The lords of House Black, House Manson, and House Sone were preparing to meet with the seneschal.
However, they were stopped in their tracks by House Roan's steward, who cast them a scornful glance and said,
"The seneschal has ordered you to return and bring the contracts for over a dozen nearby mines.
The seneschal has other plans for the allocation of these resources."
Hearing this, the three lords' faces darkened. Each was a prominent figure in the Northern District, and being ordered around by a mere steward felt like a slap to their pride.
Yet, mindful of William's frightening talent, they restrained themselves and replied,
"Isn't it a bit premature to bring the contracts now? Why don't we wait until the terms are discussed?"
The steward scoffed, his tone firm,
"The seneschal was clear: bringing the contracts is a show of goodwill. If you're unwilling, then don't bother coming at all."
These three nobles need a firm hand, he thought. Even now, they dared to resist House Roan's command!
The three lords exchanged glances, a flicker of murderous intent in their eyes, but after a silent exchange, they replied indifferently,
"Since it's the seneschal's request, we'll go retrieve the contracts."
"That's more like it. Come back with sincerity, and the seneschal will welcome you. Perhaps he'll even introduce you to William—an honor few could ever hope for!" The steward grinned and gestured them away,
"Take care!"
Later, the three lords returned with the contracts in hand.
After being kept waiting outside Roan Castle for an hour, they were finally allowed into the meeting hall.
The seneschal stretched leisurely, his gaze settling on the three lords, who wore dark expressions.
With a hearty laugh, he said,
"I'm sure you've heard of my grandson William. Now, here's your chance: hand over 80% of your mines to House Roan, and keep 20% for yourselves. We don't want people saying House Roan abuses its power."
The three lords' faces turned icy.
Give up 80% of their mines?
Keep only 20%?
This was outright robbery!
This was thievery!
"Seneschal, don't you think this is going too far? William's talent and strength may be impressive, but attracting too much attention could bring disaster." The three furious lords narrowed their eyes, speaking coldly.
Unfazed, the seneschal merely glanced at them,
"That's not your concern! William is a soaring dragon, and anyone who stands in his way will be crushed to dust!"
As he spoke, a figure entered the meeting hall step by step.
His presence made the air noticeably warmer, and a faint aura of pressure radiated from him.
"Bronze-tier, early stage… William?" Seeing William's sudden appearance, the three lords felt a jolt of alarm, sensing a dangerous energy emanating from him.
Was this the unique Hellfire bloodline rumored to stir the elements?
Under their wary gaze, William smirked confidently,
"Mines given over now will become resources to fuel my advancement. You're fortunate to have this opportunity; soon enough, such good fortune may no longer be within your reach!"
The seneschal chimed in,
"You must realize that with William's fame spreading, he's bound to attract the interest of major forces in Snowguard City. When that happens, his future will be limitless. Supporting your families would be as simple as a word,"
"While destroying them… just as easy."
The seneschal's words brought a sheen of cold sweat to the lords' foreheads. It was true; after William's recent breakthrough and the phenomenon it caused, news had spread rapidly.
Given his rare physique and talent, the interest of major powers in Snowguard City and even the Plantagenet Kingdom was all but guaranteed.
Against such giants, a mere finger could crush them into dust.
The three lords exchanged glances, gritting their teeth,
"Three shares! We must keep at least 30% of the mines to manage our families' affairs…"
William, impatient, cut them off,
"One share!"
"I'm leaving you 10%. Your family's affairs are your problem. House Roan will take over the mines today!"
...
"Damn that seneschal and William! They're nothing but merciless thieves!"
"They should just die! With only 10% of our mines, we'll be borrowing to survive!"
Leaving House Roan with heavy steps, the three lords trembled with anger, cursing under their breath.
"Who could've guessed House Roan's luck? First, they had Alan, and even though he fell from grace, now they have William!"
"Hmph! It's just a stroke of luck. Let's see how long they can stay on top!" Muttering as they left, their loathing for House Roan was palpable.
"If they push us further, we'll fight them, even if it kills us!"
"Agreed! They're doomed by their own arrogance!"
After the three lords left, some elders of House Roan watched and hesitated,
"Seneschal, the three lords hold significant sway in the Northern District. Making enemies of them like this… isn't it reckless?"
The seneschal replied indifferently,
"Reckless or not, what does it matter? They don't dare do anything. They're born subservient; the more we press, the more they yield!"
Several other elders nodded in agreement,
"The seneschal is right. House Roan has the upper hand; we should keep them underfoot."
...
The news of the three lords' humiliating submission, surrendering 90% of their mines, was soon broadcast across the Northern District by the seneschal's orders.
The people of House Roan became even more arrogant, raiding the three lords' shops and conducting a spree of unpaid purchases!
The young members of the three houses were bullied mercilessly, forced into submission to House Roan's dominance.
For a time, the Northern District descended into chaos due to House Roan's actions!
...
In the depths of hell,
A pattern resembling a wild ox appeared on Alan's body, greatly enhancing his strength and reflexes as he grappled with three bronze-tier, early-stage stone golems.
With a grayish soul power glimmering in his eyes, he sporadically commanded the surrounding elements to launch surprise attacks on the golems.
As his soul strength improved and his sensitivity to the elements grew, multitasking had become second nature to him.
What had begun with him being beaten black and blue, struggling to defend, evolved as he sensed the elemental flow within them, skillfully blending sorcery and magus techniques to hold his own.
Bang!
In the next moment, the golems lunged at Alan, but his soul power surged, summoning wind elements to lift him gracefully, avoiding their coordinated strike.
Beneath him, fire elements gathered, forming a blazing fireball the size of a millstone, which he hurled at the clustered golems below.
Sensing the danger, the golems attempted to pull away, but earth elements solidified into a swamp beneath their feet, trapping their legs and preventing escape.
Boom!
The fireball exploded at their center, engulfing them in a wave of scorching heat, leaving their stone bodies charred and glowing like fresh magma.
Before they could react, water elements coalesced into a cloud, releasing a fine, icy rain that showered down upon their searing forms.
Crackling!
As the cold rain met the intense heat, their stone bodies shattered, scattering fragments in all directions.
The three bronze-tier golems were annihilated, reduced to rubble across the ground.
Standing atop the debris, Alan's expression was one of exhilaration and triumph.
He'd done it!
Not only had he managed to control multiple elements at once, but he had mastered the manipulation of earth, fire, wind, and water, the four fundamental forces.