Chapter 59: Lord Edmond’s Banquet Begins

The four aristocratic families of Gladius City.

They were among the most prestigious noble families in the Redsteel Territory, which was made up of the Sword City of Gladius, the Red Desert, and the Military Kingdom of Serathen.

These noble houses had their origins in the ancient Unification Wars, a time when Gladius City and its knightdoms were divided into various warring factions. Each house rose to power through a combination of strength, strategy, and alliances, eventually creating a stable aristocracy.

...

House Bluesteel]

Its family head was Marquis Cedric Bluesteel.

They were famous for their honor, loyalty, and skill in strategy, often likened to the endless and patient ocean. Their members were top-notch tacticians, excelling in both warfare and politics. They also controlled the intra-state military forces of Gladius City.

...

House Redwood]

The family head was Marquis Edmond Redwood.

They were known for their raw strength, endurance, and martial skill. Fierce warriors who embodied fortitude, they were often compared to the unshakeable redwood tree.

This house controlled the inter-state military forces of the vassal state.

Their troops mainly protected Fort Bridge Dersat and the knightdoms of Gladius City. Because of this, they became highly skilled in the Red Desert, excelling in guerrilla warfare and survival tactics.

...

House Greenleaf]

The family head was Kris Elwick Greenleaf.

When it came to diplomacy and stealth, this noble house was unmatched. They had extensive communication networks that stretched all the way to the Empire of Zelos and the Sacred City of Naxos. Their political skills were legendary, and they often worked behind the scenes to influence the vassal state.

...

House Yellowstone]

Its family head was Gordias Yellowstone.

They were descendants of merchants and mages who used alchemy to create wealth. They established trade routes, brought prosperity to the vassal state, and kept its economy thriving even during the toughest times.

...

Despite being rivals, the houses saw the importance of coming together to face external threats.

So, they formed the Council of Four, which included the heads of each noble house.

The council's goal was to keep peace and prosperity in the realm.

This led them to the decision to form an alliance with the Fortress Nation of Duranzia. According to the agreement, while they would become a vassal state, they would still keep a significant amount of their independence.

━ ━ ━ ━

Red District.

It was the northern part of the city, under the jurisdiction of third subordinate marquis, Edmond Redwood.

Several carriages had pulled up outside Redwood Manor, with nobles eagerly stepping out along with their wives and children, making their way into the mansion.

Some nobles, still cautious of having their wives or daughters stolen by a certain young lord, came alone or only brought their sons.

From the sidelines, commoners could only watch, nervously biting their fingernails as they saw wagons loaded with fish and meat being hauled into the mansion.

Soon after, God Vritra's carriage, driven by Butler Neron himself, arrived at the event.

A special parking area had been set aside for them, with several shapely maids waiting patiently to assist and serve the young lord as soon as he stepped out of the carriage.

Marquis Edmond had clearly arranged this because he knew Vritra had a strong love for women, so providing a group of beautiful maids was the perfect way to welcome his most important guest.

In the carriage...

『Eeeee~ earlier today was so...』

She couldn't stop thinking about how the young lord had patted her head earlier that morning.

『Is this really the same young master I know? His skills in bed are still ruthless, even more advanced now, and he's still just as rough with me as always. But something feels different about what he told me yesterday. The young master I know doesn't call me beautiful—he calls me his meat toilet instead, and I'm okay with that. But this change in how he talks... it's strange.』

It wasn't something she was used to, and now she kept wondering how she should react if it happened again. Next time, she told herself, she'd be more prepared and wouldn't just stand there like a clueless fool.

"Alright..."

The carriage door creaked open, and Vritra stepped out, looking every bit as regal as he was supposed to.

Luciana and Esmeralda followed after him, each giving one last, satisfied look at their handiwork.

"Mhm!"

"He looks exquisite..."

The two women then glanced at each other before quickly looking away, as if annoyed. But despite their efforts, they couldn't hide the small smiles tugging at their lips.

The lovely maids around the carriages were already whispering sweet, tempting words as they moved toward God Vritra.

"Rest in our arms, my lord, and let us lead you into the party~"

"Would you like something to drink, God Vritra?"

"Maybe something to eat?"

"With a single word from you, we shall give you all the comfort you desire~ ♡"

But before they could even lift their slender arms to reach for him, Esmeralda shot them a fierce glare while adjusting her oval glasses.

Instantly, they backed off.

The sight of her superior body paired with her mature beauty left them feeling intimidated.

"Wow, her body is..."

"She's definitely an old hag! How does she have a better figure than young ladies like us──?!"

"It makes no sense!"

"I refuse to believe my beautiful breasts are only half the size of hers! That has to be illegal, right?!"

It was clear that Marquis Edmond hadn't expected Vritra to have such a stunning maid with him... or maybe he did, and he was just trying his luck.

Seizing the moment, Esmeralda bowed her head and gestured toward the open path her glare had cleared through the small crowd of eager maids.

"Please, my lord, go on..."

Vritra gave her a small nod and smiled.

It made the head maid's cheeks flush pink as she quickly looked down, waiting for him to move.

"Are you ready, Luciana?"

"Mhm! Yes, my love!"

Vritra extended his arm, and Luciana wrapped her slender arms around his as they began walking toward Redwood Manor.

A peaceful expression settled on Luciana's face as she rested her head against Vritra's strong arm.

『As always, thank you, Esmeralda...』

A sigh of relief exited her soft breath.

Vritra's own expression was anything but peaceful.

『Just wait for me Edmond. I've come to remind you why you're nothing but a minor villain in this story...』

He looked maliciously excited.