The Extra's Rise-Chapter 509: Hwaeryun Banquet (2)

Leopold maintained his stoic demeanor as he exchanged pleasantries with the two family heads. He found their manner far more tolerable than the courtly excess of Avalon’s nobility.

These leaders had been tempered by the ongoing war, their words and actions stripped of unnecessary flourishes. It was a refreshing contrast to the nobles of the Slatemark Empire’s heart, who had grown soft in their unchallenged comfort. Central’s aristocracy seldom faced the grit and chaos of true battle; they played their games in lavish halls, insulated from the harshness of the world. Even the East, until the vampire war, had enjoyed relative peace compared to the relentless strife faced by the North, West, and South.

Leopold himself had seen his share of combat—skirmishes with miasmic species and the occasional border conflicts with other regions. Yet, his experience was limited compared to those forged in unending war. Perhaps that was why he loathed Avalon’s nobles so deeply. They excelled at politics, yes, but their politics were often drenched in vanity.

When the formalities with the two heads concluded, Leopold was greeted by another presence. Kathyln Creighton, heir to the powerful family that ruled half of the North, approached with poise.

’She has grown,’ Leopold thought, noting her silver hair catching the light like frost under the sun. She had recently broken through to Immortal-rank, placing her among the top hundred strongest humans in existence—a feat all the more impressive at her age of twenty-three.

"I trust your time at the Tower of Magic was enlightening?" Leopold asked, his voice measured.

"It was," Kathyln replied with a faint smile. "Archmage Charlotte was a brilliant mentor. I learned a great deal under her guidance."

Leopold inclined his head. Kathyln’s enthusiasm for magic seemed to outweigh her family’s historic rivalry with the Tower of Magic, a fact that intrigued him. As she bowed and departed, Leopold’s gaze followed her for a moment, thoughtful.

The next to greet him was Sun Zenith, the rising star of the Mount Hua Sect.

Leopold’s expression betrayed a flicker of surprise. ’Quasi-Immortal-rank,’ he noted silently, his eyes narrowing as he studied the young man.

Sun was in that peculiar liminal stage, perched between the pinnacle of Ascendant-rank and the threshold of Immortal-rank. His body had yet to undergo its second metamorphosis, but his Sword Heart had already given rise to a Sword Domain—a rare and extraordinary achievement.

’Ridiculous talent,’ Leopold mused, though he kept his face impassive. At twenty-two, Sun Zenith was on the cusp of immortality, a level of progression that defied reason. Yet something about the young swordsman’s bearing unsettled Leopold. There was an edge to his confidence that felt out of balance. He kept his reservations to himself, offering only a polite nod as Sun moved on.

Finally, a familiar figure approached—Lucifer Windward, heir to the Windward family.

Leopold regarded the young man thoughtfully. "I’ve heard of your remarkable achievement," he said, his tone neutral but laced with gravity. "To defeat a low Ascendant-rank Bishop without scaling the Wall is the stuff of legends. Congratulations."

Lucifer inclined his head in acknowledgment, his verdant eyes gleaming with quiet pride.

’So many remarkable talents in one generation,’ Leopold thought.

Lucifer’s talent was monstrous, an achievement so singular it rivaled even Arthur’s own breakthrough. The two stood nearly equal in their unprecedented abilities—both had shattered barriers thought impossible. Yet here was Lucifer, seemingly overshadowed despite his earth-shaking accomplishments.

Leopold’s gaze lingered on both young men, his thoughts turning contemplative. ’Two heroes in one generation,’ he mused. ’The prophecies speak of only one, but perhaps...’

The uncertainty gnawed at him. Which of these two would claim the mantle of the prophesied hero? Or would fate surprise them all?

But as Leopold’s eyes settled on Arthur Nightingale, a different kind of recognition stirred within him—something deeper and more visceral than mere admiration for talent.

’I genuinely find myself astounded by that young man,’ Leopold thought, and suddenly, unbidden, a memory surfaced.

The sensation hit him like a physical blow. The memory of Magnus Draykar’s sword, that legendary blade cutting through the very fabric of reality when the Martial King had reached high Radiant-rank just before his death. Leopold had felt it despite not being there, had felt the oppressive weight of that transcendent technique, the way it had made even space itself seem to bend and buckle.

And now, watching Arthur, Leopold felt an echo of that same sensation. Not the full weight, not yet, but the promise of it. The potential for something that could one day rival even Magnus Draykar’s legendary peak.

The realization sent a chill down Leopold’s spine.

’This boy could very well reach high Radiant-rank,’ Leopold speculated. ’Perhaps even beyond.’

The idea was audacious, yet here was Arthur—a young man who made the audacious seem inevitable.

After Lucifer stepped aside, it was Arthur’s turn to approach, flanked by the two princesses who walked with regal poise at his sides.

"I greet His Grace," Arthur said, bowing deeply, while Rachel and Seraphina dipped into lighter, yet perfectly respectful bows befitting their royal status. freēnovelkiss.com

Leopold inclined his head in return. "I greet Her Highness Rachel, Her Highness Seraphina, and Arthur," he said, his tone even but unmistakably sincere. "Your achievement in holding back an Immortal-ranker has reached far and wide, Arthur. It was nothing short of extraordinary."

Leopold’s words were entirely genuine. When he first read the report of the battle, his surprise had been so visceral that the cup of coffee he had been holding had shattered in his grip, spilling its contents unnoticed.

A boy, not even of age, had survived combat with a low Immortal-rank Vampire Ancestor.

Even acknowledging that the opponent might not have been fighting at full strength, the feat was remarkable—unprecedented, even.

’Arthur Nightingale has already contributed more to this war than most seasoned warriors ever could,’ Leopold thought, his eyes steady on the young man before him. The boy’s accomplishments weighed heavily on his mind, each one a testament to a talent that defied conventional understanding.

Killing a low Ascendant-rank vampire. Slaying a mid Ascendant-rank vampire. And now, holding his ground against an Immortal-rank vampire. These were not the accolades of a prodigy; they were the legacy of a rising legend. And Arthur had achieved all of this before crossing the threshold into adulthood.

Leopold nodded slightly, the smallest gesture of respect, as he appraised the trio before him. Among them, it was Arthur who stood out most—not for his title or his companions, but for the quiet, undeniable power he carried.

"Thank you, Your Grace, but I still have much to achieve," Arthur replied, meeting Leopold’s gaze squarely.

Leopold studied him, his sharp violet eyes searching for any trace of hubris in the boy’s demeanor. What he found instead surprised him. ’Not a shred of pride,’ he mused. Arthur’s gaze was clear and focused, unclouded by arrogance or self-satisfaction. Despite the extraordinary heights he had already reached, his demeanor spoke of someone who saw his current strength as merely a stepping stone. He was relentless, unyielding in his pursuit of growth.

Leopold’s thoughts turned briefly to the young women flanking Arthur, their presence commanding in their own right. He discreetly glanced at Seraphina and Rachel, regal and poised, standing alongside him.

’And then there’s Princess Cecilia and Lady Rose as well,’ Leopold mused, shaking his head slightly as another thought crossed his mind.

’Elara.’ The memory of his daughter, Elara Astoria, danced unbidden through his thoughts. She had shown a curious interest in Arthur after their brief encounters at formal events. It was nothing yet—fleeting moments of admiration, perhaps—but Leopold’s instincts stirred uneasily.

’I need to keep her away from him,’ he decided firmly. Not out of disdain for Arthur, but out of a pragmatic concern. The young man was a magnet, effortlessly drawing others into his orbit. And why wouldn’t he? His unparalleled strength, coupled with his undeniable charisma, had already ensnared four of the most influential young women in the world: Cecilia Slatemark, Seraphina Zenith, Rachel Creighton and Rose Springshaper.

’He’s far too skilled at winning hearts’, Leopold admitted to himself with a begrudging respect. It wasn’t just his power that captivated—it was his unwavering resolve, his grounded humility, and his relentless drive. If anyone could navigate the intricate web of alliances, rivalries, and emotions that defined their world, it was Arthur Nightingale.

Leopold’s determination solidified. He would ensure Elara kept her distance. Arthur was a force to be reckoned with, and even those closest to him could find themselves swept up in the storm.

Sadly for Arthur, his goal of getting in the Archduke’s good books wasn’t going according to plan.