Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Grand Dukedoms and Dukedoms were equivalent in status but not in power. Thus Dukedoms that had a higher level of power were given the title- 'Grand'.

Dukedoms didn't work under Grand Dukedoms and had their own territory to rule over, unlike Marquessates, Earls, Viscounts who had a clear hierarchy built as superiors and subordinates. But as the power increased, so did their status and although Duke's were equivalent in status to Grand Duke's, the four Duke's slowly considered themselves inferior to the three Grand Duke's and bootlicked them for small profits.

Grand Duke's had much larger and profitable territories to rule over because of their superior power level and military might and thus their profits were towering.

Xeheta Dukedom was one such territory that bootlicked the neighboring Nofraque Grand Dukedom. Vrigaipis Marquessate was under the territory of Xeheta Dukedom. And as the Nofraque Grand Dukedom, was a very strong supporter of the crown, Xeheta Dukedom and Vrigaipis Marquessate also supported the throne wholeheartedly becoming one of the most reliable allies of the King.

Kora has always felt something was off with the Nofraque Grand Dukedom, as they had one of the strongest cultivators hiding deep in their mansions yet they never rebelled? How could Kora, someone whose consciousness has acknowledged the illusions of the world not find something suspicious? If it was that easy to relinquish the allure of power, throne, authority, greed, and pride, then a long line of saints could be seen in the entire cosmos. But as it was not Kora's matter to intervene, he never thought much about it.

But now, all the unrelated matters have come to bite him in the ass today, since he never thought, Arcene would pull Edwardson towards her, completely, and make matters worse for him. As the subordinate of Xeheta Dukedom, Vrigaipis Marquessate was also very loyal to the throne and gave utmost respect to the Royal family.

Kora had several thoughts running through his mind as he saw the fairy princess sitting on the couch elegantly like a monarch. Unlike Kora's gentle wife Scarlet, Arcene's 'tender' smile was not simple and contained several hidden intentions.

The Fourth Princess, Acene O Conailli, 18 years old, formed her dantian a few weeks ago, with a 'Queen' grade talent, had silver hair and eyes, with similar colored wings sprouting from her back that curled up tenderly and fluttered from time to time giving her visage a feeling of habitually captivating.

Although a creature that may invoke the protective instincts of a man, Kora felt a sense of dread from this girl. Although beautiful and sinfully beguiling, Kora wanted to stay away from Arcene as even though he had sensual desires, he was not suicidal and Arcene reeked of maliciousness. How could Kora not see the facade of gentleness that Arcene put up when he could see the worldly illusions?

*thud!*

A chubby boy of about 17 years old entered the hall and dropped on his knees.

"Roses are red, snow is white, the sky is blue, the sun is yellow, the grass is green and all these colors are bright and magnificent. But with all that glamour, nothing supersedes your beauty. Even the rainbow envies you. Please grace me, Princess, by giving me a chance to lick your heels!"

Kora's younger brother, Kenny Le Blank kowtowed on the carpet in front of Arcene and proposed as a little bit of drool left his mouth. Kenny had brown hair and black eyes with a slightly chubby figure. Yelena's left eye flickered as it quickly switched between slits and normal human eyes, but soon it settled.

"tsk!" Her left side lips curved downwards in disgust but Yelena quickly took control of her body and took deep breaths. Kenny Le Blank was a bastard child of Edwardson. Most nobles indulged themselves in the pleasures of the flesh but they rarely impregnated the mistresses or maids.

Edwardson, although married to Yelena, impregnated a maid and had a child. Yelena never cared about Kenny, and neither held any feelings for Edwardson. But now, that her son, although was advancing faster than Ace's in cultivation, would always be called a 'Zero' and the possibility of a bastard having higher talent than her son filled her eyes with fury whenever she looked at Kenny.

"Hehehe...you are funny!" Arcene muttered cutely and looked towards the Ralvuzeth and gave her a wink.

The Ralvuzeth dressed up in maid costume flicked her fingers and,

*SLAM!*

Kenny was blasted off to a wall as he coughed up a mouth of blood. His eyes were wide open as he dropped to the ground while puking blood and the food he ate before. Nobody dared to say anything and only shook their heads at the fool. Although Edwardson had great expectations from Kenny, because his son, Kora was talentless, he wouldn't try to resist if the throne wishes to kill Kenny.

Arcene giggled happily and her eyes met with Kora for a brief moment.

'Is she here to investigate the demonic energy or me?' Kora thought but he remained calm and averted his gaze towards the ground. He had no intentions to provoke a powerful foe without any backing behind him.

Meanwhile, Jazmine bowed slightly and greeted Arcene, as she moved to sit beside Bruce, awkwardly. Arcene nodded in response but didn't say anything else. Athelisia and Kora stood behind the couches their parents were sitting on as they also bowed to greet Arcene.

"Athelisia Le Blank," Arcene muttered with a slight smile and caught everyone's attention.

Arcene snapped her fingers and the Ralvuzeth maid behind the Princess took out a letter from her storage ring and sent the letter through her powers directly in Athelisia's hands.

Jazmine and Yelena heaved a sigh of relief as they realized that Arcene didn't come here for the Demonic signature that may have escaped under Yelena's nose.

"Kora Le Blank," She had a slight smile that was not a smile. Arcene snapped her fingers again and the Ralvuzeth behind did the same as a letter landed in Kora's hands.

Both of them quickly opened the letters and read the contents. Athelisia had a bright smile but Kora just furrowed his brows in response.

'When did I raise any flags?' He took a deep breath to organize his thoughts as he looked towards Arcene with an 'embarrassed' smile.

"Your Highness, With all due respect, I would like to remind you that I am just a 'Zero' level talent."

"I just like you..." Arcene replied and then giggled slightly.

"..." A deathly silence filled the entire hall. The most doted daughter of the King has taken a liking to Kora, A 'Zero' level talent?

But-

Kora fell in deep thought, the offer just sounded too ridiculous and he didn't like the vibes this girl gave. She stinks like a troublemaker. Furthermore, Kora was not sure how or why this woman was interested in him?

He knew that Arcene was not interested in him like many noblewomen of Vrigaipis Marquessate. He could feel that Arcene didn't like him as a 'man' and had other reasons to take an interest in him. She had something else hidden beneath the veil of tenderness. Plus the offer was too good for a 'Zero'.

"Forgive my rudeness, Your Highness, but I would prefer to deny." Athelisia was looking at Kora as if she was looking at a fool! Although she didn't know what was inside Kora's letter, she knew it was a recruitment letter for Arcene's faction in the Azure Syndicate Academy that promised a fixed amount of spirit stones to its members, even if their profits are negligible the faction leader would ensure that all the members get the designated amount, every month.

Arcene maintained a neutral expression and didn't say anything else. She only scrutinized Kora because even she didn't expect Kora to deny being her 'advisor'.

Kora was one of the most prodigal children in the entire Kingdom. Even now, Kora was famous for his wisdom but after his fall to 'Zero', nobody gave him a single glance.

It was a well-known fact that the Junior Marquess, although debauched, knew how to court women left and right like eating candies, making them fall from grace to depravity was his forte.

An idiot won't have the ability to bed so many women and never get hurt once without being a cultivator in the cultivation world. How did he do it? How did he sneak past security and bed so many noblewomen? Where did he get the guts to act so brazenly not caring about the consequences if he was caught?

Even though the Marquess was a powerful individual, many Earls, and Viscounts when banded together can challenge him. But why is there peace in Vriagpis Maruqessate? It means he was not caught, and without proof, nobody could touch him! How did he achieve such a feat, when the inner circles of noblewomen have all praised Kora's Kama Sutra. The rumors were countless. But no proof, thus he was still alive, and men could only curse him and doubt their own wives.

He has to be Brilliant, Sharp, and Astute!

Arcene nodded slightly, as she looked towards Yelena and Edwardson with a smile, "There are three doors to enter the Azure Syndicate Academy, First is to receive an invitation letter as Athelisia did, Second is through Donations, and nobles would often send their mediocre level talent offsprings inside to make connections with the nobles of higher standings if they didn't receive the enrollment letter, And Finally, is through a series of tests that most commoners, who have inferior talents and no donations." She looked towards Kora and added, "Kora Le Blank, you didn't receive a letter."

Arcene's gaze moved back to Edwardson as she continued, "Don't tell me you are going to invest in a 'Zero'?" Although she asked a question, it was very suggestive. And politicians always play with the words, thus Edwardson understood Arcene's objective.

"Of course not, Your Highness! Although he is my son, I have no intentions of wasting my hard-earned money" Edwardson replied instantly as a loyal subject of the throne would.

Kora's eyebrows raised up in astonishment as he thought, 'She is going too far to recruit me, even pressurizing the Marquess? What is it that she wants?'

"The gates of the Academy will open soon for everyone below the age of 20. Even mediocre-level talents with a little bit of support from various Viscounts and Earls reach Mid-Stage Elementary Profound Realms by the age of 20, but I have never heard about a 'Zero' reaching Rank-2 Elementary Profound Realm by 20."

"So tell me Kora Le Blank? How are you going to enter the Academy? Will you be able to compete even against 1-10 level talents? How will you join any faction? Nobody would glance at you, and it would be harder for you to complete the missions that the Academy assigns because of your lacking cultivation."

"Most 'Zero's' in the Glipike kingdom dies at the age of 150, do you know why? First is insufficient spirit stones as nobody supports them and second is their lack of talent. But with my help and invaluable treasures that only I can provide will guarantee your cultivation reaches Nascent Profound Realm, at the very least." Arcene shot a series of questions at point-blank range that may make any aspiring cultivator sweat bullets but Kora was calm but was puzzled about other things.

"Why does Your Highness think I wish to go to the Academy?" He also smirked as he asked a question that was lingering in his mind. He didn't remember any loose ends that will reveal his plans for the academy to the Princess.

'Don't tell me that Ralvuzeth is licking two boots at the same time.' Kora thought while thinking about Entris, Scarlet's maid who witnessed Kora collecting the storage rings of the village chief. He could tell that Entris must have noticed his abnormal behavior since they were monitoring him for a few days with the help of Alea.

'The question is how much did she deduce?' It was inevitable. He has already garnered some attention. He could only try to minimize the damage by knowing the source and destroying the rumors before it acts as a catalyst.

Arcene maintained a neutral smile, unwilling to reveal her cards.

'Why me though? For wisdom or for creating honey traps for women by using me?' His mind was spinning at top gears to solve the mystery, but he couldn't find anything. Arcene's intentions were shrouded in a malevolent aura and Kora couldn't put a finger on it.

"Princess Arcene is correct, I do wish to go to the Acad-" Before Kore could continue, Arcene cut him off and spoke while looking towards Yelena:

"I know how hard it must be, to know that your son may not be able to live longer than you, but I can promise that I will help Kora." Arcene looked like a sympathetic mother talking to a pitiful mother whose child was on their deathbed.

'She has a few loose screws!' Thought Yelena.

Yelena was not stupid and she knew about Kora's real cultivation talents. Edwardson didn't say anything and maintained a neutral expression since he could tell, Arcene wanted Kora for something. Jazmine and Bruce had no idea why Arcene was fixed on recruiting Kora.

Bemused, when she didn't get the required reaction from Yelena, she turned to Kora, "Are you really going to break a mother's heart like this? Forcing her to watch as her son ages and dies in front of her eyes?" Her tone was wobbly.

'Cunning bitch!' Kora smiled calmly and responded, "Of course not! Your Highness!" Arcene's lips curved up.

"But I would like to prove myself to you. Although I don't have talents, I could still clear the tests for the commoners with intellect if I am careful."

"If I cannot prove myself to you, how could I deserve to serve you, Princess?" Kora exhibited a small smile. Although Arcene was manipulative, she was still a youngling under his profound gaze.

'The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve.' Kora thought.

Although Kora was opportunistic, and would even lick the toenails of Arcene for an entire year if that could gain him something and help him on his path to achieve nirvana, Arcene looked like bad news to him. He had a premonition that this girl was inflammatory bowel disease.

Arcene's eyelids twitched slightly, but she managed to maintain her smile as she replied in a fruity tone,

"Of course, I will be waiting for you~"Arcene got up from the couch and,

"Take your time to think about my proposal, Athelisia!"

She gave a wink to the Ralvuzeth, to which the maid only nodded and grabbed Arcene's hand before vanishing from the Vrigaipis Maruessate in an instant.

'If it looks like a rat and smells like a rat, by golly, it is a rat.' Kora thought as his eyes flickered with a dangerous glint.