In the Crune Empire, where absolute Aristocracy runs through, while those Aristocracy family have different factions and group, there's have been One particular faction that is said to rival even the Royal Family in terms of influence.
The Upper Aristocratic Faction led by 9 Most Influencial Families in the Entire Crune Empire, this family doesn't just enjoys absolute status and wealth which is led by Two Dukes, Three Marquis, and Four Count Family.
As they often, arrange a factional meeting to discuss current affairs and political matters, while making sure to keep having a firm foothold in the Empire.
And as it turns out this year's meeting was hosted by the prestigious Count Solan Family, as the leaders of these said individuals gathered in one place.
"I've heard your son has been regarded as a genius, in the Imperial academy, you must be proud."
The Silver haired and purple eyed individual made no explicit expression, despite someone seemingly praising his son.
"It's alright I guess, I mean everyone, who is present here was regarded as genius when they were young." Count Solan answered lazily.
Duke Garai gave a nod as he completely understood Count Solan's statement, Everyone present here could be considered geniuses, while even the two weakest person among this group is a Martial King and a Sixth Circle Magician.
With such achievements, they have heard those term their whole life, so being considered a genius in the Empire is not that big of a deal for any of them present here.
"But what if he wins the 'Continental Tournament' that will take place 4 years from now." Count Solan murmured.
"Hahahahahaha" Duke Garai laughed loudly as he said "You sure dream big Count Solon, you weren't even able to pass the first round and you want your son to win the whole thing."
"Well it has been a while someone from our Empire, won that tournament." Marquis Maisel added.
Duke Garai gave a concerning look as he said
"It's has been 36 years, since someone from the Crune Empire has won that Competition, well we should not forget, who it was who managed to won it."
As those word's left from Duke Garai's, all the people around them, gave a glance towards the the platinum blonde haired Individual, who has been sitting in the middle of the table with his eyes closed.
He looked as someone, in his late twenties, despite his real age being close to sixties.
As he slowly opened his blue eyes, while glancing towards those high ranking individuals infront of him.
The Aristrocrats would rather offend the Royal Family and the Emperor over this individual sitting lieserly in front of them.
"so what are your takes on this topic Grand Duke Aston" Count Marrient asked while gulping nervously.
Grand Duke Aston, Also one of the thirteen Supremes of the Continent, also one the reasons, Crune Empire still managed to maintain its position has a Empire despite being surrounded by the overly ambitious and militant Kronos Kingdom and the three Kingdom Alliances.
As long as this person is alive, Crune will always be considered as an untouchable existence, even the Strongest Empire in the Continent 'The Augustus Empire' will think twice before offending an Entity like Grand Duke Aston.
Being one of the only Four 'Martial Monarch' in the entire continent, has made sure of the fact that every single person in this continent, knows who he is.
"We will see what he is capable of when the time comes, is that all, did you all just invited me here to talk about such nonsense." Duke Aston said with a visible irritated expression.
Even the always calm and collected expression of Count Solan cracked when he heard those words, before he was reminded of things he wanted to talk about.
"Ahh! right, have you guys heard about the new City built in the khar plains."
"Yes I did, there were some absurd rumours about Dwarfs and elves living in it."
Count Solan immediately nodded before saying
"That's why I sent someone to check on it, and to my surprise those rumors happened to be true."
Grand Duke Aston's frown immediately disappeared, as he heard something that he might actually be interested in.
"They even started selling weapons made by those Dwarfs along with low grade potions."
"Is there something special about those weapons and potions." Duke Garai asked.
"Well those potions are pretty common, which you can find anywhere, but those weapons were indeed of better than those usual swords that our Knights use, and recently they have even started supplying 'Rare' Grade ones."
Hearing that the slight interest in Duke Aston's heart completely died down, Cause unlike others he won't spare a glance on things that are not atleast an 'EPIC' Grade.
When he heard about those Dwarfs, he immediately thought of those bulky individuals, who could provide him with 'Divine' Grade armaments with a snap of their finger's, but those Common and Rare Rank ones, can be used as a toothpicks for him at their best.
Although Grand Duke Aston didn't know that Ian deliberately lowered the production quality of their products to not grab much attention towards them and their city.
Even thought this plan managed to ward of the interest of Grand Duke Aston, but unfortunately he couldn't say the same about the other Eight individuals sitting around him.
"The Khar Plains shares the border with Empire, they are obliged to pay us a protection fee." One of the Marquis immediately argued.
Although the border of Crune Empire and Cassian City is separated by nearly one thousand kilometers, but unfortunately it wasn't long enough to stop the greed of this nobles reaching towards them.
As all the nobles nodded in unison, as they reached the joint conclusion of extorting from their newly built neighbouring city.
The reason why the khar plains was untouched the Empire and the noble families, was because it couldn't provide any revenge, now that their is someone willing to a scapegoat, and invest their resources in that barren land, then they wouldn't back out from earning easy money.
~Cough~
Count Solan made a cough attracting everyone's attention before stating in an embarrassed tone
"I forgot to mention, they even have a Adventurers Guild."
"What !" Everyone around exclaimed, even the stoic Grand Duke Aston raised his brows a bit as if he found this sudden turn of event a bit amusing.
"Doesn't that mean they have a 'Diamond Rank' Adventurer inside the city, and only those at '7th Circle' or Emperor Rank and above can posses something like that." Count Marrient exclaimed.
Duke Garai gave a deep thought, as he was also a '7th Circle Magic Swordsman' , as he was weighing in on the options of whether to risk his life fighting someone who might be on the Same Rank as him.
"Well now that I think about it, that actually makes sense, a city suddenly emerging out of nowhere couldn't be possiblyle without any support from the outside, it seems that place has a solid backer."
"So what !!!, we have one of the 13 Supremes as our back up" One of the Count exclaimed before he was immediately thrown on the ground.
"Heek" The Count immediately kneeled on the ground as he felt a huge amount of pressure, pressing him down.
"Are you saying you want to use my name just so you could you have your fills, Do I look that easy to you ?" Duke Aston glared at the Count, who appeared to be from one of the prestigious families from the Empire.
"I wouldn't dare I wouldn't dare, Grand Duke please forgive me, forgive me." The Count beg, as blood started seeping through mouth, nostrils and the side of the eyes.
Grand Duke Aston waived his hand, and removed his pressure from the Count before telling him get back on his seat.
The Count growned as he went back to his seat limping, he was a 'Sixth Circle' Magician but Grand Duke Aston didn't even had to lift his finger , while dealing with him. If he had any grievances against such entity then he could only swallow it on his own.
The other members of the Upper Aristocratic Faction were completely silent, as they broke into cold sweat watching the scene in front of them and as for the matter of Cassian city, they unifiedly decided to push that matter to latter dates, after collecting and gaining more data and information about their opponent they are dealing with.
After the long meeting came to an end, and all the guests entered their carriages and left the Solan County for their respective estates.
Count Solan ruffled his hair, as he turned back and noticed an individual with the same exact features as him and said.
"You saw what happened today didn't you ?, that Count was a mere roach in front of Grand Duke Aston, engrave that scene into your mind,this is what absolute power brings you."
"Yes Father" The kid said before taking his leave, as he seemed to have heard everything that occurred in the meeting.
"The Continental Tournament, Huh!" the white haired kid murmured, as a slight grin appeared in his face.
"Status"
Name :- Hector Solan
Age :- 16
Species :- Human
Class :- Magic Swordsman
Rank :- 4th Circle Magic Swordsman.
Level :- 303
Techniques :-
● Thunder Sutra Sword Art (E)
● Thunder Sutra Breathing Technique(E)
● Solan Sword Art (U)
● Cloir Breathing Technique (R)
● Basic Breathing Technique (C)
Stats :-
▪︎Strength:- 128 (B) ▪︎Stamina:- 97(C)
▪︎Agility:- 126(B) ▪︎Durability 109(B)
▪︎Mana:- 163(A)
Stat point :- 0
"I just broke through to 4th Circle, there's still 4 years left before every single prodigy in this continent will be right under my boot."