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Join the Server“Mister Dis actually attended the Cathedral Academy in the past, and was even a former member of the Masked Brotherhood,” the young man hosting the gathering continued to introduce.
“Then Mister Dis must be our esteemed senior!” Pierre exclaimed, overjoyed.
The Masked Brotherhood was, in fact, considered an old and established society within the Cathedral Academy. This exclusive club primarily recruited the heirs of grand noble families. If Mister Dis had been a member, it unequivocally indicated his highly distinguished status.
In an instant, the distance between them seemed to vanish.
“It truly pleases me to know that my former society boasts so many outstanding juniors,” Dis remarked, pouring wine for Pierre. “I told him to bring some interesting people from the society to meet, as the market also needs fresh blood. I never expected it to be the heir to the Northern Duchy—what a delightful surprise.”
“Oh, not at all…” The endless stream of flattering remarks immediately made Pierre feel lightheaded.
What he had always lacked most was recognition and attention. Against such praise, even if it was mere politeness, he had no immunity.
“Please excuse me for a moment; I still need to greet the other guests.” The young man hosting the gathering departed the private room.
“Mister Dis is quite cautious,” Pierre observed, scrutinizing the man after they had both taken their seats.
Mister Dis was impeccably dressed in formal attire, yet a masquerade mask obscured his face.
“My identity is not suitable for disclosure to newly acquainted individuals,” Dis stated nonchalantly. “In fact, I am not merely an internal member of that market, but also one of the organizers.”
“That is truly remarkable,” Pierre responded, a hint of surprise in his voice. “It is an honor to meet you here.”
To operate such a clandestine market in the Imperial City, defying all odds, undoubtedly required considerable power and connections.
‘This means Mister Dis is not only the heir to a great family but also a prominent figure who wields significant influence today.’
“It is equally my honor to meet the future Duke Alençon,” Dis said, raising his glass. “To new friends.”
“Ugh…” Pierre hesitated, gazing at the brim-full glass of strong liquor before him.
“What’s wrong? Can’t hold your liquor? I heard you have quite the capacity,” Dis noted, discerning his predicament.
Pierre’s expression tightened. He did not wish to dampen the other man’s enthusiasm, yet he feared that one drink would lead to his father’s inevitable scolding and disdain.
Just as he struggled to find an excuse, Dis suddenly had an epiphany. “Ah, speaking of which, your father has arrived in the Imperial City, hasn’t he? Actually, I’ve heard a little about your situation. Do you also find it difficult to get along with your father?”
“Also?” Pierre paused, startled. “Are you saying, Mister Dis…”
He wasn’t surprised that Dis knew about his situation. He had been complaining about his father and that accursed adopted daughter in the society for quite some time, so it wasn’t strange for Dis to have heard about it from the introducer.
However, from the other man’s tone, it seemed he shared a similar predicament.
“I, too, once had a strained relationship with my father. He constantly berated me for my lack of ambition, claiming I shamed him. Yet, in the end, he could do nothing about it, for I was his only heir. The older generation is too rigid; even now, having merely inherited a fraction of the family’s assets, I effortlessly surpass those lower-class individuals who desperately claw their way up. What impact does their so-called ambition or lack thereof have on the ultimate outcome?” Dis chuckled.
“You’ve truly spoken my heart!” Pierre exclaimed, excitedly slapping his thigh, but then he sighed, deflated. “But my father genuinely doesn’t think that way at all; he’s utterly prejudiced. I’m telling you, he used to—”
Dis listened with a smile as Pierre vented his frustrations, thinking, ‘This is perfect.’
‘Indeed, this is exactly what I needed.’
Such conversational tactics to build rapport were, of course, entirely fabricated by him.
They had noticed the Duke’s useless son while investigating Duke Alençon’s weaknesses.
After inquiring about Pierre’s circumstances, they quickly discovered that the Alençon ducal family truly had a tiger father with a dog son. Pierre Alençon, this young nobleman, possessed neither intellect nor ambition. His entry into the Cathedral Academy’s inner court through various connections was nothing short of a waste of a spot.
His relationship with the Duke was strained, and he harbored an extreme jealousy towards the Duke’s adopted daughter, Jeanne Decker. He spent his days complaining within the society, exhibiting a pathological obsession with the attention of others.
In short, this person was easily manipulated.
Thus, they quickly set their plan in motion.
It was true that Dis had once been a member of the Masked Brotherhood. Upon discovering that the other man was also a member, he leveraged this connection, along with an invitation to the Chain Market, to easily approach him.
To earn his trust, all he needed was a simple conversational gambit.
Pierre complained for a while, finally mentioning Jeanne Decker:
“…That damned adopted daughter, with father’s favoritism, has become even more reckless! She even dares to lecture me, can you imagine? A country bumpkin from a border village lecturing a ducal heir? And father actually tolerates such an absurd thing?”
“That is truly absurd. What is the point of favoring an adopted daughter with no lineage so excessively? Duke Alençon is being rather irrational…” Dis mused, suddenly stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Ahem, now that you mention it, did he perhaps return from the border solely to protect that adopted daughter?”
“What?” Pierre was utterly bewildered. He knew nothing of Jeanne Decker’s situation, as the Church had temporarily suppressed the news of the Saintess facing an inquisitorial trial. Only individuals of certain status and connections had the opportunity to attend the trial, and Duke Alençon had not disclosed anything to him.
Dis deliberately feigned surprise, then let out a wry chuckle.
After a long moment, he finally spoke: “Your father didn’t tell you anything at all?”
Subsequently, Pierre was informed that Jeanne Decker had been apprehended by Dis and taken to the Inquisition for trial.
“Jeanne Decker was arrested?” Pierre was initially shocked by the news.
Then, he couldn’t help but reveal a gloating smile. “Ha! That village girl finally got her comeuppance! Then she—”
“Now, now, don’t celebrate too soon,” Dis interrupted with a chuckle. “The news I heard suggests there’s a very low probability of her being convicted. Apparently, a powerful figure is protecting her. From what you’re saying, I’m afraid… it might just be Duke Alençon, wouldn’t you agree?”
The smile gradually faded from Pierre’s face. He realized the purpose of his father’s special return, and the reason for his constant busyness over the past few days.
Jeanne Decker was suspected of heresy, and his father was even willing to rush back specifically to protect her?
What a joke! Everyone knew that when dealing with heretics, even family members should draw a clear line to avoid implication. That village girl had caused such a huge mess, yet his father was still wholeheartedly protecting her. ‘Father, are you truly insane?’
He recalled how, in the past, whenever he caused any trouble, his father would not only refuse to help him resolve it but would also be the one to scold him most fiercely!
Unconsciously, the flames of jealousy once again burned in his eyes.
Dis observed him, a faint smile playing on his lips—he sensed the time was ripe.
“I find Duke Alençon’s actions to be rather unwise,” Dis stated.
“Exactly!” Pierre ground out, agreeing through clenched teeth.
“I have an idea. Would you care to hear it?” Dis said, raising his glass.
Pierre looked at his smiling eyes with surprise. Finally, Pierre steeled himself and raised his glass. “Speak,” he said, drinking it all in one gulp.
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