Epic Of The Demonic Sage

'I must not conclude too hastily on what actually transpired. I'm not sure how it's possible for her to have an Epic Rank gift when people have said that that it's Black Shield, a Rare Rank Gift.' Lucius thought to himself.

"What's on your mind, Asher?" Kiana asked.

"I was thinking of what it would be like to spar Viscountess Blackshield." Lucius said.

"That's…" Kiana's eyes widened.

She knew that Asher was great with the sword after having learned from Lieutenant John and being gifted with Wind Scar Sword Artifact, Asher also skillfully saved Gellor from the Alpha wolf that they encountered in Aisse Territory.

There were other instances too where Asher showed his competency in the battlefield however, Viscountess Blackshield's gift was like the perfect counter to Asher's sword.

"I won't be asking her right now." Lucius chuckled when he noticed the apprehension on Kiana's face. "It's not the proper occasion for it, Kiana. I'm aware. We have a banquet tonight and it's a time for celebration, not exactly sparring."

"It's less of that and more of…" Kiana pursed her lips and didn't know how to put it in words. "You are…"

"Are you concerned with how I'll face the situation, Kiana?" Lucius asked.

'I'm already aware that there are probably instances where nobility and other people ask one another to spar. It wouldn't even actually be that strange if I were to ask her now, but for decorum's sake, I have to relinquish the thought and put it at a later occasion.' Lucius thought.

In his past world, Lucius was familiar with nobility engaging in duels of honor and sometimes merely out of pettiness and hostility against one another.

It was something of a spectacle for others, and he knew that if he were to ask Viscountess Blackshield to spar, there would be interested spectators that wouldn't actually stop them and instead encourage it to be done.

'However, this will show my ability with the sword to others and though they might be already aware of it due to the actual Asher's efforts in the Gisir war before he died. He and I aren't exactly the same.' Lucius thought.

"You need not to hesitate with your words, Kiana." Lucius said.

Kiana hadn't said a word all this time and she was merely biting down on her lip as if restraining herself.

Lucius reckoned it was the Mark of Loyalty that made her feel as if she couldn't say it, almost as if she was betraying Asher by stating her thoughts but Lucius was all for opposition from his closest advisers.

"How else would I be informed if you do not share with me what you think of such situations, Kiana?" Lucius asked.

"Viscountess Blackshield is just ten years your senior in terms of fighting. Of course there's the fact that you probably retained your fighting prowess, Asher but she's vicious and even if she feels sympathetic because of the assassination attempt, that doesn't mean that she would go soft on you or anything." Kiana said with a worried look on her face. "I do not wish to see you get hurt, Asher. Depending on her self control, she might not be able to effectively restrain herself and while we have Healers and everything… it does feel like something that can be avoided entirely. Perhaps the Count could merely ask her in your stead to show the gift?"

"Hmm… I am not worried about that. I am simply interested in seeing how her gift operates. Asking to see what it is without asking for a spar seems like something she wouldn't be willing to do is all. She'd do it for the sake of father, but that will not reflect good on me." Lucius pointed out.

'With her tendency for violence, I think she'd be far more willing to use her gift when actually engaged in combat and not merely for presentation. Of course, that would allow me to judge her gift far more accurately.' Lucius thought.

The reason why Lucius said that he wanted to spar was merely for observation. It would be interesting to see how he would fair against the woman, but truth be told, Lucius actually wanted to see her have a great fighting capacity.

'I'm not always going to be on the battlefield. In fact, I'd rather manipulate the events and let people go for my sake as it's a better use of my time to redirect it and control from the shadows. So I'd actually be more pleased if Viscountess Blackshield is truly as good as Kiana builds her up to be, she'd be useful in that account. Count Gabriel is a useful weapon, but he needs to be alive for me to benefit from it, so if there's another potential warrior to use that's a little more disposable then it would be good to have them.'

"I think you're right, Asher." Kiana agreed with a small sigh. She haven't actually interacted with the Viscountess that much due to her position, but the way that Asher assessed Viscountess Blackshield was not out of reason.

"Let's not fret about it right now, look, all of the guests seemed to have arrived at last, Kiana." Lucius gestured as he saw the next flock of nobility arrive from the double doors. "Is there anyone in particular that I should take notice?"

"No. Most of them are lower-ranked nobility now." Kiana whispered.

Out of the in flock of new nobility guests, Lucius finally saw Baron Hugh arrive with a smile on his face. The man didn't even look tired after greeting with all of the guests before he approached and took center stage.

In fact, Baron Hugh actually looked excited about it.

'Ah, a voice-enhancing artifact.' Lucius thought when he saw the Baron Hugh take out something out of his pocket and smiled warmly.

"Good evening guests, friends and honored individuals! Now that everyone has arrived, the festivities of tonight can finally begin. Please drink, eat and mingle to all of our heart's contents for all of us here are gathered tonight for one purpose only. To celebrate the victory of Inanis Family!"