NOVEL NEXT Chapter 149: Noble Faction
The atmosphere turned awkward after Leonard's offering to take over Darius's bodyguard.
Was that something you could joke about?
No, it didn't even seem like a joke based on his tone of speech.
"You really want to take over my personal guard like that?" Darius inquired with a solemn expression.
"Didn't Marquis Darius want me to pardon your guard? What better pardon could there be if you just hand them over to me for training?" Leonard flashed a cheeky smile.
Sparks seemed to be flashing between the two. Their verbal remarks appeared to be no different than a hundred people going to war against each other.
'What had gotten to the Crown Prince?' Mirelle was bewildered by Leonard's abnormal behavior. From their interaction in the capital to the city of Velastra, Leonard had never behaved in such a manner.
Could the death of Irene affect him this much?
Little did Mirelle know. Leonard was behaving in this manner because the opponent had been changed to Darius Melton.
Unlike Lord Wesley, whom he could maneuver around with mere wordplay and merchant-like behavior, Darius was a bona fide Noble. His Marquis title was earned through wars and merits.
But that was just on the surface. Deep down, he was an extremely cautious and paranoid person who refused to let anything slip past him.
The spies he scattered in Velastra were unknown to others.
Hence, the more Leonard behaved in such an unreserved manner would cause Darius to become unsettled.
After all, he would become wary and curious as to what kind of card he was holding to be able to confront him so openly.
Though part of the truth still lies in the fact that more innocent lives have been claimed. He was the Crown Prince of Aldros, but he could only watch them die one by one without being able to offer any assistance. He truly couldn't endure much longer in such a negative environment.
'A beef jerky that I could have anytime was considered a luxury to the lower class. They really know how to force me into a dead corner!' Leonard had endured enough of the corruption happening in the city.
The money these people earned was most likely transferred over to the imperial house and other powerful houses.
This was the main reason he didn't dare to intervene, granted that making a move meant going against multiple houses' interests. It would also play right into Kaelion's hand to become a loner in both the political and merchant circles.
The profit benefited multiple parties, so by laying a hand in it was essentially offending them all.
Mirelle was clueless about this aspect, but not for him. He understood the complex webs behind everything.
However, he must admit that being so understanding was considered a weakness.
In the end, he failed to save anyone and even ended up nowhere.
Since his method clearly showed it was useless, then he might as well switch tactics and take hints from Mirelle.
"Anyway, Marquis Darius, what do you think of my offer?" Leonard pressed on when the former had remained silent for a while.
"You don't need to worry about them not being fed well. My agricultural lands in Veridale are enough to feed them to the fullest."
"You seemed eager to take over my personal guard." Darius mused and turned around.
He glanced at his personal guard and commented, "Could it be that Mr. Vincent knows this particular guard of mine is a woman and wishes to snatch her away?"
Shortly after Darius's revelation, the personal guard promptly removed their concealment and exposed their feminine body physique. Her face remained covered, though to avoid being recognized.
When the collective nobles became enlightened that the fearsome guard was actually a woman, their expression turned complicated.
What a roundabout way to call Leonard lustful and despicable!
With the numerous women standing behind Leonard, it was hard for others to not judge him for wanting to add more women into his group.
"Oh, she's a woman?" Contrary to everyone's expectation that he would back off to safeguard his image, Leonard suddenly exclaimed in shock.
"That's even more perfect! Marquis Darius can be reassured to let them come to me. Not only will I keep them well fed in the stomach, I'll also give them some more at nighttime."
'What a son of a bitch!' Darius cursed silently. Did he really not understand the implication behind his action?
No, maybe he did, but still wanted to provoke him further!
"The guard may be commanded by me, but it's their decision to choose." Darius coughed and passed the bucket to his personal guard to make the decision of who to follow.
Almost immediately, the bodyguard was about to say they were unwilling.
That was until Mirelle suddenly suppressed them and made them incapable of talking. The action was abrupt, taking the bodyguard by surprise.
"You—" Startled, Darius was dumbfounded by the action.
Was she trying to rebel or something?
"Aye, you don't need to be agitated, Marquis Darius." Leonard hurriedly patted his shoulders and smiled amiably. "We're letting your personal guard choose just like you desire."
While he said that, Mirelle continued to increase the pressure imposed on the guard, causing them to kneel one knee on the ground.
The Noble Faction?
Others might have feared the nobles, but definitely not him!
He had to tread carefully with the Merchant Guild because of its wide influence and network, alongside its somewhat invincibility from the royalty.
However, the Noble Faction was directly under the Aldros Empire, albeit not heavily enforced in this particular city.
To summarize, he could easily trample upon Darius, and the latter still had to smile brightly.
His current action was actually no different than how Darius eliminated a trivial Baron without batting an eyelid.
"Marquis Darius, you wouldn't think I'm being overbearing, right?" Having approached close to him, Leonard discreetly revealed a royal token for Darius to see clearly.
'The Crown Prince's token of authority??!' Darius's pupils constricted in disbelief.
So he really wasn't just a simple merchant! He was a person from the Crown Prince's side!