Epic Of The Demonic Sage

"I'm glad then to have been helpful to you." Viscount Felldan said. "It will take some time and experience to become a proper lord, but with due diligence, I believe that you will take after your father well."

Lucius held back from making any comments and instead focused on the information he had gained from Viscount Felldan.

'The minor nobles who were complaining about how the Inanis Family is operating are located alongside the borders of the Land of Etara, near the Aisse territory and the Kutan plains. I already know beforehand that the ruler of the Aisse territory does not have much love for Count Gabriel and neither does Duke Wilda. Lucius thought to himself.

Viscount Felldan noticed the quietness of Young Lord Asher but didn't make any comments, he simply took his time to drink Humble Blaze and observed the rest of the nobility interacting among themselves.

Perhaps, Viscount Felldan thought that Asher was taking in and absorbing all the information that he was given and made no move to speak with him any further until then.

And if that was the case, then Viscount Felldan's assumption was partly right, except for the assumption that 'Asher' was trying to learn all of this for the first time.

On the contrary, Lucius was already quite used to the political landscape due to his background of being a servant who had ascended through the ranks of the Great Barrom clan through his knowledge.

'As I've discussed with Kiana earlier, my conclusion on how to deal with these minor nobility is still the same. They are either reflecting the views of Duke Wilda and the Earl Aisse… and thus I would either need to get rid of them or turn them to our side.' Lucius mused to himself. 'According to Viscount Felldan, some of them have fallen in rank and others wish to grow and that means that they will claw through whatever they will to obtain what their hearts covet and desire. If wielded properly, they can be useful tools and can become thorns on the side of Duke Wilda and Earl Aisse.'

It was a natural move in Lucius's mind. If he was able to control the pawns that belonged on the enemy's side then there was much he could gain and benefit from it.

Knowing this, Lucius turned to look at Viscount Felldan and decided to address him.

"Viscount Felldan, may I perhaps implore you again for some aid?"

"In what manner, Young Lord Asher?" Viscount Felldan asked with a genial smile.

'I still need to certainly assess Viscount Felldan as well and whatever he truly is, but for now, since he claims to be someone on the side of Count Inanis, then it will be of use to have him accompany me.' Lucius thought. 'Baron Hugh's wife has given me and the rest of the Inanis family some odd looks earlier, and while I may be mistaken, there is always a chance for them to truly be different from what they claim to be.'

"You have informed me greatly on the current political atmosphere that we have today, but as Baron Hugh once told his son, Lord Benjamin, a wealth of information at your disposal will do little without any concrete actions and decisive plans," Lucius said.

"Baron Hugh is an excellent man, is he not?" Viscount Felldan said. "I pay him respects for his dedication and it is good that you've gleaned knowledge from him too, Young Lord."

"Indeed, and now I wish to go on and test other areas in which a lord is required to participate in. I'm fairly confident in how I wield my sword, but I'm afraid that I may be poor when it comes to the manner of speech."

"Is that so? I've found our current conversation most pleasing," Viscount Felldan said.

"You oblige me with your relationship with my father, but I do not think that I will be afforded the same graces if I were to speak with other individuals who do not share the same sentiments as you do, Viscount Felldan," Lucius said. "If you will, could you perhaps indulge me and judge my skills in conversation?"

Viscount Felldan looked at the young lord Asher in front of him and then immediately glanced towards the minor nobles.

The five of them were now drinking Humble Blazes as well. Their faces were a little red, drunk from alcohol, but their spirits were still unpleasant still as they continued to bicker and whisper among themselves.

"When you speak of the people who do not share the same sentiments as I… am I under the correct presumption that you do not wish to talk with people like Baron Hugh's children, Baron Glintaxe or others of the same temperament but wish to converse with the most ill-mannered ones instead? Those who have spoken so almost openly against you and your family, Young Lord Asher?"

"That is correct, Viscount Felldan," Lucius said. "I wish for you to assess how I deal with them and measure my competency from there."

'Any other noble would perhaps see my desire and talk me out of it as it is a risky endeavor to approach these five nobles, minor as they are, without the knowledge of Count Gabriel or Countess Inanis. My actions as their son, Asher Inanis, may implicate them if I were to do something grave and rash… so what will Viscount Felldan do?'

"Hmm, some may discourage you from doing so, Young Lord Asher," Viscount Felldan said with a smile. "However, since you have asked me politely, I cannot find it within me to refuse. Besides, if you are to find yourself in a difficult position while speaking with them, I will naturally intervene and assist you so as to not land yourself in trouble."

"Is that so, Viscount Felldan?" Lucius asked.

"Haha, I'm a little worried that if I refuse then you will simply go ahead and do it without me anyway. You're still your father's son, after all."

It was almost impressive for Viscount Felldan to say such things, but Lucius saw the intrigue in the nobleman's eyes.