The Invincible Full-Moon System

Chapter 1974: Full Humiliation (2)

”It’s worse than we thought,” Davina whispered and squeezed Rex’s bicep.

”Yes...” Rex nodded. ”I reckoned.”

In a political setting, being stopped multiple times along the way is a sign of isolation, but the humiliation should still vary depending on the actual title of the isolated person. For instance, in the exact same situation, a Duke would certainly be treated better than a Baron.

No matter what, a Duke is still a Duke.

And the backlash of humiliating a Duke too much would be catastrophic.

One being building resentment from the Duke and those loyal to him, an open wound that’d most likely fester. And the other is that the Duke title itself would lose its luster in the eyes of the other nobles.

If the Emperor could humble a Duke so easily, the rank held no sacred weight.

A Marquis might speak to a Duke with open disrespect—having witnessed how little the title truly meant in the Emperor’s shadow. And the dynamic would shift from nobles making good contributions to the empire to rise in rank to wanting to take down the Emperor himself.

After all, the only title with meaningful luster is the Emperor title.

Having a rank indirectly helped the Emperor maintain control.

Losing that rank would only mean inevitable chaos.

And in the context of the High Lords, the same rules applied, but the field changed.

Since High Lord Rashal arrived last, the other High Lords must think that he’s now doomed. No more future. He was at the bottom of the invisible hierarchy now. And as there was no real rank among the High Lords, this meant High Lord Ursa had already won.

Most of the High Lords were already on his side.

Nobody is on High Lord Rasha’s side anymore.

Just one defeat, and his aura of invincibility was shattered.

And that single crack had triggered a cascade, shoving him to the deepest pit of isolation.

”Sigh...” Davina shook her head. ”After all that discussion—it seemed we were going with your plan.”

”I’m normally on your side, but I’m also annoyed,” Lilliana added as she also held Rex’s other arm.

”What’s wrong with you girls?” Rex cackled inwardly. ”What’s wrong with my plan? Isn’t it a good thing that I made my plan in case the situation was far worse than we anticipated? Be glad a little.”

”Eugh...” Davina rolled her eyes.

”So typical of men,” Lilliana clicked her tongue. ”Rex is going to save the day—with his fists again.”

High Lord Rashal and his seconds were greeted at the gates not by a representative of the host like any High Lord normally would, but by a handful of guards who approached with slow, unhurried strides.

Men who had permission to waste their time.

Just the fact that the convoy had been the last to arrive was a slap in the face.

And now, rather than being waved through, they needed to disembark from their vehicles and wait before being escorted inside. Eventually. The courtyard stretched before them, a long, entirely deliberate promenade of blue marble and silver filigree, designed to make every guest marvel at the full grandeur before reaching the mansion doors.

High Lord Rashal ascended the staircase.

Musicians in official blue attire flanked the sapphire carpet; their instruments were placed on their sides for the moment, and their eyes fixed forward. Everyone was already inside, already in their seats and socializing.

High Lord Rasha’s party would make the walk alone.

And every guest would notice their late arrival, which was another slap.

Despite the current predicament, High Lord Rashal’s expression did not change at all.

He was known to be calm at most times and fiery when needed, and right now, the calmness of a monk settled over his features. A mask so perfectly forged—that it had become practically indistinguishable from his real face.

Elegantly, he arrived at the top and stopped before the massive doors.

High Lord Rashal looked so dashing and proper in his crisp red and black suit that it seemed the entire world was gravitating towards him. Like he was in the same position as always. In a dominating position as always.

Instinctively, the musicians saluted, and the announcer’s voice rang across the ballroom.

”High Lord Rashal of Larta City!”

Almost instantly, every head turned toward the doors.

The trumpets resounded—their notes bright and ceremonial, filling the silence outside.

High Lord Rashal didn’t bring an entourage. He didn’t bring courtiers or consorts or the usual parade of influence meant to dazzle the gathered elite. Beside him walked only one person—Vadyn, his cousin.

His only family member.

And the statement was unmistakable.

Both of them came from humble origins, rose through the ranks together, and now mingle with the high class together. Whatever happened inside these walls, victory or defeat, the two of them would meet it together, without pretense.

Just like it had always been.

Rex and the rest of High Lord Rashal’s seconds moved to follow.

But a line of guards stepped into their path, barring the way with their arms.

Henry was the first one to speak; his voice carried the edge of someone unaccustomed to being barred like this. After all, a month ago, he never would have dreamed that this would happen to him with how powerful High Lord Rashal was.

”We are with High Lord Rashal.” He said sternly. ”We are on the list.”

Despite the anger in Henry’s tone, the lead guard did not blink. ”I’m aware.”

”Then what are you doing? Move, or I’ll make you move.”

”Your entrance is not from here.”

”Not from here?” Henry scowled. ”Then where do you suppose we enter from? From the back door? Or should we enter through the servant’s door? Did you also treat those who followed their High Lords like this?”

Sensing the animosity, a massive dog leashed to the side—a beast the size of a horse with fur bristling with Demigod-level power—growled low in its throat with its teeth bared. It was the guard dog that would exact pain if necessary.

”Stop him,” Davina whispered to Rex. ”They are searching for an excuse to kick us out.”

Rex nodded his head and shifted his crimson eyes at the massive dog.

He didn’t glare at it. Didn’t even need to make a threat through his gaze. Just a look, and like a predator meeting the apex predator for the first time, the growl died in the animal’s throat. It sat with its tail tucked.

Noticing this, the guard glanced down at his suddenly docile companion.

A flicker of unease crossed his otherwise stone face.

Just then, Rex stepped forward and placed a hand against Henry’s stomach, pushing him back as a signal that he shouldn’t be losing it right now. Not when High Lord Rashal was doing his hardest to remain calm despite wanting to ransack the entire place.

Realizing that anger was getting the better of him, Henry stepped back.

He closed his eyes and steadied his breathing.

”Apologies for our ignorance. After all, we are not informed beforehand,” Rex said and curled a pliant smile, one that helped him look a little bit unthreatening. ”Care to tell us which door we could use to enter?”

For a second, the lead guard paused.

Inside, he was fretting over recognizing who Rex was, but couldn’t.

A stranger, and yet High Lord Rashal’s seconds considered him to be a respectable figure.

Just from how he stopped Henry from overreacting with a small gesture, and the ease with which he spoke on behalf of the entire group, was proof enough that he held standing among them. And not to mention, Rex’s crimson eyes also seemed to contain something.

One that made the lead guard believe he was the one who intimidated the massive dog.

”Sir?” Rex spoke again, snapping the lead guard from his trance.

Even the other guards glanced at him in confusion.

”If you wish to enter,” the lead guard said, clearing his throat. ”You will use the side entrance. Going through there would be more appropriate.”

Appropriate—the words hung in the air like smoke.

A dozen cars in the convoy, a High Lord’s full retinue, and they were being funneled through the side entrance like they were guards. Rex didn’t argue. He flashed a mild smile and walked to the side, followed by the others.

He paused at the massive dog and reached out his hand to pet it.

Many of the guards moved to stop him.

It would be a commotion if Rex’s arm got torn from his body by the massive dog.

But to their absolute surprise, the dog remained seated and even avoided eye contact, letting Rex pet it as if it had no other choice. He then turned to the lead guard again, ”You have such a good and well-trained dog.”

Every single guard exchanged a look, not knowing what to make of it.

That supposed good and well-trained dog a weapon. It was supposed to maul anyone at one command, and should have bitten anyone foolish enough to reach for it. Yet the rule did not seem to apply to Rex.

The beast let him close and pet it, and that made Rex even more mysterious.

An unprecedented wild card had entered the mansion.

Musicians watched in silence as Rex and the others walked along the outer walkway and disappeared around the corner. And the guards exchanged a look, surprised and confused at the same time, before returning to their duties.

Since High Lord Rashal was the last one to arrive, they could be at ease now.

Along the way, Henry was still fuming in anger.

”Calm down,” Rex said without looking. ”It’s not like we didn’t expect this.”

”I know... But feeling it first-hand still feels bad,” Henry exhaled roughly through his nose. ”I apologize for my earlier temperament. Just that I never would’ve imagined there would be a time when lowly guards dared to block us.”

”Maybe stick to being in the office,” Davina said sharply. ”They are searching for a reason not to let us in, and you almost gave it away. High Lord Rashal would be completely alone if we were not there.”

”Don’t be too harsh, sister.” Lilliana chuckled. ”Not all of us are meant to be political figures.”

Despite the sharp words, Henry didn’t take any offense.

He almost screwed up, and he accepted it.

Rex led the group through the side entrance—the narrow door swallowed them into a labyrinth of service corridors and preparation rooms. They walked in silence; their footsteps swallowed by the distant hum of the ballroom beyond.

Room after room.

Corridor after corridor.

Until the final door opened, and the ballroom unfurled before them.

It was vast and cathedral-ceilinged, a sea of marble and crystal lit by chandeliers that floated without chains. Round tables dotted the floor in concentric rings, each one occupied by figures whose clothes cost more than most soldiers earned in a lifetime.

The High Lords were already seated—massive presences even in stillness.

At the center, near the main entrance—High Lord Rashal sat entirely alone with Vadyn at a circular table clearly meant for more. The empty chairs around him were a statement. Isolation made visible.

Rex’s eyes met Rashal’s across the ballroom.

His heart slammed against his ribs as he knew what was coming.

They had planned for this, prepared for this, dissected every variable and contingency.

But knowing and facing were different creatures entirely.

Then his ears rang. A high, keening note that spiked through his skull and vanished, leaving behind a churning nausea that climbed from the pit of his stomach. He frowned, blinked hard, and his hand rose instinctively to his temple.

Slowly, almost against his will, his gaze dragged to the side.

At a staircase—Curving upward into shadow, its railing ornate and dustless.

”I need a moment,” he muttered.

Davina turned sharply. ”Rex—”

”Go ahead. I’ll catch up.”

Lilliana’s protest joined her sister’s, but Rex was already moving, his hand trailing the railing as he climbed. The nausea did not fade. If anything, it sharpened, pulling him upward with a gravity that bypassed reason.

He did not question it.

He had learned long ago to trust the animal thing that lived in his gut.

The second-floor landing was quieter than the ballroom below. And there, at the railing—a figure stood with a drink in hand, looking down at the High Lords and their retinues. Rex’s eyes sharpened, and then suddenly, the System flickered to life before his vision.

A notification hung in the air.