Chapter 376 - 374: The Summons

Chapter 376: Chapter 374: The Summons

Although Duane had brought back Demon-Horned Goats from the Heavenly Mountain Range, they all eventually died after he tried raising them for a while.

Duane had analyzed the situation and concluded that the Demon-Horned Goats could only thrive atop the Heavenly Mountains. Their primary food source was the Cold Mist Grass found there, and they struggled to survive once removed from that environment.

If he wanted to farm these goats—prized for their delicious milk, tender meat, and the several Magic Materials they provided—his only option was to build pens on the Heavenly Mountains themselves.

However, not only was the location difficult to access, but it was also threatened by the Giant Lynx. Duane had postponed his development plans, and with the passage of time, had eventually forgotten about them.

But now that he had the method to create a Magic Flying Carpet, he needed to put the matter back on his agenda.

After they made love, Duane told Natalia about the Demon-Horned Goats, asking her to help him remember.

Once he returned from his current trip, he planned to venture deep into the Heavenly Mountain Range to find and eliminate the Giant Lynx. After removing that threat, he would arrange for his people to establish a base there.

「Time quickly passed, and it was now mid-July.」

The Pruck Kingdom celebrated the wedding of Crown Prince Sigmund and Danika, the granddaughter of a Duke, on the annual Founding Day.

It was a grand wedding. In addition to the Nobility and prominent families of the Kingdom, the other Four Great Nations of the Shadow Mist Continent had all sent envoys to offer their congratulations. The scale of the event was no less impressive than the sixtieth anniversary of the Kingdom’s founding, held three years prior.

In the luxurious ceremonial hall, Bishop Clement of the Holy Radiance Court served as the officiant. To Duane, he looked just like the priests who presided over Western-style weddings in his memory.

Duane’s gaze fell upon Danika. The bride, wearing a crown, was poised and beautiful, her every gesture imbued with the noble grace befitting someone from a Duke Clan.

She held Crown Prince Sigmund’s arm affectionately, their relationship seemingly untouched by the recent rumors.

But Duane knew that was just for show.

With the Royal Family backing one of them and a Duke Clan the other, neither would dare do anything in public that might invite speculation or tarnish their family’s reputation.

Duane leaned over and whispered to Natalia, who stood beside him, "Look over there."

Natalia followed his gaze.

In the crowd on the other side, Orisien, who usually had a smile playing on his lips, had lost his customary expression. While not quite sorrowful or resentful, his face was a mask of extreme discomfort.

"Well... this must be hard on him!" Natalia couldn’t help but tease.

’If it weren’t for my father and Duane,’ she mused, ’I’d probably be the third wheel between Sigmund and Orisien.’

A shiver ran down her spine at the absurd thought.

On the other side, Severus noticed Duane’s stare, and his eyes couldn’t help but linger for a moment on Duane’s fully healed arm.

Their gazes met mid-air. Severus instantly felt like he was being targeted by a viper. His brow furrowed; he could actually feel a powerful sense of threat emanating from Duane.

Severus gave a soft grunt, averted his gaze, and whispered a warning, "Orisien, be careful. Someone is watching."

Orisien grunted softly in acknowledgment.

In truth, the only reason he had attended the wedding was to quell the outside rumors.

After all, if he failed to show, outsiders would surely let their imaginations run wild, which would be detrimental to the Holy Radiance Court’s image.

Orisien turned and shot a cold glare at Duane, who had already looked away. Murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

’He’d been robbed of his carnal happiness, and it was all because of this man.’

’If this were the Sunset Continent, I would have killed him long ago. But this is the Pruck Kingdom. All I can do is endure the humiliation and suppress my hatred.’

Just then, Bishop Clement’s voice rang out from the dais, announcing the conclusion of the rite.

Amid the cheers and applause of the guests, Sigmund led Danika from the hall, officially concluding the lengthy wedding ceremony.

The nobles began to disperse, moving on to the various forms of entertainment available, such as dancing, music, horseback riding, and archery.

Duane accompanied Natalia on a leisurely stroll, just observing the festivities. With his current level of power, it would have been inappropriate for him to participate in such activities.

"Duane, long time no see!"

The man approaching them was Viscount Raul Stewart. Duane hadn’t seen him in a few years, and in that time, his belly had grown even rounder.

"Long time no see!"

Raul nodded to Natalia, then leaned closer and chuckled in a low voice. "It’s truly enviable! To think that you actually discovered Spiritual Soil in what was thought to be a useless Secret Realm!"

He wasn’t the first person to bring up the Filthy Blood Spiritual Soil to Duane. It seemed the news Sir Trenton had brought back regarding Black Forest Island had already spread.

While it had brought Duane some trouble—for instance, quite a few nobles wanted to buy the Spiritual Soil from him at forty Copper Coins per pound—this was obviously an unrealistic expectation.

Forty Copper Coins was his internal price, while his external price was a steep thirty Silver Coins per pound. The massive difference caused many nobles’ expressions to turn sour.

At thirty Silver Coins per pound, fertilizing one acre of land would cost nine Gold Coins. Forget about a yield of eight hundred pounds per acre; even if the yield doubled, they still wouldn’t break even.

However, the news about Black Forest Island spreading also had its benefits for Duane.

Since his arrival in the Royal Capital, numerous Warriors and Mages had proactively applied to join Black Forest Island and become his followers.

This was an excellent development, as he was in desperate need of more people.

"Are you also looking to buy some for your crops, Viscount?"

Duane said with a smile, "If it’s just for fertilizing fields, I’d advise against it. It’s a money-losing proposition."

Viscount Raul let out a hearty laugh, his hand subconsciously resting on his round beer belly. "I don’t have the money to buy that kind of fertilizer. I just hope that if my Territory ever suffers a disaster and faces a food shortage, you’ll sell me some at a low price, just as you did for the Holmes and Haydon Clans."

"Given our friendship, of course I would!"

Just then, a tall figure approached. "Raul, what are you saying about me behind my back now?"

Viscount Charlemagne approached, his tone mock-serious.

Raul retorted with a laugh, "You old dog, you’ve been doing well for yourself ever since you started buddying up with Duane. You used to be too scared to even attend private banquets."

As they joked, a few more nobles drew near.

Some of them were acquaintances of Duane, while others were friends of Raul and Charlemagne, using the opportunity to ingratiate themselves with Duane.

Everyone knew the Kingdom was seething with undercurrents; building a good relationship with the powerful Baron of Black Forest Island was certainly no disadvantage.

Gradually, Duane had formed his own circle. He no longer stood on the sidelines looking like a minor player.

Now, if he were to issue a call to action, people would surely respond with enthusiasm—so long as it didn’t openly challenge the authority of the Royal Family.

They knew they could gain benefits, and even protection, from him.

Take the Haydon and Holmes Clans, for example. Ever since their heirs began gaining experience under Duane, both families’ financial situations had been flourishing.

"Duane."

Count Kais approached, and the group exchanged greetings with him.

The Count returned their greetings politely before turning to Duane. "His Majesty has summoned us. Come with me."

Duane nodded slightly, excused himself from the other nobles, let go of Natalia’s hand, and followed the Count through corridors and a series of courtyards toward the Cyan Snake Fortress.

"Did you notice who was absent tonight?" the Count asked as they walked.

Duane grunted in affirmation. "Count Kudro isn’t here. Neither is Marquis Sean."

The Crown Prince’s wedding didn’t require all nobles to attend in person; after all, their sworn allegiance was to the King, not the heir.

Under normal circumstances, however, most nobles would attend personally as a sign of respect for the Royal Family.

As one of the King’s trusted confidants, Count Kudro’s presence should have been a given.

His absence clearly meant he had other duties to attend to, such as guarding the border.

As for Marquis Sean’s absence, his decision to send only his son and daughter-in-law was more intriguing. ℯ

Although Peter was the heir to the Smith Clan, he was also King Eric’s son-in-law, having married the King’s second daughter, Rosamund.

Even if the King had plans, he wouldn’t make a move against his own son-in-law so easily.

But if Marquis Sean himself had come, the situation would be entirely different.

"So the Marquis didn’t come because he sensed the risk?" Duane surmised.

"Perhaps."

Count Kais was noncommittal. "We’ll see what His Majesty has to say to us. I have a feeling it concerns the Kingdom’s next course of action."

With nearly all the Kingdom’s Nobility gathered in the Royal Capital, it was indeed the perfect opportunity for His Majesty Eric to summon them for a discussion.