Chapter 368 - 366: A Sensational Rumor

Chapter 368: Chapter 366: A Sensational Rumor

In the past seven-odd months, Duane had progressed in building Magic Arrays, crafting Spell Scrolls, practicing Magic, brewing wine, and Enchantment, which had earned him a cumulative 19.2 attribute points.

When he returned from the Starfall Islands in May, his Strength Attribute was already 138.5. After allocating his newly acquired attribute points, his current Attributes were as follows:

[Level]: Ascension-level Warrior, Level 8 Mage

[Strength]: 150.0

[Spirit]: 92.7

Logically, 19.2 attribute points should not have been enough for Duane to break through in both his Warrior and Mage Levels.

But this time, his Warrior abilities advancing to Ascension Level strengthened his Spirit, which was equivalent to gaining an extra 15 attribute points. That’s how Duane managed to become a Magic Master in one fell swoop.

Duane had now mastered the Power of Life, just like Severus.

This was a special type of energy, distinct from Magic Power and Fighting Qi. It vastly improved the regenerative abilities of an Ascension-level Warrior, allowing them to slowly recover from all but the most extreme of injuries.

Although the Power of Life couldn’t regenerate severed limbs, Duane had plenty of excuses.

For instance, he could claim he had recovered his left arm by reattaching the severed limb that had been corrupted by Severus, then using the Power of Life to neutralize the force of the Corrupting Holy Seal.

He could also say that his Celestial Python Bloodline had enhanced his Power of Life, thus allowing for limb regeneration.

In any case, Duane was now on par with Severus in strength, so his opponent could no longer intimidate him from a position of power.

The welcoming ceremony at Sea Cliff Castle was quite grand. This was not only because Duane was the Count’s son-in-law, but also because he had brought benefits to Sea Cliff Castle and, indeed, all the nobles of the Silent Shore.

After all, his ability to help an Earth Tier Warrior break through to the Celestial Tier was something that demanded respect.

Baron Cruz, Baron Jick, Marles—who had been ennobled as a Baron after the war—and many others all wanted to visit Duane.

Count Kais simply decided to hold a grand banquet at Sea Cliff Castle, inviting the nobles of the Silent Shore to gather and celebrate the annual festival.

After the banquet, the lively atmosphere of Sea Cliff Castle gradually dissipated.

Duane accompanied Count Kais for a walk in the rear courtyard.

Natalia, meanwhile, went to Fiona’s room to see her little nephew, who was just over a month old.

"The Holy Radiance Court has set up a branch in the Fire Source Territory. You know about this, right?"

Duane nodded. "Natalia heard about it some time ago when she was corresponding with George."

"Since August, their people have clashed with Heinrich’s forces three times."

"Over water sources," the Count added.

Duane was slightly surprised.

They all knew conflict would break out sooner or later, but they hadn’t expected it to be so soon.

"Was it the Calvin Clan?"

Duane asked, "He hasn’t even finished paying his debt, and besides, Elwin is still here in the Silent Shore!"

Unless Viscount Ugo no longer wanted his only son, he wouldn’t actively provoke trouble.

"It wasn’t Ugo’s men," the Count said. "It was those Templar Knights. Several more groups have arrived from the Sunset Continent, reinforcing their strength in the Fire Source Territory."

Duane was secretly surprised. ’This must be recent news,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, I should have been informed.’

"Who arrived?"

he asked. "How many Scorching Sun Level, or rather, Ascension-level Warriors are there?"

Count Kais shook his head. "I’m not sure of the exact details, but there shouldn’t be any Ascension-level experts. Even if the Sunset Continent entered the Elemental Tide before our Shadow Mist Continent, they couldn’t possibly have that many Ascension-level individuals."

"Besides, I’ve heard the Holy Radiance Court also has deployments in the Fidun and Asando Kingdoms. Even if they have a few Ascension-level members, they would be spread thin across four locations, leaving only a handful in any one place."

Duane nodded slightly.

The Power of Life didn’t enhance combat strength. An Ascension-level Warrior wasn’t that much stronger than a peak Scorching Sun Level warrior.

If it hadn’t been for Severus’s unusual abilities back then, Duane might not have suffered a disadvantage.

Now that they were both at the same level, Severus’s Corrupting Holy Seal was no longer effective against him. Duane was confident he could handle the situation, even if another Ascension-level Warrior were to join the fight.

"Why would His Majesty bring in so many outsiders? Isn’t he afraid of being made a figurehead?" Duane asked.

He didn’t know Eric as well as the Count did.

"His Majesty has already anticipated that certain nobles want to overthrow his rule. He needs to use external forces to balance the powers within the Kingdom."

The Count looked back at Duane. "What you said is a possibility, but the Holy Radiance Court won’t think about making His Majesty a figurehead until the nobility of the Pruck Kingdom is completely suppressed."

Duane smiled. "Certain nobles... you mean Marquis Sean, right?"

The Count nodded. "Who can blame them, with so many Secret Realms appearing in Sean’s territory? Even we are envious, let alone the Royal Family."

If the Smith Clan were to be overthrown, although the Royal Family would take the lion’s share of the Secret Realms, the other nobles would surely get a piece of the pie as well.

The Count rubbed the bridge of his nose, a troubled expression on his face. "If it really comes to dealing with Sean, I don’t even know if I should answer His Majesty’s call!"

If he doesn’t answer the call, he’ll not only have to provide a suitable excuse but also offer necessary resources to support the campaign.

But if he does respond, it will inevitably lead to losses on his own side. And if the Smith Clan is truly wiped out, the Silent Shore would probably be the next target.

Duane frowned slightly. "The King is going to make a move against the Smith Clan?"

"Not yet, but there’s a rumor that Sean has been in contact with Marquis Hoffman Anglu of the Spearhead Territory."

Duane knew a fair bit about geography, so he was aware that the Spearhead Territory was part of the Kasa Kingdom. Marquis Hoffman was said to be a powerful, long-renowned Silver Moon Warrior.

He said, "Now that His Majesty has both the absolute support of Duke Kelvin and a powerful force from the Holy Radiance Court, Marquis Sean must be losing sleep over it. He has to find a way out for himself."

With no reliable allies within the Pruck Kingdom, it was understandable that Sean would choose to contact a marquis from a neighboring kingdom.

By doing so, however, he would likely hasten the Royal Family’s decision to move against the Smith Clan.

"Duke Kelvin..."

Count Kais muttered those two words and couldn’t help but laugh. "I recently heard an incredible rumor. Are you interested?"

Since the Count himself called it a rumor, it meant that even the Kennedy Clan’s intelligence network couldn’t verify its authenticity.

"A rumor that’s caught your attention, yet one you can’t verify? I’m definitely interested!"

Duane said with a laugh, able to detect a hint of gossip in the Count’s tone.

’Don’t tell me Princess Emily cheated on Lloyd?’

he thought, but immediately dismissed the notion.

Lloyd was the Count’s son; such a scandal would be a disgrace to the Count, and he certainly wouldn’t be the one to spread it.

’Then did some noble’s daughter elope with a Knight or a commoner, like Simone and Constance did?’

"Well, how should I put this..."

The Count mulled it over for a moment, seeming to organize his thoughts.

"I hear that His Highness Sigmund and Orisien have... gotten together."

The words sent shockwaves through Duane. It took him a moment to process. "What do you mean... ’gotten together’?"

The Count raised his hand, wanting to explain with a gesture, but couldn’t find a suitable one.

"Like a man and a woman... You get what I mean, right?"

How could Duane not understand? ’So, a Brokeback Mountain situation.’

It wasn’t just in his original world; some nobles in this world were into that sort of thing as well.

But for it to involve the future heir to the Kingdom, Crown Prince Sigmund... that was just too explosive.

And the other party was Orisien of all people...

He scratched his head. "Don’t tell me they developed feelings for each other after I crippled Orisien?"

"Hahaha, you never know!"

The Count couldn’t help but laugh; he’d also thought it was completely outrageous when he first heard it.

Still, the Crown Prince had lived abroad for many years and had yet to marry after several years back in the country. It was indeed puzzling.

Duane set aside his spectator’s curiosity and theorized, "Could this be a ploy by Marquis Sean to drive a wedge between the Royal Family and the Hughes Clan?"

After all, the Crown Prince’s fiancée is Duke Kelvin’s granddaughter, Danika. If such a rumor about the Crown Prince were to spread, would it affect the level of Duke Kelvin’s support for His Majesty?

"That’s possible."

"But," the Count said, "the Crown Prince visited the Duke’s Territory a while back, yet after returning to the Royal Capital, there was no news of a wedding date being set. That’s also strange."

’If this is true,’ Duane thought, ’I’m genuinely curious to see how both sides will handle this.’

The Count said, "Lloyd and Emily went to the Royal Capital for the annual festival. I’ll ask them about it when they return. We might be able to glean some insight."

Duane said, "I heard Emily is also pregnant."

"Yes, it’s a boy. He’ll probably be born around March."

As he spoke, the Count looked at Duane. "Of all my children, only Natalia has no news to share yet. You two need to get a move on!"

Duane gave an awkward smile, not having expected Count Kais to press him on the matter.

"After we get married at the end of next year, Natalia and I will consider it."