Chapter 458: Dark Demon Controls Truth (4k)
When Rose was called by Lady Floitte, she was utterly confused.
Throughout her life, neither her uncle nor her aunt had ever asked for her opinion on anything. Even after receiving an admission invitation from Saint Maryann Academy, they never inquired if she wished to attend.
Occasionally thinking about this, she felt incredibly fortunate. Fortunately, Viscount Gretebail did not stop her from going to school.
Now standing in front of two adults in Viscount Gretebail’s study, she also dared not show too much obvious confusion.
Until Viscount Gretebail suddenly asked, “Rose, how are you and Dark Demon related?”
Rose cautiously replied, “S-still okay.”
Viscount Gretebail carefully observed her reaction before pushing the invitation letter across the table. “Take a look at this invitation first.”
Rose quietly extended her hand, took the invitation letter, opened it, and glanced through it. Upon seeing it, a hint of joy appeared in her eyes.
Lady Floitte and Viscountess immediately exchanged glances.
Then Viscount Gretebail asked, “What do you think? Do you want to attend Dark Demon’s birthday feast?”
Rose bit her lip and tried to say, “Yes.”
“Uh-huh.” Viscount Gretebail nodded, now having a clearer understanding of his niece’s thoughts.
“Speaking of which, Rose will soon be thirteen years old, right?” Lady Floitte said softly.
At thirteen, she was only one year away from the age of fourteen, when marriage was usually arranged.
Though there were ongoing discussions to delay the legal marriage age, it hadn’t been implemented yet. If they acted quickly, they could propose now.
As long as the Diemon family didn’t mind their family’s status and Dark truly liked Rose, they would naturally strive to make it happen.
If Rose could become the future Duchess, it would greatly benefit the Floitte family’s continuation.
The main family’s legacy was already lost, so the significance of maintaining pure blood had vanished.
Even if they became thorns in the eyes of the eldest prince’s faction, they would endure it.
…
Rose had no idea that her aunt’s thoughts had reached such depths.
She said somewhat awkwardly, “There are still two months left.”
Lady Floitte then asked, “Do you want to have a feast on your birthday?”
“Oh,” Rose quickly replied, “No need.”
Lady Floitte fell silent.
Simon Floitte then said, “Do you know what it means for our entire family to accept the invitation to attend Dark Demon’s birthday feast?”
What else could it mean?
Rose was initially bewildered.
Simon Floitte slowly explained, “If this birthday feast is widely distributed, it wouldn’t matter. But if it’s like their past private family feasts, it’s different.”
Hearing this, Rose began to understand and hesitantly asked, “We might be seen as close allies of the Diemon family?”
“Yes…” Simon Floitte nodded, “Being seen as close allies has its benefits, but also drawbacks. If the Diemon family genuinely accepts us, the benefits might outweigh the drawbacks.
“But if it’s merely due to friendship and not genuine acceptance, we might bear the drawbacks without gaining enough benefits. That’s why I asked you about your relationship with Dark Demon.”
Rose stood there, stunned.
Sometimes she was indeed clever, but only within her realm of experience. She had never considered such political matters and now felt lost.
Fortunately, Viscount Gretebail showed rare patience, giving her time to gather her thoughts.
After a moment, she cautiously said, “It should… be alright.”
“Alright, how well?” Simon Floitte pressed, “Would he risk his life to save you if you were in danger?”
“Risk his life to save me?” Rose was bewildered again. This was a difficult question.
She believed that if she were in danger, Dark would certainly come to her aid, but if it involved risking his life, would he?
No, normally, she wouldn’t want Dark to sacrifice his life to save hers.
Those knight novels often talked about risking one’s life, but in the end, everything turned out fine, and no one really died.
Ultimately, under what circumstances would Dark actually risk his life?
Why was her uncle making things so difficult for Dark?
Viscount Gretebail: ??
…
While the Floitte family was holding their first family meeting involving Rose, the Gretebail family was experiencing a similar situation.
For the declining Floitte family, this invitation was already a burden.
For the thriving Gretebail family, it was a critical decision.
The competition between the eldest prince and the eldest princess was already public knowledge.
The elderly king was closely watching them.
The old king wasn’t bound by tradition. If the eldest princess’s succession would benefit the country, he could even support a female ruler.
Thus, the eldest princess had a chance to compete.
In the turbulent court, where to stand became a crucial consideration for the nobles’ offspring.
Although the current heirs each had flaws, they were the king’s children, so making a wrong choice wouldn’t lead to irreparable consequences, though it would mean being sidelined.
For example, if the Gretebail family chose the eldest princess’s faction and ended up backing the eldest prince’s faction, the military power of the Gretebail family would gradually be eroded by the Tudor family.
Of course, both families currently had no clear stance.
With the situation unclear, these military powerhouses didn’t need to rush their positions.
During mutual visits, they would often say, “Let’s wait a few years.”
Actually, they meant waiting three to five years, or even six to seven years.
…
Just as Diana was about to get excited after stretching, she was dragged back inside by the Silver Wolf Knight by the back of her neck.
The family of three sat around the tea table. Diana sprawled across the table like a liquid.
She tightly clutched the invitation to the birthday feast under her claws.
She was overjoyed.
“I never thought we’d meet again so soon after parting. Hehe. Since they invited us, they must have invited Rose’s family too!”
Diana looked beautiful and carefree, without any worries from the Floitte family.
With a vast family background supporting her, she didn’t need to worry.
Moreover, she had numerous cousins above her, so she felt no pressure.
But Viscount Gretebail and Viscountess Camilla were quite serious.
“Are they forcing us to take sides?” Viscount Gretebail said gruffly.
Camilla twisted her fingers, “Wait a moment. I’ve sent someone to check who received invitations.”
Since the Diemon family didn’t hide anything, they quickly found out.
“It’s a family feast. This makes things complicated.” Camilla said.
This time, Dark Demon’s birthday feast only issued four additional invitations besides the Diemon family and their close friends.
These four invitations were sent to the eldest princess’s mansion, the two younger princesses’ mansions, the Gretebail family, and the Floitte family.
No one else received an invitation.
“This is just what we feared.” Camilla couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
The worst fear was such a feast with a legitimate reason that couldn’t be refused.
If they attended tonight’s feast, the Gretebail family—specifically the viscount’s family—would be associated with the duke’s mansion.
Even if they expressed their stance later, others would already have preconceived notions.
The Gretebail family’s internal unity was not solidified.
Some supported the eldest princess—or the Valkyrie behind her.
Others disliked the idea of a female successor.
So dealing with this was quite challenging.
Viscount Gretebail hadn’t taken over the family, and he had a very strong father above him.
Otherwise, based on his personality, he might not have cared.
“I don’t care what you do, but I’m definitely going.” Diana blinked and decisively stated.
The table echoed with her bangs.
“Diana, do you really like him?” Camilla said gently.
Diana was completely unprepared for her mother to be so direct. Her face instantly flushed red, like a cute red apple.
The viscount couple exchanged glances, understanding each other.
…
Meanwhile, the Valkyrie, who had no intention of interfering in political matters, was engrossed in a costume-changing game.
Her doll—Dark Demon—was forced to stand stiffly in front of the mirror.
Dark admitted he had forgotten about his birthday.
In his plan, the first few days back home were supposed to be days of relaxation.
After resting, he would re-immerse himself in his studies.
But the Valkyrie obviously had her own plans.
Dark gradually realized something was off.
This birthday feast might just be a sweet treat before the main event—like a pork cutlet before execution!
But Alvaraite showed no sign of this, fully enjoying the pleasure of meticulously dressing up her treasure.
If the treasure weren’t already at an age where appearance mattered, she would probably tie a bow on his head.
The suffering wasn’t limited to Dark alone.
Next to him, all his golem spirits were arranged in front of the dressing mirror. The maids of the “Virgo Palace Servant Corps” were carefully matching their outfits and makeup!
This might not be unprecedented, but it was certainly rare.
Among Dark’s golem spirits, some were excited and looking forward to it, like the Eevee, while others, like Meow, were visibly distressed.
The maids were likely encountering such intelligent golem spirits for the first time, feeling both curiosity and admiration for the young master.
But their focus was undoubtedly on one particular golem spirit.
The Vampire Noble!
…
If the other golem spirits were merely intelligent golem spirits, this Vampire Noble felt like a true human!
It was like adding another young lady to the duke’s mansion.
“Is this the golem spirit you created with Ophelia and the vampire Vlad?”
Alvaraite asked curiously as she personally trimmed and thinned Dark’s long bangs.
“It’s no longer related to the Blood Princess.” Dark casually replied.
Alvaraite hummed happily, “If you want her to become a student at Saint Maryann Academy, I can help submit an application, but you need to solve two problems yourself.”
“What problems?” Dark asked.
Alvaraite said, “One is the entrance exam, and the other is her sustainability issue. Additionally, although first-year students don’t require much, if she advances to second year, you’ll need to address the source of her mana. Golem spirits can’t sustain continuous duels.”
Dark nodded, “In summary, two issues: the test and the mana. For the former, she has three months to prepare. I plan to hire tutors to teach all the golem spirits, including her. For the latter, perhaps we can develop a high-concentration mana plasma pack.”
“Mana plasma pack? Quite fitting for a vampire.” Alvaraite smiled.
Dark added, “That’s the convenience of vampires.”
Seeing the shock in her eyes, Alvaraite accidentally cut a bit too much hair, causing her to wince.
After a moment, she asked, “Really?”
Even though she knew Dark’s golem spirits were all intelligent, she never considered the possibility because it was too incredible.
Any magus knew that granting true intelligence to a pseudo-life form touched the innermost domain of the Door to Truth.
The mysteries within were even greater than the creation of the entire golem spirit system in the Number One Formation!
It was a realm that even the original greatest magus, Merlin, had not reached!
If merely achieving an intelligence above 3.0 in a single golem spirit through creation or bond influence was acceptable, making large numbers of golem spirits intelligent with ease would make those ancient magi who cut their souls apart for this purpose wonder why they did it.
If this secret got out, those fallen magi lurking in the shadows would surely go mad!
