Romanoff Dukedom: The Valk League (3)

The servants, who were left inside the parlor, didn't raise their heads immediately upon Ius' departure. They first made sure that they wouldn't hear the young man's footsteps anymore.

In the meantime, Ius' associates were abiding for his return at the spot where Ius had discontinued their walk. They all have scrutiny plastered on their visage, making Ius sigh at the sight.

"What are you all looking at? The lot of you should've gone straight to the parlor instead."

"Why are you acting so weird? Care to tell us? Was it a woman? I thought you didn't fancy them? Perhaps, did you switch to liking men? If that's the case, then you should aim for someone with a higher rank!" Herkel pestered Ius with successive inquiries and comments, patting the latter's shoulder once he's within reach.

As might one expect, that gesture earned Ius' displeasure.

Herkel Avret was the young Romanoff's longest acquaintance, being that they're both heirs to a Ducal title. The two had completely opposite personalities.

Ius was a man who took no pleasure in being mischievous. On the other hand, Herkel never let a day pass without doing something that would make Ius regret being his acquaintance.

Still and all, there was one thing that served to bind Ius and Herkel's relationship. They were rivals contending for the blood of Skarrighan, the progenitor of every living wolf.

There were not many things known about Skarrighan. Only, he was prominent for having defeated the most heinous monster back in his time.

It was said that his blood could strengthen one's abilities as a wolf. And if it was his true heir that managed to drink Skarrighan's blood, the soul of the progenitor would descend in their body.

Skarrighan's heir would allow him to be reincarnated on land.

"Shut your mouth. I'm not in the mood to entertain you, Herkel." Ius retaliated with a voice embracing his calm, yet implied otherwise.

Herkel threw his hands up in surrender, disinclined to tease the young man whose patience was the size of a mung bean.

"Geez, alright! I will stop."

With that, Ius led the way to the grand parlor.

Their trip was not the least bit peaceful, considering that Ius was the sole person who had remained silent. Each of his five companions had their own agendas to supply in the discussion.

It's merely a matter of time 'till the cacophonous entrance of the group fell on the grandiose interior of the parlor. It was located on the right wing of the Romanoff Dukedom's main mansion. That part of the mansion was for Ius' exclusive use.

Although the room was lacking in furniture and decorations, the abundance of intricate golden ornaments pasted on just about every border and corner of the room was sufficient enough to label it extravagant.

The enormous, resplendent chandelier, hanging dead center on the ceiling, amplified the air of elegance flowing in the parlor with the myriad of diamond crystals embellishing it.

To further increase the sophistication of the interior, the Romanoff Duke commissioned a famous local artisan to paint a picture of cherubs playing on the clouds throughout the fullness of the ceiling.

Ius and the other young Lords seated themselves on the single couches located in the middle of the room. The couches were made out of the smoothest of velvet in the shade of royal red.

The young man beckoned the footman, who was standing by the doorway, to get them some refreshments. The servant duly complied, darting out of the room unobtrusively.

Once they were alone, Fluger Schertrude commenced their meeting.

"As you all know, the empire's knights are attempting to pursue the members of the snake clan who escaped the Erantel Prison three days ago. In respect to that incident, they sent a request for us to assist in the hunt."

His words were quickly met by the troubled groans of the young men.

"They are blatantly exposing their incompetence now, huh? In the first place, it was their sniffy pride that led to this mayhem. They couldn't even guard one measly prison despite their numbers." Aaviren Brosch expressed his dismay as he leaned on the backrest of the seat laboriously.

"We have already offered our services to keep that snake clan in check. The knighthood should take all the blame for their lax security. Why are they asking this late in the ordeal?" Ivar Chroly supplemented Aaviren's concerns, though his countenance presented nothing but his boredom.

"Anyway, what family of the snake clan did the fugitives hail from? If it's the Orschettas, they won't stand a chance in recapturing them." Ulysses Parvor asked, his question pointed at nobody in particular.

Ius Romanoff, Fluger Schertrude, Herkel Avret, Aaviren Brosch, Ivar Chroly, Ulysses Parvor, these six Lords were the only members of the most influential league within the capital of the Atreschivel Empire. It was led by none other than Ius Romanoff, the most celebrated innovator of the current generation of beasts.

Upon its establishment, the Volk League became the center of attention within the capital. Every case that they decided to take on was met with great fortune. Their actions managed to influence the tides of time of the Empire itself.

Be that as it may, that was not what made their names heard throughout the entire continent.

These six young men were the chosen contenders for the blood of Skarrighan. Being the contender for the blood of Skarrighan was only a testament to their abilities.

When the elders of the Wolf Clan decided that it was time for Skarrighan's blood to be bestowed, they began the deliberation for choosing the contenders. The deliberation began a decade ago, but the selection didn't make any progress.

Observers were sent all throughout the continent, even the world. But to no avail, their travels were unfruitful.

It was only until the Volk League's members entered the picture that the contenders were finally decided.

Needless to say, they would soon be the pride of the entirety of the Wolf Clan.