CHAPTER 78: THE GRAND BALL’S ABRUPT END

DING!

DING!

DING!

The vast amount of prestige notifications flooded Justinian’s mind as he uttered his words, once again annoying him despite the important situation he was in.

’I really need to find a way to silence the system’s notifications!’

He inwardly grumbled, not wanting to show his weakness and irritation to the rest of the fearing crowd; an action like that could easily ruin his plan.

"Two!"

[Trait Evolved: Demon of the Court]

+Demon in Red

-Previous benefits with removed requirements.

Justinian gave a small glance at the new notification, his lips subtly curling before closing it with a subtle movement of his head.

"Reveal yourselves already!"

He yelled out once more, trying his best to make himself look as terrifying as possible, a difficult job considering he was one of the weaker rulers present.

"Enough!"

A voice from behind a crowd of nobles appeared, a sprinting madman in blue heading straight to Justinian with a face that was inches away from going completely insane in fear.

That’s the second traitor spotted.

’Okay...’

Justinian stepped back as the man lunged at him, causing the attack to miss completely and send him flying past.

"That’s two!"

He laughed, immediately swinging his sword and decapitating him mid-air, blood spewing out and covering the floor as he landed grotesquely.

"One last chance!"

[Army Swordsmanship Increased]

’Hm?’

Justinian briefly stopped, seeing an unexpected notification.

’That should only appear... wait, Augustus is my vassal.’

He gave a glance at Augustus, who was still with Maria, his knees trembling slightly, but his face was completely different.

Instead of fear... it was awe?

’That absolute weirdo...’

"One!"

Justinian returned his focus to the task at hand, finally counting to the last number, his final gamble to see if he could reveal even more.

"I submit!"

The same noble who spoke before dropped to the floor, arms on his head as his entire body was shaken in fear, the first traitor who accidentally revealed himself.

"I’ll tell you who I’m working with! Please just spare me!"

The noble cried out, eliciting disgusted looks from his contemporaries. Justinian had now found his perfect pawn.

"Don’t keep me waiting then, yell them for all to hear!"

"You bastard!" Another voice came, this time female, her face writhing in anger as she looked at the trembling nobleman on the ground.

It was clear she was also guilty.

"Take her."

Justinian commanded, the owl in the room moving immediately to subdue the noblewoman and pinning her to the floor.

Velen was in complete and utter shock. He knew the king would let Justinian be part of the plan, but for him to take control of the entire thing was completely different.

And the fact that one of his personal owls actually obeyed Justinian’s orders was even more impressive.

’Incredible... he has an aura that even I find hard to resist.’

Velen thought that, before forcing his body to move, he needed to show everyone that he wasn’t afraid of Justinian, of how he could work with him on equal footing.

Because if he doesn’t, Justinian alone may undermine the king’s influence if left unchecked.

"Do not be distracted."

Velen barked, referring to the crying nobleman.

"Reveal their names, now!"

And just like that, the nobleman listed out all his accomplices who were working with the shadow society, even giving information about their ranks, hideouts, and future agendas.

It was enough information to completely cause an entire society to be left in ruin.

One by one, all the nobles in the manor who were revealed were captured, each one being dragged out of the manor for future questioning and punishments.

The entire problem had been solved in under three counts once Justinian took the stage.

An achievement even the system applauded him for.

[The Book of War Responds]

[Kingdom Building Protocol Upgraded]

’That takes care of that...’

Letting out a breath of relief, Justinian finally disabled his control over the entire manor, even dispelling his armor as the situation had been fully handled.

But even with that, the fear stayed, with most just looking at Justinian.

’I don’t really blame them.’

Justinian shrugged, only for Augustus to suddenly lunge and throw an arm around his shoulders in celebration.

"Now that’s what I call a liege!"

Augustus laughed out loud, not caring about all the eyes that were currently focused on them. He was an Archduke, and Justinian was well... Justinian.

Their reputation was in completely safe hands, even with a showing like this.

[Quest Completed: Maintain Favor with the Princess]

[Max Favorability Achieved]

Maria, who had remained mostly silent until now, stepped forward. Her eyes were wide, a mixture of awe and relief.

"I... I can’t believe you did all that," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "B-bravo?!"

"Bravo...? Really?"

Justinian laughed, brushing Augustus off him softly.

"Well... what else can I say in a situation like this? Say something cryptic like, ’You’ve finally shown your true colors, Duke Thirell’?"

"He makes a good point, Justinian."

Augustus remarked, the three of them acting so normal despite what had just happened, inadvertently making them look absolutely terrifying to the rest of the nobles inside.

Because if an entire room of nobles was just frozen in fear by one single man, who in the world was crazy enough to approach that same person and treat him so casually?

*** Royal Palace - A Few Hours Later ***

After the conspirators of the shadow society were captured, the rest of the ball’s guests were immediately escorted back to their carriages and residences, ensuring no other attempts would be made during the night.

As for Justinian and the other two, they were left to stay at the manor, well... Justinian at least.

Maria was the princess; she could do anything she wanted, as for Augustus the same could be said for him.

’Hmm... this actually tastes fairly nice.’

Justinian took a sip of some red wine that a servant just poured for him while they waited.

He expected the taste to be bland, just like the food he tasted when he first transmigrated, but it was surprisingly good.

’That’s a nice subversion...’

TAP!

A noise came from the room’s staircase, three cloaked figures stepping down, Justinian tensed up slightly at their presence. They were the same ones Justinian saw that was talking near the corner.

But when he saw the remaining servants who were still present and cleaning up a few messes, staying calm and composed, he immediately relaxed.

"I’m guessing you’re the one who wanted to meet me?"

Justinian asked, handing his wine glass to one of the servants who was cleaning.

"Correct."

The middle figure took off his hood; it was Fenrix, his smile smug and eyes imperceptibly sharp.

The other two also followed suit, taking off their hoods.

The only one familiar to Justinian was Elira, with her having a surprisingly amused look on their face. It seems she was also responsible for the elaborate plan that happened tonight.

"Surprise, Duke Thirell."

She chuckled lightly.