The nobles exchanged confused looks.

‘Just what kind of idiot would do something like that?’

The Astra Ducal family—what kind of house was it?

Based on immense wealth and overwhelming military power, it was one of the top two most powerful families in the country.

A family no one could easily touch.

Even the emperor struggled to deal with the Duke of Astra.

‘And yet, they demanded their fortune handed over? Are they mad?’

Jermo, the youngest duke of the empire, laughed heartily.

“I’m not familiar with all the details, but isn’t this a rare chance to attend the year-end party? Let’s forget about it for today. I’ll treat you.”

Other nobles awkwardly agreed.

“Yes, Your Grace. Will the young ladies and heirs of the famous Second Viscount of Astra also attend the party today?”

“The three brothers will be there.”

“That will be good news for the young ladies of the capital.”

Nobles who had daughters about the same age as the three brothers sparkled with interest.

The boys ranked high in Astra’s hierarchy.

Except for the eldest, Grimier, they were the sons of ‘that Daymond,’ the closest to the family head.

All three brothers boasted outstanding martial skills and academic achievements.

‘Our Podana should start looking for marriage matches soon...’

‘Let’s see, Richmond Astra and my daughter are exactly three years apart.’

‘Richmond, the eldest, is the most desirable, but Joshua Astra is good too.’

‘If we marry Balzac Astra off as a grandson-in-law and back him, he might aim for Grand Marshal of the Imperial Guard...’

The nobles’ eyes gleamed with dark intentions.

At that moment, in Paante’s party hall—

A large banquet hall capable of holding at least three hundred people bustled with guests.

The hostess, Marchioness Paante, was busily greeting everyone.

“Welcome, Lady Lutang.”

“Thank you for the invitation. Another splendid party this year.”

“We are honored to host Mr. and Mrs. Lutang, the teachers.”

“Oh, no need for such modesty. Holding a party in this Carlosita Grand Hall, always dedicated to the Empress Dowager, is something only Lady Paante could do—even if it meant turning the empire upside down.”

The marchioness chuckled softly, fanning herself.

Rumelisa Paante smiled sweetly beside her mother.

“Thank you, Madam.”

“Oh my, you’ve grown into a young lady since I last saw you, Miss Paante.”

“I’m trying to follow in my mother’s footsteps.”

“How admirable.”

Rumelisa Paante smiled arrogantly.

The Paante year-end party was famous to everyone.

‘But this year is on another level.’

The Empress Dowager had lent the grand hall named after the first Empress Dowager Carlosita.

After the guests passed by, Rumelisa said to her mother,

“This is all thanks to Miss Erilot.”

“Yes, that girl who helped depose the former crown princess.”

Originally, the year-end palace party was the domain of the Anatoli former crown princess.

But after her deposition, the Paante Marchioness’s party took on the role of the ‘palace year-end party.’

“Originally, Queen Ocelia should have hosted the party, but—”

“I know! The prince lost favor with His Majesty because of the Sun Society incident. So she couldn’t host the party while laying low.”

“The Viscountess of Astra is a noblewoman of our house.”

“She’s so kind, you don’t even know.”

“Is that so?”

The marchioness laughed softly and asked; Rumelisa Paante nodded vigorously.

“The children of the capital are sensitive to power, aren’t they?”

“Indeed.”

“But she’s a kind child who values friends more than power. Last time, she cared more for me than the Southern Army Marshal.”

“Such a person is worth keeping close. I’m glad you have a good friend, Rumelisa.”

“Yes!”

Marchioness Paante laughed heartily.

The Paante couple loved their only daughter dearly.

A friend dear to such a daughter.

An intelligent girl who even helped their family.

Erilot’s reputation was soaring.

The topic of the party was unquestionably Erilot.

“A new Western Army Marshal, huh? What do you all think?”

“Well, I wouldn’t expect much. The Western Army is always the lowest among the marshals.”

The ladies’ conversation was naturally interrupted by Marchioness Paante.

“Wherever, the person in charge is important. From what I see, Miss Erilot Astra seems to be a fine marshal.”

“That’s unusually generous of you, Lady Paante.”

“I saw the preliminary marshal selection match held in Astra.”

“Oh, I heard she led the mercenaries wonderfully.”

“She was incredibly wise. It was hard to believe she was only ten years old.”

“If Lady Paante says so, then she’s worth expecting something from.”

Marchioness Paante was a powerful figure in society.

Thanks to her influence, Erilot’s name was firmly established in social circles.

Sebastia Biferi, present at the party, smirked.

‘The critical ladies gave her good reviews.’

It seemed Erilot had managed her conduct well so far.

After all, she was skilled at social maneuvering even in the Sun Society.

At that moment—

“Well, social circles are what they are.”

Rika Delpre, Western Army Marshal, frowned.

Sebastia glanced at her.

“What’s bothering you, Western Army Marshal?”

“Look at them praising Erilot Astra without even properly facing her.”

“Why’s that?”

“They’re just swayed by pure rumors...”

“Isn’t it because Erilot Astra has proven her abilities excellently so far?”

“What exactly has she proven? I find this frustrating.”

The Western Army Marshal practically threw a glass of juice at a passing page.

She then frowned and looked at Sebastia.

“The Sun Society incident was frankly a disturbance.”

“...”

“Stirring up nobles and preventing them from attending the competition was unbefitting of a noble.”

“...”

“In the end, Prince Salvatore of the empire was humiliated. Is that fitting behavior for a noble supporting the royal family?”

“People might interpret that differently. But her command against Selene Astra ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) was undeniably that of a capable marshal.”

“You’re so naive.”

“Hm?”

“Have you never thought that it could all be a lie?”

Sebastia frowned.

The noble children nearby also looked at the Western Army Marshal.

“What do you mean, Western Army Marshal?”

A noble girl asked, and the Western Army Marshal crossed her arms.

“There are rumors. That the whole match was rigged.”

“Oh, I heard about that. But that’s just gossip printed however it’s heard.”

“But don’t you find it suspicious? Suddenly an ancient monster appears, and the opponent kneels after seeing the power that defeated it... Isn’t that too dramatic?”

“B-But why would Astra do that...?”

“Think about Selene’s mother. Such a person might have been compromised.”

The gathered boys and girls took a deep breath.

The Western Army Marshal twisted her mouth.

‘It must have been rigged.’

Is it possible for a ten-year-old to have such command?

And those incredible mercenaries...

‘Kali Muso was with the mercenary group?’

Ridiculous!

Surely her father helped.

Daymond was a renowned god of war.

He must have met Kali Muso and former imperial knights somewhere on the battlefield.

And definitely assigned them to his daughter.

“Poor Selene...”

The Western Army Marshal sighed, holding her cheek.

“Oh yes, she’s known to have met Miss Selene fairly often.”

“Selene is calm and thoughtful, unlike Erilot. We were good friends.”

“Oh my... Friends with the direct line of Astra. That’s surprising.”

Astra was a secretive family.

Especially the children ranked 7th rarely showed even an eyebrow unless on duty.

To be friends with Selene, a third-generation direct descendant who had once almost held the top rank...

‘As expected, children of the powerful stick together...’

“I didn’t know they were that close.”

“Not that close, but... I was even invited to the castle once.”

“Good heavens! An Astra Viscountess?”

“It was within the jurisdiction, but still. I think she wanted to introduce me to the duke.”

“The Duke of Astra?!”

The Astra family was incredibly powerful.

Among dukes, he was ranked first or second.

His nickname was ‘The Emperor of the Underworld.’

He was a figure few family heads could even meet.

‘To think I almost met the Duke of Astra? That’s something only a marshal could do...!’

The Western Army Marshal glanced arrogantly around.

“Because Duke Chateau Briand said he would arrange a marriage with the Astra direct line.”

“Good heavens!!”

“Of course, the seventh ranked line.”

“W-Wonderful.”

“You know Miss Selene, right? Although Erilot won the duke’s favor thanks to her dragon, he actually favored Selene the most before.”

“Ah, and now he’s arranging a marriage for his grandson...”

The Western Army Marshal smiled slyly.

Nearby, the Northern Army Marshal looked puzzled.

‘Marriage with the seventh ranked line?’

She was at that meeting too, but that wasn’t the context...

Marquis Delpre hoped for a marriage for his daughter, the Western Army Marshal.

Since she had served as loyal aide to Central Army Marshal Silin Chateau Briand, they expected the duke to arrange a good match.

So...

‘At least a boy from the seventh ranked line as a fiancé—that’s what was said, right?’

“Um, Western Army Marshal.”

Just as the Northern Army Marshal was about to speak—

“The Duke of Astra—!”

The doorway became noisy.

The elders of the central tower began to enter one by one.

The most striking among them was—

Aged white hair, showing the years of experience.

Despite old age, broad shoulders and a straight back.

Tall stature.

A robe made of lion’s skin suited him elegantly...

‘Ah, the Duke of Astra?’

‘No way! The Duke of Astra is attending the party?’

‘W-What...!’

The nobles’ eyes widened.

He was someone who even skipped the emperor’s birthday celebrations repeatedly.

And yet here he was, attending the party.

The girls near the marshals fussed.

“Wh-What could bring him here?”

“C-Could it be to see the Western Army Marshal? As a granddaughter-in-law...!”

“Oh my, that’s possible... Goodness.”

A girl wearing a blue hairdress stared blankly at the duke’s back.

“Why are you staring?”

“Look behind there...”

Three boys followed the Duke of Astra as he entered.

Though their atmospheres differed, their eyes were identical to their grandfather’s.

An unrefined raw look.

A sharp aura that even carried a chilling murderous intent.

More striking than that was their astonishing beauty.

They were stunningly handsome young nobles, like seeing a young Daymond Astra.

The young nobles gasped in unison.

The Paante Marchioness and her husband were visibly excited.

‘The Duke of Astra and the three brothers of the Daymond Jurisdiction!’

By tomorrow, rumors about the grandeur of the Paante party would spread throughout the empire.

The Western Army Marshal looked flustered.

‘What could be going on in Astra... Ah!’

Among the elders of the central tower, a familiar face appeared.

“Silin!”

Central Army Marshal had come to the party with his father.

‘Good timing!’

This was a chance to be introduced to those fine young nobles.

Silin, the Central Army Marshal, glanced this way.

“Oh, the marshals are over there.”

When Silin smiled gently, the other marshals headed toward her.

The Northern Army Marshal greeted the powerful central tower nobles.

“Long time no see.”

“Oh, isn’t this the Northern Army Marshal?”

When Duke Jermo greeted her, the Northern Army Marshal chuckled.

“It’s an honor.”

“Haha, children really grow in the blink of an eye.”

“She’s officially a Cotton now (young ladies aged 13 to 17).”

The Northern Army Marshal was greeting Duke Jermo, a leading figure of the north.

The Western Army Marshal shyly approached Silin.

“You came with your father, Silin.”

“Please stop her, Western Army Marshal. She always comes out to greet like this.”

“It’s lovely to see such a devoted daughter.”

“Indeed. The Western Army Marshal is always on her father’s side.”

“She’s on the right side to see.”

The Western Army Marshal chuckled and glanced at the Astra relatives.

Silin noticed and said to her father,

“Father, why don’t you introduce me to the Western Army Marshal?”

“Ah, yes. Duke of Astra.”

Duke Chateau Briand looked kindly at the Duke of Astra.

The Duke and the three brothers’ gaze turned to the Western Army Marshal.

‘Ah, Marquis is a fine man, but those guys...’

Blushing deeply, the Western Army Marshal clasped her hands and glanced at Balzac.

Duke Chateau Briand said,

“You might not know, but this girl is the Western Army Marshal. Miss Delpre, you should greet her.”

The Western Army Marshal swallowed dryly.

“Ah, hello, Your Grace.”

“...”

“I’m Rika Delpre, responsible for the Western Army.”

Marquis Delpre, Rika’s father, smiled with the corner of his mouth.

‘Look at my daughter.’

A few years ago, the Delpre family was not a particularly powerful noble house.

Their rise was thanks to the support of the Chateau Briand family.

So Marquis Delpre had his inferiority complex.

‘But look now.’

His daughter had become a remarkable marshal introduced by the Duke of Astra.

The nobles’ attention focused on the Western Army Marshal and the Duke of Astra.

The Duke of Astra quietly looked at the shy Western Army Marshal.

“Rika Delpre, huh...”

The Western Army Marshal’s expression brightened immediately.

“Y-You know me?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, it’s truly an honor...!”

“The reckless one who demanded my fortune.”

What?