn’t believe someone would dare to provoke him so brazenly, and that it was merely an insignificant Baron.

"Father, let me go down and destroy that painting."

Tara’s gaze was grim. She’d had the same idea during the day, but there had been too many people around for her to make a move.

"Don’t bother!"

Count Kudro said with a dark expression, "Look over there. The Kennedy Clan’s Guards are on watch. Someone might even be secretly recording with a Memory Stone. If you go out now, you’ll walk right into their trap."

The thought only made him more furious. He slammed the window shut with a loud BANG.

"If the King hadn’t spoken up for Duane and told me not to cause trouble, I’d have broken his bones today!"

Meanwhile, Duane was in his room making Spell Scrolls.

He planned to use this time to become Skilled in crafting the Spell Scrolls for the six remaining Level 1 Magic spells.

It wasn’t actually that difficult.

Besides, Magic Ink and Parchment weren’t expensive, so the cost was low.

The only thing he needed was time.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

A knock came at the door, followed by a Male Servant’s voice from outside. "My Lord, Miss Zelina is here to see you about an urgent matter!"

’Huh?’

Duane was surprised.

Of the five members of the Time Closet, Natalia was staying at her family’s manor at Count Kais’s request, but the rest were all staying in spare rooms provided by the Golden Crown Opera House.

It was already around nine o’clock, late in the evening. ’What could Zelina want with me?’

Duane frowned and stopped working on the Spell Scroll.

PFFT!

Due to the sudden interruption, the unrestrained Magic Power dissipated, like air hissing out of a punctured tire.

When Duane opened the door, he saw Zelina standing not far away, her expression fraught with anxiety.

As soon as she saw Duane leave his room, she ran over. "Duane, this is bad! Count Kudro is here! Derek and Sharp went ahead to meet him, and I don’t know what’s going to happen!"

Duane’s expression tensed. He had heard a great deal about Count Kudro’s methods over the past few days, but he never expected the man to show up so late.

"Come on, let’s go see!"

Zelina hurried to keep up, asking urgently, "Should we go to the manor and get Natalia? To ask Count Kais for help?"

Duane considered this for a moment.

A round trip to the manor would take over half an hour. It was too late for that.

Besides, there was no need to get Natalia involved.

"No. Since Count Kudro chose to come at night, he probably doesn’t dare do much to us."

Zelina murmured in agreement, but she was still deeply uneasy.

The gap between them in status, position, and power was simply too vast.

’If I’d known this would happen, I should have tried harder to persuade Duane to play it safe.’

Of course, Zelina knew it was useless to have regrets now. What mattered was how they would face the situation.

「In the reception hall of the Golden Crown Opera House」

While many people could only afford candles at night—and many couldn’t even afford those—every corner of this vast, multi-thousand-square-foot space was illuminated by Magic Lamps.

Sculptures, murals, opulent decorations, a luxurious long table, and gold-inlaid chairs created a dazzling sight.

This was the Golden Crown Opera House’s most luxurious and prestigious reception hall, reserved only for visiting High Lords or Royal Family Members.

Derek and Sharp stood there stiffly, almost afraid to breathe.

Across from them sat three men.

First, in the center, was a young man with hair as golden as the sun. He had a powerful build, sharp features, and corded muscle visible beneath his Light Armor. His every move exuded authority.

This was Crown Prince Sigmund of the Pruck Kingdom.

Next, on the Crown Prince’s right, was the towering and formidable Count Kudro, whose oppressive presence was suffocating.

Finally, on the Crown Prince’s left, sat an elegantly poised young man in magnificent attire.

Though he went without introduction, any discerning eye could see he was no ordinary person.

After all, who but the most distinguished would dare sit as an equal with the Crown Prince?

Derek and Sharp were a nervous wreck. The Crown Prince had come with Count Kudro and was asking for Duane by name.

They both began to worry for Duane.

’The matter of the satirical painting is not going to be resolved easily.’

Outside the luxurious reception hall, the master of the Golden Crown Opera House, Martin Reck, paced back and forth anxiously.

While he was an honorary Viscount of the Kingdom, his title had been acquired through donations.

He had met his share of Nobility, but they were usually just regular Lords—nothing like the Crown Prince, who had been away from the Kingdom for years.

He hadn’t dared to linger in the reception hall; the atmosphere was too suffocating. He had left under the pretext of fetching Duane.

Soon, footsteps approached.

Viscount Martin hurried forward to greet them. "Baron Duane, you’ve finally arrived! The Crown Prince and Count Kudro are waiting for you inside!"

"The Crown Prince?"

Duane’s mind sharpened. ’Sigmund must be here to act as a mediator,’ he guessed.

"Thank you for the warning. I’m going in now."

With that, he strode forward.

Following behind, Zelina watched his retreating back. He didn’t seem worried or uneasy in the slightest, maintaining a constant air of confidence and composure.