After the marquises had finished their audience, the next to step into the grand hall to meet the Duchess was an elderly Earl—Stephen Moonlight Mushroom, known for his long tenure in the Duchy's aristocracy.
For Clobber, Stephen was no stranger. In fact, he had a close friendship with his heir, Frank, who had often spoken to him about his father's ambitions. The Moonlight Mushroom family held lands on the western border of the Duchy, not far from the expansive Moiy Forest. While their estate could not compare in size or prestige to the Gold Rose family, they still commanded a strategic position in the frontier region.
Clobber remembered well that the last time he had visited the Moonlight Mushroom estate to purchase supplies, Frank had mentioned that his father, Earl Stephen, had been in seclusion for some time, striving to break through into the Sky Knight realm. But based on the aura that Stephen exuded now, Clobber could tell that the old Earl had not yet succeeded in his quest.
Despite the powerful and imposing energy that still surrounded him, Stephen had not yet managed to break through the limitations that kept him at the level of a Land Knight. Compared to true Sky Knights, Stephen was still far from reaching that level of power.
It seemed that the Earl had hoped this war would give his family the push it needed to become a marquisate. But now, with his breakthrough unsuccessful, his ambition had faltered at the final hurdle.
To become a marquis, a noble family needed to have at least one Sky Knight within their ranks. Without that, they would never be able to command the respect of their vassals. For all the glory of their title, they would still be seen as less than fully established powers in the Duchy.
As Clobber stepped forward to greet him, Stephen paused for a moment, clearly surprised. He had been in seclusion for so long, focusing on his personal breakthrough, that he had no idea that Clobber had joined the Dragon's Breath Knights.
Frank, his son, had told him about Clobber's advancement to a formal knight, but Stephen had only remarked on Clobber's talent at the time. He had never imagined that he would meet him in person here at the Duchess's court.
"Esteemed Earl Stephen, it is an honor to welcome you. I am Clobber, Dragon's Breath Knight and the Duchess's official herald," Clobber said with a formal bow. "The Duchess is prepared to receive you. Please follow me."
Over the past few weeks, Clobber had greeted countless nobles, perfecting his delivery with each interaction. His words were smooth, his presence regal, and his manners impeccable. Anyone who encountered him couldn't help but commend his poise and the way he represented the Duchess.
"Such grace! Truly, he is a close confidant of the Duchess."
Earl Stephen had met Clobber a few times in the past, though the young man had never carried himself with this kind of confidence before. Clobber had always been handsome, but now, he exuded a quiet elegance and composure that marked a stark contrast to the nervous young man Stephen had known.
Seeing the transformation, the old Earl couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
That damn Kral… Stephen thought, his mind briefly turning to his old rival. He managed to send out the family's hopes and strength, handing over his future vassals. It's no wonder it hurts so much.
If Clobber still bore the Oats family name, he would be a permanent vassal of the Moonlight Mushroom family, unless Stephen ever decided to revoke his title and reclaim the lands. But with Clobber's talent, it was hard to imagine him being anything but a rising star. In time, Clobber would undoubtedly gain a higher title. Perhaps, when Stephen's family eventually ascended to the rank of marquis, the first family he would recommend for a new title would be Clobber's.
The highest title a marquis could grant was a viscountcy. Both earls and marquises were direct vassals of the Duchess, but the marquis only had the right to recommend, not to directly award titles. Recently, however, the number of new viscounts had dwindled, and it had been many years since a new earl had been made.
Right now, all the nobles of the Duchy were eyeing the prize—the Moiy Forest and its riches. They all hoped to carve out their piece of it. Stephen had heard that Frostwolf Marquis, in particular, was keen on promoting a worthy family to the rank of earl.
As for Daniel, that "old sixth," he had recently broken through to the Sky Knight level and was planning to push for his own promotion to marquis.
Since their territories bordered each other, Stephen had a considerable network of informants in Crownflower City. He'd heard the reports that Daniel had a very high chance of breaking through to the Sky Knight level, and when he did, it was likely that he would use this war as a springboard to advance to the title of marquis.
Stephen's mood soured as he thought of this. His rival, now with a potential breakthrough in power, was likely to leap ahead in rank. They were the two largest noble families in the western region, and there had been no shortage of competition and rivalry between them over the years. The thought that Daniel might become a marquis before him, especially with the war's potential to shift the balance of power, filled Stephen with a mix of frustration and urgency.
The Duchy's internal politics were as complicated as they were precarious. Each noble sought to secure his place, his family's future, and the dominance of his house. But with the looming war and the changing tide of power, it was clear that only the strongest and most shrewd would come out ahead. Stephen, for all his experience, was acutely aware of the stakes.
When they entered the Duchess's private chamber, Clobber smoothly transitioned into a more formal tone. "Your Grace, I bring before you the esteemed Earl Stephen Moonlight Mushroom, one of the distinguished figures of our Duchy. May you bless him with your wisdom."
The Duchess, who had been silently observing from her throne, nodded graciously. She had seen many such noblemen before, and her eyes, sharp as ever, glinted with the careful calculation of a ruler who knew the true worth of her allies and enemies alike.
Earl Stephen bowed deeply, his weathered face marked with the years of battles and politics. "Your Grace, I am honored to stand before you," he said, his voice gravelly yet sincere. "I pray that the war goes smoothly and that our Duchy finds strength in the trials ahead."
The Duchess smiled faintly, her gaze never wavering from the Earl. "Indeed, Earl Stephen. The war is not only a battle for our enemies but a test of our unity, of how well we can work together as one. I trust that your family will contribute greatly to the success of this campaign."
There was a subtle weight to her words, and Stephen knew she wasn't just referring to military contributions. He had heard whispers of her ambitions for the Duchy's future, and he wasn't about to make the mistake of underestimating her.
"Of course, Your Grace," Stephen replied, his voice steady but with a note of caution. "The Moonlight Mushroom family stands ready to serve. We are loyal to the Duchy and to your leadership."
Clobber, standing off to the side, observed the interaction carefully. He had grown accustomed to the subtle power plays that occurred within the walls of Hild Fortress. He knew that each noble's words, every gesture, every glance, could be a key to understanding the shifting dynamics of the court.
After all, the game of power wasn't simply about the clash of armies or the march of knights. It was also a battle of wills, of words, and of alliances—some forged in blood, others in whispers.
As the meeting drew to a close, Stephen left the Duchess's presence with a feeling of unease. The war ahead would be pivotal not only for the future of the Duchy but for the future of every noble family within it.
But as the old Earl turned and walked away, Clobber couldn't help but wonder just how much longer the political tensions in the Duchy could be kept in check. Everyone had their eyes on the prize—the Moiy Forest, the resources, the land. And in this game, there could only be one victor.
The only question was, who would it be?
That very evening, Earl Stephen made a decisive move. He passed on all his responsibilities to his son, Frank, and locked himself away in seclusion with the best potions the family had to offer, hoping for a breakthrough to the Sky Knight rank. His goal was simple—to catch up to the Golden Rose family and stop falling behind in the ever-competitive game of power.
But unfortunately, Earl Stephen failed.
This audience with the Duchess had also been for this very reason. He hoped that, as the ruler of the Duchy, she could maintain the balance in the west, ensuring that the Golden Rose family wouldn't dominate everything.
After all, the Duchess, as a ruler, couldn't want the entire western region to be swallowed up by a single family, could she? Even though her herald, Clobber, was a member of the Golden Rose, Stephen knew that the Duchess, in her role as a monarch, wouldn't want a single house to rise unchecked.
So, he decided to bring up his concerns directly to the Duchess through Clobber.
When Clobber accompanied Stephen into the audience chamber and began relaying Stephen's proposal, he could feel the weight of the Earl's intentions behind his words. He wasn't just offering advice—Stephen was practically demanding the Duchess's support to counterbalance the Golden Rose family's growing influence.
Stephen suggested, with careful precision, that the Duchess take steps to suppress the Golden Rose and bolster the surrounding weaker families to ensure the balance of power in the west remained intact.
Clobber, who had been listening intently, couldn't help but feel a wry smile tug at the corner of his mouth. Weaker families?
Who exactly were these "weaker families"? There was only one family in the west that had the strength to rival the Golden Rose, and that was Stephen's own Moonlight Mushroom family. Everyone knew it.
If Stephen truly wanted support, why didn't he just say so? Why drag in all those smaller families who had no hope of going up against the Golden Rose? And did they even know that they were being dragged into this mess? It wasn't like they had any chance of surviving against such a powerful enemy.
Though Clobber's mind was filled with these thoughts, his expression remained composed, his face an image of politeness. He didn't allow any of his inner criticism to show. Not even the slightest hint of skepticism was allowed to slip into his demeanor. His position as the Duchess's trusted herald meant he had to keep his composure at all times, especially in the face of delicate political maneuvering like this.
The Duchess, on the other hand, was far more adept at reading between the lines. She listened to Stephen's proposal carefully, then, after a long pause, her eyes narrowed in thought.
"Golden Rose…" she murmured, repeating the name to herself. Her gaze flicked momentarily to Clobber, who stood silently by her side, waiting for her response.
For a brief moment, the room seemed to grow still. The Duchess's cool, calculating eyes locked onto Clobber, her trusted official, her confidant. Clobber could feel the weight of her stare, though he remained outwardly calm.
She knew what Stephen was implying, and she understood the delicate balance he was asking her to consider. He wasn't just asking for a political move—he was suggesting a significant shift in power dynamics in the western region, something that could either strengthen or fracture her rule. A single noble family with too much power could easily start challenging her authority. That was a dangerous thing for any ruler to allow.
She could already foresee the potential consequences of allowing the Golden Rose family to dominate unchecked, and she knew that this wasn't just a concern for Stephen alone. In a few years, if things didn't change, other families would start to rebel against the growing influence of the Golden Rose, and before long, she might have an open rebellion on her hands.
However, as much as she understood Stephen's point, she couldn't afford to make any hasty decisions. Everything in this game of power needed to be carefully calculated.
The Duchess's voice broke the silence as she finally spoke, her tone cool but thoughtful. "Earl Stephen, I understand your concerns. The balance of power is something that requires delicate handling, and I, too, do not wish to see any one family gain too much power. But we must consider all factors before moving forward. There are many other variables at play that we cannot ignore."
Her words were measured, and her gaze shifted again to Clobber. It was subtle, but Stephen caught the slight change in her expression. He knew that the Duchess was not merely agreeing with his proposal out of politeness; she was considering the long-term consequences of any action she took.
It wasn't just about suppressing the Golden Rose. It was about maintaining control over the entire region and keeping the noble families loyal, content, and in check. If one family was given too much power, the others might start vying for their share, leading to chaos.
Stephen waited for the Duchess to continue, his expression tight with anticipation. He knew that a decision made today could set the course for the future of his family, the Duchy, and the entire western region.
Clobber, ever the silent observer, stood still, carefully watching the interaction. He understood that while the Duchess's decisions were often driven by a desire for power, they were also tempered by wisdom. She knew the importance of alliances, of subtlety, and, most importantly, of timing.
The air in the room was thick with unspoken thoughts. Stephen was clearly eager for the Duchess to make a decision, but she was holding her cards close to her chest. Every noble under her rule understood that this was how she operated—she played the game of power like a master, never revealing her full intentions until the time was right.
After a long pause, the Duchess finally spoke again, her voice low and firm. "I will consider your words, Earl Stephen. For now, however, we must focus on the immediate challenges before us. The war with the Moiy Forest beasts must take precedence. Once that threat has been dealt with, then we will discuss these matters in more detail."
Stephen's shoulders sagged slightly in resignation. He had hoped for a more immediate response, but he knew better than to press the Duchess too hard. She would make her decisions when she was ready, and he would have to wait.
"I understand, Your Grace," he said, bowing deeply. "I trust that you will make the right decision for the future of the Duchy."
The Duchess nodded, her expression unreadable as she turned her attention to other matters. Clobber could sense that the meeting was drawing to a close.
As Stephen exited the chamber, he couldn't help but wonder if the Duchess would indeed take action against the Golden Rose, or if she would find another way to manage the power balance. One thing was certain—his family's future was tied to the outcome of this struggle, and he couldn't afford to lose ground to his rivals.
Clobber, on the other hand, remained silent as he stood at the Duchess's side. He knew that whatever decision the Duchess made, it would shape the fate of not just the Moonlight Mushroom family, but every noble family in the Duchy.
The game was far from over, and in this world of intrigue and power, no one could ever be certain who would come out on top. But Clobber was ready for whatever came next, his loyalty to the Duchess unwavering, even as the winds of change began to stir in the air.