CHAPTER 73: THE GRAND BALL (3)

Justinian fixed his collar as he returned to the grand hall, where everyone luckily enough didn’t notice his disappearance.

The two crown princes were enough to keep all their attention away from his sudden departure.

’Good... but now, I’ll need to make some allies, the more the merrier.’

Justinian first headed to what looked like a group of lower-ranking nobles, nobles who were far too inexperienced to actually pressure or intimidate him.

A group that he can easily control and coerce into allying and agreeing to trades with him, it was an easy job, one that even the inexperienced Justinian could handle.

"Hello, care if I join the conversation?"

"Ah! Lord Justinian, I didn’t expect the honored guest to personally approach us..."

A noble in green bowed at Justinian, clearly a count by his attire and appearance alone, a rank low enough for Justinian to casually make conversation with.

The rest, meanwhile, were viscounts and barons, even lower-ranked than a count; it was like a lion joining in a conversation between prey.

"Care for an agreement between our lands?"

Justinian brought up the topic and slowly sweet-talked them; they couldn’t even talk back, as his terrifying and brutal exploits had already spread across the kingdom. To them, Justinian was a powerful ally they could have, and Justinian knew that.

But he trusted Matthias, and Darius was skilled enough to milk them dry, to ensure that the Thirell Duchy would benefit more.

"It was nice talking to you all."

Justinian clinks glasses with the noble in green, now revealed to be the leader of their small faction, a cooperative between smaller vassals of another duke to ensure they won’t be taken advantage of.

A noble pursuit, Justinian thought, and that even made them more perfect as allies.

"Send a message to my steward if you’re interested."

Justinian turned and waved at them, leaving to find more targets to convince to ally with him. He didn’t need to worry about the logistics; he had competent allies to handle that. All he needed to do was act within his strengths.

Intimidation and persuasion.

[Demon of the Court Active]

’Been a while since I put that trait into use, good thing it works in gatherings like this as well...’

"Excuse me."

A sudden contact on his shoulder made him turn around. It was surprisingly gentle, something that didn’t fit an event like this one.

"Aren’t you Duke Thirell!?"

Michael Renillus, the second prince and second in line for the throne, and if the novel is still following the main plot, a kind and naive prince who was betrayed by his brother.

Ensuring there was no other competition for the throne.

Because while Michael might not be the primary heir, he’s popularity within the kingdom was enough to threaten the first prince’s legitimacy.

"Yes, what did I do to deserve the presence of the second prince?"

Justinian smiled warmly, mirroring Michael’s compassion.

"You recognize me!?"

Michael responded with a look that edged on fanboyish, something you wouldn’t expect from a prince, but it was also the reason why he was well-loved.

"Well... of course, it’s rarer to find someone who doesn’t."

"I mean... yeah, I guess you’re right."

Michael laughed, scratching the back of his head. He and Justinian were both the same age, but he oddly had a younger brother vibe to him, one that definitely made Justinian slightly warmer in tone.

"Is there perhaps anything you need from me?"

"Of course! I’ve heard about the battle reports; your tactics were incredible! Who would have thought a night raid like that would have been so successful!"

Michael pulled out a small journal, one that detailed Justinian’s tactics, how he used fear and split tactics to overwhelm a more prepared and experienced force.

"Would you perhaps like to join my faction? I’ve been trying to find myself a marshal, but since you’re here, then why not take the chance?"

He laughed, crossing his arms.

Some nobles, meanwhile, had overheard the conversation, some exchanging glances with each other and some murmuring, but they were too quiet or careful, and there was no way to know what they were thinking.

’Michael Renillus... joining his faction would definitely increase my authority and control over the south, but it’s dangerous, I can’t risk making enemies with the first prince.’

"Brother!"

Maria suddenly arrived, scolding Michael.

"Don’t make an offer like that loudly... You know what father taught us."

She whispered to him, making Michael apologize as he bowed profusely to his sister.

"I apologize, Duke Thirell, but I’m afraid I have to leave for now."

Michael departed quickly, leaving without even explaining. It seemed like something just came up, the news delivered by her sister while she was scolding her.

"I apologize for my brother; he isn’t as well-versed as the rest of us when it comes to matters like this..."

She sighed.

"I’m sure that conversation alone had made you new enemies already."

"No need, I haven’t accepted his offer yet; that should prevent the others from marking me as a threat."

"I’m surprised you took it quite well."

"Of course, I’m a duke, after all."

Justinian looked around, seeing the grand ball seeming to grow even more lively and celebratory as more new nobles and even esteemed generals were starting to arrive.

And without surprise, the person who greeted them was no other than the first prince, Benedict Renillus, and on the opposite side of him was Augustus.

They were the only two high-ranking and powerful enough to greet the new, powerful guests directly.

Even Justinian, who was the star of today’s gathering, couldn’t casually greet them.

He may be the star, but in terms of military and influence, he was still at the bottom of the barrel compared to the rest, with a duchy still recovering from a rebellion.

"Strange, isn’t it? You’re the honored guest, yet you’re almost always alone."

Maria laughed, trying to make Justinian feel better, but Justinian could barely give a damn if he wasn’t being approached.

It just means he didn’t have to deal with people trying to take advantage of or poison him; he could mingle at his own pace, and that was definitely better than being swarmed by a hundred people at once.

"And I’m surprised you’re even talking to me."

Justinian retorted.

"Well, my father did say to help you blend in, but I also just happen to find you interesting, that’s all."

Justinian couldn’t help but think about how Maria acted; she was exactly how she was in the novel, talkative and charming, and experiencing her firsthand made him understand how Julius fell so hard for her in the novel.

’Guess all his exploits just to save her weren’t stupid after all.’