A Perilous Feast in This World, Too!?

Antoine, an old fox who had weathered decades in the empire's political arena, effortlessly feigned ignorance. Knowing full well that observers were stationed near the Cathedral, he even made a show of knocking on the door, inventing an excuse to brief the priests for a few moments before turning to depart.

During the short walk to his carriage, a torrent of information surged through Antoine’s mind, coalescing into an increasingly clear thread of deduction. Francis, he realized, was currently at the epicenter of Lanning's political maelstrom, where a single misstep could lead to his demise. Yet, he showed no signs of anxiety, having just dared to offend the Prime Minister to refuse a marriage proposal, completely disregarding the immense political capital at his disposal that could have benefited him! This could only mean he possessed a formidable backing.

The fact that an Archbishop addressed him as ‘My Lord’, combined with long-standing rumors in the Imperial Capital that the Holy Church had cultivated numerous figures within the imperial government, led Antoine to a startling conclusion: Francis and the Holy Church must share some hidden connection. Perhaps, Francis was a significant figure within the Holy Church, one whose authority was barely inferior to that of Godfather Ferdinand!

“Ha!” Antoine chuckled, stroking his beard as this thought crystallized. “Francis, this old man understands now. No wonder so many pro-Holy Church officials support you!”

He clapped his fists together. “And then there’s Princess Yuna, our ambitious Princess, who risked offending many princes, even dragging the Empress Dowager into this to assist Francis. She must possess precise knowledge of Francis’s true capabilities and wishes to leverage this opportunity to win over this immensely promising rising star in the political landscape!”

“Hmm, let me consider. Among the major factions in the Imperial Capital—Wedno’s Aruman Faction and Arges’s Sigurd Faction—they certainly don’t know Francis harbors so many secrets! But Princess Yuna knows, and now this old man knows… Heh!” He slapped his thigh, a grin spreading across his face. “Since I know, I cannot let such an excellent investment opportunity slip away! Francis, Avril is destined to be yours! Since both soft persuasion and hard pressure have been tried and failed, it matters not. I have one ultimate move left. However, I must first ascertain my precious granddaughter’s true feelings, for her happiness is paramount!”

Lost in thought, his brow furrowed with worry, he returned to his carriage.

Inside, Avril watched her grandfather, usually unflappable even amidst great storms, now wearing an unpleasant expression. Her heart tightened; had Francis rejected him yet again? She averted her gaze from her returning grandfather, lowering her flushed, pretty face, and murmured, “Grandpa…”

Antoine leaped into the carriage and, after ordering his servant to drive, indignantly declared, “That Francis, he doesn’t know what’s good for him, hmph!” He recounted his conversation with Du Chen to Avril, then deliberately added, “It seems that young man needs a lesson!”

“Ah!?” Avril’s heart sank. She quickly interjected, “Grandpa, Francis is right! It’s improper for you to coerce and tempt him into marriage amidst this chaos! Francis refusing the marriage—that’s the mark of a true man who doesn’t bow to power… Grandpa…” Avril’s luminous blue eyes fixed accusingly on Antoine, her meaning clear: if he dared to trouble Francis… his granddaughter would…

*Sigh*. This girl, it seemed, was completely devoted to Francis. People always say daughters are inclined to favor outsiders, but I never believed it! Yet now, my granddaughter’s loyalty has completely shifted from her own family! I truly am growing old; I cannot bear to see my precious granddaughter unhappy!

“Fine! Your grandpa won’t squabble with that young man anymore,” Antoine said, patting his granddaughter’s hand. “Don’t worry, Francis won’t escape! Your grandpa will swallow his pride and ensure this marriage is arranged! We will see Francis carry the name of our family’s son-in-law!” He abruptly slapped the carriage’s inner wall, loudly instructing, “Immediately proceed to Saint Sigurd Cain Estate and pay a visit to Deputy Chief Arges!”

***

Inside Saint John Cathedral, Du Chen and Godfather Ferdinand once again meticulously discussed the current situation. Ultimately, they reached a conclusion. In Du Chen’s words, Emperor Bargnar was currently displeased. Du Chen’s meteoric rise was simply too dazzling, and so the Emperor sought to curb his momentum, using Wedno’s vendetta as an opportunity. However, the situation had spiraled into chaos! Yet, fundamentally, Bargnar had not yet perceived Du Chen as a rival capable of threatening his rule. Therefore, the key to everything was to change Bargnar’s attitude towards Du Chen, and then all problems would be resolved.

How does one change the attitude of an emperor? Both Du Chen and Ferdinand knew the answer in their hearts, but neither voiced it. Du Chen looked at the Godfather, who deliberately feigned ignorance, refusing to offer a solution, and sneered inwardly, “To change an emperor’s attitude, one must, of course, display a certain posture—that I am beneficial to Your Majesty’s rule, that I can be utilized by you, but my power is not yet sufficient to threaten your dominion!” *Can’t you figure out something so obvious, Godfather?*

Ferdinand, for his part, was thinking that the matter could be easily resolved by simply revealing to Bargnar that Francis had several super-masters at his side, and that they could potentially serve the empire. However, while super-masters might not fundamentally alter the grand scheme of a nation or region, nor were they powerful enough to single-handedly confront an entire country, they possessed extremely high utilitarian value! Francis was The Grand Inheritance, a cake whose aroma should not reach Bargnar, so that the Holy Church could savor its deliciousness alone!

They gazed at each other in mutual silence. Ferdinand, finding the atmosphere a bit awkward, chuckled, “Rest assured, Your Eminence, White-Robed Archbishop, the Holy Church can absolutely ensure your safety this time! Oh, by the way, I heard that Mars, the Battle God, who delivered your token, departed a long time ago. By my reckoning, he should have arrived in Saint John City several days ago, but why hasn’t he visited me? How peculiar!”

“I suppose Boss Mars must have been delayed by something?” Du Chen replied nonchalantly.

“I imagine so, haha. It’s almost midnight now. Get some rest. Tomorrow, I will accompany you to the Palace of Versailles!”

No sooner had Ferdinand finished speaking than someone arrived outside. “Godfather, Princess Yuna has come to pay her respects to Lord Francis!”

“Princess Yuna?” Ferdinand’s purple eyebrows twitched slightly. “What is she here for? Francis, you must be careful. Princess Yuna’s ambition is considerable. She intervened in this political struggle to help you without apparent reason, fending off most of your troubles. Perhaps there are some unspoken motives here!” Yuna, after all, was a member of the Lanning royal family, unlike Antoine. Thus, Ferdinand spared no effort in disparaging anyone who might snatch his ‘cake’.

Du Chen gazed out at the darkening sky, chuckling, “The Princess has been a great help to me this time. Regardless, I must at least thank her in person! Very well, I shall see her now!”

Du Chen felt no fear towards the Princess whose kiss he had once refused. From their first meeting, Du Chen had concluded that a princess, accustomed to excellent young nobles, would never become entangled with him. Over time, through his elder brother and the Holy Church, Du Chen had also heard rumors about Yuna. The beautiful Princess Royal was a born leader; unless Du Chen could offer her immense political advantages, the difficulty of making the Princess Royal truly notice him was extraordinary.

Clad in a red gown, Yuna entered the room, a radiant smile on her face. She cast a deep glance at Godfather Ferdinand, then smiled. “Esteemed Godfather, I have some private matters to discuss with Lord Francis!”

This excuse was brilliant! Ferdinand had no way to stay and monitor her. With a disgruntled smile, he turned and left. “Wait, Godfather!” Yuna called back, a subtle smile playing on her lips. Following noble etiquette, she saw the Godfather out of the room. Once out of Du Chen’s earshot, she remarked meaningfully, “A few days ago, I went hunting north of the city. Coincidentally, I happened to encounter your friend, Mars, the Battle God! We had a delightful chat, and I even hosted him at my residence for a few days! Mars, the Battle God, seemed quite fond of the small gifts I prepared for him!”

Ferdinand’s eyebrow twitched. *Damn it, Yuna has met Mars! With Mars’s straightforward and carefree temperament, she must have extracted many secrets from him! Damn…* Was Princess Yuna, on behalf of the Lanning royal family, expressing dissatisfaction with the Holy Church monopolizing ‘The Grand Inheritance’?

Alas, Yuna had already returned to the room, offering him no further hints. Yuna gracefully approached Du Chen. Before she could speak, Du Chen said coolly, “Your Royal Highness, this time, please do not ask me for any kissing rituals!”

“Heh heh, you still remember something from over half a year ago!” Yuna elegantly extended a hand. “What if I, as Princess, command you to kiss my hand?” She chuckled softly. “Alright, just a joke. This time, I’ve come to invite you! Tonight, my Imperial Father is hosting an internal royal banquet at the Palace of Versailles, and you are specially invited! Please do not fail to attend!”

Du Chen’s heart tightened. In such circumstances, his first reaction was undoubtedly three words—words that people from the Battle God World would not comprehend: a perilous banquet! *Could it be that the Versailles Guards failed to apprehend me upon entering the city, and Bargnar has simply changed his approach?* Du Chen looked at Yuna suspiciously, asking, “How could a humble Baronet like myself be qualified to attend such an internal royal banquet?!”

“Hence, it’s a special invitation, heh. Don’t worry, many of my friends and I will be attending the banquet; you won’t encounter any trouble!” She was subtly implying to Du Chen that they were on the same side.

To go, or not to go?

Du Chen stroked his nose and asked, “Am I the only one invited? What about my daughter…”

Before Du Chen could finish, Yuna laughed, “Heh heh, if your daughter and your Battle God attendants can come, that would be even better!”

“Good! Your Royal Highness, please wait a moment. I will change into my baronet’s attire and accompany you immediately!”

Leaving Princess Yuna to wait outside, Du Chen didn’t even bother to inform Godfather Ferdinand. He went directly to Deboning and the others. Du Chen had prepared for the worst. *Damn it, even if it’s a perilous banquet, so what? First, we lay out our cards. If there’s room for reconciliation, then we continue to negotiate. If not… I’ve brought all my people! What’s so difficult about a hundred-plus female Battle Gods charging through your Lanning Royal Palace multiple times?*