Following the herald’s arrival, both Baron and Arthur Avalone moved inside the big hall where the food and drinks were already waiting for them. Primus, Grievous, and Stein already left to do their business, and these two were the only ones inside that hall except for servants and guards.

One glass of wine followed another as servants brought more meals to the table, which soon disappeared while both the youngster and the elder talked and reminisced about the past when Arthur accompanied Baron as his adjutant to the battlefields, serving the previous dynasty.

In such a manner, they spent several hours eating, drinking, joking, and talking. Only after Baron drank the last bottle of wine, he inclined on his seat and narrowed his eyes at Arthur.

“Why did you take that risk?” asked Baron, making Arthur change his expression, realizing that it was time for the serious conversation.

“Claus household is only the first. I was just protecting my family,” said Arthur as he released a sigh.

“Duke still dislikes you?” asked Baron, to which Arthur just nodded and gulped another glass of wine.

“Besides, the secrets you have, he also wants to get my mother’s household’s secrets. Mind magic spells and secrets were always inside the list of things he always craved to get,” said Arthur. “The fate of the Richstein household is on stakes, the fate of my only and real family which never refused from me.”

A short silence appeared between two men before Baron broke it by drinking another glass of wine.

“Be careful. Your father is not a fool. Don’t give him a reason to doubt your abilities. A good ambush is always better than a direct battle,” said Baron, with a slight smile on his lips.

“I know. Don’t worry, general. I am just a powerless and frivolous youngster who just knows how to fight. He will never believe that it was me who organized a leak regarding his last secret gathering,” said Arthur with a similar smile on his lips.

“Then, it’s good, Arthur. But don’t forget about patience and caution. Your elder brothers and sisters are also dangerous,” said Baron with a serious expression on his face, while Arthur furrowed his brows when he heard about them.

“I know, general. I will be careful,” said Arthur as he took another glass of wine.

Following his words, the pair of old friends spent another hour talking before Arthur fell asleep.

“You still don’t know how to drink, boy,” said Baron as he shook his head and ordered to take care of his guest while he circulated his inner energy and restored a clear state of mind before returning to his workroom. He still needed to do several things before their departure to the celebration.

...

..

.

The next day.

Nero passed through long corridors before entering inside, where the certain person was already waiting for him.

As soon as he entered inside the workroom, a wide figure of the man reading reports appeared before him.

“My Lord,” said Nero as he made a half-bow to the Baron, who just nodded and showed at the seat in front of him without moving his glance off the papers.

Nero just followed his command and waited for ten minutes before Baron’s voice broke the silence.

“Are you ready?” asked Baron as he looked right into the eyes of the boy.

“Yes,” said Nero firmly.

Baron spent several moments looking at his face before he nodded.

“Good. Though Elora already taught you everything, don’t forget where you are going. Certain people there won’t be happy to learn about your existence. Others will be curious. The next ones will be bored. It’s your first attendance at such events. Hence, be careful, and don’t give them a chance to taint your name or reputation. You are Claus now. Your actions will affect the name and reputation of the household,” said Baron with a solemn expression on his face.

“I get it,” said Nero while Baron continued.

“As you know, the celebration comprises three activities, like banquet, dances, and auction. You will accompany me only during the banquet, where I will introduce you to my old comrades. You will be on your own in the following stages of the celebration,” said Baron while Nero just shrugged his shoulders. “Besides, it’s possible that others will challenge you during the banquet when youngsters will compete. Are you ready for that?”

“Yes, my Lord. I will try as hard as I can to show my abilities,” said Nero while Baron nodded.

“Good. Now, the last one. There will be my distant younger cousin. There are no doubts he and people behind him will cause some problems for you,” said Baron with a slight smile on his lips. “You are a variable for them. Your existence is a barrier to their plans. Hence, be cautious, and don’t leave the crowded areas.”

Once again, Nero nodded at his grandfather’s words.

Following that, they spent the next half an hour together. Baron gave further instructions while Nero listened.

“By the way, Clara will also be there. Don’t leave her view range,” said Baron while Nero rose his brows in surprise.

“She is maid. Can they also take part in such an event?” asked Nero.

“Of course no,” said Baron as he widened his smile. “But, I won’t tell you as to who she will come to the celebration. It’s a surprise for you.”

Nero could only nod to his words, listening to the last instructions before leaving his grandfather’s workroom.

...

..

.

Following Nero’s departure, it didn’t take long for a female figure to appear inside the workroom. As soon as that figure entered, she immediately fell to her knees and lowered her head.

“My Lord,” said Clara as she looked at the floor.

“Take care of him. Observe, give hints, help. But, don’t arouse suspicion towards your figure. Is it clear, Prima?” asked Baron.

“Yes, milord,” said Clara. “What if he will be in danger?”

“Protect. I doubt they will make a move during the celebration. But anything might happen on our return journey. You should always be near to him. Sacrifice your life if necessary.” said Baron with a calm expression on his face.

“It will be done, my Lord,” said Clara as she stood up, following Baron’s command.

“What about the traitor? Have you found him?” asked Baron with a serious expression on his face while Clara could only purse her lips and lower gaze, making Baron release a sigh. “Keep looking. Send our sisters to every important location in the city. He is here. I know it. Hence, it’s imminent before he reveals himself.”

Once again Clara nodded to his words while Baron released another sigh.

“You can go,” said Baron, waving his hand.

Soon, he was the only one left in this room. Though he already used most of his trump cards, recalled all officials working in his spy network, and even sent Primas, his secret unit, he still felt uneasy. An instinct of the general, who passed through many battles, told him about the danger above his head. Though he was used to facing different dangers, his inability to find who is aiming at him made him irritated. He wasn’t used to hunting ghosts and spirits.

...

..

.

Following the conversation, the next days were preparatory. Everyone in the manor complex prepared for the departure of their Lord. Captains formed dozens of the best mages and knights to accompany their Lord. Servants prepared carriages. Officials finished getting the last instructions before his departure. Even Nero, the young boy, spent his days in his chambers, wearing different clothes under the strict glances of Elora and Clara.

“Not this one,” said Clara.

“This one is not blending with your eyes,” said Elora.

“It doesn’t show your elegance,” said Clara.

In such a manner, Nero spent hours before they finally chose the right clothes and freed him from his sufferings. As soon as he changed his clothes, it didn’t take long for him to escape from his maids. From now on, a real fear of them appeared inside his heart.

Soon, it was the time for their departure. Servants finished preparing two carriages for Baron and Arthur Avalone. Knights and mages finished forming guards and provisions for the journey. In short, everything was ready.

Hence, when Nero reached his grandfather’s workroom, he was already waiting there for him. But, unlike his expectations in which Baron looked at him with a solemn expression on his face, this time he was talking with a young man next to him and looked happy. Of course, such a scene picked his curiosity because it was the first time he saw such a reaction on the face of his constantly serious grandfather.

As soon as Nero approached them, Baron quickly turned at him, measured him with his eyes before nodding and signaling to come closer. Following his command, Nero approached the pair of talking people when Baron patted his companion on the shoulder.

“Arthur, this is Tiona’s son. My grandson,” said Baron with a slight smile on his lips while his companion rose his brows and made a disbelieving expression on his face.

“For real?” asked Arthur while Baron nodded.

“Hah...” He released a short laugh before looking at Nero. “Never thought she would actually find a man. I pity him. General, your daughter was a real problem even back then when I just started following you.”

Baron also smiled at his words.

“She visited this old man recently, and left her son in my hands,” said Baron, anticipating a certain question in advance. Arthur nodded, understanding before he returned his attention to Nero.

“What’s your name, boy?” asked Arthur with a sincere curiosity on his face.

“My name is Nero Claus,” said Nero, clearly and loudly, making Arthur smile and nod.

“Good. I am Arthur Avalone, the youngest son of Duke Gatsby,” said Arthur as he stretched his hand for a handshake.

Soon, they both made a handshake while Arthur made a delighted expression on his face.

“The third rank in your age. Not bad, not bad, boy,” said Arthur as he nodded and smiled at Nero before turning at Baron.

“General, this boy has talent and potential. He is worthy of wasting resources,” said Arthur.

“You think so?” asked Baron as he made a thinking expression on his face.

“Yes,” said Arthur firmly and clearly. “You know, I can feel such things. My intuition never wronged you during the service, general.”

“Okay, I will think about it,” said Baron before looking at Nero. “Go to the carriage. We will depart soon.”

Following his command, Nero nodded before exchanging several words with Arthur and moving towards the carriage with wing and sword insignia on it. Clara also followed him while Baron and Arthur continued to talk to each other.

“This is a good variable, general. My father wouldn’t expect that such a big change in plans. He won’t attack you openly now, at least. This is already good,” said Arthur, nodding to himself.

“What about his intentions against the Melor household? When will his vassal make a move?” asked Baron, to which Arthur just shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t know, general. He already knows about the active exchange between the Melor household and the current king. But his eyes are only on those households with rare secrets right now. Everything depends on your actions and the progress of the future war,” said Arthur, to which Baron released a sigh.

“In short, he gets benefits from both scenarios. I recognize old Duke. This is really your father’s style, to hit both targets with one stone,” said Baron when servants finished the last preparation and the sergeant approached them.

“My Lord,” said the sergeant as he saluted. “Everything is ready.”

“Good,” said Baron, before turning at Arthur. “Let’s go. It’s time to leave.”

Following his words, it didn’t take long to enter their carriages before the gates opened and they started their journey. While the carriages moved through the city, and riders followed them, Nero kept looking at the scenes from the window. Citizens saluted them while they kept moving through the city.

“Long live the Baron!”

“A safe journey!”

Similar words followed one after another while Nero kept looking at them. A glance was enough to see servants loved their ruler. It was such a beautiful scene when those people showed their joy for no reason. But, Nero could only release a sigh because all the days he spent in the manor complex gave him a feeling that dark clouds were forming above the barony, and a chance for the real war. Hence, he could only wonder whether they will continue to rejoice each time they would see Baron’s banner. He wondered how the coming war will change him.