I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means

Everyone was startled by the voice and turned their heads toward the direction it came from.

None had noticed that this young man, dressed in the garb of an ordinary adventurer, had just come from outside the caravan, observing the group gathered around the carriage.

Ignos also noticed the approaching young man, who was indeed handsome, but didn't pay him much heed.

All his mental capacity was consumed by rapid thoughts on how to attain forgiveness from the unnamed Great Noble, as well as to quell Roque's anger; however, he subconsciously sensed something strange.

Didn't this young man realize the gravity of the situation here? How could he dare to interrupt so directly?

Before Ignos could react, Roque and Zorff standing before him ceased their discourse and respectfully bowed to the young man, saying:

"Lord Lis!"

Ignos, who had been focused on Roque, saw the reverence with which Roque and Zorff greeted the young man and suddenly realized something, hastily bowing as well.

"Lord Lis, on behalf of Count Solo, I extend to you our most sincere greetings!"

As he spoke, Ignos's mind raced, pondering the identity of the young man before him.

Judging by Roque and Zorff's behavior, he must be the Great Noble traveling with the Feis caravan, and this carriage likely belonged to him.

A Great Noble so young, had he recently inherited his family's title?

Who among Bright City's Great Nobles was named Lis?

Ignos's mind worked overtime, and soon he recalled something.

...

"The new Marquis Kane?"

Count Solo held a piece of parchment in his hand, frowning as if contemplating something.

"My lord, is there any new intelligence?"

Ignos, standing to the side and seeing Count Solo's troubled expression, respectfully inquired.

This place was Count Solo's Castle's secret study, accessible only to Count Solo, the Count's eldest son, and Ignos, the butler.

"The Kingdom is heading for a change of tide," sighed Count Solo, handing the intelligence to Ignos and picking a Danaman cigar from the silver cigar box on the table.

The prized Danaman cigars, from the Danaman Region of the Southern Pulai Kingdom, were renowned for their unique nutty and honeyed flavor.

A genuine Danaman cigar cost ten Gold Coins in Bright City.

Using a golden cutter to trim the brown cigar cap, Count Solo struck a match, waited for the sulfur to burn off, and then lit the cigar slowly.

To avoid the sulfur's flavor affecting the original taste of the cigar, Count Solo patiently used three matches to light the expensive Danaman cigar.

Count Solo did not immediately put the cigar in his mouth but instead held it in his right hand, reclined in the plush leather sofa, letting the faint blue smoke from the burning Danaman engulf him.

Ignos knew this was a habit of Count Solo when he was deep in thought. Experience tales at empire

Without further words, he examined the intelligence he held.

The divine descent of the Master of Ten Thousand Beasts in Bright City?

The assassination at the Sacrificial Festival celebration?

The Kingdom declaring war on the Boditch Kingdom?

Just from glancing at it, Ignos understood why Count Solo had fallen into contemplation.

This was a major event that could impact the future of the Kingdom, and Count Solo, as one of the important nobles of the Northern Kingdom, naturally had to consider the implications and organize his thoughts carefully.

Quickly, Ignos noticed a name that appeared multiple times within the intelligence.

"Lis Kain?"

Ignos murmured, not recalling any impression of this name.

But that was abnormal, for he made it a point to remember all of Bright City's important nobles.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"This newly ennobled Marquis Kane is no simple character!"

The Count Solo, leaning on the sofa, felt somewhat touched, then said,

"As far as I know, he is also that new student taken in by the 'Judgement Flame'."

Ignos listened quietly to every word of Count Solo, committing this important piece of information to memory.

"It would be great if there was an opportunity to meet this Marquis Kane!"

So spoke Count Solo.

...

Well, Count, now I have met him.

Ignos, who was bowing in respect, could barely keep his composure. He had not expected that the name he had just learned from Count Solo a few days ago would now be the person standing before him.

Truly damn it!

Ignos regretted greatly; had he known that the nobleman in the caravan was Marquis Kane, he would not have come here at all.

This was a presence even more troublesome than those Dukes of Bright City.

As a member of a Sealed Noble family, the rules of the game they played were different from those of the Court Nobles of Bright City.

The rank of nobility, size of territory, family wealth...

All of these were indeed important, but power was the most fundamental of all.

Because every Sealed Noble had to bear the responsibility of defending the safety of their land while enjoying their rights, especially those in border territories who also faced invasion from neighboring countries.

After having seen detailed information from Count Solo, Ignos was clear in his mind that not only was Count Kane a disciple of the Legendary Mage, but he himself was an extraordinary genius who might break through to the Legendary Domain.

This was one of those people he absolutely could not afford to antagonize.

"Lord Lis, just now..."

Roque tried to explain what happened but was interrupted by Ignos.

"Lord Lis, I am extremely sorry!"

Ignos's bowed even lower, knowing he needed to try everything possible to explain the situation on behalf of his family and to defuse the hostility of Marquis Kane.

"I am the butler of Count Solo, Ignos."

"Today, at the request of Viscount Kuka, Mage Xirui and I assisted in the search for Viscount Kuka's missing daughter, Miss Liz."

Ignos kept his head low, pondering how to put his words in the most tactful manner,

"Just now, under the guidance of Viscount Kuka's butler, Rashid, we came into the caravan."

"Our original intention was simply to find out whether Miss Liz was with the caravan, but I didn't expect Rashid to act so recklessly."

"He forcibly opened the door of the carriage you were using and was hurt by magic."

"This is a great offense to you, but please believe that it was not our intention."

"Rashid is entirely to blame, but I also bear responsibility for not stopping him in time."

"I extend my most sincere apologies, and Count Solo is willing to pay a price that satisfies you as compensation."

"I only ask for your forgiveness for my offense!"

"Oh?"

Lis looked at the old butler before him and smiled.

So understanding?

Roque, standing by, also looked at Ignos with a kind of admiration.

Quick to distance from Rashid, admitting small mistakes while avoiding major ones, apologizing, and willing to pay a price.

Good fellow, truly worthy of being Count Solo's trusted head butler!