A Deal and a Grudge

So he was that young lady's grandfather! No wonder he'd gone out of his way to help; he was repaying a kindness. Francis chuckled inwardly. That good deed had truly been worth it, not only advancing his Precious Lotus Scripture but also earning the favor of a Prime Minister.

Antoine approached Francis, scrutinizing him with a beaming smile. Francis, in turn, observed Antoine: a portly old man with grizzled sideburns that obscured even his lips. In his youth, he must have been a burly fellow. It was a mystery how such a man could have a granddaughter as stunning as Avril.

"Francis, since you saved Avril, our family hasn't had the chance to properly thank you! That scoundrel Frith was truly despicable last time; if not for you, Avril might have..."

Francis hastily demurred, "Prime Minister, it was a mere trifle. I believe even if I hadn't intervened, some other righteous soul would have stepped in. There's no need for you to thank me for this." He bowed, adding, "On the contrary, *you* helped me immensely today; I should be thanking you!"

"How could it be a trifle? Avril is my precious darling!" Antoine took Francis's hand and strode purposefully towards the palace gates. "Steve, I need to have a private word with your brother."

Steve gave Francis a meaningful glance before slipping away discreetly.

Antoine led Francis to the plaza before the palace gates. Aside from a few warriors, the area was quite secluded. He released Francis's hand. "Baronet Francis, today I am not speaking to you in my capacity as Prime Minister of the Empire, but as a grandfather!"

His expression was kindly, a warm smile on his face.

A bad premonition, however, arose in Francis's heart. Connecting it to the old man's suggestive look earlier in the great hall, he suddenly seemed to understand something.

Had his act of rescuing the damsel in distress that day caused Avril to fall in love at first sight?

Antoine wasn't here to pick a grandson-in-law, was he!?

Antoine sighed, "Truth be told, Avril has been mentioning you quite often lately. An old man in his sixties like myself can naturally discern her feelings. However... please forgive me, my granddaughter can only marry a powerful Battle God. And you, unfortunately, cannot cultivate battle qi!"

Francis breathed a sigh of relief. Thank the heavens, as long as he wasn't here to propose a marriage alliance, everything else was fine.

Accursed Precious Lotus Scripture!

Francis clicked his tongue, remaining silent for a long moment. Antoine's proposal was excellent; it wasn't as if anything could happen between him and Avril anyway, so why not just silently pocket the gains? Yet, Francis couldn't shake the feeling that accepting such conditions would be deeply humiliating.

He was a thief, but not a beggar. He didn't need to use women to solicit charity from others!

Francis said gravely, "Prime Minister, I must decline your generous offer!"

Instantly, Antoine's kindly expression vanished, replaced by the imposing authority of the Imperial Prime Minister!

"Furthermore, I will not see Avril again!" Francis smiled slightly. "If Prime Minister has no other matters, I shall take my leave. His Majesty is still awaiting my proposal, after all!"

Antoine stared oddly at Francis, a little taken aback. He couldn't quite grasp Francis's meaning. "Very well, I hope you keep your word."

By now it was lunchtime, and the debates within the royal palace had concluded. The various ministers emerged one after another.

The first among them was Francis's father, Anges. Seeing Francis with the Prime Minister, he paused for a moment in surprise, then cordially greeted Antoine. "Your Excellency Prime Minister, thank you for your support of the Saint Sigurd Cain family today!"

"No need for formalities. I am quite fond of this boy, Francis—oh, Baronet Francis! He is truly excellent, clever and capable; I have high hopes for his future!" Antoine exchanged a few pleasantries, then subtly shifted the topic. "Your Excellency, Vice Commander, the Sigurd Legion's year-round stationing at Heaven's Ocean Pass is truly arduous. I propose allocating the remaining seven thousand gold coins to increase their military pay, what say you?"

Anges, having attained the rank of Vice Commander, naturally possessed his own discerning qualities. He reciprocated in kind, smiling, "Thank you, Your Excellency Prime Minister. Regarding the selection of the new Minister of Finance, I would like to propose your eldest son. What do you think?"

The two exchanged a knowing smile, no further words necessary.

After seeing Antoine off, Anges's expression instantly turned cold. He glanced at Francis and said, "You are the first among my three sons to receive a noble title. You now have two paths: either continue residing in the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate, or establish your own household. Consider it carefully."

Francis replied with equal coolness, "I understand. I will consider it seriously."

Seeing their expressionless faces, it was hard to believe this was a conversation between father and son.

"Oh, congratulations, Duke Anges! Francis receiving a title at fifteen means the glory of Sigurd Saint-Shine, Battle God, shines even brighter!" A massive orb of flesh waddled over with a grin. Francis observed the man, who was obese to an absurd degree. While other ministers wore noblemen's attire, typically featuring a voluminous top and tight-fitting trousers, this man was simply too rotund for tight pants and instead wore a dark green robe.

Beneath his sky-blue hair, a large, round face was perpetually beaming, like that of a textbook unscrupulous merchant. "Nephew Francis, do you remember Uncle Widener? We met last year on Divine Peace Day!"

Francis, of course, had no recollection of him.

Anges introduced, "This is Kaman's father, a descendant of Aruman, the Storm Battle God, and the Minister of Imperial Rites: Duke Widener, patriarch of the Crimson family!"

At the mention of Kaman, Francis's memory stirred. The Ramhorn Warhammer in his possession had been stolen from their family. Besides, his elder brother had once mentioned that the Crimson family's Hurricane Heavy Cavalry was one of the Empire's Three Great Legions.

"Uncle Widener, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Francis said with a smile.

Widener gently clapped Francis on the shoulder, a look of approval on his face. Yet, in his mind, he mused, *Kaman, my son, your father promised to grant you a legitimate opportunity to kill Francis. Just wait patiently.*

"Oh, Baronet Francis is truly accomplished at such a young age! By the way, Your Excellency, Vice Commander Anges, seeing your son reminds me of something quite important that requires your counsel!"

Anges replied, "Please speak!"

"It is thus: one month after Divine Peace Day each year marks the entrance examination for the Battle God Academy. And as the Minister of Imperial Rites, I am naturally responsible for organizing these examinations!"

Anges chuckled, "My eldest son, Steve, was rather unworthy, having failed twice, but not this year! Additionally, Charles, having come of age at eighteen, will also participate in this year's examination. I have faith in him!"

"Oh, I too have faith in both young masters. However, there are some changes to this year's examination!" He glanced at Francis, beaming as if looking at his dearest nephew.