Turmoil 2

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"Now, does anyone else have objections?"

The Duke's expression turned grim as several members of the Fraule family immediately nodded and withdrew.

The hall quickly fell into silence. No one dared to meddle in such matters.

After a few moments, someone stood up—it was Maltz Kent, whom the Duke had designated as the heir.

"Duke, I am truly incompetent. I am not worthy of this position of Duke."

Maltz Kent's voice was earnest and sincere. "Please find another suitable candidate, Your Grace."

"No!"

The Duke waved his hand dismissively. "I have decided. You will inherit the title of Duke, as long as the Kent family restores the Fraule surname."

"This..."

Maltz Kent appeared hesitant.

To everyone's surprise, the Duke pleaded slightly, "The current members of the Fraule family are useless. I fear that after my time, the family will decline."

Those of the Fraule lineage present felt ashamed upon hearing this.

"How about it, Maltz Kent? Our two families share a common ancestor. Won't you contribute to restoring our ancestors' honor?"

"I..."

Maltz Kent still hesitated.

His indecision irritated Paul. "Damn it, what's there to hesitate about when you've hit the jackpot? He's clearly just putting on an act."

Despite their past differences, Paul couldn't help but envy Maltz's stroke of luck.

"Why couldn't something like this happen to me?"

"Fine!" Maltz Kent seemed to have made up his mind.

"Since Your Grace does not reject me, I humbly accept your arrangement. I will strive to strengthen and expand the Fraule family."

Upon hearing Maltz Kent's acceptance, the Duke's face displayed a strange smile as he repeated, "Good! Good! Good!"

Suddenly, he seemed to revert to his frail self, trembling as he lifted his cup—moments ago, servants had swiftly cleaned up the mess and rearranged the food and drinks.

"Everyone! Let's celebrate the birth of the new heir to the Fraule family!"

The hall once again became lively, guests raising their glasses in toast, forgetting about Viscount Henry who had just been dragged away.

Everyone took turns flattering the future Duke Fraule.

In order to foster good relations, Paul and Malon also approached Maltz Kent with their wine glasses.

"Congratulations, Earl Kent!"

Paul forced back his disgust and desire to spit in Maltz Kent's face as he congratulated him, though his heart was filled with old resentments and jealousy.

"Hahaha! Thank you, thank you! In the future, I will have to rely on the help of you two neighbors!"

Maltz Kent laughed heartily, then downed a large glass of wine with Paul and Malon, as if there had never been any unpleasantness between them.

After the pleasantries, Paul returned to his seat and started eating and drinking by himself.

Maltz Kent watched Paul's departing figure with a smug expression.

His 'attendant' beside him remained silent.

After the banquet, the Duke announced plans for a martial arts tournament, inviting confident nobles and knights to showcase their skills.

"Are you interested in participating?"

Paul asked Bryce and Victor.

Bryce chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Haha, forget it. Earl, informal knights like us aren't qualified to participate. If Lord Schroder were here, that would be another story."

Paul shrugged, "Fair enough. I'm not interested in watching either. Shall we head back?"

Malon remarked. "Even though we're not participating, it wouldn't hurt to watch."

Victor beside him mirrored his expression.

"Alright, Malon, you and Victor go to the tournament grounds to spectate. Bryce and I will visit Bishop Leonard."

With that, the four parted ways, Paul following Bryce's lead toward the grand cathedral.

After riding their horses for nearly half an hour, they arrived at the Cathedral of the Sente City Church, where Bishop Leonard resided.

The Bishop received them in the reception hall.

The Bishop didn't appear to be in poor health, contrary to what the priest had claimed as an excuse for missing the Duke Fraule's banquet.

"Old Dean, it's been a while."

"Earl, it's been a long time."

Despite his stern demeanor, Leonard managed a rare smile upon seeing his old acquaintance.

They engaged in small talk, and Paul recounted recent events in Alden, which gradually brought more smiles to Leonard's face.

As they discussed the banquet just now, Leonard once again criticized the nobles' extravagance without reserve, knowing Paul led a comparatively simple personal life compared to others.

"Speaking of which, there was an incident at the banquet."

"Oh? What incident?"

"The Duke Fraule announced his heir."

"Finally, has the Duke given up on having a son? Is it his younger brother, Viscount Henry?"

The Duke's well-known efforts to have a son were common knowledge.

"No, you're mistaken. The heir is Maltz Kent."

Upon hearing this, Bishop Leonard's expression turned grave.

"Maltz Kent? While his family does have some connection to the Fraule family, the Duke has no reason to choose such a distant relative, does he? I remember last year..."

"Yes, last year he even threatened Alden, though he seemed to have a change of heart later and 'spared' us."

"Sigh..."

The old dean sighed, his expression growing more serious.

"There may be trouble ahead. Maltz Kent isn't someone to be taken lightly. Earl, you must be cautious. With control over the Duke's authority, there may be nothing to restrain him in these lands of the northwest."

Although Leonard now held the position of bishop, the old dean was more about adhering to rules. In his creed, the church should not interfere in secular lordly affairs unless directly involved in ecclesiastical matters.

Therefore, all he could do was privately warn Paul.

"Thank you for your advice. However, Alden is no longer the soft target it once was."

Paul spoke confidently.

Leonard agreed somewhat, having learned through correspondence with his student, Father Anderson, that Alden had been rapidly developing recently, no longer the barren and weak domain it once was.

Having deep sentiments for the place of his birth and long-time residence, Leonard was pleased with the changes of the past year, attributing them in part to Paul.

After spending nearly two hours at the cathedral, Paul and Bryce bid farewell to Bishop Leonard and returned to their residence.

(End of the Chapter)