The heavy silence in Baren's study was broken only by the quiet, efficient movements of the household guards as Sir Lucas directed them to remove the bodies of Turan and Bard. The metallic tang of blood still hung in the air, a grim testament to Vorian's ruthlessness. Once the corpses were gone, Lucas dispatched a summons for the butlers to cleanse the room of the gruesome scene.
Lord Baren stood by the large window, his back to the room, gazing out at the distant, snow-capped peaks that marked the northern edge of their domain. His shoulders, usually so broad and unyielding, seemed to carry an immense weight. Liam remained by his side, a silent pillar of support, though his own mind seethed with a cold, calculating anger.
Finally, Baren spoke, his voice rough, laced with a sorrow that cut deeper than any rage. "He was always ambitious, your uncle. Always discontent, wanting more than his share. But to risk the safety of our House, the sanctity of our alliances, for his insatiable greed… that is a betrayal I find difficult to comprehend." He sighed, a sound heavy with disillusionment. "He is my brother, Liam. My own blood."
Liam listened, his heart aching for his father's pain, yet his resolve hardening. This was the Baren he remembered from his past life before grief and loss had fully consumed him – a man of honor, struggling with an unbearable truth.
"Father," Liam said, his voice quiet but firm. "If his greed is the root, then perhaps a clear message is needed. One that strikes at that greed." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "You granted him the iron ore mine in the western fiefs some years ago. Its revenues have undoubtedly fueled his… enterprises. Revoking his rights to that mine would be a significant blow, a tangible punishment for this transgression. Limit his resources, monitor his movements more closely. Let him feel the consequences of his actions."
Baren turned slowly, his steel-gray eyes studying Liam with a newfound intensity. The suggestion was bold, direct. "To corner him so overtly now might make him desperate, more prone to rash actions before I am ready to fully expose him." He rubbed his temples, the lines of strain deepening on his face. "But the ore mine… yes. That is a privilege he has abused. It will be revoked. Let him understand that his actions have immediate and tangible costs."
A grim satisfaction settled in Liam. It wasn't enough, not nearly enough to stop Vorian in the long run, but it was a start. A public stripping of a valuable asset would be a clear, if unspoken, signal of Baren's displeasure, a crack in Vorian's veneer of untouchability.
His father, however, still wrestled with the deeper wound. "To think… my only brother…"
Liam knew the depth of that familial bond, and how Vorian would exploit it. What you don't know, Father, Liam thought with a pang of sorrow, is that he won't stop. He will kill every last one of us if he's allowed to fester. The image of his parents' deaths in his previous life, of Sarah's haunted face, flashed through his mind, stoking the fires of his determination. He couldn't rely on his father's measured pace alone. He had to get stronger, faster.
Excusing himself, Liam left his father to his brooding and headed towards the training ground. The sun was high, the air crisp. The familiar scent of sawdust and sweat was a strange comfort, a grounding reality amidst the treacherous currents of courtly intrigue and familial betrayal. He needed to advance, to push his limits. His current strength, though growing, felt pitifully inadequate against the darkness he knew was coming.
As he began his warm-up, his mind raced, sifting through memories, searching for opportunities. And then, it came to him – an event from his past, a chance for growth and perhaps, a valuable asset.
Two weeks. In two weeks, House Oulbeck, a smaller but respected noble family known for their mastery of spear and shield, situated a few days' ride to the southeast, would host their annual youth tournament. The grand prize was always something significant, an heirloom or a rare artifact. He vaguely recalled it from his previous life – he hadn't participated then, too busy with his indolent pursuits. But this time…
He focused, trying to recall the specifics. The prize… yes. A ring. An ancient relic said to significantly enhance the wearer's mana pool and regeneration. It was precisely what he needed to fuel Dragonheart Vigor more effectively and for longer durations.
The familiar translucent panel flickered into existence before his eyes, a new quest shimmering upon it.
[New Quest: The Oulbeck Tournament of Spears]
[Difficulty: Hard]
Quest Description:
• Obtain permission from Lord Baren Lithian to participate in the House Oulbeck Youth Tournament.
• Travel to the Oulbeck territory and register for the tournament.
• Win the tournament.
Tournament Conditions: Participants must be 17 years of age or younger and hold a minimum rank of ★★ (Swordsman Apprentice).
[Rewards]
• +3 to All Stats
• [Relic: Ring of Azure Depths] (Details locked until acquired)
• 1500 EXP
• Title: Oulbeck Champion
[Penalty for Failure]
• Loss of a significant opportunity for growth.
• -2 to All Stats.
• Potential decrease in standing/respect if performance is notably poor.
Liam's eyes narrowed. The age limit was perfect; he was fifteen. His current rank of ★★ Swordsman Apprentice met the minimum requirement. This was it. This was his next step.
The difficulty was 'Hard,' which was a significant jump. It meant the competition would be fierce, likely with other talented young nobles, perhaps even some prodigies he hadn't encountered in his previous, less-focused youth. But the rewards… a relic-class ring, a title, and substantial stat boosts. The risk was worth it.
Now, he just had to convince his father. After the recent turmoil with Vorian, asking to leave the estate for a tournament might be a hard sell. But Baren had also just witnessed Liam's surprisingly astute political counsel regarding Vorian. Perhaps he was ready to see his son step out and test his newfound mettle in a more public arena. It was a gamble, but one Liam was determined to take. The Ring of Azure Depths could be a crucial key to his accelerated growth, and he would not let the opportunity pass him by.