Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Marquis's Test
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Arthur entered the office of Count Yarve alongside Skevin.
A middle-aged man with brown hair sat in the middle of the room on the lord's chair that had been split in half.
He was the man from the magic tower.
He appeared to be alone, but Arthur faintly sensed a presence behind him.
It seemed he had come with a guard knight who possessed the qualities of an assassin.
Just like the crown prince, it looked like high-ranking nobles kept assassins as their guard knights.
*Interesting.*
Arthur curled the corner of his mouth as he approached the man.
Valtre watched Arthur stride forward without hesitation and flashed a meaningful smile.
*Is he fearless because he's young and green? Or maybe just trash who can't tell heaven from earth.*
The two exchanged faint smiles as they eyed each other.
Arthur stopped about five meters away and opened his mouth.
"Are you Marquis Valtre?"
"Then you must be Arthur Julius, and the man with you Skevin Maximus, guardian of the Julius Count Family?"
"Since we've confirmed each other's identities, shall we get to the point? Mind telling me why you wanted to see me?"
"Hahaha!"
Valtre suddenly burst into laughter and shook his head. Then he met Arthur's eyes and asked,
"You don't seem afraid of me at all."
"With the emperor as my enemy, who else is there to fear? Right?"
"True enough."
Valtre gave a meaningful smile.
Arthur fetched a chair from beside the window and sat facing him. He then crossed his legs in an arrogant posture.
Valtre's brow furrowed slightly at the sight.
"You're one cocky bastard."
"This doesn't seem like a meeting to size each other up. We both know we're busy, so let's stick to what's necessary."
"Arrogant prick."
"You've heard about me and seen what I'm like, haven't you? You weren't expecting anything special from a prodigal, were you?"
"I overestimated you."
Valtre glared at Arthur with contempt in his eyes.
Arthur, on the other hand, smirked provocatively.
"Water under the bridge."
"From now on, you'll have to prove you're useful to me. Fail, and not just you—the entire Julius Count Family will vanish into history."
Valtre's presence surged.
It was too intense to dismiss as mere anger. Then a blue aura rose from his body like a haze.
"……!"
Arthur's eyes flashed for a moment, and Skevin clearly showed his alarm.
*How...*
As the aura thickened, so did Valtre's presence. Soon it blazed like dynamic flames.
"Sword Master!"
Skevin's eyes widened.
Arthur calmly regarded Valtre, lost in thought.
*Stronger than Yakim. No, even Helm.*
Valtre smirked coldly.
"Pathetic fool."
"You were hiding your power."
"Of course. No one in this country would welcome me growing stronger."
"Cunning."
"Not cunning—cautious. Still haven't grasped your place?"
The moment the words left Valtre's mouth, he thrust out his right arm.
*Thwack!*
Something like a dagger flew toward Arthur's face, grazing his nape and embedding in the wall.
Arthur didn't flinch, ignoring the blood trickling down his neck as he stared at Valtre.
With the deal struck with the crown prince, direct harm wasn't an option. He'd only meant to give a light scare, but the result was unexpected.
Valtre grinned in surprise.
"Not sure if that's courage or just guts."
"Think of it as the good kind."
"I hope you're not a fool. Otherwise, my trip here would be a waste."
"I'm not stupid enough to throw away my one life carelessly."
"I like the sound of that. You've heard the basics from the crown prince, so I'll be direct. I'll supply you with war materials—go wild with them."
"……!"
It was an unexpected offer.
"I want you to drain the emperor's strength as much as possible."
"And after? When I'm no longer useful, you kill us all?"
"Didn't I say?"
Valtre continued with a cold smile.
"I don't kill useful people. So prove it this time—show me you're worth keeping under me."
"I see."
In that instant, Arthur's eyes gleamed as he thought of ways to use Valtre.
If it worked, it would greatly benefit the count family.
"Who are you to defy fate? Or grow strong like me and forge your own. But from what I see, you're not the type."
Having quickly formed a plan, Arthur dropped to one knee before Valtre and placed a hand over his left chest.
Skevin, watching from the side, was visibly flustered.
But he silently followed suit, showing respect to Valtre.
"I will follow you, Marquis."
Valtre eyed him suspiciously.
"Why the sudden change in attitude?"
"I agree with what you just said. For the weak to survive, they must attach themselves to the strong."
"Sounds like you're saying I'm stronger than the emperor."
"Exactly."
"Not unpleasant to hear. But I don't need flattery. If you want to serve me, prove your worth."
"I will prove it."
"We'll see."
Valtre rose from his chair, satisfied. He approached Arthur and placed a hand on his head.
"Don't forget this mindset. I'll be watching you."
"I won't forget."
"If you betray my expectations..."
Valtre gripped Arthur's head tightly.
"You'll die in agony."
A moment later.
A heavy silence filled the office after Valtre left.
Arthur and Skevin remained kneeling on one knee.
Only after Valtre's presence fully vanished did Skevin spring up.
"Young Master, are you all right?"
As he reached for Arthur's shoulder, Arthur raised a hand.
"I'm fine."
Arthur, who had been bowing his head, stood. He rolled his neck as if stretching.
He seemed utterly composed, as if the pain from Valtre's pressure moments ago had been an illusion.
"What happened?"
After finishing his stretches, Arthur looked at Skevin.
"You're not saying you actually meant what you said to Marquis Valtre, are you?"
"So everything you showed him was a lie?"
Skevin was stunned.
Arthur brushed the dust from his knees and nodded.
"I'll use him to get the supplies the count family needs."
"You mean the war materials support?"
"Exactly. With trade cut off, the longer the war drags on, the worse our position gets."
"I understand, but he can't be unaware of that."
"That's why I'll play the loyal puppet for a while."
"For how long?"
"Until we can drag it out as long as possible. Until we're strong enough to face him."
"Young Master, he's far stronger than anyone we've dealt with—not Yakim or Helm."
"I know."
He'd acted unfazed for Skevin's sake, but the pressure had been immense.
Even using just a fraction to test him had been overwhelming.
If he'd shown any resistance, he'd have been crushed on the spot.
The power emanating from him felt like what he'd sensed from Kandara.
Arthur turned and stared at the door Valtre had exited through. Cold sweat beaded on his clenched fist.
*I need to get stronger.*
His gaze deepened, and as if resolving something, he spoke gravely.
"When we get back, there's somewhere we need to go."
***
Millerph came to the office upon hearing Arthur had returned.
"Did you return safely?"
"I was just about to call for you."
Arthur pointed to the chair opposite him.
Millerph sat facing him and asked,
"What kind of man is Marquis Valtre?"
"Before I answer, who's the strongest beside the emperor?"
"Altros, I believe."
Millerph's face hardened.
"And among the knights?"
"Jangjarban, the empire's top martial artist and captain of the Central Guard Knights. He's known to have reached advanced Sword Master."
"Can they freely conceal their presence at that level?"
"Hmm..."
Millerph pondered briefly before shaking his head.
"You've faced Sword Masters, so you know—they exude a unique, powerful aura. Hiding it would require a legendary Grand Sword Master."
"That's the stage after Sword Master?"
"Teheran is said to have reached it, but I doubt it. Historical records say when he appeared on the battlefield, his presence alone subdued entire knight orders."
"Hm."
Valtre was likely a Grand Sword Master.
If true, allying against the Demon King made more sense than making an enemy of him.
But one question lingered.
"What color is a Grand Sword Master's aura?"
"Records say golden."
"Deep blue?"
"As you know, that's the mark of an attack-type knight's Sword Master."
"For a Grand Sword Master?"
"No such thing. Is this about Marquis Valtre?"
Arthur nodded with a grim expression.
"He was a Sword Master."
"……!"
Millerph's eyes widened.
"But I think I underestimated him."
"You mean..."
Millerph's eyes grew wider.
"He controlled his presence freely."
"Gasp!"
Millerph was shocked.
Grand Sword Master!
Had Marquis Valtre reached the legendary realm?
They'd joined hands via the crown prince, but looking ahead, it wasn't ideal.
The situation was growing complicated.
"What did you decide?"
"To follow him."
"Pardon?"
Arthur continued, eyeing Millerph's bewildered expression.
"We'll receive war materials support. An envoy with supplies will come from his side soon."
"You're planning to use him..."
Arthur nodded and prepared to head out.
Meanwhile, Millerph sank into serious thought, his face grave.
For a man with the Tyrant's Temperament to serve under someone was unthinkable.
Using Valtre Marquis wisely would certainly help.
But even if they won the war against the emperor, a colossal enemy called 'Grand Sword Master' would remain.
If Valtre realized he'd been used, his wrath would be terrifying.
To avoid the worst, countermeasures were needed from now.
"Hmm..."
As Millerph's gaze deepened,
Arthur approached, gripped his shoulder firmly, and said,
"Don't worry. By the time we face him, we'll have three heroes on our side."
"What do you...?"
"Sword Master, Grand Archmage. And..."
Arthur locked eyes with Millerph, his gaze burning fiercely.
"I, who will inherit Teheran's advance and be called the 'War God,' absolute ruler."