An eerie stillness descended.
It was a chilling, suffocating silence.
While everyone, including Balkhan, was looking this way, I was still staring at the man in front of me.
‘…This is effective, isn’t it?’
To summarize my current state – I’m literally invincible.
No, to be precise, I’m in a state of complete standstill.
In short, the fist of the person ensnared in my grasp is trapped within a frozen field.
Twist it with a power beyond reason or try to pry it out with mana, it’s all meaningless.
Because the very space surrounding his fist has halted.
‘…I should probably stop this soon.’
This is truly an unfair ability, but maintaining it any longer lacks the necessary focus.
What’s more, this guy looks ready to snap off his own arm if he can’t win.
Since I don’t want to make him a permanent enemy, there’s no need to take this to the extreme.
So, I released the time flow around his face and quietly opened my lips.
“Are you satisfied, Kallen?”
“…”
The man glared at me with a warped expression.
Balkhan, over twenty Arcana agents, and the Third Lord himself were present.
Here, amidst forces akin to calamity, I was blatantly showing off.
Complete with an overwhelming performance of acting, that is.
The reactions were quite unique.
Balkhan was alternately staring at me and the Third Lord with a look of astonishment, and others were similar.
The Third Lord exhaled roughly in frustration, then soon frowned in displeasure and spoke.
“…It’s enough.”
He uttered a voice as heavy as his frame.
“Now, stop it.”
Though his eyes glared at me with a mix of disbelief and anger, his voice was calm, unlike before.
His determination doesn’t waver once decided, so clearly he’s accepted the outcome.
When I released the time flow, Kallen withdrew his right arm with the peeled skin and twisted joints.
Soon, his injuries began healing due to his unique regenerative abilities.
Kallen glanced at his dangling right arm and suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
The deep laughter that seemed to shake the ground made everyone nearby look on with bewilderment.
Once the laughter subsided, he looked at me.
The fierce gaze he had moments ago was now filled with interest, and a meaningful smile hung at the corner of his lips.
You’re not an ordinary human.”
Our eyes met.
A vivid flame of competitiveness flickered in his gaze.
An unreserved, straightforward man who sticks to his word – just like his portrayal in the original work.
“I guessed the Grand Lord had his reasons for shielding you, but this is beyond what I imagined.”
I remained silent.
It didn’t matter whether Kallen jumped to any conclusions; I didn’t feel the need to justify or explain through my words.
Silence was the wisest course of action right now.
Truthfully, I just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.
Kallen knows nothing about the true nature of my abilities.
After all, this special power originating from the Rune of Time is difficult to discern for those on the receiving end.
All he knows is that he was completely suppressed.
Perhaps he’s even assuming that I’m a power on par with a Lord, or higher.
From his current reactions, the situation is unfolding as I intended.
Kallen smirked and extended his left hand, unscathed, for a handshake.
“I’m the Third Lord, Kallen. Known as ‘Seong’ in the world.”
“Luke. Luke Richter.”
“Luke Richter, eh…”
Kallen calmly said without surprise and fixed his gaze on me again.
“I don’t know how someone of your caliber just emerged now, but it doesn’t matter. It seems we’ll soon become colleagues.”
For a lowly noble to be known by the Third Lord sounds stranger.
Now, we’ve simply developed a connection and are acquainted because of it.
…What? Colleagues?
I stared blankly at him, clearly confused.
He tilted his head.
“You haven’t heard, I see.”
“I’d like to hear about it.”
“A few days ago, a meeting was held. A discussion was proposed regarding the newly appointed Lord and the relationship between the Lord’s Council and the Imperial Court.”
“Could it be that the newly appointed Lord…”
“Exactly, some human named Luke Richter.”
Kallen grinned while explaining.
“At first, there were differing opinions, but the decision was finalized when the Grand Lord personally vouched for your qualifications.”
“…But I never consented.”
“That’s not my concern.”
With calm voice, Kallen answered my question.
“Though, I heard you set a condition. That the improvement of the relationship between the Imperial Court and the Lord’s Council should come first?”
“…”
“So the Grand Lord himself departed for the palace. Just last evening.”
At his words, I blinked blankly.
Of course, Arkhan had announced that she would meet the Emperor.
However, I hadn’t imagined it would proceed this hastily, pushed through unrelentingly, so a hollow laugh escaped me.
As far as I knew, matters of such magnitude required the approval of a majority of the Lords.
‘…Is the Lord’s Council actually becoming subordinate to the Imperial Court?’
I couldn’t comprehend what situation was unfolding.
Isn’t the Lord’s Council a force that strictly maintains neutrality?
Though the Grand Lord is the head and face of the group, that doesn’t mean the Lords pledge allegiance to him. They are more like comrades who trust and depend on each other.
They are by no means in a position to follow every word of the Grand Lord unconditionally.
“Could you have approved too?”
“I did.”
“Why? Weren’t the five Lords excluding the Grand Lord hostile towards the Imperial Court?”
“They were. But when the Emperor promised to negotiate guarantees for the autonomy of each First Lord’s Domain, there was no reason to reject it.”
“Why didn’t such negotiations happen until now?”
“I don’t know. Maybe they just hadn’t felt the need?”
Kallen shrugged, dismissing the issues.
However, contrary to his perspective, there were many issues.
First, I have absolutely no interest in a Lordship.
Second, my opinion hasn’t been reflected even a little in the current situation.
Lastly, contemplating the repercussions of Arkhan telling the Emperor outright fabrications about me made my head throb.
Has there ever been a case where an official also held the office of Lord in history?
Never.
My name is already at the center of social rumors as it is. With this situation…
I couldn’t even imagine what might happen next.
“Anyway, I’ll take my leave.”
Seong Kallen flashed a smirk, then turned around.
And added one more sentence.
“Other Lords will probably also pay a visit here one by one aside from me.”
“…”
“Next time, consider bringing a gift.”
After uttering these confusing words,
“See you again, Sixth Lord.”
He grinned and left coolly.
Balkhan seemed excited upon hearing that title, his eyes sparkling.
“…”
I just feel dizzy.
Very dizzy.
*
On the other hand.
“…”
Gurgle.
The Emperor slowly poured herbal tea into the empty teacup.
At that moment, an innocent voice came from the opposite side.
“So, have you given any thought to the proposal?”
“…”
The Emperor remained silent.
He merely slowly raised his head and looked at the woman sitting opposite him.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I’m serious.”
“Arkhan, this isn’t just your unilateral decision, is it?”
“Well, my influence was pretty strong, but the other Lords didn’t oppose it much either. So can you hurry up and give a clear answer? I’m kinda busy.”
The Emperor’s face was full of astonishment.
Arkhan tapped the edge of the table with her fingertips, revealing one of her habits when impatient.
“Definitely, it’s not a bad condition for the Imperial Family.”
“Come on? This is practically like being handed on a platter.”
“Yes, with the Lord’s Council’s support, there could be nothing stronger. But…”
The Emperor slightly lowered his head, causing the crimson hair unique to the royal family to fall in disarray.
Between the strands, golden pupils sparkled.
“Luke Richter. Has his opinion been reflected?”
“…”
Arkhan blinked her eyes stupidly.
She did say something, but never got an explicit approval.
But she didn’t want to overthink.
Because she liked him, and wanted to keep him by her side in some way.
“Hmm… Maybe?”
“…”
Arkhan remained silent for a moment.
Well, it’ll be fine.
If I treat him well, he won’t be able to escape, right?
She smiled wryly as she thought so.
How much time had passed?
The secret negotiation between the Emperor and Arkhan concluded.
It was now time to have a direct conversation with Luke Richter.
He needed to be brought to the palace.
Strangely, everyone from the Internal Affairs Bureau refused the mission to Blackmore.
Especially those who had met Luke Richter before and returned had poor complexions.
The person finally selected was…
“…What?!”
The head of the empire’s top educational institution, the academy, and the deputy master of the Red Tower.
Someone who had met Luke Richter and was of a suitable standing.
“Go and meet Luke Richter?”
“…”
Selena Lugrite.
She was the one.
