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Chapter 108

Chapter 108: The Celebration (2)

***

The entrance of the Duke caused the banquet hall to freeze over as if a winter wind had blown through.

Even more perplexing to the nobles than the Duke’s appearance was the situation unfolding before their eyes.

The Duke stared at the hand that was gripping his shoulder and spoke.

“Would you mind letting go of my shoulder?”

The Viscount Topikan hurriedly removed his hand at the Duke’s words. The Duke brushed his shoulder with a cold expression.

“Isn’t that the Duke Goldpixie…?”

“I heard he doesn’t attend social gatherings often…”

“I heard he’s close to Damien, but I didn’t expect him to come so soon…”

The nobles whispered among themselves as they looked at the Duke. Some of the nobles quickly wondered what the Duke’s intentions were in participating.

“The fact that the Duke Goldpixie is here means…”

“He has officially acknowledged his relationship with the Haksen family.”

“The Haksen family is backed by the Duke Goldpixie. That’s huge.”

While the nobles were chattering, Damien approached.

“Oh, Sir Damien! Thank you for sending me the invitation. I’m a bit late, but I hope you understand.”

The Duke, who saw Damien, spoke with a bright face.

“I’m just grateful that you attended.”

“Hahaha, I’m glad to hear that. I have a lot to talk to you about, but… let’s leave that for later.”

The Duke looked at the Count Haksen and said.

“Count Haksen, would you mind if we had a chat?”

“I-it would be my honor.”

The Count Haksen quickly replied.

“Thank you for saying that. And Viscount Topikan?”

At the call of the Duke Goldpixie, the Viscount Topikan stopped leaving his seat and turned back.

“Y-Your Grace… W-what is it?”

“Why don’t you come with us?”

At that moment, the Viscount Topikan almost cried out involuntarily.

“I-I have something urgent to do…”

“I said you’ll come with us.”

The Duke spoke in a cold tone. The Viscount Topikan had no choice but to follow the Duke, with tears in his eyes.

***

The Viscount Topikan felt like he was going to die.

It was all because of Duke Goldpixie, who was sitting at the same table.

The Iron Duke, the Golden Demon, the bloodthirsty meritocrat – the nicknames attached to the Duke Goldpixie were all equally terrifying.

The Duke Goldpixie was that much of a fearsome figure.

If anyone got in the way of his business, he would not hesitate to eliminate them, regardless of the means or methods. He was also known for ruthlessly discarding those who were lacking in ability, even if they were his own family.

Anyone who knew even a little bit about the Duke would avoid getting close to him.

With such a monstrous figure next to him, the Viscount could not help but feel tense, as if he was sitting on a bed of needles.

“Compared to Your Grace, I am nothing.”

“What are you talking about? In the past 10 years, the Haksen family has been the only one to have received the title of Count! That’s quite an achievement!”

The Viscount Topikan even went so far as to touch the Duke’s body without permission.

Although Viscount Topikan was said to be influential in the West, he was nothing but a firefly in the sun compared to Duke Goldpixie.

After all, the Duke Goldpixie was a figure who wielded tremendous power not only in the West but throughout the entire Apple Kingdom.

Right now, the Viscount Topikan was no different from a man who had his bald head exposed in the middle of hail.

“Once you become a Count, you will have a lot more to worry about. You will have to choose someone to manage your territory on your behalf. You will have to figure out how to supervise them. There are more than a few complicated things to deal with.”

“That’s why I’m so worried. I’ve only ever managed a small territory before…”

The Viscount Topikan was shocked as he listened to the two men’s conversation.

The Duke, who was always known for being cold and meticulous, was treating Count Haksen with an extremely kind attitude.

“It’s your first time, so you’re bound to be worried. Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”

“Really?”

“Of course. If you need any knowledge or help, just send someone over. No, I’ll have someone sent over within a few days.”

He was even actively offering to help.

This was a completely different side of the Duke Goldpixie than the one the Viscount Topikan knew.

“I don’t know if I deserve such kindness…”

“Don’t worry about it. Compared to the help Sir Damien gave me, this is nothing.”

In the middle of their conversation, the Duke Goldpixie glanced at the Viscount Topikan and said.

“Viscount Topikan, you haven’t said a word since earlier. Is there something wrong with you?”

“Ah, no! I’m fine!”

The Viscount Topikan hurriedly shouted. The Duke looked at the Viscount and burst out laughing.

“Hahaha, you don’t need to be so tense. Do you think I’m going to eat you?”

The Viscount Topikan felt goosebumps all over his body.

It might have been a joke to the Duke, but it wasn’t to the Viscount Topikan.

“Speaking of which, Your Grace, may I offer you a piece of advice while we’re here?”

“I’m all ears.”

“Thank you for that. It’s not much of an advice, really.”

The Duke Goldpixie gestured to the attendant who was carrying the wine and called him over.

Then he took three glasses from the tray the attendant was holding and handed them to Count Haksen and the Viscount Topikan.

“Power is a very sweet and delicious thing. It is like a fragrant wine that no one can resist. But as you know, a drunk person always makes a sorry sight.”

The Count Haksen nodded at the Duke’s words.

“You are telling me to always be on guard.”

“That’s right. But here’s the thing. It’s not enough for me to be on guard alone. Power can also drive others mad.”

The Duke Goldpixie took a sip of his wine.

“Many people will gather around you in the future. Some of them will have good intentions, but… those will be a very small minority. Most of them will covet your power or try to take it away from you.”

The Duke Goldpixie’s face became serious.

“So be wary of everyone who approaches you. What are their intentions? What do they want from me? Are they dangerous?”

With that, the Duke Goldpixie gulped down the rest of his wine.

“Do you know what to do if someone has bad intentions? Should I just kick them out?”

“Hahaha, that’s not enough. You have to trample them down thoroughly so that they never underestimate you again.”

With that, the Duke Goldpixie looked at the Viscount Topikan.

The Viscount Topikan hiccupped involuntarily.

“What do you think, Viscount Topikan?”

“Well, I…”

“Answer me. I want to hear it.”

“I… I think it’s not bad to give them a chance once…”

The Duke Goldpixie let out a short, dry laugh.

“This is your one chance.”

The laughter disappeared from Duke Goldpixie’s voice. The Viscount Topikan’s face turned pale.

“That’s all for now. I have something to talk to the Count Haksen about.”

The Viscount Topikan quickly left his seat.

He was treated completely like a subordinate, but he didn’t care at all.

All he wanted now was to get away from this place as quickly as possible.

***

After finishing his conversation with Count Haksen, Duke Goldpixie called Damien over for a private conversation.

“I didn’t know you had such a cunning side, Sir Damien.”

The Duke Goldpixie said with a playful smile.

“Inviting me here to give your family a boost.”

“Were you offended by any chance?”

“If it had been anyone else, I would have been. But since it’s you, Sir Damien, I wasn’t offended at all. In fact, I was glad because it felt like an opportunity to repay your kindness a little bit.”

Some time ago, Damien had exposed the identities of the dark mages who were plotting against the Duke Goldpixie family. Thanks to him, Duke Goldpixie was able to protect his duchy.

“Speaking of which, I’m really surprised. I expected you to become a big shot, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon.”

Not only did he help the Church to kill a famous dark mage, but he also prevented a coup d’état from happening in the royal palace.

The current Damien could be considered a hero of the Apple Kingdom.

“Do you really have no intention of joining my duchy?”

“I’m afraid that’s difficult because I have a lot to do.”

“I’ll make sure you get whatever you need.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine.”

The Duke Goldpixie smiled wryly at Damien’s firm answer.

“Well, if that’s your will, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll take my leave then. I have other appointments.”

With that, the Duke Goldpixie left Spring Castle.

***

The celebration banquet lasted for a week.

Thanks to the Duke’s presence on the first day, all the guests who arrived afterward behaved themselves.

“Count Haksen! I am from the Barutalia Barony!”

“I have brought a gift to celebrate this occasion! Please accept it!”

No, that’s not quite right.

The nobles who came to visit were all busy flattering him. They were all trying to get on the good side of Count Haksen.

Considering Damien’s position and his relationship with the Duke Goldpixie family, this was only natural.

It was amazing to see how the nobles changed their attitude towards Count Haksen overnight as if they had received the information very quickly.

In that way, the Haksen family was able to safely conclude the celebration banquet for the promotion to Count.

After seeing off the last guest, the family members each thanked Damien.

“It’s finally over! Everyone worked hard!”

“I was worried at first if we would be able to finish it safely… but I’m really glad.”

“It’s all thanks to you, brother! Everyone became quiet because you invited the Duke!”

The family’s eyes all turned to Damien. Damien coughed awkwardly. He felt a little embarrassed for some reason.

“It was nothing.”

“It’s not nothing! If it wasn’t for you, the atmosphere would have been a mess!”

“That’s right! Who was it? Viscount Topikan? That shameless man would have caused a lot of trouble!”

Damien scratched his head with his fingers. He felt a little awkward hearing the family’s compliments.

“Damien, come closer.”

“What is it?”

Damien approached his father, puzzled.

As he got closer, his father hugged him tightly. And then he spoke softly.

“You’ve worked hard. Our son, our wonderful son. Thank you so much.”

At that moment, something inside him burst out.

In his previous life, Damien had killed his entire family on Dorugo’s command.

At the moment of death, the screams, the resentment, and the cries of his family did not go away. They were still clear in his ears. He had nightmares every day.

But for a moment, he was able to forget the terrible memories thanks to his father’s words.

Damien had to bite his lip to stop himself from crying.

But he felt like he would remember this feeling for a long time.

***

Even though the celebration was over, the family decided not to return to the mansion.

“I think we’ll make this our home from now on.”

Now that they were a Count family, they needed a suitable residence.

Moreover, the territories currently owned by the Count Haksen family were scattered in different places.

The existing territory, the land that Olivia received from the Count Copperhead, and finally the Gargari Plains.

Of the three territories, the Gargari Plains was located in the middle. So it was better to stay in Spring Castle to manage the territory.

“Yes, father.”

Damien didn’t offer any other opinion. He had already decided to leave the matters of estate to the family.

Moreover, they now had the reliable Olivia. With her ability, it seemed that she would be able to manage this much territory without any problems.

Now that the family event was over, it was time to focus on his personal business.

“I think I’ll go to the Church now.”

As a reward for killing the Cropseplay and saving the crusade, Damien had earned the right to enter the Church’s secret treasury.

He planned to offer the core he obtained while destroying the demonic sword this time and receive a reward.

“And I’ll also get the holy sword repaired.”

With anticipation, Damien prepared for his journey.

***