My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 223

223. Investiture Ceremony (2)

Durak’s appearance brought a heavy silence to the banquet hall.

The nobles, who had been chatting, abruptly stopped talking.

Even the servants carrying food and drinks froze in place.

Time seemed to stand still.

Only the sound of Durak’s footsteps broke the silence.

He paced through the banquet hall before finally stopping.

Egret and Osley stood before him.

Egret, Osley, and Durak.

The eyes of the three men met.

Bennington and Panat quietly stepped back.

This was beyond their level of involvement.

The two pillars supporting the Empire faced off.

The head of Rothschild, Egret Rothschild.

The head of Elandur, Durak Elandur.

And Margrave Osley, responsible for the safety of the North.

Three figures at the pinnacle of the Empire.

“It’s been a while,” Durak said, greeting Egret and Osley casually.

Egret and Osley simply stared at Durak.

They weren’t sure how to react to his presence.

To be precise, they couldn’t understand why Durak was here.

Of course, there was no explicit reason why Durak couldn’t attend.

Attending the investiture ceremony was a matter of personal choice.

Besides, Durak was Cian’s father.

His presence could be seen as natural.

But those who knew the circumstances understood that Durak shouldn’t be here.

“I didn’t expect the Elandur to attend,” Egret said, a puzzled expression on his face.

“Is there a reason why I shouldn’t?”

“It’s not that,” Egret replied, shaking his head slightly.

As expected, there was no real reason to object to his attendance.

Egret stepped back slightly, and Osley spoke to Durak from behind him.

“You’re not planning to disrupt the investiture ceremony, are you…?”

“I am well aware that this is the Imperial Palace,” Durak retorted.

Osley fell silent.

Durak was right; this was the Imperial Palace.

No matter how reckless Durak was, causing trouble here was unthinkable.

Unless he was planning treason, it made no sense.

In short, there was nothing Durak could realistically do.

Yet, here he stood.

Osley stared intently at Durak.

Durak met his gaze with his characteristic calm expression.

The nobles in the banquet hall watched the scene unfold.

“…”

“…”

The nobles were speechless.

The heavy atmosphere in the banquet hall prevented them from speaking.

Margrave Osley of the North and Durak Elandur, the head of Elandur, were present.

And in the middle, Egret, the head of Rothschild, wore an intriguing expression.

Furthermore, the Saintess of the Holy Empire sat on one side, radiating a dazzling aura.

“An investiture ceremony for a Count… they say…”

How could this be considered a simple investiture ceremony for a Count?

The guest list alone resembled that of an Emperor’s coronation.

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere in the banquet hall was heavy.

The nobles, who had been laughing and chatting moments before, exchanged glances and remained silent.

The silence was so profound that it was hard to tell if this was a banquet hall or a library.

“Huh?”

A bewildered voice broke the silence.

“Why is the atmosphere like this?”

Cian’s voice echoed through the banquet hall.

All eyes turned to him.

“…What is it?” Cian asked, tilting his head.

He had come to see the gathered guests, but the atmosphere was strange.

It felt like a situation about to explode.

Cian scanned his surroundings, puzzled.

He noticed a few notable figures amidst the crowd.

First, Aria, sitting demurely on one side.

Then, Osley, with his bear-like appearance, slightly frowning.

Egret, stroking his white beard, watching with amusement.

And finally…

‘…Durak?’

Durak’s figure stood out.

Cian’s gaze stopped on Durak, who was looking at him calmly.

‘Why is Durak here?’ Cian wondered, tilting his head.

This was a celebration of the investiture ceremony.

It was a place Durak shouldn’t be.

Cian glanced around Durak, but the other members of Elandur were nowhere to be seen.

It seemed Durak had come alone.

Cian focused his gaze on Durak again.

Durak’s appearance was unexpected.

Well, technically, there was no reason why he couldn’t come.

But that was just arguing semantics.

Honestly, Durak shouldn’t be here.

‘But he came anyway?’

That meant Durak had an ulterior motive.

‘Is he trying to ruin the investiture ceremony?’

Cian quickly shook his head.

No matter how reckless Durak was, he wouldn’t cause a scene in the Imperial Palace.

Durak wasn’t that thoughtless.

‘Then why did he come?’

The reason for Durak’s presence remained a mystery.

Despite the news of Roswell and Nate, and the theft of the slush fund, he hadn’t immediately attacked Ruben.

And now, this sudden appearance.

‘It seems like he’s hiding something…’ Cian thought.

He couldn’t figure it out.

‘What should I do?’

Cian paused to consider his options.

Durak’s sudden arrival presented two choices.

First, he could pretend not to notice.

Ignore Durak’s presence and actions, and focus on his own responsibilities.

If he didn’t react, Durak wouldn’t be able to do anything, regardless of his motives.

In some ways, it was the most rational approach.

‘Hmm…’

Cian continued to ponder, and finally, he took a step forward.

With each step, the nobles’ eyes widened.

Finally, Cian stopped in one place.

He raised his head and looked.

“I didn’t expect Marquis Elandur to come either,” Cian said.

Durak stood before him.

More precisely, he stood where Egret and Osley were gathered.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall turned cold.

The gathered nobles gasped.

Everyone held their breath, watching the confrontation between Cian and Durak.

Durak seemed surprised by Cian’s actions.

His eyebrows twitched slightly, revealing surprise and a hint of embarrassment.

But it was fleeting.

“Is there a reason why I shouldn’t?” Durak asked, quickly regaining his composure.

His expression was calm as usual.

As expected, it was impossible to guess his thoughts.

“I don’t think it’s something I need to say,” Cian replied.

Durak’s calm facade cracked.

His eyebrows twitched uncontrollably, contorting in anger.

Durak’s gaze turned to Cian.

His sharp eyes conveyed a powerful intensity.

A terrifying energy emanated from Durak’s entire body.

Cian felt a terrible force strangling him.

An overwhelming presence pressed down on him.

A terrifying murderous intent made it difficult to breathe.

However, the others in the banquet hall seemed unaffected.

The murderous intent was directed solely at Cian.

It was a targeted attack that didn’t harm others.

However, skilled individuals like Osley and Egret could sense Durak’s power.

A powerful suppressive force bound Cian.

Durak’s power threatened to crush him with sheer force.

“I see,” Cian said slowly.

“It seems like you’re uncomfortable.”

“…!” Durak’s eyes widened.

Cian seemed unfazed by the onslaught.

He was absorbing the power without any visible reaction.

Those who could sense Durak’s power were equally astonished.

They knew how terrible Durak’s power was.

Durak, a Master-level swordsman and considered the best on the continent, was unleashing a targeted murderous intent.

One might be able to withstand the momentum, but not without any problems, as Cian seemed to be doing.

Perhaps only someone like Egret could accomplish that here.

Yet, Cian was absorbing the power with an indifferent expression.

No, to be exact…

‘Something’s wrong…?’ Cian thought.

The power felt from Durak certainly contained immense strength, but that was all.

With the Demon Soul Control Method at 100% completion, it didn’t matter if he was the best swordsman on the continent.

Even the strongest Arnaise, or Kyle’s Aura Training Method, couldn’t affect Cian with mere power.

No one in the banquet hall, the entire continent, or its history could do that.

Therefore, Durak’s power was not a problem for Cian.

Nevertheless, Cian couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

‘Why is the magic reacting?’

The Demon Soul Control Method was reacting to Durak’s power.

When Cian visited the Elandur mansion, the Demon Soul Control Method had reacted when he directly received Durak’s energy.

So, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

But…

‘What is it…?’

He felt a different sensation than before.

A subtle difference he couldn’t quite define.

Was it because the Demon Soul Control Method had reached 100% completion, making him more sensitive?

Perhaps, but it felt too simplistic.

It was a feeling that was somehow familiar yet unfamiliar.

It was like…

‘Wait. Could this be…?’

A thought flashed through Cian’s mind.

At that moment, Durak’s power subsided.

Cian’s magic, which had been reacting strangely, also calmed down.

Cian looked at Durak.

Durak had regained his composure and was looking back at Cian.

Their eyes met.

Then, Durak turned his head slightly.

He turned his back and strode away.

“I have no intention of causing trouble,” he said before leaving the banquet hall.

Durak’s receding figure seemed genuine in his intent to leave quietly.

‘What the hell is he up to?’ Cian wondered, staring at Durak’s departing figure.

#

The atmosphere in the banquet hall remained heavy.

But as Durak left, the tension gradually eased, and the sound of conversation slowly returned.

However, the frozen atmosphere hadn’t completely thawed.

Cian scanned his surroundings.

Osley and Egret, who were nearby, stared at him.

But Cian ignored them and continued to look around.

He spotted Aria, a platinum-blonde woman, in the distance.

Her striking appearance made her easy to find.

Cian walked towards Aria.

He was meeting Aria after a long time.

Perhaps that was why, but she seemed different.

She wore a pure white dress and looked at Cian demurely.

The tomboyish Aria he knew was gone.

She now resembled a slender, beautiful girl.

And she wore the Muriel’s jewelry that Cian had given her.

Aria’s beauty combined with the jewelry was honestly… pretty.

Cian stared blankly at Aria and said, “Hey.”

Aria looked up at him with slightly surprised eyes.

She seemed unaware of his approach.

Aria’s clear voice was soft and gentle.

Was there divine power in her voice?

She truly resembled a Saintess.

Gasps of admiration came from the noblemen nearby.

“What are you doing?” Cian asked.

He really wondered what was going on.

Was she really crazy?

“Why are you suddenly like this?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Why are you suddenly using honorifics? And what’s with that tone?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…” Aria demurely tucked her platinum blonde hair behind her ear.

Her innocent expression, combined with the pure white dress, exuded a transcendent beauty.

“Wow…”

“A goddess…”

The surrounding nobles gasped.

Even the noblewomen stared blankly at Aria’s beauty.

It was truly a living miracle.

“Ugh…!” But for Cian, it was a living disaster.

He covered his forehead, feeling a sudden dizziness.

He frowned involuntarily.

The magic that reacted to Aria’s divine power was boiling.

In the past, he wouldn’t have been able to control it.

But with the Demon Soul Control Method at 100% completion…

“Hoo…!” Cian quickly suppressed the boiling magic.

He turned his gaze to Aria.

“Did you pick up some divine power somewhere?”

Honestly, Aria’s divine power shouldn’t bother him anymore.

He could perfectly control the magic now.

But…

“More disgusting than before… Ugh…!”

Aria had become stronger than before.

“Young Master… are you okay? Could it be that just now…?”

Aria’s refined lady act was making him sick.

“I’ll heal you with divine power,” she said, moving closer to his face.

Her beauty was enhanced by a strange fragrance that stung Cian’s nose.

His nausea intensified.

Cian frowned and pushed Aria away.

“Hey, I told you not to come closer. More than that, you. Are you pretending in front of people now? Or did you eat something wrong?”

“What? Your words are too much–”

“Okay. Just do it as usual. Ugh…!” Cian staggered.

Aria closed her mouth.

A moment of silence followed.

“Tsk,” Aria finally said, as if chewing the words.

Cian felt his stomach stabilizing.

“You should have come out like that sooner.”

“Yeah. Are you okay now?”

“Hoo. I feel like I’m going to live.”

His stomach was getting better.

Aria glared at Cian with a sulky expression.

Really… what glory am I trying to gain by coming here?

I even chose this dress and put on makeup to brighten up the investiture ceremony.

What’s so great about a kid who hasn’t contacted me once…!

And what’s the first thing he says when he meets me after a long time?

Disgusting?

“By the way. Hey.”

“Why!” Aria shouted back for no reason.

The nobles were startled and looked at Aria.

“Anyway, you have a temper,” Cian said, shaking his head.

Well, anyway.

“You didn’t notice anything strange just now?”

“Strange? What’s strange? Don’t tell me you’re saying I’m strange…”

Aria made a very sulky expression.

Cian quickly continued, as if asking what she was talking about.

“No, not you.”

“Not… me?”

Cian nodded and said, “I’m talking about Durak from just now. Didn’t you notice anything strange?”

“Durak…? If it’s Durak…?” Aria lowered her gaze, lost in thought.

But only for a moment.

“The person you were fighting with just now?” She quickly recognized Durak and nodded.

Durak Elandur, known as the best swordsman on the continent.

Although Aria was a Saintess from another country, she knew Durak’s name.

“We didn’t fight.”

“He was spreading his power like he was going to kill you. He just didn’t draw his sword, but what’s the difference between that and fighting?” Aria continued.

It wasn’t wrong, so Cian smiled awkwardly.

“Anyway. Didn’t you notice anything strange about Durak?”

“Hmm… not really? Just that he’s not the best swordsman on the continent for nothing?”

Aria didn’t seem to sense anything strange.

Therefore, it could be Cian’s imagination.

‘I was the only one who could feel it…’ Cian thought.

On the other hand, it could be something only Cian could sense.

“Why suddenly that?”

“Because something’s strange.”

“So what?” Aria asked, frustrated.

Cian paused to think instead of answering.

The strange energy he felt from Durak.

And the energy that only Cian could feel.

Something familiar yet unfamiliar.

There weren’t many things like that.

No, there was only one.

“Lustria.”

“Lustria?” Aria asked back.

But only for a moment.

“Wait, if it’s Lustria…” Aria’s eyes widened as she recalled the name.

The evil that even the Saintess Aria couldn’t sense.

The Seven Deadly Sins.

One of the seven demons who awakened from that sin.

“The Demon of Lust…?”

The seven demon lords who had been annihilated by Cian in the past.

The Demon Lord of the Seven Sins, the Demon of Lust.

“Why did I feel Lustria’s energy from Durak?” Cian muttered.

#

Heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor of the Imperial Palace.

Durak, who had left the banquet hall, continued to walk.

His footsteps didn’t stop even after leaving the Imperial Palace.

He stopped in a secluded alleyway with few people even in the capital, Darkan.

“Is it your hobby to hide like a rat?” Durak’s voice echoed softly.

He was alone in the alleyway.

“I shouldn’t reveal my existence yet,” a bright voice said.

A woman with white hair appeared from one side of the alleyway.

“That’s a statement worthy of an expelled cardinal,” Durak said.

It was Rachel, the head of the Twilight Sect and a former cardinal of the Holy Empire.

“I don’t care, but the power inside me… is a bit of a problem. Even coming to the capital like this is taking a risk,” Rachel said with a bright smile.

Her hair, the color of a lily, was neatly braided back.

“More than that, how was it?” Rachel asked, smiling.

“Do you still intend to cut off my head?”

Durak didn’t answer.

He couldn’t say anything special.

The ridiculous fact that Cian might surpass him.

He had confirmed it with his own eyes.

Durak couldn’t open his mouth easily.

He couldn’t bring himself to give a straight answer.

“…What do you want?”

“Oh my. You’ve finally decided to talk to me,” Rachel said, smiling.

“First of all… shall we watch the investiture ceremony a little more?”

Rachel’s smile held a hint of darkness.