Chapter 90

Time rewinds slightly to Kaltris, one of the towns on the eastern border of the Zain Kingdom.

The town, governed by the powerful Count Calcifer, was filled with many soldiers preparing to confront the Raidor army.

The Calcifer family owned several mines within their territory, producing high-quality gold and silver. With this abundant source of funds, they maintained a strong army, whose military power even surpassed that of the equally noble Arbeil family. If the Calcifer family had stood as a shield for the kingdom, the imperial army would not have been able to advance easily to the capital.

In the mansion of this eastern border’s top power, a meeting was being held.

"Then, let us pray for our victory..."

"Cheers!"

At the command of the elderly man on the podium, the gathered people raised their wine glasses in unison.

In the spacious reception room of the mansion, about twenty men and women had gathered, tilting their glasses and savoring the luxurious dishes laid out on the table.

All the gathered people were dressed in high-quality suits and dresses, and their refined manners in eating the food revealed their upper-class status.

This was only natural.

They were all related to the three noble families that made up the 'Eastern Eight': the Calcifer family, the Kilgis family, and the Kubertos family.

Those who had gathered at the Calcifer family’s mansion were in the midst of a party to pray for victory, in preparation for facing the Raidor army that was trying to purge them.

"Indeed, to hold such a grand party even during wartime... Truly, the Calcifer family is remarkable! The nobility of the highest rank truly have a different level of financial power!"

"Yes, there are probably only a few nobles with such economic power even in the royal palace. It is truly reassuring!"

The ones who spoke such blatant flattery were the heads of the Kilgis and Kubertos families.

"Hehehe. This is nothing. Rather, I am embarrassed that I couldn’t entertain you properly due to the lack of time!"

The man who had led the toast laughed proudly and modestly.

The man, with his hair slicked back in a romantic gray and dressed in a purple suit, was Brutus Calcifer, the head of the Calcifer family and the host of this party.

"If we had more time to prepare, we could have held a party befitting the Calcifer family. Alas... War is truly a foolish thing."

"Absolutely, you are quite right!"

One of the guests echoed the words of the Count Calcifer.

The plump, noble-looking man snorted and spat out words of contempt.

"Whether it’s the empire or the royal palace, countries fighting each other is a foolish thing! War is a bloody affair unsuitable for us, the chosen bloodline!"

"Indeed! War is something done by barbarians. To be caught up in such a thing is truly unfortunate!"

They criticized the war, each believing that they, born into noble families, were chosen beings.

They were different from ordinary people. They, with their noble blood, were not to be harmed.

It was because they believed this that they chose to surrender without hesitation when the empire attacked.

Proud of their nobility, they refused to fulfill their duties as nobles.

They never realized the contradiction in their own behavior.

"We are the chosen ones who govern this land, the ones who should stand above others! What is wrong with surrendering to survive! That royal palace...!"

The Count Calcifer, who had been in high spirits during the toast, now distorted his face in anger.

The news of the Ulphart family being destroyed by the kingdom’s army had already reached the Calcifer family. Moreover, they had received reports from spies that the kingdom’s army was approaching.

Faced with the imminent threat of purging, the count gnashed his teeth in disgust.

"I will not be treated like the Ulphart family...! A prince who was once exiled and raised in the countryside will be easily defeated!"

"According to reports, the enemy numbers only five thousand... No, with the power of the Calcifer family, they can be easily repelled!"

"Indeed, indeed! With the power of the Kilgis family and my Kubertos family added, it will be even easier! We have the advantage of the land and the timing! We will scatter the gathered army of the kingdom!"

"Ooh!"

At the words of the three nobles, the guests raised their cups high.

The people drank and devoured the food.

The party was in full swing. The victory celebration of the traitor nobles heated up further, and the self-proclaimed noble bloodlines turned red from alcohol, shouting their victory loudly.

At that moment—

"I am late. Father."

A young man entered the party venue, which had already reached its peak of excitement.

He was dressed in a white suit with a red rose on his chest, like a tuxedo for a wedding.

"What, you’re late! Blood!"

"I am sorry. I was a bit busy with work..."

The young man called Blood bowed politely.

Blood Calcifer.

The only son of Brutus Calcifer and the next head of the Calcifer family.

The count snorted and offered a glass of wine to his son, who was bowing with his golden curly hair.

"Never mind. Drink. This is a victory party to defeat the kingdom’s army! As the heir of the Calcifer family, show no shame!"

"Yes, I understand."

Blood took the glass from his father’s hand but did not drink from it. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and looked towards the entrance of the party venue.

"I would like to have a drink with all the distinguished guests, who are among the most powerful in the eastern border region, but... there is a woman I would like to introduce first."

" Woman... Blood, what are you... "

"Please, come in!"

Ignoring his father’s puzzled frown, Blood pointed his left hand towards the door.

The attention of the gathered people focused on the entrance.

"Wha...!"

"Could it be...!"

The door slowly opened, and a woman in a dress entered the party venue.

She wore a white dress, the same color as Blood’s, with a white right leg visible from the hem and a left leg made of metal. Her red hair, as vivid as blood, hung down her back, and her face was wrapped in bandages, hiding her left eye.

The appearance of the unusual woman made everyone in the venue gasp.

"How can this be... Why, how can she be alive..."

The Count Calcifer muttered in a daze.

Glancing at his father, Blood curled the corners of his mouth.

"Allow me to introduce her. She is Angelica Ilkas, my beloved fiancée!"

"..."

Standing beside Blood, the one-legged, one-eyed woman called Angelica surveyed the venue with her empty right eye.

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