Part 1, Ethan's Pov
The name Edvard Nox Angus was the symbol of fear in the empire in my previous life... Even though I had never faced him myself on the battlefield, I still remember the day when I had just witnessed him fighting a battle where everyone was certain that the rebels would lose and the war will end.
He fought alone against a hundred mages of the imperial army and still won... The mages he faced were not ordinary people, they were 5th and 6th-tier mages.
Truth was... The war was never started by rebels.
Even though they wanted to go to war, it was the imperial army that struck first. Many things lead to that surprise event and the rebellions were faced with major losses before they were even ready for it.
"What is it that the young master wants me to do?"
The Duke spoke in a formal tone for some reason... Calling me young master when I wasn't even using any honorifics.
There was a subtle smile on his face which made it difficult for me to discern his motives. Is he trying to lure me into revealing what I want?... Why was I even getting nervous in front of him?
It was different, Dealing with normally shrewd but inexperienced people like Jonathan Nes, and Dealing with Duke Angus Who has everything from power, authority, and experience to this shrewdness.
It felt like he had no weakness and that I should speak carefully...
'He is trying to make me let my guard down and completely trust him... But I need him to deal with the forbidden mages and Jonathan.'
After thinking, there was a way for me to still come out on top since I knew the future ...This wasn't the only time I will have this advantage, I knew everything about the future of this coming war.
" I just want you to support the current heir of the Nes family and provide him with your protection," I told him one of the things I wanted to achieve and hid my other motive behind this alliance.
" Why? Did that kid Jonathan Nes offend you in some way?" The Duke asked.
For him to know Jonathan personally goes to show that Jonathan is already way ahead of me. I didn't expect him to, but his influence somehow reached up to the Duke himself.
I had only one question in my mind... How?
Wasn't I underestimating Jonathan, if he is worth so much that even the Duke will take notice of him... Maybe they already share a connection.
" Can you do that or not? Because I am not going to waste my time... I have nothing to lose except for my time?" I spoke in a cheeky tone of voice since I need to make him serious about this.
" You should first tell me about the weakness that you were referring to."
It was an Absurd request, but I stayed calm...
" What if the relation between you and Jonathan Nes?"
" That's something for you to figure out on your own... However, I am also curious about why you want to support the current heir of the Nes family and drag down Jonathan. So how about it, you tell me your reason for what you want and I will tell you what is my relationship with him?"
That's not a good bargain... Revealing my intentions might lead to complete failure. I need to take more risks...
" Fine... I am just trying to put a leash on that guy and I thought that it was a good opportunity to test whether or not we can work together."
" That, You are not even supported by the Augustine family... And there is no reason for me to choose you over that boy."
" Did you forget... You are supposed to tell me about your relationship with Jonathan!" I spoke.
" That boy is interesting... That's all, there is no other connection. Tell me, Ethan, do you have something that makes you interesting?"
I smirked, now that I know that Jonathan was not that important, I can ask for help from the duke to achieve my other motive and using that I can also bring him on my side.
" Count Mason and Count Delle are your spies in the empire, right?"
The Duke tried to maintain his subtle smile but his hands flinched after hearing that... I was not speculating anything, I was telling the truth, I continued...
" The Taron family, which is a neutral family at the moment ...but it will join the side of the empire if I tell them that you are friends with such people."
" ...and why would that happen?" The Duke questioned, not understanding what I am saying.
" This is your weakness that you are unaware of, Duke... Those guys are nurturing forbidden mages and offering human sacrifices, and the Taron family is already after them." I spoke and continued.
" The Taron family have not picked a side yet but they will surely pick the empire once they come to know that you are backing such people with your money... You know it can turn into a big misunderstanding."
" I have no way to confirm your claims..." The Duke spoke, his voice gave away the nervousness he felt.
" You know I have a very good connection with the Taron family," I spoke.
" ... As I said I am ready to ally with you, but whether or not I abandon that boy will have to wait until we confirm those claims."
He is ready to make me an Ally, but it sounded like he had some other motive behind that rather than hiding this secret. This was his final decision but I can't let it end here.
" I have no time to wait... You can understand, right? So Just do what I am telling you to do... And, Let Jonathan know that it was me who forced you into this situation."
After saying that I turned off the communicator...
Drax looked at me with a bewildered expression on his face. He was curious about many things but it's better if he remains unrelated to my actions.
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Part 2, Ethan's Pov
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After returning to the city the same way, we decided to walk towards the academy.
The academy was a huge castle that was visible even from far away. As I walked I could only think about what actions the Duke will take regarding this matter...
If he decides not to trust me then I have no option but to contact the Taron family to get rid of the Mason and Delle family... I can't allow those two families to do what they are doing even if the Taron Family ends up going against the Duke.
Not everyone in this world can use mana... However, using some forbidden practices one can gain that ability, those types of mages are called forbidden mages. The Masons are trying to nurture them because mages are more valuable compared to foot soldiers.
I had to do something about it that's why I chose to ally with the duke despite knowing the consequences.
Luna was also there and listened to everything that I said to the duke so she also had questions of her own and finally asked as we walked.
" What are you planning Ethan? Why do you want to get me involved in this? What is your goal?"
" I can't answer what I am planning ... But as for why I wanted you to get involved is because I want you to be aware of various things going on in the world. People like Duke Angus affect the life, of countless people with thier actions."
" Whatever, I hope you have not forgotten about our other part of the deal... You have to still pretend, alright?" She spoke.
" Yes, but isn't it time that you tell me what are you doing this for?"
" To Punish someone... That's all."
Luna didn't say anything else after that and we quietly walked back to the academy together before the curfew started.
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Part 3,
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Sitting on his chair Duke Angus wondered if what Ethan had said was true or not...
" Abel, your son is not good with politics but just like you he didn't leave me any other option." The Duke mumbled to himself.
" But how did he know something that even I didn't know..."
The Duke wasn't aware of the forbidden mages... If what Ethan said then he will have to take quick action about this matter.
" Gilbert, inform that boy Jonathan... 'Ethan Augustine has requested our support and protection for the current heir of the Nes family and we are going to comply'."
Ethan was successful in achieving what he wanted...
" Master, are you truly going to believe in him? What if it's all a lie?"
" The boy didn't lie I am sure about it... That boy is the Pure Blood of Augustine, a direct descendant and I think from this point onwards the world should not underestimate him." Edvard replied and stood up.
" I wonder what weakness he was talking about ...I am curious. I want to know how he has so much knowledge about both sides."