章 19: Duke Sauron
Bernard, you fucking pig!
As Lumien cursed Bernard inwardly, the boy had already approached the striking red-haired lady with confidence.
"Hello there," Bernard greeted, flashing his child-like smile.
The red-haired lady looked slightly confused but intrigued by his boldness. She nodded in response.
"My name is Bernard Elias," he began, puffing out his chest slightly. "I just turned 13 a couple of months ago. My father is an Earl, and though I may be a bit… fat, I'm actually pretty strong."
"In fact, I once lifted a barrel of wine all by myself. Well, almost. It might've been half-full, but still, quite the achievement, wouldn't you agree?" Bernard went on.
"I'm also quite skilled with animals! Back at my family's estate, the horses love me. They know I always have treats for them. Oh, and speaking of treats, I have excellent taste in food. If you ever need a recommendation, I'm your man. Or rather, your boy."
"I think I'm also handsome."
"By the way, we've been talking for a while now, but I still don't know your name. May I ask what it is?"
The red-haired lady parted her lips to answer, but before she could speak, Lumien arrived, stepping between them. With a polite smile, he addressed her, "My apologies, my lady, for my friend's rude behavior. I'll take him away right now."
Not giving Bernard a chance to protest, Lumien grabbed him by the arm and dragged him back toward their families.
The red-haired lady watched them go, sipping her drink quietly, a small, amused smile playing on her lips as her gaze lingered on Lumien's retreating back.
"What were you thinking?" Lumien asked Bernard vexedly.
"What?" Bernard shot back, looking genuinely wronged. "Didn't you tell me to go talk to another woman? I was just doing what you said!"
Lumien groaned, rubbing his temples.
This boy is hopeless.
"Yes, I said that, but there are certain steps you need to follow first,"
"That's not what you said before!" Bernard protested.
"Because any sane pers—" Lumien stopped mid-sentence, shaking his head. "Never mind. Let's just stick with our family. You're still a child. It's way too early for you to start thinking about relationships."
"I don't like your tone. Why are you talking like you're older than me?"
Because I actually am! Lumien thought, biting back the retort.
Their quiet bickering went unnoticed by their family, who were too busy chatting with other noble families to pay attention.
But Lumien couldn't help noticing Azalea giving him a strange glance from across the hall. Err, does she know what just happened? Probably. But that's okay… I hope.
Lumien returned to his family, and every time they met another noble family, the introductions would begin anew. Each family took turns presenting their children, and Lumien and Azalea were no exception. They were forced to smile politely through every interaction, so much so that Lumien felt his mouth cramping and his cheeks aching from smiling too much.
Rubbing his sore cheek, Lumien suddenly noticed the once rowdy hall had fallen silent. Puzzled, he glanced around and realized everyone's attention was fixed in one direction.
Following their gazes, his eyes landed on a man entering the hall from the staircase leading to the second floor. The first thing Lumien noticed was the man's striking red hair that cascaded down his back.
His sharp, handsome features stood out, but it was his piercing blue eyes that silenced the crowd. When his gaze swept over the crowd, an invisible pressure seemed to bear down on everyone, making it almost impossible to resist the urge to kneel.
Even Lumien wasn't immune. His knees began to bend before he snapped back to his senses. Looking around, he saw others frowning and shaking their heads, as though they'd just woken from a nightmare. When he glanced back at the red-haired man, the oppressive feeling was gone, leaving him confused but intrigued.
Is this the infamous Duke Sauron? Lumien wondered.
Though he had never met the duke, he'd read plenty about his achievements and people's descriptions of him.
His father's mysterious remark about the palace's red decor also came to mind.
If the duke loves red as much as his hair suggests, it wouldn't be surprising if he decorated the palace to match.
To have the power to make people instinctively kneel with just a glance. What kind of realm has the Duke reached?
Lumien knew that in this world, while there were various professions like healer, knight, mage, assassin, and others, all of their power stemmed from the same source: the Mana Core.
As the Mana Core was upgraded, one's realm advanced, granting greater power and abilities.
The lowest realm in this hierarchy was known as Aspirant, the stage Azalea was currently stuck in. However, she had recently mentioned coming across an opportunity to break through to the next realm: Adept.
Beyond Adept, Lumien knew of three higher realms: Master, Supreme, and Archon. While the book he had read didn't describe their capabilities in exact detail, it provided enough to leave an impression of their sheer power.
Masters were said to have abilities on a City-Scale, meaning they could destroy an entire city if they chose to. Their strength made them key figures in wars, often turning the tide of battle single-handedly.
Supremes were even stronger, with powers on a Province-Scale. They could change the fate of entire regions, whether through destruction or protection. People treated them like living legends, and their presence alone could decide the outcome of conflicts between kingdoms.
At the top were the Archons, with power described as Nation-Scale. They were said to have the ability to destroy or reshape entire nations. Whether through their magic, physical strength, or leadership, they stood as near-invincible forces in the world.
Reaching the level of Master is already an incredible feat, but the Duke's overwhelming presence feels like it's beyond even that. Could he actually be a Supreme—or worse, an Archon?
The thought sent a shiver through Lumien.
If the Duke's power is truly that great, it's no wonder just one look from him feels so crushing.
As Lumien mulled over his thoughts, the red-haired man, who he was now certain must be Duke Sauron, finally stepped onto the main stage at the center of the hall.
He smiled. "Welcome, to my Red Alert Palace."
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