Devouring Dragon Heir-Chapter 58: Ch Date with Ria?

As he walked through the mansion, he learned from one of the house staff that his grandfather, William, had indeed come to check on him, but seeing him sleeping so deeply, had decided to let him rest, respecting his need for recovery.

He found William in the grand dining hall, a spacious room with a long, polished table and high, arched windows. William was already seated, enjoying a quiet breakfast.

Klaus walked over and greeted him.

"Good morning, Grandpa," Klaus said, the title now feeling more natural on his tongue.

"Ah, Klaus! Good morning, my boy. You slept well, I believe?"

William replied, a kind smile on his face.

"I didn’t want to disturb you. You looked like you needed the rest after your... assessment." He gave a knowing look.

They sat together at the dining table. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Klaus spoke, turning the conversation towards practical matters.

"Grandpa, I’ve been thinking about this you mentioned seven families, one association which is us and guardian academy, so the total is nine, but you told me that there are ten paragons. which one is the tenth?"

William paused, setting down his fork.

His expression grew more serious. "The tenth faction is the holy church of light and its paragon is the pope, he doesn’t intervene in anyone’s affairs and his intentions are unknown"

Klaus’s brows furrowed. "His intentions are unknown, you say?"

"Precisely," William confirmed.

"The Pope is an enigma. He is an EX-ranked individual, just like myself and the other family patriarchs.

His power is immense, perhaps even surpassing some other Paragons in certain aspects. He commands the largest religious organizations and has much more influence on the common populace than us all"

"even your orphanage was affiliated to the church"

"for his followers, he is a direct conduit of the God of Light, a living divine being.

He preaches peace, purity, and the absolute eradication of darkness and demons, which on the surface, aligns with our goals."

"However," William continued, a thoughtful frown on his face,

"he has consistently refused to openly align with anyone of the factions.

He claims to be above worldly politics, focused solely on spiritual matters and the defense of humanity against ’true evil.’

Yet, his neutrality, in the face of such widespread corruption and alien collusion, is... suspicious.

He has the power to intervene decisively, to sway the entire continent, but he chooses not to.

His true intentions are unknown, a tightly guarded secret even from his closest cardinals."

"He could be a genuine neutral party, focused on his own spiritual path,

genuinely believing in non-interference in human squabbles," Klaus mused, considering the possibility.

"Or he could be playing a deeper game.

Perhaps he has his own agenda, or he’s waiting for the opportune moment to strike, to reveal his true colors when both sides are exhausted."

"That is precisely our concern," William said, nodding.

"His power is immense, derived heavily from Light elemental abilities and likely ancient divine artifacts that the Church has accumulated over centuries.

His influence over the masses, his devoted flock, is unparalleled.

If he were to suddenly align with the corrupt families, or worse, if he had some secret pact with the Watchers,

though that seems unlikely given his stated goals, it would be catastrophic for humanity.

But if we could somehow bring him to our side, or at least ensure he doesn’t become an enemy, it would be a massive advantage to us"

"What about the rumors of him being beyond ex rank surrounding him?" Klaus asked. "Is he truly beyond EX-rank, or is that just propaganda?"

William shook his head. "Those are indeed just rumors, Klaus. No human has ever officially surpassed EX-rank.

It’s the pinnacle of mortal power, the absolute peak of what a human can achieve.

While the Pope is exceptionally strong, and his divine magic is strong beyond measure, he is still an EX-rank.

The rumors are likely spread by his most fervent followers to enhance his mystique and solidify his divine authority among the populace."

"So, he’s powerful, controls unique resources, but not invincible right?" Klaus concluded.

"Exactly," William agreed.

"well it’s a delicate balance" William sighed before changing the topic.

The next morning, after a refreshing night’s sleep and a breakfast that included a revealing conversation with William,

Klaus was back in his spacious room, reviewing his schedule. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

He was contemplating his next steps, perhaps heading to a training ground to test his new SSS-rank skills, when a soft knock sounded at his door.

"Come in," Klaus called out, his voice calm.

William entered, a faint, pleasant smile on his face.

"Get ready, Klaus," he announced.

"We have a banquet to attend this evening."

Klaus raised an eyebrow, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his features. "Banquet?"

The word felt foreign, out of place in his brutal, utilitarian world. His life had been a continuous struggle, devoid of social niceties.

"Yes," William affirmed, his smile widening slightly.

"The Blackwood family’s youngest daughter has come of age and has awakened recently. It’s a grand celebration for her twentieth birthday and the manifestation of her skills."

"They have banquets for that?" Klaus asked, the question laced with genuine bewilderment.

The concept of birthdays being a "big deal" was entirely alien to him. His own birthdays had always passed like any other day, often unmarked, always overshadowed by the relentless grind of survival.

There were no celebrations, no cakes, no gifts.

His childhood, even as Vance, had been defined by a constant scramble for resources, a desperate fight for relevance in a world that constantly sought to discard him.

Other concerns had always occupied his mind, leaving no room for such indulgences.

William perceived Klaus’s genuine confusion, a slight warmth in his eyes.

"Yes, Klaus, they are a very big deal for rich people, for the Legacy Families, for those who exist in circles far removed from the common struggle."

William’s tone was gentle, understanding that Klaus’s past experiences had likely shaped a very different perspective on such events.

"These gatherings serve multiple purposes. They are displays of wealth and power, opportunities for alliances to be forged or broken, and a stage for the younger generation to make their grand debut.

For them, it’s a social ritual as important as any official meeting."

Klaus felt a subtle ripple of discomfort.

The thought of navigating such a superficial environment, filled with the very people whose families had perpetuated the sacrifices that shaped his past, was unappealing.

"Is my participation compulsory?" Klaus asked, his tone flat, betraying a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

He had far more pressing matters on his mind, like understanding his new skills, trying new combos and eating new dungeons.

William’s smile did not waver. "I know you would rather be doing other things, Klaus. Perhaps training, or pursuing the intel we gathered from the purge.

However, going out and appearing in public, especially at events like this, is necessary. This banquet will be your formal debut into a new world, Klaus.

Not just the world of the powerful, but the world where faces are as important as strength, where words can be as sharp as blades.

It is about establishing your presence, making connections, and understanding the social hierarchy you now find yourself at the apex of."

William paused, his expression turning slightly more serious. "And one more thing. You will find quite sharp-tongued people in the banquet. They will test you, provoke you, try to gauge your measure. Just don’t kill them, Klaus.

Do not start a confrontation, even if they are actively asking for it. Politics can be tough to navigate, and direct aggression, while sometimes necessary, can create more problems than it solves in this environment." William gave a pointed look.

Klaus absorbed William’s words, his mind processing the nuances of social warfare.

He didn’t particularly care for meaningless slights, but outright provocation was a different matter.

He raised an eyebrow "if fists are not allowed, then am i free to use my tounge?" he asked.

William let out a soft chuckle.

"Yes, you are. You can say anything you want, within reason. Speak your mind, establish your boundaries.

You don’t have to worry about getting bothered by stronger people, Klaus, because I am your grandpa.

Your status as my heir grants you immense leverage. Use it wisely."

A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched Klaus’s lips.

"Okay. I will be ready on time, Grandpa," Klaus said, his tone now carrying a hint of anticipation. He then stood up.

"I’m going for a bit of shopping. I’ll need new clothes to wear." His current wardrobe consisted mostly of practical, durable training gear and combat suits. A formal banquet required something entirely different.

He left the mansion, the sprawling estate. He walked to the garage where his new supercar was parked, a gleaming testament to his newfound wealth and status.

He boarded the vehicle, the powerful engine purring to life, and drove towards the city center. His first destination was the hunter’s Association building.

He entered the bustling lobby, the familiar sounds of chattering hunters and the faint clanks of mana-powered machinery filling the air.

Ria was working at the main counter, efficiently directing inquiries and processing paperwork. she had really been promoted from an assistant to a floor manager.

The moment she saw Klaus enter, her posture stiffened. She immediately straightened up on her chair, her eyes widening slightly, and then executed a deep, respectful bow.

"Welcome, Young Master," she greeted, her voice formal, a stark contrast to their previous, more casual interactions.

Klaus offered a calming smile, genuine in its intent to put her at ease.

He wasn’t accustomed to such deference, and it felt somewhat awkward. "Come on, Ria, you can just call me Klaus," he said.

Ria, however, remained resolute. Her face, usually so composed, showed a hint of nervousness.

"I wouldn’t dare, Young Master. Not anymore. Now that the Chairman has officially adopted you, your status is unprecedented.

It would be highly improper for me to address you so casually. My apologies, Young Master."

"It’s fine," Klaus reiterated.

He gestured for her to sit down. Klaus acknowledged her adherence to protocol but he was still seeking a degree of comfortable interaction.

As they both sat, Klaus leaned forward slightly. "Ria, I need your help with something. I need a good outfit for a formal banquet tonight. Will you go shopping with me?"

He posed the question directly, without a hint of hesitation or awareness of its social implications.

He simply needed assistance from the only female acquaintance he had in this new world.

Romantic feelings did not enter his mind, he had never experienced them,

and was therefore completely oblivious to how things like this might be perceived.

To him, it was a practical request, nothing more, but for Ria it was more like asking out for a date.

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