### Chapter 31: The Contradiction
The Ballad Conductor was lurking in the shadows, observing the stage of the story.
In this complicated backdrop, every little detail could spin the tale in a different direction.
If one wanted to stir up chaos, instigating contradictions was an excellent approach.
In the process of creating tragedy, the Ballad Conductor had many tricks up his sleeve.
He could slightly amplify the darker sides of human nature and make their emotions spiral out of control.
Of course, he was only meddling with minor details for now.
If he created an irreparable situation all at once, that would just be boring.
What he wanted to see was the entire process of tragedy, not a dull conclusion.
As for someone trying to change the tragedy… he couldn’t care less.
As long as he got serious, nobody could make him fail.
The perspective shifted back to the center of the party.
Faced with the provocation from the War Merit Noble, Hughes refused to accept the challenge.
“This is a social gathering, folks, so let’s keep it classy. We can duel after the party’s over. If it’s a formal duel, I definitely won’t say no,” Hughes replied calmly.
Throughout it all, he didn’t show much change in his emotions.
But the provoking War Merit Noble couldn’t care less about social decorum.
All he wanted was to make Hughes embarrass himself in front of everyone!
No matter how perfectly he presented himself, this slip would crack that flawless facade!
And as for Hughes’ combat ability?
So what if he had it?
Could it compare to a warrior who had fought tooth and nail on the battlefield?
Hughes was just a delicate young noble who probably only engaged in light exercise.
Meanwhile, the War Merit Noble was more than ready for a real brawl.
“Take this!”
The War Merit Noble lunged forward, aiming to deck Hughes with a punch that would surely ruin his looks.
With a blow that hit hard, even the calmest person would lose their composure.
Hughes’ effortlessly composed expression for sure rubbed him the wrong way.
“Ugh, is it really going to escalate to this?”
As the War Merit Noble’s assault came on, Hughes’ gaze grew cold; it looked like he was ready to retaliate.
But he wasn’t one for violence, especially not in public.
“How rude.”
Hughes uttered these words.
And just like that, the power of the Stars ignited.
“Ughhh!!”
The attacking War Merit Noble hit the ground like a sack of potatoes, clutching his head and howling in agony.
Night Lan, who was idly watching the drama unfold, blinked.
“Wow~ That’s Hughes’ Star effect, right? I think it’s called ‘Polite Demon’.”
Making a rude move in front of Hughes was downright foolish.
That’s the wisdom gleaned by many a Night Watcher.
The War Merit Noble’s unprovoked act of violence was indeed uncouth.
He deserved the humiliation.
However, Night Lan didn’t expect them to kick off a conflict at this moment.
The atmosphere quickly turned stony.
“What did you do!?”
Upon seeing their fallen comrade, the remaining War Merit Nobles glared at Hughes, fury evident in their eyes, ready to tear him apart.
Hughes’ demeanor shifted—the gentleness vanished, replaced by a calm seriousness.
“Sorry, just needed to cool him down a bit.”
“You’re asking for it!”
Several War Merit Nobles charged forward, appearing very close to their downed buddy.
But before they could reach Hughes, they too crumpled to the ground, clutching their heads.
“Ahhh!!”
The others not in on the action began to connect the dots.
“Does he possess that kind of special power…?”
Hughes’ Star power was not unique to him alone.
A handful of soldiers with war merit also wielded this special, mysterious force.
So they could sense the presence of their kind.
Realizing this, they temporarily shelved their intention to cause trouble.
And just like that, the farce ended on an unsatisfactory note.
But one thing was for sure; the rift between the two sides would be hard to mend.
The party continued under a noticeably tense atmosphere.
Until it was over.
Night Lan followed Sharon home.
“Ugh~ Looks like this is going to be a hassle. What do you think, Sharon?”
“Hughes should handle everything; I’ll pitch in.”
“Ah, well… It’s not that I don’t have faith in Hughes, but I can’t shake off this ominous feeling.”
Night Lan muttered under her breath.
What could possibly cause such a premonition?
Maybe it was her uncanny intuition kicking in.
Was the Ballad Conductor pulling strings?
But she sensed nothing at all.
That guy had some serious moves.
Sharon noticed Night Lan’s unease and gently patted her head.
“Don’t worry; nothing can block our path. With you, me, and Hughes around, we’ll be just fine.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Meanwhile, back at Hughes’ residence.
He sighed, reflecting on the events of the party.
The return of the War Merit Nobles had complicated things.
It seemed they wouldn’t adapt to the decorum of the nobility.
Hughes just wanted all the nobles to show some politeness towards people, even the less fortunate.
He didn’t expect absolute equality.
But if he could influence everyone with civilized manners, he’d give it his all.
Promoting gentlemanly conduct was just the tip of the iceberg.
It seemed there were still gaps to fill.
How to deal with those War Merit Nobles, though?
Today’s antics had likely forged fresh contradictions.
If an apology could clear the air, Hughes would apologize without hesitation.
But given the current situation…
An apology didn’t seem likely to cut it.
Then there was the young nobility—many so-called gentlemen and ladies viewed him as the ideal.
Anyone’s image could shatter, except his.
Otherwise, it would cause cracks in the budding culture.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Just then, the butler approached.
“Young master, I hear you had a run-in with some War Merit Nobles. The master asked you to be cautious.”
“I will.”
“The master and madam also mentioned they would support everything you do. Try not to feel too much pressure.”
“Thanks for that. Please tell them not to worry.”
“Of course. And please remember to rest.”
The butler turned and left.
Hughes remained on the sofa, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, in the stronghold of the most powerful War Merit Noble.
A seasoned man sat in his room, studying some intel filled with various regional information.
Becoming a noble in this area meant it was normal to understand the local situation.
But today’s gathering made it clear that many young people were rejecting the War Merit Nobles.
Not because of their status, but rather their attitudes.
Soldiers were just like that.
So-called etiquette was useless on the battlefield.
A straightforward character saved time on the front lines.
So should they adapt to this new environment after leaving the battlefield?
Learn the so-called noble etiquette, become a gentleman, and embody the old-school gent?
But he wasn’t willing to lower his standards.
The instincts of a warrior wouldn’t allow him to adopt a meek, bloodless demeanor.
“Hughes…”
This young man was something special.
In the noble circle, he was acclaimed as the ultimate gentleman and a role model for many.
The seasoned man suspected Hughes was behind the current winds of noble change.
Yet he had no proof.
He didn’t appreciate this newfound culture; perhaps he simply couldn’t adjust to it.
As he pondered, a servant’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Sir, someone is here to see you. They say they wish to discuss a business deal.”
