Back in his room, Levi mulled over what had just happened.
Today's incident had clearly offended both Duke Xilong and the Rogue Knight, Damon.
Nothing had happened to him yet, but only because everyone was caught off guard by the Old Duke's sudden collapse. They just hadn't gotten around to causing him trouble.
Once they recovered, there was no guarantee they wouldn't come to settle the score.
Levi wasn't afraid, though. If he were, he wouldn't have said what he did at the banquet.
The chaotic situation in Kolon was now plain to see.
The Old Duke didn't have much time left, and he hadn't named an heir. Everyone with a claim was now eyeing the position.
Once the Old Duke finally fell, a struggle for the title was inevitable.
Kolon would become a meat grinder, and only the victor would emerge.
None of this had anything to do with Levi, however, because he was getting out of there!
He had the Pioneer Order now. There was no need to stay in this vortex. If not now, when?
'I don't think I've forgotten anything.'
After packing his valuables, Levi went to the mirror to adjust his attire.
The man in the mirror was not yet twenty, with short black hair and a pair of brown eyes. He looked heroic and spirited, as bright as a shooting star.
He was tall and well-proportioned, his well-maintained Leather Armor cinched by a wide leather belt.
A pair of fine Deer Hide Hunting Boots on his feet and an exquisite Longsword hanging from his waist combined to create a sharp, valiant aura.
'Not bad. Worthy of being my Otherworld counterpart.'
After a moment of narcissism, Levi hitched up his belt and strode outside.
This was no place to linger. Leaving was the best option.
He had only stayed for a free meal, and so much had already happened. If he remained, Levi was afraid he would waste a lot of time in this vortex.
He wasn't scared, but he didn't want to waste his time here for nothing.
But after walking out of his room, he looked at the intersecting corridors and fell into thought.
'I think I came from... the right, wasn't it?'
Faced with three identical paths, Levi grit his teeth, decisively trusted his gut, and went... left.
...
「Outside the Duke's bedroom.」
Only Duke Xilong's wife and daughters were gathered here. Their faces were etched with anxiety, but joy was hidden in the depths of their eyes.
For them, Duke Xilong's death would instead trigger a reshuffling of power in Kolon. If they seized the opportunity, they just might be able to soar to new heights.
Liya waited anxiously at the door, desperate to know how her grandfather was. But two of Duke Xilong's loyal White-robed Iron Guards stood vigil, allowing no one to cross the threshold.
Everyone was barred from entering. Inside, only Grandmaster Panto was treating Xilong.
"Mother, Grandfather will be all right, won't he?" Liya had to seek a sliver of comfort from her mother.
Liya's mother, Lady Onaya Martel, had striking wine-red hair that made her stand out in the crowd of blondes—the standard hair color of the Northern Martel Family.
Her face, too, showed panic, but she knew she had to be her daughter's rock.
She reached out, stroked her daughter's head, and comforted her in a soft voice.
"Liya, your grandfather will be fine. And even if your grandfather were to die... the fact that you are the heir to Kolon will not change."
She didn't put it too cruelly, mindful of her daughter's feelings.
But inside, she was still deeply unsettled.
Duke Xilong had fallen ill too quickly, and of all times, just as he was about to name Liya his heir.
Even if Xilong was too sick to lift a sword, as long as he was alive, he still held the reins of power firmly. He remained the absolute Iron Duke whose word was law. His growing irritability from the illness had, in fact, made him even more feared.
Even an order as absurd as making a woman, Liya, his successor could have been forcefully implemented.
But... at this critical moment, he... had collapsed.
Onaya couldn't help but worry that this turn of events would let the jackals see an opportunity to pounce, tear, and fight for their share.
This was especially true after she glanced at a blonde woman in front of her, who was holding a boy of about seven or eight.
Onaya knew she had to do something. She gave a low command to a sturdy, middle-aged man in Leather Armor beside her.
"Knight Kevin, I need you to gather twenty castle Guards and have them wait at the Old Castle. They must be ready to appear the moment I need them!"
"As you wish, Lady Onaya."
Kevin gave a slight bow and departed discreetly.
Onaya watched his figure disappear at the end of the corridor and breathed a small sigh of relief.
Kevin was a Knight she had brought with her from her family. He had been her personal knight since she was a child and was one of the few people in Kolon she could trust.
The Old Castle was the closest location. No matter what happened, they could arrive in time to control the situation.
"Dog of the Martel Family, watch where you're going!"
A rude shout suddenly came from the end of the corridor. Onaya sighed. The situation she had most wanted to avoid was happening.
Damon rushed over, a frantic look on his face, and began pushing his way through the crowd. Although people looked displeased, no one dared to start a conflict with the Rogue Knight.
"Lord Damon, please halt!"
When Damon tried to rush in to check on his brother, the two White-robed Iron Guards at the door blocked his path.
Damon fell silent for a moment but ultimately decided not to force his way in, choosing to wait outside.
Time trickled by in silence. Just as Damon was about to lose his patience with the tense wait, the great door opened.
An old man with graying hair walked out. His corpulent figure stretched his loose white robes, and his plump face made him look quite amiable.
The atmosphere instantly froze. Everyone was terrified of hearing news from his lips that could overturn Kolon.
"Grandmaster Panto..."
Onaya couldn't help but take a step forward, but Panto merely glanced at her before his gaze landed on the blonde woman in the front row who was holding a young boy's hand.
"Miss Penny, I believe I need you to come in."
This overjoyed Penny, who quickly led her son inside, leaving the others outside with varied expressions on their faces.
When she saw Duke Xilong on the bed, his breath as faint as a silk thread, Penny asked with concern:
"Grandmaster Panto, my father..."
Panto cut her off, looking at her with a solemn expression.
"Miss Penny, I have followed Lord Xilong for thirty years. I've watched you grow up since you were a child, and I treat you like my own daughter."
"What I want to say is, Lord Xilong will not last the night. You need to make preparations."
Hearing this, tears welled up in Penny's eyes. Although she resented Duke Xilong for not planning to pass the title to her, he was, after all, her only father.
"Thank you, Grandmaster Panto."
"There's no need. Although Lord Xilong intended to pass the title to Miss Liya, I have served the Iseley Clan for thirty years. I cannot stand by and watch Kolon fall into the hands of someone with half Martel Bloodline."
"The matter of the heir has not been settled. You still have a chance."
Panto sighed.
"What I can do for you, Miss Penny, is to delay as much as possible. The rest you must do yourself."
"Thank you, Grandmaster Panto," Penny thanked him again.
"It is a trifle." Panto gave a slight bow.
When Penny walked out of the room, all eyes fell on her. She paid them no mind, however, and walked straight over to block Damon's path.
This time, Panto didn't stop anyone. Onaya, with a flicker of unease in her heart, simply glanced at Penny before urgently pulling Liya inside. The crowd behind them quickly followed.
Only Penny and Damon were left in the corridor.
Looking at his niece, Damon was about to ask why she was blocking him.
When he saw Penny raise her head, her eyes red-rimmed, looking like a little deer searching for its home.
"Uncle Damon, I need your help."
"Without you, Kao Isely—my son—will have no chance to inherit the title."