Chapter 24

The judgment of the Marquis of the Reinhardt family became a massive typhoon that completely overturned the political landscape of the Empire. All the nobles in the capital held their breaths. The fall of one of the Empire’s pillars created a vast void, and an invisible struggle to occupy that void began fiercely beneath the surface.

A few days later, the Emperor formally invited the Aster family to the imperial palace for their greatest contribution to the matter.

“The loyalty of the Aster family has uprooted the seeds of rebellion that threatened the Empire’s foundation.”

Emperor Alberto sat on the throne and declared to Kaion.

“Therefore I grant the Aster viscount the title of count, and will bestow upon the family a mansion in the heart of the capital befitting their rank. Furthermore, Kaion Aster, from this day forth you shall serve as a student of the Imperial Knight Academy and as the official aide to the Crown Prince, assisting my son!”

From viscount to count. It was the moment a minor border family leapt into the ranks of the Empire’s central nobility. Kaion went from the Crown Prince’s unofficial sparring partner to his acknowledged official closest associate.

This news brought boundless honor to the Aster family, but also made them the target of countless envy and jealousy. The Aster family now stood in the very eye of the storm.

That evening, in the new mansion bestowed by the Emperor, in a residence far larger and more splendid than before, Kaion sat across from his younger brother Rian.

“A count’s family… I still can’t believe it.”

“From now on you’re the Crown Prince’s sword and shield. Every action of yours will reflect on the Aster family. You must be ten, a hundred times more cautious than before.”

Unlike his elated brother, Rian remained calm. On his desk lay heaps of reports organizing the intelligence network and assets absorbed from the Marquis of the Reinhardt family.

With the great wolf called the Marquis of the Reinhardt family gone, the hungry foxes have begun to lift their heads.

Rian’s finger pointed to a spot on the power map of the capital’s nobility. There the name ‘Duke of Valois’ was written. He was a long-time rival of the Marquis of the Reinhardt family, possessing comparable power but always hidden in the shadows.

“According to Old Fox’s report, the Duke of Valois is quietly absorbing the remaining forces of the Marquis of the Reinhardt family. He is neither as arrogant nor as hasty as the Marquis. He’s a far more cunning and dangerous opponent.”

Rian’s prediction was accurate. Instead of directly confronting the Aster family, favored by the Crown Prince, the Duke of Valois began to shake their roots.

A few days later, an urgent report arrived from Kael in the estate.

‘Master, a new trading guild called the “Silver Scales Trade Guild” has recently appeared in the estate. They are buying the estate’s grain at twice the market price with enormous funds, and poaching mine workers by offering them outrageous wages. The estate’s economy has begun to tremble. When tracing their backers, we confirmed a carriage bearing the Duke of Valois’s crest was in contact with the guild.’

It was the start of a classic economic war. The intent was to starve the Aster family’s estate, the very foundation of their renown in the capital.

“So it has begun.”

Rian set the report down and gazed out the window. Beneath the imperial palace’s splendid lights, a new poisonous snake had coiled itself.

“Brother, the estate will face hard times for a while. But you must never waver. Your steadfastness in the imperial palace is the greatest strength in protecting the estate.”

Rian returned to his room and spread out a new map. He placed a black pawn atop the name ‘Duke of Valois.’

“The old wolf has gone, but a crafty fox has entered the henhouse.”

A cold smile crossed Rian’s lips.

“Shall we begin the fox hunt?”

The judgment was over, but the real war began now. Against a more cunning and larger foe, the shadows began to set a new board.