Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Translator: Penny
Chapter 49
The Protagonist of the Banquet (Part 1)
Duran frowned as he studied the young man before him.
Klaisen, but not Praman...?
Duran had seen Praman from afar a couple of times—a scholarly old nobleman with a full head of white hair.
But I thought Duke Praman didn't have any sons.
As far as Duran knew, Praman's son had died in an accident at a young age.
Even though they were in a foreign land, it seemed unlikely that someone would impersonate the Klaisen Family at such a public event.
"...I greet a member of the Klaisen Ducal House of the Kazandor Empire," Duran said, offering a respectful bow and speaking in a courteous tone.
Though the Kingdom of Astraria was embroiled in a succession struggle, they couldn't afford to lose the overwhelming support of the Kazandor Empire.
For the sake of the present and the future relations between our two nations.
"If it's not too rude to ask, what is your relationship with His Grace Duke Praman?" Duran asked, knowing it might be slightly impolite, but he couldn't resist the question.
After all, someone entirely different from the Praman family had appeared at the banquet where they were supposed to meet the Duke.
In response to his question, the young man straightened his attire and replied with a firm gaze:
"I am Belmond Ullman de Klaisen, grandson of Duke Praman Bernold de Klaisen, and the next head of the Klaisen Ducal House."
Next head?!
For a moment, the faces of Duran and the surrounding nobles flickered with shock.
None of them seemed to have heard such momentous news before.
As if anticipating this reaction, Belmond continued speaking with the same calm expression, showing no sign of anger.
"It's alright, everyone. Our grandfather preferred a quiet ceremony, so we proceeded discreetly."
"Then you're here as the Acting Duke...?" a noble nearby asked.
While the Duke and Acting Duke held nearly identical authority, the weight of the title carried significantly different implications for the nobility.
Belmond glanced at the questioning noble with a slightly tilted gaze before replying, "No, I'm here as the Duke. Though we haven't held a public coronation yet, the Succession Ceremony was completed within the family, with the elders and our grandfather present."
"C-Congratulations!"
"Congratulations, Your Grace!"
The moment his words ended, congratulations poured in from nobles throughout the hall.
The greeting seemed excessive for a foreign noble, but the Duke's position held power akin to that of a kingdom's monarch, leaving no other option.
After all, the Klaisen Fief's territory exceeded half the size of the Kingdom of Astraria.
"C-congratulations, Your Grace, Duke Belmond," Duran stammered, bowing swiftly.
He frantically racked his brain.
He had prepared elaborate stories and gifts to flatter Duke Praman, whom he expected to attend, but now all his plans lay in ruins.
Count Kopellus, who had organized the banquet, was equally flustered.
"I deeply apologize, Your Grace, Duke Belmond," he said, bowing deeply. "We were unprepared for your arrival, having received no prior notice from Duke Praman. Please forgive our shortcomings."
"Hmm, it's fine. It's my fault for keeping it a secret."
Kopellus glanced sideways at Duran's expression. His face was twisted, flushed crimson and purple, as if he were desperately suppressing his rage.
"Your Grace, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to offer you some wine over there. What do you say?"
Kopellus felt cold sweat trickling down his spine. Even nobles of the Empire, such as Viscounts or Counts, deserved respect, but there was no need to make a fuss over them. However, a Duke—especially one from the Klaisen Family, a core pillar of the Kazandor Empire—was a different matter entirely.
"Very well. Come, brother, let's go have a drink together!" Belmond suddenly placed his hand on Agron's shoulder and spoke in a hearty tone.
"...?"
"───!"
"Brother...?!"
The eyes of everyone in the surrounding area widened in shock.
Brother? Duke Belmond had suddenly addressed Count Agron with such familiarity?
"Y-Your Grace, Duke Belmond," Duran blurted out, voicing the suspicion he'd been harboring. "Brother? To him...? You must have chosen the wrong word."
The Duke must be struggling with the Kingdom language and mistakenly used 'brother' instead of 'them' or 'hey'.
But Duran's wishful thinking was short-lived.
"I used the word correctly," Belmond declared. "Count Agron and I are now sworn brothers, as of today."
"S-sworn brothers...?"
"Count Kopellus, show us around. Does my brother enjoy wine?"
"Hmm, not particularly fond of it."
Agron's response froze every noble in place like stone.
Is that Count speaking informally to His Grace...?
Even the prince of a sovereign nation addresses him with honorifics. How dare a mere border count speak so casually to the Duke of the Empire?!
As everyone's faces, including Duran's and Kopellus's, turned deathly pale, Belmond's expression hardened.
He was bound to erupt in fury.
How dare this man overstep the bounds of familiarity so brazenly?
"...Hey, brother."
"Hmm? Why are you calling me?"
All eyes shifted from the Duke to the impending thunderbolt.
That Count is as good as dead.
"You clearly don't know how to drink. Hahaha!"
"I hear that often enough."
"Let's go. I'll teach you about wine myself!"
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Belmond didn't get angry. Instead, he chuckled and even playfully patted Agron on the chest.
As they walked away, Duran turned to Lawrence.
"What's going on here...? Did those two know each other before?"
"No, I've never heard anything about that."
"Agron... could he have sold his soul to a barbarian shaman?"
"He doesn't even have any magical power."
Duran bit his lip and hurried after them, his steps quickening. He couldn't afford to back down now.
I don't know how that barbaric Barbaroi bastard managed to bewitch the Duke, but from now on, Belmond will be mine!
If Duran could secure the support of the Duke of Kazandor Empire, the balance of power would decisively shift in his favor for the succession to the throne.
How much money did I secretly funnel to Count Kopellus to create this golden opportunity?
Damn it! Do you know how much I spent on this banquet? I've been relentlessly pushing drugs through those fools!
Duran retrieved his cherished cigar case from his inner pocket and approached Belmond.
"Your Grace, this cigar pairs perfectly with the wine. Shall we enjoy one together?"
"Thank you, Your Highness Duran. Brother, will you join us?"
"Hmm, I'll pass. A warrior doesn't indulge in things harmful to the body."
"Pahahaha! Our brother is indeed a true warrior!"
Belmond took the offered cigar and placed it between his lips.
"But... how did you two become friends?" Duran asked, unable to contain his curiosity and probing for information.
Belmond exhaled a plume of smoke, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I was kidnapped by bandits, and Agron saved me at the last moment."
"Kidnapped by bandits...? Your Grace?"
"I was planning to inform His Majesty King Decker soon, but I was actually kidnapped on my way to the Kingdom. Just bad luck, I suppose."
In truth, this trip to the Kingdom was Belmond's first ever journey abroad. Having always remained within his fief, he had been ordered by his grandfather to attend this banquet. True to his habit, he had traveled with a minimal retinue.
"On the way here, we encountered bandits and lost all our supplies. My vassals went to find food but never returned. With no other choice, I searched nearby farms and rivers... and ended up getting captured by some criminals."
Belmond's luck couldn't have been worse.
A seasoned traveler might have navigated the crisis, but Belmond was a novice official with no such experience.
"I'm relieved you're safe," Duran said.
"Thank you, Your Highness Duran. It's all thanks to Agron. He saved my life! Hahaha!"
"I see... But if you were coming from the south, you must have passed near the Veilain Fief," Duran remarked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously at Agron.
A suspicion arose that Agron might have planned and executed everything.
"Oh, you're right. The Veilain Fief is indeed very close to the Kazandor Empire."
"That's correct, Your Grace. If it were Count Agron... he might have known of Your Grace's arrival in advance."
Several nobles, noticing Duran's blatant remark, flinched and glanced at Belmond and Agron, scrutinizing their expressions.
Fortunately or unfortunately, Belmond seemed oblivious to Duran's implication.
At that moment, Agron, who had been silently listening, turned to Duran and spoke.
"Hmm, if I had known, I would have prevented Duke Belmond's abduction in advance. By those Kobuul bastards, no less."
The moment that name was uttered, Duran's pupils dilated.
"Ko-Kobuul...?"
"That's right, their name was Kobuul! My younger brother destroyed the organization called Kobuul. Your Highness Duran, do you know them too?"
"Ah, no...! I... I've never heard of them before."
Kobuul? Kobuul kidnapped Duke Belmond?
Duran took a rough drag from his cigar, his hand trembling with agitation.
Those fucking idiots! I specifically told them to stick to selling drugs and not pull any other stunts! Why the hell are they suddenly acting out and causing a scene?!
Kobuul was an organization Duran had created.
More precisely, he had sponsored a small group, gradually expanding its influence and transforming it into his personal money-making machine.
While drug trafficking was their primary operation, Kobuul's activities also included spreading scandals about other princes and princesses, and uncovering their weaknesses.
Duran's ambition was to extend his influence into every corner of society, both the light and the shadows.
Kobuul was a crucial stronghold, the dark heart of his operations.
Fuck, what do I do...?
The palm holding his cigar grew clammy.
For most matters, Duran could rely on his connections to smooth things over and bury investigations. That had always been the case.
But kidnapping a Duke of the Kazandor Empire was an entirely different matter. This was far beyond Duran's reach.
If his ownership of Kobuul were exposed, he would not only be eliminated from the succession race but could also trigger a full-scale war between the Kazandor Empire and the Kingdom of Astraria.
No, no... it'll be alright. Belmond couldn't possibly know about my connection to them. As soon as the banquet ends, I need to tell the Kobuul Branch Managers to go into hiding.
Duran moistened his parched lips with wine as he pondered.
At that moment, his eyes met Agron's.
"Why, why are you looking at me like that, Count?"
"The scent... it's familiar."
"Scent? What scent?" Duran asked, his brow furrowing.
What nonsense is this madman spouting now?
Agron pointed a finger at the cigar in Duran's hand and whispered, "It smells exactly like the cigars the Kobuul Branch Manager was smuggling."
"...What?"
"They said he was definitely offering them as tribute to the Kobuul Boss."
"Th-th-this cigar..."
"They said it's a type not sold in the Kingdom."
"..."
Duran's face turned as pale as the smoke swirling around him, his lips trembling.
Agron grinned at Duran's ghost-like expression.
"I heard the Boss is a young, blonde-haired noble of high rank. Be careful, Your Highness Duran."
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny