Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

CH716 Views of the Alston Family Elders II

**[A.N: Mass Release Chapter: 4/10]**

Both the Second and Third Elders nodded quietly, releasing soft sighs.

Whatever the future might hold, the old men found a measure of reassurance in the way Alex had consistently treated those allied to him. Thus far, he had ensured that his partners always gained something tangible from their relationship with him.

If he one day succeeded in winning over the younger generation of the Alston Family—just as he already had, and continued to do, with Admon Alston, better known as Raven Horn—then at the very least, they could take comfort in the belief that their descendants would be rewarded appropriately for their loyalty and service.

The First Elder gently placed his teacup down upon the table.

”I believe we should begin extending feelers towards the other Guardian Families,” he suddenly said.

The eyes of both the Second and Third Elders flashed with surprise.

Although the First Elder’s words were spoken casually, the implications behind them were anything but simple. It meant that the old man had likely already decided to fully support the Legatee.

Realising this, neither elder voiced any opposition. After all, the First Elder was no longer seeking their opinions—he was merely informing them of his decision.

”We should also reward the current Patriarch of House Belloc... Luth Belloc, was it? His eye for talent is indeed quite sharp,” the First Elder added.

”It just so happens that House Belloc is currently trapped between the ambitions of the Lumeria Imperial Family and the Luxen Duchy,” the Third Elder suggested thoughtfully. ”A fitting reward might be to ease some of that pressure from them.”

”Hm. Let us proceed with that,” the First Elder nodded. ”House Belloc, though fallen, remains one of the Guardian Families. If they are to properly support the Legatee—Young Master Alex—then they must first be freed from these external restraints.”

He turned his gaze towards the Third Elder.

”I shall leave the matter in your hands,” he said calmly.

”No problem,” the Third Elder nodded. ”I will have a quiet conversation with the Lumeria Emperor regarding the matter. He should still be willing to give me some face,” he added casually.

”Good.” The First Elder nodded once more.

Not long afterwards, the discussion gradually moved towards other matters—particularly the current state of the younger generation within House Alston.

—

Ostmont City, Belloc Barony, Lumeria Empire.

Baron Luth Belloc received two missives at almost the exact same time.

One of them came from his son, Kron Belloc.

Within the letter, Kron informed his father about his growing experiences staying with the Fortuna party in BloodIron city, while also vaguely touching upon the group’s recent progress.

Luth Belloc could not help the proud smile that formed upon his face.

At the very beginning, Kron had poured nearly every detail he could into the letters he sent home. But now, the boy had matured enough to understand that certain matters should not be committed to paper.

It was not merely a sign of Kron’s growing maturity, but also evidence of his loyalty and fealty towards the liege he had chosen to follow.

Luth Belloc felt a complicated mixture of emotions at that realisation.

As the head of House Belloc, part of him felt disappointed that Kron would place the affairs of another House above those of his own family. Yet as a father, he could not help but feel proud that his son had seemingly found his path in life.

The second letter the Baron received came from a far more unexpected source—one so significant that he reread the contents at least three times, his expression growing increasingly solemn with each pass, ensuring he had not misunderstood the message hidden within the letter.

A complicated sigh escaped his lips after he finally finished reading it.

He rose from his seat and walked towards the fireplace, where he tossed the letter into the flames and silently watched it burn away completely, leaving not even ashes behind.

At that moment, a knock sounded upon the door.

A second later, the butler stepped into the study.

”Master, Count Morgan Helfer has arrived,” the butler reported respectfully.

”Hm...” Baron Luth Belloc nodded indifferently.

He left the study to receive the Count personally, with the butler following quietly behind him.

”Count Morgan, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” Baron Luth Belloc asked as he met the Count near the entrance hall.

Count Morgan smiled charmingly.

”The Marquis of RavenLight sends his regards. He would have come personally, but he suspected that doing so would only earn greater displeasure from you.”

”He would be correct,” Baron Luth replied bluntly.

Count Morgan’s smile stiffened for the briefest moment. He studied the Baron intently during that instant before the charming smile smoothly returned to his face once more.

Seeing this, Baron Luth’s brows furrowed faintly. Nevertheless, he still ushered the Count into the castle.

”You have a magnificent castle,” Count Morgan commented with a faint smile. ”A shame that it has not truly been yours for quite some time now.”

However, the verbal jab earned nothing more than the same dispassionate expression from Baron Belloc.

”Did the second son of the Luxen Duchy send you here, after all your hard work claiming your friend’s fief—and even his wives and children—as your own, merely to exchange insults with me?” the Baron asked calmly, earning a sharp glare from the Count.

Although Count Morgan Helfer technically outranked Baron Luth Belloc in title, there was an old saying amongst nobles: before beating a dog, one must first look at its master.

Since Baron Luth belonged to the Imperial Faction, Morgan—who served a Ducal Faction—could not afford to openly disregard him. Especially not when Baron Belloc was a man with extensive friendships and connections occupying influential positions both within and beyond the borders of the Lumeria Empire.

’Soon... very soon, I will wipe that indifferent expression from your face,’ Count Morgan swore inwardly, venom filling his thoughts.

Even so, he maintained his polished façade outwardly.

”My liege, the Marquis of RavenLight, Asher von Luxen, requests your support during these turbulent times,” he said diplomatically.

”I am not a vassal of the Luxen Duchy. Nor does the Belloc Barony even fall within the Duchy’s territory. There is little assistance I could possibly provide the Marquis,” Baron Belloc replied calmly.

Then, with unmistakable ill will, he added,

”If it were Duke Luxen himself, then perhaps we might have matters worth discussing. But as things stand, the Marquis is merely a scion of House Luxen. There is nothing I could realistically aid him with.”

***