<Chapter 1309> The Plum Swordmaster Reincarnated Into the Count’s Family
“Lord Melissa Argen and Lord Eugene Fruckas have arrived!”
The butler at the entrance of the grand hall announced loudly. In an instant, the hall fell silent. Countless eyes turned toward us. The gazes directed at Melissa were filled with some complex emotions, while those aimed at me brimmed with hostility. After all, I was the commander of the enemy army who had declared war on the Cobalt Kingdom.
Melissa and I walked confidently into the hall. Today’s main protagonist was Melissa. I had intended to step back appropriately, but…
Melissa wouldn’t let go of my arm. She decided that if we started together, we’d finish together as well.
Nobles began to approach Melissa. These were the nobles loyal to the Argen Dukedom.
“Miss… no, Lady Argen. We’ve received word from the Duke himself. We’re delighted to see you return.”
“Lady Argen, you remain as beautiful as ever.”
“If today may be our final gathering, it is a blessing to see you here like this.”
The nobles showed great warmth toward Melissa.
Even before leaving the Argen Dukedom, Melissa must have been quite popular. She was beautiful—her figure and face were flawless. Her personality was pleasant, and she possessed great talent. It wasn’t easy to dislike someone like her. Even within the mansion of maids in Tevra, Melissa was beloved by many.
She even managed to completely captivate the current king, Dullibard.
“Thank you. I feel the same way about seeing all of you. It’s truly enjoyable to reunite and converse after so long.”
Melissa smiled gently. The young male nobles stared at her as though entranced by her smile.
Melissa still clung to my arm. Was it to keep me entertained? Subtly, she leaned her body slightly, rubbing her large bosom against my arm.
Though the banquet was dull, Melissa made it bearable.
“Lord Fruckas, what a surprise to see you here.”
“I heard you recently conquered Solphmed Kingdom. Incredible. The people of Raffelie Kingdom will surely praise your name. Oh, by the way, I also heard that tens of thousands died because of that war. Ah, no particular meaning behind it. Just sharing what I’ve heard.”
The treatment I received was pure mockery. Though they didn’t openly confront me, their subtle hostility was evident.
I suppressed the urge to start a fight.
This banquet’s protagonist was Melissa. I couldn’t ruin it for her.
Grand Duke Graus Argen appeared near the end. As soon as he entered, the atmosphere shifted to one of solemnity. This banquet was far more than just a simple party.
“Melissa Argen. From now on…”
“Behold!”
Duke Argen spoke. Though his voice was soft, strangely enough, it carried across the entire banquet hall. Melisa finally unfolded her arms and strode confidently toward Duke Argen.
Melisa knelt on one knee before Duke Argen. The duke drew a sword from his waist—a ceremonial one, not for battle. Its hilt was gold, its blade adorned with patterns and jewels.
“Melisa Argen. As an inheritor of the great bloodline of the hero Argen…”
Duke Argen began to drone on in earnest, his face serious.
‘They said this ceremony would be brief… but they’re doing everything anyway.’
Servants entering through the back door quietly placed objects around Duke Argen and Melisa—portraits of past dukes of Argen, expensive-looking flowers, and such. Apparently, this was also part of the tradition.
“I cannot accept this!!”
A young man’s voice shouted.
Every gaze in the banquet hall turned to a boy who looked about 15, with dark blue hair glaring at Duke Argen and Melisa.
As soon as Duke Argen saw the boy, he frowned.
“…Berdo. We are in the middle of a succession ceremony. Stop causing trouble and remain silent.”
But just as Duke Argen tried to continue, Berdo shouted again.
“I SAID I CANNOT ACCEPT THIS! That woman left the family! And now she suddenly returns today to inherit the title? Does that even make sense?! The rightful heir to the House of Argen is me!”
“Berdo. Do not call her ‘that woman.’ Melisa is your sister and the new Duchess of Argen. Apologize for being rude to her.”
“No way!”
“…Berdo Argen…!”
Duke Argen seemed angered by his son’s defiance. The atmosphere around them had turned colder than ice water.
Berdo flinched but quickly clenched his fists and stood up against his father. Melisa didn’t seem inclined to intervene. After all, if she did, things would only get more complicated.
Duke Argen sighed quietly.
“…Berdo. Deciding the successor of the House of Argen is the right of the current duke, which is me. Your approval is not required in this process.”
“I AM THE SUCCESSOR! I have lived as your successor! I’ve been educated and trained in both swordsmanship and magic to inherit the title! And now you’re saying everything changes in a day?! Does that even make sense?! Father! YOU chose me as the successor!”
Berdo glared at the retainers standing nearby too.
“Why didn’t any of you try to reason with Father? Can you really think this is the right thing to do?!”
“Prince Berdo… please calm down. This matter….”
The retainers glanced nervously at Duke Argen. It seemed they hadn’t explained the situation to Berdo. Melisa wouldn’t remain Duchess forever; after this event, the title would lose its meaning since the House of Argen will become part of the royal family.
“Berdo. Return to your room.”
Duke Argen commanded without further explanation, which only fueled Berdo’s rebellion.
“No way!”
Duke Argen sighed again. Just as he was about to order the knights to drag Berdo away, a young noble stepped forward.
“Duke Argen. Please forgive my boldness, but we support Prince Berdo. The position of successor should rightfully belong to him. While we acknowledge Lady Melisa’s lineage and abilities, how can we justify Lady Melisa taking over the House…”
“It is against the way of honor to win like this!”
It was obvious he was a lower noble. This meant he didn’t know the full situation.
Following the young noble, other nobles also stepped forward to make their bold statements. The common thread? They were all young.
“I also support Lord Berdo.”
“Lord Berdo is the rightful heir to the Argon Dukedom!”
The young nobles rallied around Berdo. His face looked more relaxed than before. With eyes brimming with confidence, he glared at Duke Argon.
“Y-you bastards!”
“How dare these clueless ones interfere…!”
The vassals erupted in anger at the young nobles’ behavior. There was even a noble yelling at his own son. The room grew increasingly chaotic and confused.
This situation was partly Duke Argon’s fault too.
‘Trustworthy vassals must have been the only ones informed of the situation.
I understand what he fears.
Spies.
Even if it’s information that will eventually leak, he probably wanted to delay revealing it as long as possible.
‘Meh. This will be resolved soon enough. Those supporting Berdo are just the young nobles. The truly powerful nobles are all on Duke Argon’s side.’
Duke Argon was manipulating his vassals. The situation would quickly settle down.
Kuuuuuung.
It was an odd resonance.
The nobles who had been loudly voicing their opinions suddenly shut their mouths. All of them looked up at the ceiling.
Wuuuuuung.
The ceiling was rippling. The waves spread to all sides, moving toward the walls and affecting the floor too. The ground trembled. Or rather, it seemed to.
‘…It only appears to be shaking and distorting. The ceiling and floor aren’t actually moving. The fruit on the table not stirring proves that.’
This is an ambush.
‘It’s not magic. If it were magic, I would’ve noticed immediately. It must be either a relic or a demon’s ability.’
More likely the latter.
A demon contractor from Pantheum must’ve decided to kill me. Killing Duke Argon along the way would help Durribard greatly too.
‘Still, they’re acting too fast… They must’ve been watching Duke Argon from the start.’
That makes sense.
Right now, Yuria isn’t by my side. But I’m not particularly afraid.
“Master. This is an ambush.”
A telepathic message came from Melissa. I met her gaze.
“Yeah. Probably a demon. Not sure which one yet. Don’t let your guard down.”
I sent the telepathic reply. We tensely scanned our surroundings.
Wuuuuuuuung!
The ceiling, walls, and floor began undulating like waves. Panic immediately spread through the crowd.
“I-I-is this magic?!”
“Knights! What are you doing?! Resolve this situation!”
“I feel like I’m gonna throw up… I need to get outside…”
Some of the nobles rushed out of the banquet hall doors. But the situation outside was similar. As things worsened, Duke Argon shouted.
“Everyone, calm down!! The ground isn’t actually moving! It’s merely a pathetic illusion! Those feeling nauseous should close their eyes! Knights, prepare for battle!”
Duke Argon’s charisma brought some order to the chaos. But the situation remained dire.
Wuuuuuung.
The distorting waves enveloped the entire space. Now even the people appeared wavy and distorted.
‘I see. It’s the same demon from the original story. Definitely… Birubiru, right?’
Birubiru, the Mirror Demon.
A demon whose manifestation is closer to a phenomenon without substance. Lacking a self, it acts according to its contractor’s will.
‘Here comes the annoying guy.’
