FVN Chapter 39 Duke's Summon
Chapter 39 Duke's Summon
The man's eyes skimmed over the note once more, then
CRACKLE!
CRACKLE!
Blue sparks flared to life around the man, dancing wildly in the air Then, in a single, dizzying blink, the man was gone—vanished entirely, as though the very air had swallowed him whole.
The knight, oblivious to the spectacle, continued his steady march toward the gate, not even pausing for a moment. He was so close to the man when the event occurred, just a few paces away, but he felt nothing.
The same went for the other caretakers of the garden. None of them had seen the man disappear. Their eyes remained fixed on their tasks as if nothing unusual had happened. But Ashok had witnessed everything because his focus was fixed on the man.
'Run! Sword Saint, Run! How can you not run? That message holds the very weakness of the Southern Duke, your current master? A piece of knowledge so devastating, it could topple the Duke from his throne if revealed.
I am sure the duke's face will hold quite an expression of disbelief when he reads about the weakness, he is hiding from the entire empire revealed to him in such a way. Alas! I will not be there to enjoy that reaction.' thought Ashok as he watched the knight's return.
As the knight finally returned to his position, a notification popped in front of Ashok's eyes
[Attention Level: Maximum]
[False Monarch]
As if on cue, the space behind him tore open. The air shimmered, like the heat of a mirage distorting the world, and through the crack stepped an elderly man, his movements slow but deliberate, the one following him was the Sword Saint.
The knights immediately snapped to attention, their training kicking in without hesitation. Their eyes widened, their expressions shifting from shock to immediate recognition. Without a second thought, they quickly brought their feet together and lowered their heads in a deep bow, their bodies aligned with practiced precision.
"We greet the Head Butler!" they shouted in unison, their voices carrying the weight of respect, recognition, and a hint of awe.
The knights trembled as they bowed, sweat dripping down their faces, betraying their inner turmoil. They had never expected the Head Butler—of all people—to step out of the mansion.
The gravity of the moment hit them with full force. The Head Butler wasn't just another servant in the Duke's household. No, he was the very backbone of the Southern Duchy's operations, the one who ensured that everything functioned smoothly beneath the Duke's rule. He held more authority than anyone except the Duke himself.
Rumors swirled that if the Duke were ever to go out for work, the Head Butler could step in as the Acting Duke without question. His influence stretched far beyond the mansion's walls, reaching into every corner of the Duchy.
But there was more. The whispered rumors spoke of a far deeper relationship between the Duke and the Head Butler. The two were said to be more like friends than master and servant. And that meant one thing: the Head Butler was a man of immense power, someone who would not act without cause.
It didn't take long for the knights to make the connection. The only event of any significance that had occurred since the start of the day, the only change—was the message Ashok had written to the Bamboo Hat. The knights cursed inwardly, berating themselves for not paying more attention to the message earlier.
Ashok remained facing the knights; he did not turn to look at the two behind him. The Head Butler spoke, his voice containing authority "You have been summoned by the—"
Ashok's interruption was swift and decisive, cutting off the Head Butler before he could even finish the summons. During the time the trait was active, nobody stood above him—neither the King nor the Duke.
And while the Duke was indeed someone Ashok was about to meet, that wasn't the same as being summoned by him. Ashok held the upper hand at this moment, and there was no way he would respond to a summons from a mere Head Butler with anything less than disdain.