Chapter 10: Status
Lei looked at the group that had rescued him. The leading black-robed elder and the person beside him were both extremely powerful. Otherwise, that ‘Arbiter’ of the Dark Church wouldn’t have fled without even fighting.
The leading black-robed elder gave off a cold, sinister feeling.
“Vice Judge? The Radiant Church has been passed down for so many years, yet its internal system hasn’t changed. This Vice Judge should belong to the ‘Inquisition’.” Delin Cowart’s voice sounded in Linley’s mind. “In comparison, that ascetic is even more terrifying.”
Ascetic?
Linley couldn’t help but turn his gaze toward the ‘ascetic’.
That old man, dressed in sackcloth, barefoot, with long flowing hair, exuded an ancient and simple aura. When this ‘ascetic’ looked at Linley, Linley even felt a sensation like a spring breeze.
“A true expert,” Linley thought to himself.
The black-robed elder looked at Linley, forcing a rare smile onto his face. “Linley, come with us back to the Holy Capital first. Once we return to the Holy Capital, those men won’t dare to bother you anymore.”
Finlay City, the Holy Capital of the Sacred Alliance. The Radiant Church’s hidden forces in Finlay City, both overt and covert, were absolutely astonishing. Neither the Dark Church nor the Four Empires would likely dare to cause trouble in the Holy Capital.
******
In a mansion on Green Leaf Road in East Finlay, Linley was currently in the living room with Yale, discussing the battle saber ‘Slaughter’.
“Third Bro, I’ve already sent someone to inquire. The patriarch of the Lucas family absolutely refuses to sell the battle saber ‘Slaughter’. According to him, their family simply doesn’t need the money,” Yale said with a frown. “I think if you go in person, it might go better. Of course, that’s assuming they know who you are.”
The second-greatest magical prodigy in Yulan Continent history, possibly even a Saint-level Archmage in the future—a genius like that would probably get some face, even from the stubborn patriarch of the Lucas family.
“Then I’ll visit this Lucas family patriarch tonight,” Linley said. He was determined to obtain the battle saber ‘Slaughter’.
How could a family heirloom remain outside the family? Moreover, this was his father’s greatest wish, and the wish of generations of ancestors.
When Linley had left home for Ernst Institute, his father’s words still echoed in his ears—
“Linley. Remember the wish of our Baruch family’s ancestors over these past few hundred years. Remember the shame of our Baruch family!”
“After you graduate, you’ll be at least a sixth-grade mage. With hard work and dedication, becoming a seventh-grade mage isn’t difficult. Plus, you’re a dual-element mage! A seventh-grade dual-element mage is a major figure in the Finlay Kingdom. You’ll have every chance to reclaim our family heirloom. If you fail, even if I die, I won’t forgive you.”
…
“Even if I die, I won’t forgive you.” His father’s words struck Linley’s heart like a hammer.
Linley dared not forget. As long as he had the ability, no matter the cost, he would bring the battle saber ‘Slaughter’ back. This wasn’t just about the family—it was about his father.
“No matter what, I have to get it back,” Linley resolved.
If soft methods didn’t work, he’d use force.
Of course, it would be best if the family heirloom returned honorably. He hoped they would willingly hand it over.
“Boss, why don’t we just go and rob them?” Bebe’s voice sounded in Linley’s mind.
Linley glanced at Bebe, who was curled up on his lap, and tapped his little head. “Don’t cause trouble.” Bebe wrinkled his nose, snorted, and lay back down on Linley’s legs to sleep with his eyes closed.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside. A blue-robed middle-aged man entered and said respectfully, “Young Master Yale, a Finlay Kingdom minister named ‘Kailwin’ is outside. He wishes to see Young Master Linley.”
“Kailwin? Who’s that?” Yale frowned.
He usually couldn’t be bothered with some kingdom minister.
“Young Master, you’ve been looking into the Lucas family lately, haven’t you? This Kailwin is also a member of the Lucas family,” the blue-robed man said with a smile. “The current patriarch of the Lucas family is Kailwin’s uncle.”
Yale’s eyes lit up. “Let him in quickly.”
“Third Bro, it looks like getting your family heirloom back just got a lot easier,” Yale said, grinning at Linley.
Linley felt a surge of hope as well.
He turned his gaze toward the entrance. Moments later, a man with golden curly hair walked into the hall with a smile. Seeing Linley and Yale, he immediately bowed humbly. “Kailwin greets Young Master Yale and Young Master Linley.”
“Kailwin, what do you want with my brother?” Yale asked bluntly.
Kailwin wasn’t offended. He smiled and said, “I’ve come with an invitation from His Majesty for Young Master Linley. Young Master Linley, would you be willing to become a court mage of the Finlay Kingdom? His Majesty can grant you the title of Marquis, and even bestow upon you a large territory.”
Linley smiled.
He remembered the offer the Radiant Church’s Red Cardinal had once given him—he could join any kingdom under the Sacred Alliance and be granted the title of Duke directly. He wouldn’t have to do anything and could enjoy all the benefits.
“Kailwin, let me tell you, back at Ernst Institute, the Red Cardinal of the Radiant Church personally invited my brother. The conditions he offered were far better than yours,” Yale said mockingly.
Kailwin smiled and continued, “The terms are negotiable. His Majesty hopes that Young Master Linley will choose to stay in our Finlay Kingdom.”
Among the six kingdoms of the Sacred Alliance, their powers differed. If the Finlay Kingdom gained Linley’s support, the royal family’s position in the Sacred Alliance would become more secure.
After all…
The Radiant Church had the authority to depose a kingdom’s king, or even wipe out an entire royal family! The Church’s authority far exceeded royal power.
Having a powerful ally was crucial for a royal family.
“Kailwin,” Linley finally spoke.
Kailwin immediately bowed slightly, adopting an attentive posture.
“You’re from the Lucas family, aren’t you?” Linley cut straight to the point.
Kailwin nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. “Yes, the family patriarch is my uncle.”
“I am from the Baruch family,” Linley said, looking at Kailwin. “The Baruch family has a heirloom called the battle saber ‘Slaughter’. However, several hundred years ago, this saber left our family. I now hope to retrieve it. And as far as I know, our family’s heirloom is currently in your Lucas family.”
Linley stopped there.
Kailwin frowned.
“The battle saber ‘Slaughter’? The weapon of the first Dragonblood Warrior?” Kailwin looked at Linley.
Linley nodded slightly.
Kailwin paused for a moment, then said, “Young Master Linley, to be honest, the one with the most authority in our family is my uncle. He’s old now and holds no official position. His greatest hobby is collecting. This battle saber ‘Slaughter’ is one of his most prized possessions, something he often shows off to others. This treasure, worth nearly a million gold coins, is the most valuable item in our collection. You could say it’s my uncle’s pride and joy. Getting him to let it go… that will be very difficult.”
Linley frowned.
The battle saber ‘Slaughter’ had originally been sold for eighteen thousand gold coins. Although gold coins from several hundred years ago had more purchasing power than today’s, at most it would be equivalent to about forty thousand gold coins now. But he was saying a million gold coins.
It seemed…
That ‘shameful’ ancestor of his family had sold it too cheaply.
“Kailwin, this battle saber ‘Slaughter’ is our family’s heirloom, passed down for over five thousand years. Its importance to our family is obvious. To outsiders, it’s just a collectible, but to our family, having the heirloom lost outside is a disgrace,” Linley said, his expression darkening.
“I will wash away this family disgrace, no matter the cost. For this battle saber ‘Slaughter’, I will stop at nothing. Do you understand what I mean?” Linley stared at Kailwin.
Kailwin felt a sense of unease.
He had naturally heard of the Baruch family’s history, since the saber was in his own home.
For a glorious family that had once roamed the continent, the importance of a family heirloom was obvious. In the past, the Baruch family had been too weak, so they could be ignored. But now, with Linley’s sudden rise… not to mention the future Linley, even the current Linley could easily deal with their family.
If Linley simply mentioned to the Radiant Church that he wanted to reclaim the battle saber ‘Slaughter’ and wash away his family’s shame, the Lucas family would probably have to hand it over obediently.
But once the Radiant Church got involved, things would get serious.
“I understand what Young Master Linley means. I understand,” Kailwin said, feeling a bit nervous.
Linley smiled at Kailwin. “I hope your Lucas family can understand my predicament. As a member of my family, I have no choice. Kailwin, go back and talk to your uncle first. I will visit in person tonight.”
“The Lucas family welcomes your visit, Young Master Linley,” Kailwin said, already thinking about how to persuade that stubborn old uncle.
Watching Kailwin leave, Linley felt a sense of superiority.
Although he held no official position, his reputation preceded him. Just a few words to this Kailwin had made a kingdom minister anxious. All of this was because of his status, and his status came from his strength.
……
That evening.
The living room of the Lucas family’s ancient mansion was tastefully decorated. The dozen or so people gathered there were all highly influential figures in the Finlay Kingdom. The lowest rank among them was Count, and they were all there to wait for Linley.
Linley was a rising star in the Finlay Kingdom.
Although Linley was only seventeen years old and held no title, even the kingdom’s Dukes dared not underestimate him.
After all, no matter how influential these people were, their power was limited to the Finlay Kingdom. But Linley? He was someone valued by the Four Empires and the Two Alliances. Perhaps decades later, Linley would become a Red Cardinal of the Church, a position even higher than a kingdom’s king.
Building a good relationship while the other party’s status wasn’t yet too high was naturally very important.
Among these dozen people, only the Lucas family patriarch, Marquis Jeb, felt deeply uncomfortable. He was old and had few other hobbies. His greatest pride was this personal weapon of the first Dragonblood Warrior.
But now… the descendant of that family had come to claim it.
“Mr. Linley, please.”
“Mr. Yale, please.”
The servant’s voice from outside reached the living room, causing the dozen nobles inside to smile and look toward the entrance. Even the uncomfortable Marquis Jeb forced a smile and stepped forward to greet them.
Linley was a bit unaccustomed to being called ‘Mr.’ for the first time. At that moment, he saw a silver-haired old man with neatly combed hair walking over with a beaming smile, saying very politely, “Welcome, Linley and Yale, to my Lucas family. As the family patriarch, I, Jeb, am deeply honored.”
A smile appeared on Linley’s face.
It seemed… this matter had a chance!