Woah, this place sure has changed a lot.
"Please enter, young master," Mel said.
As Gideon walked towards his seat, someone spoke.
"Why bother calling that freeloader," Gideon, Marcus said.
Reynard snapped, "How dare you call my brother a freeloader!"
"All he does is eat and sleep. He doesn't even have any achievements. At that age, I've already mastered how to use every sword. The only thing worth noting from him is that he can sleep all day, hahaha," Marcus responded.
Gideon smirked, "Calm down, Reynard. There is no point arguing with that kind of people."
The patriarch and the other members of the House Valentine arrived at the scene.
"What's the commotion happening here?" Owen said with a piercing gaze.
"Nothing, Father. I'm just teasing my cute little brothers," Marcus replied.
"Is that so? Mel, you can bring out the food now."
Mel nodded and brought out the food. As they were eating, Owen broke the silence and spoke.
"Alice, I've heard about your achievements from the frontlines. That you've slayed a noble-rank demon."
"Ahh, yes Father. I've killed a Duke. He's a vassal lord of the Demon Lord Treachery. We took over his state and we made camp," Alice replied.
Everyone at the table was shocked to hear the news. The silence was so loud.
For real? She killed a vassal of the Demon Lord of Treachery.
"Your sister is strong but still nowhere near your father," Wise said.
Even in my time when I was Claudius, there was no one strong enough to kill a Duke. I bet the other houses are shitting bricks from the news, hahaha.
"Yeah, I think so. The 6 great houses have been competing for power for like centuries," Wise said.
The power gap has never been this high before.
"Everyone in this room is strong. Even your mother and those 5 guys are on par with your sister."
What do you expect? They basically own half of the kingdom.
"Hahaha," Owen laughed, lifted the silence, and said, "Another monster was born into our house."
"I'm so glad that you are safe from your journey, Alice," Elizabeth gladly said.
"Don't worry about me, Mother," Alice replied.
The brother of the patriarch, Clay Valentine, suddenly spoke, "Brother, I have some information that you'd want to hear."
"What is it?"
Clay replied with a cold voice, "My men from the capital have reported that the lords from the council are suggesting to the king that we should be stripped of our titles. They fear that we might rebel because of how fast we've been growing every year and now have half of the kingdom's land in our grasp."
Aurelius was furious, slammed his hand on the table, "Those bastards suggesting the king to remove our title because we've outpaced them!"
Well, this is kinda chaotic. I thought they'd just brag about their achievements.
Jude spoke with a calm voice, "Watch your words, brother. I know that you are mad, but you can't take that out on the dinner table."
Owen asked Clay with a serious look on his face, "Tell me, Clay, who are those lords that suggested that to our king?"
Clay replied, "It was Veron Vellcranis and other minor houses. I think the Magic Tower is involved too, but I will still confirm it."
"Brother, I wage war against the House of Vellcranis and the other minor houses," Aurelius said.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"You can't do that move. They can play like we attacked them because we are rebelling," Jude replied.
"Jude is right," Clay added.
"Silence everyone! I will talk to the king in person about this issue. Mel, can you send a letter to the king that I will visit him."
"Yes, milord," Mel replied.
Aurelius said, "But that's absurd, brother."
"I will just tell the king personally that I will not rebel. I'm just going to give him a sense of security," Owen replied.
"Isn't that basically saying I'm going to rebel?"
"Even if I rebel, can they stop me? I alone can decide their fate whether they live or die," Owen said with a chilling voice.
"You know your father is kind of scary, don't you think, Gideon?" Wise said.
Well, he's strong enough to destroy a kingdom.
"Doesn't matter anymore. Whatever you do, we're always on your side, brother," Clay replied.
The others nodded.
* * *
Phew! Thank God it's already finished. The tension inside is so suffocating.
"Yeah, but you need to prepare for the worst-case scenario that could happen," Wise said.
Alright, let's do this mission.
[Mission]
[Push-ups: 0/100]
[Sit-ups: 0/100]
[Squats: 0/100]
[10Km run: 0km/10km]
[Reward: Common chest]
[Yes] or [No]
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, the mission time limit decreases every time you finish the quest."
What!
"You'll be fine, especially since you've gained that passive skill."
Yeah, right.
As Gideon was doing his daily mission, he noticed that he was barely breaking a sweat. By doing 100 push-ups, his arms didn't hurt a bit.
How come my arms are alright after doing all that!
"Maybe you've gained something," Wise gave him a smug look.
Something what?
"Oh nothing. Look up there, the old man has taken a liking to you."
Gross!
"No, not that thing. What I meant to say was a mentor-relationship thingy."
I see. But I already know the swordsmanship of the House Valentine. That's why I didn't even bother training.
"I forgot that you were a Valentine before. So, if you sparred against your brother Reynard, who would win?"
Isn't it obvious?
"I see. So, he was better than you."
You damn shadow ball, it's the other way around.
Mel suddenly arrived from behind Gideon without him noticing and spoke, "Young master, the patriarch ordered me to tell you that he will be taking you to the capital tomorrow."
Gideon's heart skipped a beat from the shock, "You nearly killed me, Mel! I have told you to stop doing that."
"Pardon me, young master... I will go now," Mel replied.
"You should've seen your face, hahaha," Wise laughed at Gideon.
I should get back now.
* * *
Yes! I've finished the mission without breaking a sweat.
[Mission Complete]
[Reward: Common chest]
[Claim]
Let's see what I get... What's this? A pair of gloves?
[Details]
[Tier: D]
[Iron Hand]
[Passive: Can sustain impact shocks]
[+4 Strength]
[+1 Speed]
"Not bad after all. I thought you were just lucky yesterday," Wise said.
"Hehehe, of course," Gideon said with a smug look.
I'm gonna upgrade my stats now. Open system.
[Name: Gideon Valentine]
[Title: None]
[Job: None]
[Level: 4]
[EXP: 52/100]
[Skill Points: 6]
[Status]
Strength: 6 +
Stamina: 11 +
Endurance: 18 +
Speed: 5 +
Wisdom: 6 +
[Passive: Resilience]
Less stamina consumption and body of steel.
What's this? I have a passive I didn't see yesterday.
"I was about to tell you when you woke up, but your maid suddenly arrived and I forgot. My bad, hahaha."
So much for a wise sage that knows everything.
[Name: Gideon Valentine]
[Title: None]
[Job: None]
[Level: 4]
[EXP: 52/100]
[Skill Points: 6]
[Status]
Strength: 9
Stamina: 14
Endurance: 18
Speed: 5
Wisdom: 6
Well, I should sleep now. I'll be going to the capital tomorrow. What a drag.
"What a lazy axx," Wise added.
Shut up, you damn shadow ball. I'm going back to my sleep.
