Lobik sat stiffly in an old-fashioned guest chair, looking so constrained that he showed none of the bearing or authority expected of the Head of the First-Level Vigilant Hall.
From the corner of his eye, he saw the Tricolor Iris emblem on one side of the study, as well as a portrait of a kindly old man.
Lobik knew full well that even a lordly count who controlled a city or territory and wielded real power could not easily sit here and speak to the young nobleman across from him, whose presence was both imposing and incomparably elegant.
Much less a mere Head of the Vigilant Hall.
"Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me." Lobik lowered his head respectfully and spoke softly.
"Please, don't say that! With your experience and status, you would be more than qualified to be my teacher—that's what my late father said." The young man, with iron-colored curly hair, a round face, and thick lips, smiled amiably. He continued half-jokingly, "Although he and I were utterly at odds when it came to our taste in wine, when it came to our respect for you, Lord Dila, we were of one mind as father and son."
Warmth surged through Lobik's heart, and he hurriedly nodded. "The Old Duke was a highly respected, generous, and benevolent man. In that regard, Your Grace is in no way inferior."
The young man paused at his words and looked toward the portrait in the study.
The Old Duke's smile was as kind and benevolent as ever.
Several seconds passed before the young man recovered from his thoughts.
"I'm terribly sorry. It's been two years, and I still..." The young man shook his head with a bitter smile. "I only hope I haven't brought shame upon him." He rose, his faintly sorrowful smile vanishing in an instant. Gazing into the distance, he sighed softly. "Sometimes I think, if Father were still here..."
"I'd rather hear him scold me a few more times."
Lobik felt somewhat awkward. On one hand, he missed that benevolent Old Duke as well. On the other, he felt that the Young Duke's genuine display of emotion was deeply personal, and that he should not interrupt.
Fortunately, the Young Duke turned around in time and put away his grief, dispelling the awkwardness with a joke:
"—as long as he doesn't bring up the matter of wine."
At that, Lobik and the young man exchanged a knowing smile.
Everyone knew that the Old Duke loved to drink Exeter's strong rye liquor, while the Young Duke preferred to savor the fine wine of the Serra Duchy. More than once, the two had argued over the matter until their faces flushed red before the Tricolor Iris crest, even going so far as to nearly draw their swords and duel. Only the Old Duchess and the adorable Hilaire could make them stop at the dinner table with murderous glares and coquettish looks.
With just two remarks, the young man had completely dispelled the restraint and awkwardness in the room.
Amid the laughter, the young man set down the precious agarwood pipe in his hand, walked over to the liquor cabinet, and picked up a label-less bottle of wine.
"I'm sorry. I don't actually smoke, but I just came from the racetrack after discussing matters with several old seniors." The young man explained with a bitter smile, "So I hoped the pipe would make me look a little more mature. They'd rather pay attention to a horse that had lost its footing than listen to some greenhorn peddle his plan to suppress the bandits."
Sharp-eyed, Lobik noticed that amid the various fine wines on the liquor cabinet, there was an incongruous bottle of strong rye liquor. Though it had never been opened, it had been carefully kept spotless.
Thinking of the late Old Duke, Lobik could not help feeling moved.
This was his first private meeting with the new Duke in the two years since Old Duke Kevendell's death. Yet in just a few minutes, the approachable and proper Young Duke had already left a deep impression on the Head of the Vigilant Hall.
As expected of one of the Six Great Houses with a legacy spanning a thousand years. As expected of the Tricolor Iris, "Because of Friends, Not Die by Enemies." As expected of the Old Duke's son. It seemed that the Cavendish Family had a worthy successor.
The Head of the Vigilant Hall bowed slightly, then replied firmly, "Only those lacking ability make an issue of seniority. I believe, Your Grace, that your character and talents are enough to make up for that."
"Thank you very much." The Young Duke bitterly raised two glasses of red wine and handed one to Lobik. "Hearing that from the youngest Head of the Vigilant Hall is a great comfort. Do you know how Duke Cullen encouraged me?"
Lobik happily accepted the red wine—he had no idea when his restraint had vanished—and watched with both amusement and helplessness as the Young Duke imitated the manner and tone of that portly duke from the Eastern Coast.
"Don't worry, little Jann! You know, your father and I were both raised with the Former King spanking us..." The Young Duke twisted his expression, imitated Duke Cullen, and spoke in a hoarse voice with a flushed face. "So if anyone questions our seniority, we'll show him our backsides!"
Lobik and the Young Duke burst into hearty laughter again. They happily clinked glasses and drained them in one gulp.
The humility of those in high positions always won the goodwill of those beneath them to the greatest extent.
After some warm and friendly small talk, they finally got to the main issue.
The Young Duke finally frowned.
"A large number of corpses? Old Friends? A banquet?" The young Duke Cavendish asked doubtfully, "Did that person really say this?"
Lobik nodded solemnly. "He said he was acting on Your Grace's orders, but as far as I know—"
"Even if I were utterly insane, I would never give such an order!" The Duke Cavendish set down his wineglass with a serious expression and waved his hand decisively.
Seeing the Young Duke's reaction, Lobik finally felt completely relieved.
"I'm merely a novice unfamiliar with administrative affairs, and I haven't paid attention to our dealings with the Blood Bottle Gang for quite some time. But you are an experienced Alert Officer who understands the ways of the world. What do you think?" The Young Duke raised his head and asked seriously.
The Young Duke's humility and respect were very pleasing to Lobik, so he offered his opinion wholeheartedly:
"As far as I know, situations requiring the consumption of corpses are quite rare. The mysterious mages have been gone for a long time, and there have been no sacrifices to evil gods or demons in ages. Nor could the Blood Bottle Gang possibly be doing this to advance medicine and the healing arts. That leaves only those races that live on corpses or blood essence." Lobik analyzed the matter carefully.
Jann Cavendish nodded slowly and closed his eyes, as though pondering something.
Several seconds later, he suddenly opened his eyes, turned to stare at Lobik, and said incredulously:
"Long-Lived Races?"
Lobik nodded firmly.
The Young Duke let out a long sigh.
The Head of the Vigilant Hall said nothing more. He knew that all he had to do now was wait for this promising young nobleman, who held both high status and immense authority, to make his final decision.
"By buying them off and winning them over, we have been orderly and gradually incorporating the underground gangs into the Kingdom's system and laws..." The young duke's expression darkened. With his hands behind his back, he began slowly pacing around the room, reminding Lobik of the Old Duke. "This was the policy of governance that Kessel IV ordered my great-grandfather to implement. For decades, the Blood Bottle Gang was a highly successful example."
"But now it seems that once they became embroiled in gang conflict, they inevitably exposed their lawless nature." The Young Duke knitted his brows and chose his words carefully. "Certainly, the emergence of new gangs squeezing their living space is part of the reason, but indulging them without limit is obviously not a long-term solution."
"Using Red Quarter Street to set an ambush, endangering the lives and property of the Kingdom's residents for no reason, even alarming the Imperial Council and angering His Majesty enough to demand an explanation—that was already utterly excessive, and even an obvious evil act..."
The Young Duke's expression was solemn and imposing. His words were firm and biting, and each one struck Lobik's heart with perfect force, filling him with admiration:
"—and after losing their internal struggle, instead of restraining themselves and licking their wounds, they actually tried to leap over the wall in desperation, using external, foreign forces to make a comeback. They even invoked my name to threaten the Kingdom's Vigilant Hall and demand the corpses of our citizens."
"Utterly absurd!"
Lobik lowered his head and waited for the Tricolor Iris's final verdict.
"Ashford!" The Young Duke called out sharply. A white-haired but impeccably dressed Old Butler entered at once.
Lobik recognized him as Ashford, the steward most trusted by the Old Duke during his lifetime, and hurriedly nodded in greeting.
The Old Butler returned the greeting meticulously, then listened to his young master's orders:
"Who has been handling contact with the Blood Bottle Gang lately—forget it. Whoever it is, have him come to my study later and explain himself!"
"Send a team under the Tricolor Iris flag to ask whoever speaks for the Blood Bottle Gang this: threatening my father's favored subordinate, the Kingdom's Alert Officer— they must answer to me for this!"
"Send another small squad, along with a Termination Knight at the Extremal Realm, to dig out their new guests, those wild wolves or vampires who profane corpses and blood! If you find any violation of the 'Human Nations and Long-Lived Races Convention,' don't bother questioning them. Bring their heads straight to me—no, too dirty—take them to feed the dogs!"
"Prepare a carriage and clothes. I'm moving up my schedule and will go to Revival Palace next week. Sigh, it's a matter involving gangsters and commoners, after all. I wonder whether His Majesty will be willing to hear me out..."
"Notify the Kingdom Secret Bureau. Lord Morat should start paying attention to Feast Territory and the Wildmarsh Mountains! Long-Lived Races enjoying corpses in the Royal Capital? Hmph! When was the last time they gathered in the Royal Capital? The Year of Blood? If I find out those vampires and wild wolves are planning to interfere in domestic affairs and overthrow Star Kingdom again—"
When Lobik heard this, he knew he could not listen any longer. He hurriedly bowed and withdrew from the study beneath the Duke's friendly, encouraging gaze.
Behind him, the Young Duke continued dissatisfiedly instructing his butler.
The Head of the Vigilant Hall stepped through the gates of the Cavendish Family estate and exhaled in relief. Tonight, he had clarified the Duke's intentions and would not be ruined by his dispute with the Blood Bottle Gang.
Most importantly, he had met Duke Jann Cavendish in person and sincerely felt that—
This decaying old Kingdom still had hope.
After confirming that Lobik had left the estate, Butler Ashford silently closed the study door.
Duke Jann closed his eyes, exhaled deeply, and collapsed into his chair.
"I truly admire him. A man in his forties, and he still has so much passion..." Jann rubbed the bridge of his nose, elegantly easing his fatigue, his face filled with weariness. "As if he could really change anything. What a pity. Taking care of one's subjects' self-respect is also a compulsory lesson for those in power."
"The Old Master thinks highly of his abilities. Besides, perhaps he is more worried that his discord with the Blood Bottle Gang will affect your opinion of him, my lord." Ashford poured his master a glass of fine wine without changing expression, then returned to the liquor cabinet and began wiping the many bottles, especially the one of strong rye liquor.
"Speaking of the Blood Bottle Gang." Jann raised his glass and took a small sip, savoring its mellow sweetness.
But he immediately shook his head with a helpless look. "Going openly to the Vigilant Hall to ask for corpses is truly laughable. Magic Users all came from the ranks of magic apprentices. I thought they would possess a corresponding degree of wisdom."
"Their leader, the Air Elementalist, disappeared during last night's battle." Ashford quietly reminded his master. "Moreover, the Blood Bottle Gang's crushing defeat has left them desperately short-handed. They probably cannot even gather enough blood food to entertain the Corleone Family, which is why they resorted to this desperate measure." Ashford did not even look at Jann, focusing only on wiping the bottle of strong liquor that the Old Duke had never been willing to drink during his lifetime.
"The cost of losing a battle that should have been certain victory is indeed great." Jann mused, gently swirling the wine in his goblet.
"But one must bear responsibility for one's own mistakes."
"The Exeter Delegation will enter the Kingdom next month. I'm afraid the personnel we planned to draw from the Blood Bottle Gang will not be available." Jann lowered his head to study the wine in his glass, his face troubled as he inhaled its aroma.
He closed his eyes, exhaled deeply, slowly loosened the button at his collar, and took another small sip of wine.
As the wine slipped down his throat, Jann raised his head and saw his father's portrait.
That kindly smile made Jann feel the weight on his shoulders grow even heavier.
"At least the Corleone Family responded to your invitation the fastest. Confidential letters have already been sent to the others as well. Given their relationship with the Iris, I believe replies will arrive soon." Ashford spoke indifferently.
"Hmph, the Corleone Family—the foremost of the Lower Seven Branches in the Night Kingdom—sent only three people and some Blood Thralls." Jann frowned and poured out the wine remaining in his glass. Closing his eyes, he gently rubbed his temples. "This is unlike their usual style."
Ashford lowered his head to indicate that he was listening.
"A hereditary Blood Race aristocratic house that produces Bloodline Dukes in abundance, yet when it comes to drawing blood, they act no better than beggars from the Lower City District. They clearly have enough blood essence from consuming corpses, yet they could not wait to reach for the blood of living people—and they even demanded skilled hands from the Mortal Tier and Transcendent Rank." Jann slowly opened his eyes.
Jann's gaze grew increasingly dark and profound. He accepted the wine Ashford poured for him and said quietly:
"What a pity."
"After all, you are the one who 'invited' them here, and you are the host providing their 'food and lodging.'" Ashford quietly emphasized those words, reminding his master.
"They concealed the truth—the truth about the Corleone Family's current circumstances." Jann spoke without expression. He closed his eyes and exhaled, calming himself. When he opened them again, his gaze was already icy and severe. "And any accident could disrupt our plans."
He spoke heavily:
"Have Seychelles and Cassian take four squads of Knights to Weed Manor."
"First, have them speak with Nekla and give the Blood Bottle Gang a warning. As long as they do not cause trouble, the Iris will guarantee their continued existence."
"If they are the defeated party, why are they still jumping around?"
"Then deal with those three vampires from the Eastern Continent."
Jann Cavendish's tone was decisive and unquestionable. The expression on his round face was perfectly calm, yet somehow frightening.
"Find out what secrets they are hiding."
"If they refuse to cooperate—"
"Draft an official letter to the Sunbreak Sanctuary. The Cavendish Family has always revered the Sunbreak Sovereign. Include the heads of the three vampires with the letter and send our regards."
"Send word to our intelligence network on the Eastern Continent. I want to know everything major that has happened in the Night Kingdom recently."
"These three members of the Blood Race are no longer useful. Let's have someone else handle that matter."
Duke Jann gently set down the glass in his hand.
Compared to this, King Kessel would turn forty-eight next year. The Former Kings had all chosen their successors at that age—a period equivalent to Lor Star completing four cycles through the heavens. This was the critical moment of succession. The struggle and contest with the other Five Great Houses was what truly mattered.
If Brilliant Star was destined to have no descendants,
then Leinster Cavendish, who had always fought at Tomond I's side, would have his equally outstanding descendants, and his Tricolor Iris flag, take up the oath of the King of Revival.
Then I would possess enough power to...
At that thought, Jann felt his shoulders grow heavier, yet also stronger.
But whenever he thought of that fatso, Duke Cullen, Jann's pupils shifted slightly. He chuckled, but there was not a trace of warmth in his eyes.
Ashford set down the bottle he was holding, bowed perfectly without revealing any emotion, and left to carry out his orders.
"By the way, it's a minor matter, but have Seychelles ask Nekla about it."
Jann raised his head. Beneath the Tricolor Iris, Duke Cavendish added in a deep voice:
"How did the probing regarding Mindis Hall go?"