Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 257: Chapter 244: An Invitation to Witness Power

The oak door to the reception hall slid open without a sound, and Knight Locke’s figure appeared in the doorway.

This trusted knight of Lord Paris remained stern and resolute, but his brow was creased with a persistent anxiety.

He gave Jon a crisp military salute, the metal of his gauntlets striking his breastplate with a dull CLANG.

”Mr. Jon, my lord has ordered me to come and invite you to participate in the final encirclement of Heta County City.”

Jon did not respond immediately.

He was sunk deep in a large armchair, his calm gaze sweeping over Locke’s weathered and anxious face. His right hand rested on the arm of the chair, tapping softly—TAP, TAP, TAP.

Each soft tap seemed to pluck at Locke’s taut heartstrings.

The air seemed to freeze, leaving only the monotonous tapping and the restless flickering of the fireplace flames.

Claudio’s silver-gray eyes were downcast, making him look like a silent statue.

The Old Dwarf, however, openly pursed his lips in displeasure.

Seeing their reactions, Locke swallowed hard.

He knew a rift had formed between his lord and Jon, but he never expected to face a situation like this.

Jon’s silence at this moment weighed on him more heavily than any outright refusal.

So he couldn’t help but take a half-step forward, his voice rising, tinged with an urgency that was almost a plea as he tried to break the silence.

”Mr. Jon! You are the hero who saved Birch Town! If you could come to the front lines, the troops’ morale will surely soar!”

”Please, you must not refuse—”

But Jon still didn’t answer.

The tapping of his fingers on the armrest didn’t even pause. His profound gaze seemed to pierce through the thick walls to a place far beyond, as if he were waiting for something.

And just as Locke was about to be crushed by the heavy silence and prepared to speak again—

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

A clear knocking at the door sounded again, breaking the almost frozen air in the reception hall.

”Mr. Jon, apologies for the intrusion.”

The oak door once again slid silently inward, opening a crack.

Several figures entered one after another.

Leading them was Stier, Knight Commander to the Third Princess, Belina. He had a solemn expression, and behind him was Master Wood, whose hair and beard were white but whose face was now flushed red with excitement.

Following closely was Evelyn, an attendant to the Seventh Princess, Cecilia. Her steps were light, and she wore a proper smile. Behind her was the silent, tower-like Guard Knight.

Their appearance instantly changed the atmosphere in the reception hall.

Stier habitually scanned the room, and when his gaze swept past Knight Locke, it naturally took on a hint of condescension.

Master Wood, however, was completely immersed in some shocking discovery, unconsciously muttering things like, ”Impossible... that kind of energy conversion efficiency... how on earth was it achieved...” completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere.

But Locke’s gaze was inevitably drawn to the newcomers.

He stared intently at the shining emblems on Stier’s Shoulder Armor and Evelyn’s lapel—the golden Griffin entwined with thorns, the symbol of the Harvia Empire’s supreme power!

That was the crest of the Benest Royal Family!

The loyal Knight froze on the spot as if struck by lightning, the anxiety on his face replaced by a mixture of shock and bewilderment.

His brain seemed to stop working, with only a single, deafening question echoing madly inside.

’Why? Why would the envoys of two royal heirs participating in the [Royal Selection Ceremony] appear at the same time in Birch Town, on the Northern Border? Why here, at Grent Manor?’

However, no one answered his question.

Stier was the first to bow to Jon, his posture even more solemn than when they had met earlier.

”Mr. Jon, thank you for your generosity.”

”The craftsmanship of the Giant God Workshop is truly breathtaking, and Master Wood was deeply inspired during his tour.”

Perhaps hearing his own name, the old scholar behind Stier finally snapped out of his muttering, his wrinkled face flushed crimson with excitement.

”Revolutionary! Mr. Jon! This is absolutely a monumental achievement that will upend the entire field of Engineering!”

”How did you solve the stability and energy conversion rate of the miniature Magic Furnace? And the linked structure of the joints, is that a new design—”

”Master Wood, please wait a moment. I know why you are here.”

Jon calmly cut off Wood’s flood of questions, his gaze passing over him to land on Stier and Evelyn.

”Allowing you to tour the Workshop was merely to show you the ’form’ of the Mechanical Bodies.”

He paused briefly. The flickering firelight from the hearth cast shifting shadows across his well-defined features, and the warmth suffusing the air seemed to thicken.

”If you wish to witness the true ’Power’ of the Giant God Workshop, then right now, there is a perfect opportunity.”

”The rebellion in Heta County, instigated by that mad Count Nerva, has reached a dead end.”

Jon’s gaze turned to Knight Locke, who stood frozen by the door.

”Why don’t we all go to Heta County City and witness the end of that mad Count for ourselves? You can also see how the creations of my Giant God Workshop tear apart enemy lines on a real battlefield.”

Hearing these words, Stier and Evelyn almost subconsciously exchanged a glance, a flicker of minute shock and calculation flashing in both their eyes.

As envoys of the royal heirs, directly participating in a local lord’s campaign against a rebellious Count was undoubtedly beyond the scope of their duties, and could even invite unwanted political interpretation.

Stier’s thick eyebrows knitted together almost imperceptibly, and the corners of Evelyn’s perpetually gentle smile tightened for a brief moment.

However, Jon’s invitation to ”witness true Power,” coupled with the reality of their rival’s envoy standing right before them, was like an invisible whip lashing at them.

In this situation, to refuse meant showing weakness in front of a rival.

Not only would they miss a key opportunity to observe the true capabilities of the Giant God Workshop up close, but they might also put their side at a disadvantage in any potential future cooperation!

In almost the same instant, the trace of hesitation in both envoys’ eyes was replaced by a much stronger resolve.

Stier abruptly straightened his back, his breastplate clanging, his resonant voice carrying the unquestionable spirit of a soldier.

”How could we possibly refuse Mr. Jon’s invitation?”

”As a Knight of the Empire and a Personal Guard to Her Highness Belina, I am willing to contribute my strength to ending the rebellion!”

Evelyn followed suit, curtsying gracefully. Her voice was still soft, but it carried a resolve that could not be ignored.

”Indeed. Her Highness Cecilia is also deeply concerned about the peace of the Northern Empire.”

”It would be our honor to accompany Mr. Jon to the front lines and witness the victory of justice.”

Beneath her gentle smile was a determination in no way inferior to Stier’s.

The taut strings of Knight Locke’s heart suddenly loosened, and the suffocating pressure that had nearly crushed him receded like a tide.

Now that things had come to this, his mission was undoubtedly complete.

But...

He looked at the gleaming golden griffins on the two envoys’ attire, his heart a constant tangle of apprehension and bewilderment.

’What does it mean for the envoys of two royal heirs to get involved...?’

The significance of this impending ”witnessing,” and the storm it might unleash, was far beyond the limits of what an Ordinary Knight like him could imagine.