Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Celebration Party (2)
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The banquet hall froze as if a winter gale had swept through it at the duke's arrival.
What flustered the nobles even more than the duke's appearance was the scene unfolding right before their eyes.
The duke gazed intently at the hand gripping his shoulder and said,
"Would you mind letting go of my shoulder?"
Viscount Topikan hastily released his grip at the duke's words. The duke brushed off his shoulder with a cold expression.
"Is that really Duke Goldpixie...?"
"I heard he never attends social gatherings..."
"I knew he was on good terms with Demian Haksen, but I never imagined he'd show up this soon..."
The nobles whispered while staring at the duke. Some quickly pondered what his intentions might be for joining them.
"The fact that Duke Goldpixie is here means..."
"He's officially acknowledging ties with the Haksen family."
"The Haksen family's backer is the Goldpixie dukedom. What an enormous development."
As the nobles buzzed, Demian approached.
"Oh, Sir Demian! Thanks for the invitation. Forgive my tardiness."
Spotting Demian, the duke said with a bright smile.
"I'm just grateful you could make it."
"Ha ha, glad to hear it. I have so much to discuss with you... but that can wait."
The duke turned to Count Haksen and said,
"Count Haksen, care to have a chat?"
"I'd be honored."
Count Haksen replied promptly.
"Thanks for saying so. And you, Count Topikan?"
At Duke Goldpixie's call, Viscount Topikan, who had been slipping away, turned back.
"Y-Your Grace... W-what is it?"
"Why don't you join us?"
In that moment, Viscount Topikan nearly yelped without realizing it.
"I-I have some urgent business..."
"I'm asking you to come along."
The duke's voice lowered. Swallowing tears, Viscount Topikan had no choice but to follow.
* * *
Viscount Topikan was in utter agony.
"Count Haksen, you have no idea how shocked I was when I heard the news!"
It was all because of Duke Goldpixie, seated at the same table.
Iron-Blood Duke, Golden Devil, Blood-Soaked Meritocrat—every nickname attached to Duke Goldpixie was terrifying.
He was a man to be feared.
He was infamous for ruthlessly eliminating anyone who interfered with his ventures, regardless of means, and even discarding vassals without mercy if they fell short.
Anyone with even a passing knowledge of the duke avoided him like the plague.
Having such a monstrous figure right beside him made it feel like sitting on pins and needles.
"It's nothing compared to Your Grace."
"Nonsense! In the last ten years, yours is the only family elevated to countship! That's achievement enough!"
To top it off, Viscount Topikan had laid hands on the duke's person.
No matter his influence in the west, he was but a firefly before the sun that was Duke Goldpixie.
The duke wielded immense power not just in the west, but across the entire Apple Kingdom.
Right now, Viscount Topikan was as good as half-dead.
"Becoming a count means so many more things to worry about. Whom to appoint to manage your territories in your stead. How to keep watch over them. It's no small matter."
"That's why I'm so concerned. I've only managed a small fief until now..."
Listening to their conversation, Viscount Topikan was stunned.
The duke, ever known for his icy precision and meticulousness, was treating Count Haksen with remarkable warmth.
"It's natural to worry at first. Don't fret. I'll help you out."
"Really?"
"Of course. Send for me anytime you need knowledge or aid. No—I'll dispatch someone promptly."
He was even stepping up to offer assistance.
It was utterly unlike the Duke Goldpixie Viscount Topikan knew.
"I wonder if I deserve such favor..."
"Don't think of it as a burden. Compared to what Sir Demian did for me, it's a mere drop in the bucket."
Mid-conversation, Duke Goldpixie glanced at Viscount Topikan and said,
"Count Topikan, you've been awfully quiet. Are you unwell?"
"N-No! I'm fine!"
Viscount Topikan shouted hastily. The duke burst into laughter at the sight.
"Ha ha, no need to be so tense. Do you think I'll devour you?"
Viscount Topikan felt chills run down his spine.
It might have been a joke to the duke, but not to him.
"Count Haksen, since it came up, may I offer a bit of advice right here?"
"By all means, I'll listen."
"That's kind of you. It's not much of an advice, really."
Duke Goldpixie beckoned a servant pouring drinks.
He took three glasses from the tray the servant held and offered them to Count Haksen and Viscount Topikan.
"Power is a profoundly sweet and alluring thing. A fragrant liquor no one can resist. But as you know, the drunkard makes a pitiful sight."
Count Haksen nodded at the duke's words.
"You're saying to always stay vigilant."
"Exactly. But here's the thing—vigilance on your part alone isn't enough. Power drives others mad too."
Duke Goldpixie took a sip of his drink.
"Many will flock to your side from now on. Some with good intentions, sure... but they'll be the rare few. Most will covet your power or seek to steal it."
The duke's face grew serious.
"So be wary of all who approach. What are their motives? What do they want from you? Are they dangerous?"
With that, Duke Goldpixie downed the rest of his drink.
"Do you know what to do with those of impure intent?"
"Drive them away?"
"Ha ha ha! That's not enough. Crush them thoroughly so they never dare underestimate you again."
As he spoke, Duke Goldpixie looked at Viscount Topikan.
Viscount Topikan hiccuped involuntarily.
"What say you, Count Topikan?"
"W-Well..."
"Speak up. I'm eager to hear."
"G-Giving them one chance might not be bad..."
Duke Goldpixie let out a small, drawn-out chuckle.
"This is that one chance."
The laughter vanished from Duke Goldpixie's voice. Viscount Topikan's face drained of color.
"You may go now. I have more to discuss with Count Haksen."
Viscount Topikan bolted from his seat.
It was the attitude of a superior to an inferior, but he couldn't care less.
All he wanted was to escape this place as quickly as possible.
* * *
After finishing his talk with Count Haksen, Duke Goldpixie pulled Demian aside for a private word.
"I never knew you had such a cunning side, Sir Demian."
The duke said with a playful expression.
"Calling me here to bolster your family."
"Did I overstep?"
"If it were anyone else, maybe. But coming from you, Sir Demian, it didn't bother me. Quite the opposite—I was glad for a chance to repay a fraction of the favor."
Previously, Demian had exposed the identities of black mages infiltrating the Goldpixie dukedom, allowing the duke to protect his house.
"Still, this is impressive. I expected you'd become a big shot, but not this soon."
Not only had he aided the church in slaying a notorious black mage, but he'd also thwarted a coup in the royal palace.
Demian was now a true hero of the Apple Kingdom.
"Any thought of truly joining our house?"
"Too much on my plate, I'm afraid."
"I'll procure whatever you need."
"Sorry."
At Demian's firm refusal, Duke Goldpixie gave a wry smile.
"If that's your will, so be it. I'll take my leave then. I have other matters."
With that, Duke Goldpixie departed Spring Castle.
* * *
The celebration lasted a full week.
Thanks to the duke's visit on the first day, all subsequent guests behaved impeccably.
"Count Haksen! I'm Mortar from the Burtlia barony!"
"I've brought tribute to celebrate the occasion! Please accept it!"
Well, "impeccably" might not be quite right.
Every visiting noble fawned shamelessly, desperate to curry favor with Count Haksen.
Considering Demian's standing and ties to the Goldpixie dukedom, it was only natural.
Their swift shifts in attitude toward Count Haksen, upon hearing the news, were almost amusing.
Thus, the Haksen family successfully concluded the countship promotion celebration.
After seeing off the last guest, the family members each expressed their thanks to Demian.
"It's finally over! Everyone worked hard!"
"I was so worried at first we'd pull it off without issue... but what a relief."
"It's all thanks to big brother! Inviting His Grace the duke kept everyone in line!"
All eyes turned to Demian. He cleared his throat awkwardly, feeling embarrassed.
"It was nothing."
"Nothing? Without you, the mood would've been a disaster!"
"Right! That awful Viscount Topikan or whoever—he was throwing his weight around big time!"
Demian scratched his cheek with a finger. Their praise made him feel sheepish.
"Demian, come here."
"What is it?"
Demian approached his father, puzzled.
As he drew near, his father pulled him into a tight embrace and whispered softly,
"You've worked hard. My son, my splendid son. Thank you so much."
In that instant, something burst forth from deep within his chest.
In his previous life, Demian had slain his entire family on Dorgo's orders.
Their screams, resentment, and sobs at the moment of death haunted him still, ringing clear in his ears. Nightmares plagued him nightly.
But his father's words banished those horrors, if only for a moment.
To keep his emotions in check, Demian bit his lip.
Yet he knew this feeling would linger in his memory forever.
* * *
Though the celebration ended, the family decided not to return to the estate.
"We'll make this our residence from now on."
As a count's house now, they needed a fitting home.
Moreover, the Haksen countship's territories were scattered in different locations.
The original fief, the lands received from the Copperhead countship via Olivia, and finally, the Gargari Plains.
Of the three, the Gargari Plains lay in the center. Staying at Spring Castle made managing them easiest.
"Father, whatever you think best."
Demian offered no objection. He planned to leave family affairs to the others.
Besides, reliable Olivia was with them now. Her talents could handle territories this size with ease.
With the family event wrapped up, it was time for personal business.
"Time to visit the church."
For slaying the corpse puppeteer and saving the subjugation force, Demian had earned access to the church's secret vault.
He also intended to donate the core from the destroyed demon sword and claim his reward.
"And get the holy sword repaired while I'm at it."
Filled with anticipation, Demian prepared for his journey.