Chapter 269 - 267: A Strong Stance

Chapter 269: Chapter 267: A Strong Stance

This wasn’t Duane’s first time entering Cyan Snake Fortress.

But this time, his senses were sharper than ever before.

He could feel the colossal Black-eyed Cyan Snake from the Founding Day celebration resting somewhere in the fortress’s moat.

Crossing the corridors and stone bridges, he followed Sir Randy into the magnificent palace.

However, as soon as he entered, he saw not only the King seated upon his throne, but also Orisien and his companions off to one side.

’What are they doing here?’

Suspicious, Duane nonetheless stepped steadily forward and bowed to King Eric. "Good day, Your Majesty. For what important matter have you summoned me?"

King Eric gave a slight nod, a formulaic smile on his face.

"Count Duane, you performed exceptionally well in the tournament. I have high hopes for you!"

Duane bowed slightly, his response neither obsequious nor arrogant. "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."

The King cleared his throat and got straight to the point. "I’ve asked you here today to discuss a private matter. I hear you’ve grown quite close to Miss Natalia of the Kennedy Clan?"

He treated Duane differently than he did Count Kais.

Count Kais’s personal strength was not great, but his power in Silent Shore was immense. Mishandling him would be risky.

Duane, on the other hand, while personally powerful, had only been developing Black Forest Island for a little over a year and had no real power base.

Therefore, Eric felt no need to be overly tactful.

Duane’s brow furrowed. ’Why bring this up all of a sudden?’

But considering Natalia’s words and expression earlier today, he replied in a low voice, "Miss Natalia is quite exceptional. We are business partners, so our relationship is indeed very good."

He couldn’t say more before speaking with Count Kais and formalizing their relationship, lest he damage Natalia’s reputation.

"It’s a fine thing for young people to work together and admire one another."

Eric’s tone shifted. "However, Baron Orisien wishes to ask for a marriage alliance with the Kennedy Clan through me. Considering the Holy Radiance Court’s development in the Kingdom and the greater good, I hope you will withdraw voluntarily."

His words were direct and undisguised, showing no concern for whether they might offend Duane.

Duane’s eyes narrowed. He caught sight of a triumphant smile flash across Orisien’s face.

Anger began to well up inside him. ’This sore loser I defeated usually looks so gentle and refined, but he’s full of dirty tricks. Can’t win a fair fight, so he resorts to scheming.’

"What, still holding a grudge after I defeated you? Are you trying to snatch Natalia away as revenge?"

Orisien’s breath hitched, and his calm expression instantly flushed crimson. ’Why is he singing the same tune as Count Kais?’

"Duane, watch your mouth! If we weren’t on a tournament stage but a battlefield, it’s not certain who would live and who would die!"

"Heh, if we were on a battlefield, killing you would be child’s play."

With Duane’s Silver Moon Level strength, it wouldn’t be difficult to kill Orisien if he used his Long Spear and unleashed his full power.

"Count Duane!"

Mitchell suddenly cut in sharply, "You are standing before the Holy Son of the Holy Radiance Court! Watch your tone!"

Clement, having met and cooperated with Duane privately before, spoke in a more moderate tone.

"Baron, the union of the Holy Son and Natalia would benefit both the Pruck Kingdom and the entire Sunset Continent. You should understand which is more important."

Clerk Lloyd watched Duane in silence. To be honest, his impression of Duane was much better than his impression of Orisien.

Unfortunately, His Majesty had already instructed him not to speak, so he couldn’t intervene.

Duane took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

’At the Golden Crown Opera House, Natalia mentioned that Count Kais had come to Cyan Snake Fortress. Orisien and his group have probably already made their marriage proposal to the Count. And now, judging from the King’s demand that I withdraw, Count Kais must not have agreed. Otherwise, this meeting would be completely unnecessary. Since the Count hasn’t agreed, I have even more reason to stand firm.’

He turned his gaze to the King.

"Your Majesty, if Natalia were to choose Orisien, then I would give her my blessing. But that is not the case, so I have no reason to withdraw."

Eric’s brow furrowed. He hadn’t expected Duane to dare defy his wishes.

"Duane, you should know that if a noble marriage harms the interests of the Royal Family, I have the right to intervene."

But Duane retorted, "That applies when a fiefdom is at risk of falling into the hands of a hostile power. Is Silent Shore a hostile power to you, Your Majesty?"

"You!"

Eric’s expression changed. He was about to erupt in anger but restrained himself.

"Young men are prone to recklessness, especially in matters of the heart. I can understand that. But you must understand this: this is an order. If you disobey, I can revoke your Territory, title, and peerage."

The atmosphere in the palace grew tense. All eyes were on Duane, awaiting his response.

Duane suddenly understood.

The last two times he had requested support from the King, the man had agreed with barely a moment’s hesitation.

That was because those things were disposable to the King, yet brought him sufficient benefits.

But the moment Duane got in the way of the King’s core interests, King Eric would still use his status and position to force him into submission.

At this moment, Duane could, of course, compromise and withdraw. But if he did, all the work and arrangements he had made over the past year would be for naught.

If he compromised, Count Kais would surely stop doing business with him.

Then, if the Great Michaelson River was sealed off, he would even have trouble accessing the mainland.

Of course, the most crucial factor was Natalia.

He was not, in the end, the kind of noble who could sacrifice everything for personal gain. In his bones, he still carried a passionate spirit and a commitment to the people and things he cherished.

"Your Majesty, I wonder what reason you will use to strip me of my Territory, title, and peerage?"

Duane asked slowly, "Or will it be like with Earl Orlando back then? Will you fabricate a lie?"

Eric’s eyes narrowed slightly, his displeasure palpable.

"Many people testified to your father’s transgressions..."

"And I, too, have witnesses who can prove my father was innocent!"

Duane cut him off. "However, I don’t wish to bring up the past."

"I just want to say that the Brian Clan has sacrificed much for you and the Kingdom, and has won great benefits for the Kingdom as well. And now you want me to sacrifice my own feelings..."

He bowed slightly, looking as if he were ready to face death.

"If you truly feel it is necessary to strip me of my power and peerage, then do it!"

Duane knew Eric wouldn’t.

The King was a man who cared about face. He couldn’t bestow a title one moment and strip it away the next; that would only damage the image of the Royal Family and himself.

Moreover, unless a noble committed treason, revoking a hereditary title was no easy feat. At the very least, it required the approval of the Noble Council.

But if a Noble Council were truly convened, a large number of nobles would surely object.

After all, Duane represented the native Nobility, while the Holy Radiance Court was an outside force that threatened their power.

Everyone was shocked by Duane’s reckless declaration.

Lloyd especially felt a mix of respect for Duane, relief for Natalia, and admiration for his own father’s judgment.

Mitchell couldn’t help but sneer, "A measly little Baron, daring to threaten His Majesty?"

Murderous intent flashed in Duane’s eyes. "Mage Mitchell, your words have damaged the honor of the Brian Clan and trampled on my dignity!"

"In the name of the Brian Clan, I challenge Mage Mitchell to a duel!"

Hearing this, the three of them paled.

Things seemed to be heading in a direction they had not anticipated.

’Is this young man a reckless fool? His methods during the fashion show a while ago didn’t seem like it.’

"That’s enough, all of you!"

The King spoke up just in time. "We are gathered here merely to talk. There is no need to resort to violence."

The tense, sword-drawn atmosphere subsided.

"Duane, we are not asking you to withdraw for nothing. On the contrary, if you agree, I can make you a Hereditary Earl and grant you subsidies in the form of population, money, power, and more."

Duane sneered inwardly. ’Threats didn’t work, so now he’s moved on to bribes.’

"Your Majesty, I am fiercely loyal to you and the country. I can compromise on anything."

Duane’s tone was firm, neither servile nor arrogant. "Except for this. On this matter, there is no room for negotiation!"

He paused. "If there is nothing else, I must take my leave!"

The King hesitated for a moment, but finally waved his hand.

"Go. Go back and think it over. If you come to your senses, come and tell me!"

Duane bowed slightly and walked straight out of the grand hall.

Outside Cyan Snake Fortress, the sun had already set, and dusk was beginning to fall.

Duane took a deep breath, and his anger began to subside.

But the day’s events still left him feeling extremely displeased.

"Because I’m just an insignificant nobody, because he thinks that even if I’m angered, I can’t make any waves, the King feels he can trample on my rights and disregard my feelings time and time again!"

He looked at the setting sun on the horizon, and an idea began to sprout in his mind.

"One day, I will make you understand the meaning of ’Are kings and nobles born to their station?’!"