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Chapter 29
The heavy doors of the meeting hall swung open, and a man strode in, his black cloak flowing behind him. Every eye in the room immediately turned toward him.
“Oh, entering like the main character, huh?”
Benjamin muttered with a hint of a laugh.
The man wore a black leather mask scratched all over, covering his entire face. Even so, the sight was overwhelming, and the black eyes visible through the mask shone coldly, adding an even more ominous aura.
“Sorry for being late.”
He spoke in a low voice that matched his imposing image, slowly removing the mask.
Broad shoulders matched his tall frame. His jet-black hair and eyes, small face with finely packed features, and pale, almost ghostly skin created an indescribable harmony.
The man scanned the room with a disinterested gaze, then fixed his eyes on the center.
There, staring back at him with a sharp, sideways glance, was Herald.
For a moment, the two simply stared at each other in silence.
Yet their gazes were completely different.
Herald’s eyes burned with anger, while the man’s were cold and unreadable.
Even so, the intense aura radiating between them sent shivers down the spines of those nearby.
The only one smiling at the scene was Benjamin.
No matter how close a friend, it wasn’t unusual for Herald to feel a surge of rivalry toward this man.
Whenever Herald started trouble over something trivial, the man would respond with indifference, which only infuriated him more.
Benjamin, entertained by this familiar scene, leaned toward Herald and whispered playfully:
“Heh, anyone watching would think you two are in love.”
Thump!
“Wha—!”
Benjamin yelped, startled by the pen clattering at his feet.
This crazy guy…
This time, there was no gentle warning. If Benjamin had moved even a little slower, that sharp pen would have plunged into his hand.
Despite such actions, Herald’s gaze never left the black-clad man.
César Lubantié, Duke of the North, a man at the pinnacle of the northern region.
He was often late to meetings, but he had never entered with such a commanding presence.
“This…! Duke Lubantié! Why are you only arriving now? The meeting’s almost over…”
A northern noble broke the tense silence. The middle-aged man, balding halfway, showed both fear and confusion on his face.
“Ah…”
“What took you so long… eek!”
The noble froze upon seeing what the man held in his hand. Others around him reacted similarly.
“I was delayed dealing with this.”
César said, tossing something into the center of the table.
It was dark, sticky with blood, its shape hard to make out—but everyone in the room knew exactly what it was.
A black magic stone embedded in the heart of a monster.
If not removed quickly, it would vanish with the monster’s body. Only someone of great skill could extract it.
“Ugh…!”
Benjamin turned away, gagging at the grotesque sight and stench.
Herald, however, rose from his seat, lifting the stone and examining it carefully, unbothered as his white gloves were stained crimson.
“Ah, so you were hunting and got delayed.”
“Yes.”
“Judging by the size… not really worth the long time to catch it, I’d think.”
Herald mocked, tossing the stone back onto the table.
César, still silently watching Herald, lifted the hand that had been holding the stone. One of his knights entered with a large bag, dumping it on the floor.
An enormous number of black stones spilled out.
“That’s what took time.”
Everyone gaped in shock. Herald’s cold voice cut through the noisy hall.
“So, why bring so many of these stones?”
“They sell for a high price. I thought they might help fund the northern garrison expansion.”
“Hmph… so you prepared everything to strengthen the North.”
Herald’s sharp words earned César a casual shrug in reply.
As everyone else scrambled, Marquis Falcon tried to restore order.
“Everyone, please sit and be quiet! Duke Lubantié, please settle the area and sit. Move the stones elsewhere.”
“Yes.”
Servants and César’s knights carried the stones out of the hall.
“Now, let’s resume the meeting. Please sit.”
The nobles quietly took their seats. César strode to the seat opposite Herald, stopping to look directly at him.
“I expect you to consider what I brought when conducting this meeting.”
His meaning was clear. By showing the monstrous infestation in the North firsthand, the garrison expansion would naturally favor the northern region.
This bastard…
Herald’s lips twisted as he glared at César, who sat expressionless.
“Now, we will resume the monster invasion countermeasure meeting. This time, discuss strategies, not just damage reports. Consider strengthening defenses, efficient deployment of garrisons, and aid policies for civilians. Please speak one by one, keeping respect.”
Perhaps because of the shocking display of blood-stained stones, the second meeting began in an even more tense and silent atmosphere.
After the meeting ended, the nobles left in groups.
Herald, leaving later, immediately followed the familiar black figure.
“Quite satisfying, isn’t it? The meeting ended with the northern garrison expansion just as you wanted.”
César looked back at Herald without a word. His face and eyes revealed nothing.
Normally, Herald would have ignored this expression, but today it unnerved him.
Just as Herald was about to retort, Benjamin’s voice came from behind:
“Hey, why are you in such a mood today? Even grumpier than usual?”
“Shut up.”
“Aw… if I leave here, who else will keep watch? We’re partners, you know.”
“……”
“……”
Neither spoke, but everyone in the empire knew that these two had been close since the Black Cloud attack ten years ago.
The only one who might disagree was Herald Erayton himself.
He had grown up seeing César Lubantié as a rival, constantly comparing and competing.
But that was all before ten years ago.
The Black Cloud attack: monsters seized a border village near the capital, many lives were lost, and survivors were trapped.
The capital, blessed by the World Tree, had never been challenged by monsters before, making the tragedy unforgettable.
Back then, all three were not yet nobles, serving as local garrison members protecting the capital.
On that day, they were patrolling near the village and became trapped by the invasion.
Yet, after ten days, they escaped on their own, having wiped out all the invading monsters.
They immediately became famous in the empire, and worship of ability guardians deepened.
Having survived life-and-death situations together, it was natural that they grew close.
