Chapter 211: The Upright and Kind Viscount Arend

Aaron’s reaction was not particularly obvious, but quite a few people still noticed where his gaze lingered, including Adele, who stood beside Leon, and the old Marquis Veronia, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Aaron.

Marquis Veronia also gave Leon, the Viscount Arend, a brief once-over. When the guests had arrived, he had actually observed them entering through a small window, and the servants receiving them had reported to him one by one about the unfamiliar faces he had never seen before, including this Viscount Arend, who had only recently inherited his title.

He had a slight impression of him. Originally, Viscount Arend had not been on the invitation list. It was only because news had arrived from the Church archives while the invitations were being sent out, informing him that an Intermediate Inquisitor had suddenly inherited a noble title, that he had ordered someone to send out an additional invitation. However, Leon had ultimately not attracted much of his attention.

But he quickly withdrew his attention and continued announcing to everyone: “Regarding my daughter’s child, there may be many people present who know him. Aaron, a knight of the Church of the God of War, successfully advanced to Knight Commander this September.

Perhaps everyone present has already heard many rumors and guessed the identity of his……noble father. That’s right, he is the child of His Majesty Roland III and my daughter Claudia. After thorough discussions between us and His Majesty, His Majesty, through a written letter delivered by messenger, formally made a commitment to me on behalf of the Wolfgang Family to grant this child the status he deserves and accept him as a member of the Imperial Family!”

As the Marquis spoke, he took a rolled parchment letter from a sandalwood box handed over by the butler beside him and unfurled it for everyone to see. At the bottom right was indeed the Wolfgang Family’s red wax seal bearing a wolf’s head.

“Now, allow me to formally introduce my grandson to all of you, the son of His Majesty Roland III and my daughter Claudia, Knight Commander of the Church of the God of War, Aaron Wolfgang.”

With the Marquis’s formal confirmation, the people in the ballroom truly erupted, and the sound of discussion immediately became incessant.

Leon looked at the document in the Marquis’s hand and silently organized his thoughts.

Marquis Veronia’s daughter had become His Majesty the Emperor’s mistress more than twenty years ago and had given birth to an illegitimate son. Regardless of whether the Marquis Veronia Family had schemed behind the scenes during this process, this child, who carried on the bloodlines of both the Imperial Family and the Marquis Veronia Family, had undoubtedly become one of the Marquis Veronia Family’s trump cards.

With an Imperial Prince, Marquis Veronia had gained a substantial familial connection to the Imperial Family that was difficult to sever. It was similar to Duke of Glen marrying his daughter to the Emperor as the Imperial Consort. Although it fell somewhat short in terms of formal status, it nevertheless ensured that the Eastern noble faction would not be placed in too passive a position when it came to the future successor.

After all, the current Imperial Consort was the daughter of Duke of Glen, a central figure of the Western noble faction, and Princess Freda, whom she had borne to His Majesty Roland III, also received the full support of the Western nobles, including Duke of Glen.

It was foreseeable that once Freda succeeded the throne and became Empress, the Imperial Family’s power would undoubtedly tilt even further toward the Western noble faction.

As fellow members of the three central figures of the Eastern faction, Earl Foyle and his father-in-law, Marquis Lorraine, should both have known about this card in Marquis Veronia’s hand. The fact that Aaron could receive Bishop Beckett’s full assistance within the Church was one form of support provided by Earl Foyle.

Earl Foyle had previously also arranged to sacrifice a portion of his underworld assets to help Leon obtain an Official Rank. Looking at it this way, perhaps some of the achievements Aaron had obtained within the Church had also been deliberately arranged by Earl Foyle.

Leon guessed that originally, the Eastern faction, including Marquis Veronia, had not been in such a hurry to reveal Aaron’s identity. By allowing Aaron to conceal his identity and develop as much as possible with their support, by the time his identity was made public, the status and power he possessed would make his position far more secure.

But now, an unforeseen change had occurred. The Earl had disappeared and was essentially presumed dead. The Eastern faction had lost one of its pillars, and the middle- and lower-ranking nobles were becoming unsettled. Under these circumstances, if Marquis Veronia and Marquis Lorraine did not take some measures, the negative effects caused by the Earl’s death would spread even further.

Johnny had previously said that these great Eastern nobles had already held a meeting. Presumably, it had been for this very matter.

And the conclusion they had ultimately reached was to reveal Aaron’s identity and formally bring this Imperial Prince onto the stage.

Now that Aaron had already become a Knight Commander and obtained a certain degree of military authority and status within the Church, it was not the best possible time for Marquis Veronia, but it was barely sufficient.

By hosting a banquet like this for the middle- and lower-ranking nobles of a region, then conveying this news to everyone and formally introducing the existence of the Imperial Prince, the Eastern nobles would realize that after the Earl’s death, rallying around the Marquis Veronia Family to support Prince Aaron would be their only means of competing with the Western noble faction for influence and interests within this country!

“Leon?” Adele’s whisper brought Leon back to his senses.

“What is it?” Leon glanced at Adele, then looked ahead again.

At this moment, Aaron had already descended from the second floor together with Marquis Veronia, and Marquis Veronia began introducing Aaron, one by one, to some of his old friends within the noble circles of this region.

“Do you know……His Highness the Prince?” Adele carefully sought confirmation from Leon.

Many people had noticed the change in Prince Aaron’s expression when his gaze lingered on Leon earlier, but no one, including Adele, had imagined that the insignificant Viscount Arend, who had only just inherited his title, could have any connection with His Highness the Prince.

“For a period last year, he was my direct superior.” Leon replied quietly.

“Then, should we……go greet him?” Adele immediately grew nervous.

Within noble circles, she could barely be considered someone who had seen a little of the world, but she had never encountered anyone of such lofty status.

Even during the most glorious period of her grandfather’s life, he had basically only been able to associate with some lower-ranking nobles engaged in commerce. When had he ever had the opportunity to establish any sort of relationship with Marquis Veronia, much less a genuine Imperial Prince?

“Whether or not we exchange greetings isn’t up to us.” Leon replied quietly.

Adele observed their surroundings and keenly noticed the change in the atmosphere of the social gathering.

The Marquis was currently taking Aaron around to greet his friends one by one. Although these people’s families could not compare in power to the likes of Marquis Veronia and Earl Foyle, they were nevertheless pillars among the Eastern nobles.

No one actively stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with Prince Aaron and introduce themselves. At most, they hurried to establish contact with middle-ranking nobles they knew who would be introduced by the Marquis, hoping to be introduced through them and at least make themselves familiar faces.

Most people, Lesser Nobles like Leon, could basically only watch from the sidelines.

Yet after some time had passed, when the Marquis was nearly finished with the introductions, Aaron once again shifted his gaze toward Leon. He quietly exchanged a few words with the Marquis, then, under everyone’s gaze, walked directly toward Leon.

At that moment, both Leon and Adele beside him tensed slightly. Adele subconsciously tightened her hold around Leon’s arm, while Leon lowered his head and saluted before Aaron had even reached them: “It’s been a long time, sir. I never expected to see you here!”

“I was just about to say the same thing, Leon. What are you doing here?” Aaron extended a hand toward Leon, a smile blooming across his face, “You got married?”

As he spoke, he glanced at Adele beside Leon.

“Yes, this is my wife, Adele Lovelace, the daughter of Viscount Arend. About two weeks ago, Adele and I were married, and I subsequently inherited her family’s title.” Leon explained while shaking Aaron’s hand.

“My respects, Your noble Highness.” Adele saluted Aaron at the appropriate moment.

Nervousness was one thing, but once she entered a social setting, she did not neglect a single piece of proper etiquette.

“It is my honor to meet you, beautiful madam.” Aaron replied with equal courtesy, then looked back at Leon, “I heard that you obtained an Official Rank, but I truly never expected that you would actually obtain a noble title……”

“It was merely a little twist of fate. I happened to meet Adele while carrying out orders to investigate the Labyrinth on Arend Island.” Leon said with a smile, “Fortunately, the Viscount did not look down on me and permitted our marriage.”

Yes, fate. Maintaining her smile, Adele’s mind conjured up the scene of her first meeting with Leon, when he had pointed a gun directly between her eyebrows and frightened her into tears on the spot.

“That Viscount has an excellent eye for people.” Aaron nodded vigorously, “An upright and kind person like you is certain to receive the favor of the gods!”

Huh? Upright? Kind?

This man?

Adele nearly widened her eyes under the impact of her astonishment, but fortunately, relying on the social composure she had cultivated, she managed to control her expression in time.

What kind of nonsense was His Highness the Prince talking about?

She genuinely could not imagine how a man who engaged in illegal business, killed without batting an eye, and had countless ways of threatening her could possibly have anything to do with those two words.

“If we’re talking about receiving the favor of the gods, then I’m afraid I can’t compare with her.” Leon pretended to gaze affectionately at Adele, “The heavens bestowed such beauty upon her. I thought that since even the gods were willing to favor her so greatly, I too should obey the will of the gods and cherish this fate.”

Adele could only play along with Leon and return a proper smile.

“Seeing that everything has been going so smoothly for you truly makes me happy!” Aaron smiled sincerely.

Leon had gone from a mere Low-Ranking Inquisitor to the Director of an Inquisition with an Official Rank, and had even obtained a noble title. Seeing the efforts of a subordinate he had once admired receive such ample rewards filled him with gratification.

“I’m also very glad to have the opportunity to witness you publicly announce such momentous news here, Your Highness.” Leon replied.

Aaron had now not only become a Knight Commander, but as an illegitimate son, he had also received the Emperor’s acknowledgment and formally obtained the Imperial Family’s surname.

“It was simply necessitated by circumstances. Recently……” Aaron lowered his eyes and paused for a moment, “some things happened. I think you should have heard about them as well.”

“Yes.” Leon nodded in agreement, then tentatively asked, “Your Highness, regarding Bishop Beckett, has there been any progress on the Church of the God of War’s side?”