"Please welcome the heir to Duke Asvold's mansion, Arthur Asvold!"
As the voice boomed throughout the hall, the door adorned with golden decorations suddenly swung open, revealing a handsome boy walking slowly on the red carpet toward the center, where David stood.
The boy possessed an extraordinarily handsome face, adorned with a stern expression.
His countenance remained unchanging, displaying an air of indifference.
He was dressed in a red robe bearing a symbol of blazing fire on its back.
His purple eyes emitted a faint glow, reflecting the light of the hall.
Perched upon his neatly arranged jet-black hair was a small red crown.
As soon as the boy appeared, every onlooker immediately turned their gaze towards him, their expressions undergoing a noticeable transformation.
"What?!"
"Is this the heir to Duke Asvold?!"
"How marvelous!"
Everyone present couldn't help but be amazed by Arthur, particularly his extraordinarily handsome face and the maturity displayed in his expression, which seemed beyond his young age.
Of course, those who had previously seen Arthur were not overly surprised, yet they couldn't help but admire the heir before them.
...
"What!"
eαglesnᴏνel "Arthur?!" Lucia, who had been keeping her head low, raised it with a mixture of sadness and surprise as she looked at the heir of Duke Asvold, whose expression quickly shifted.
"How could it be Arthur?" Her body shook violently, and her face was full of disbelief.
Emperor Alex smiled slightly and spoke casually, "It's true; he is the new heir of Duke Asvold."
"I thought I'd introduce you both; what do you think?"
"Perhaps you could get along well," he said, as if he were unaware of their relationship.
Emperor Alex's words added fuel to the fire, causing Lucia to bite her lip and clench her fists as if she wanted to burst out of the room and confront Arthur.
However, she remained motionless and immediately bowed her head, refusing to utter a word to her father.
Upon witnessing this, Emperor Alex smiled to himself and thought, "Hehehe, it worked."
...
"Father, look!"
"Young Master Arthur is truly amazing!" Anna tugged on Lucas' arm, pointing at Arthur walking on the red carpet with a tone filled with admiration and enthusiasm.
Lucas, witnessing this, nodded in agreement and didn't mind Anna's fervent nature.
After all, his perception of Arthur had undergone a complete turnaround since their encounter with Duke Asvold and other nobles on the day of the awakening.
"I hope you can lead us to victory!" He thought to himself, gazing full of hope at Arthur.
...
Arthur walked towards David in the center of the hall, feeling the weight of everyone's stares upon him.
It made him slightly nervous, although not because of the attention he was receiving.
His nervousness stemmed from Lucia.
He had initially intended to play a harmless prank on Lucia, but now he regretted whether he had gone too far.
"I hope everything will be fine," he sighed, lifting his gaze slightly towards Emperor Alex's special room.
"That's right!"
"I overreacted, huh~"
"I'll have to apologize afterward." Arthur silently acknowledged his guilt toward Lucia.
He continued to walk slowly until he stood in front of David, who observed him with a contented expression.
Without delay, David shifted his gaze toward everyone present and spoke with determination, "Everyone!"
"This is my son, as well as the heir who will carry on the southern territory in my place in the future!" David announced it with pride.
Upon hearing this, everyone present immediately bowed and saluted, saying in unison, "Greetings, young Lord Arthur!"
Arthur nodded and responded softly, "Thank you, everyone." His formerly indifferent countenance transformed into an expression of innocent delight as a genuine smile adorned his face.
"Young Lord Arthur is truly remarkable and talented," some openly praised, and others soon joined in.
Arthur simply smiled in response, choosing not to reply, his innocence shining through.
In light of David Asvold's position, everyone present was obligated to show respect to Arthur, as his status had been significantly elevated.
In a sense, if David were absent from the southern region, Arthur would be considered the de facto ruler.
However, this assessment was not solely dependent on his status and age; his capabilities and other factors had to be considered as well.
Without proper abilities and discernment, Arthur risked becoming a figurehead leader, easily manipulated by those beneath him.
Arthur comprehended the importance of his abilities, feeling confident that his training from his previous life had proved highly beneficial in this world.
Particularly in the realm of leadership, the teachings imparted by his mentor and father in his previous life had proven invaluable.
The only aspect he seemed to lack was a subordinate who would unwaveringly pledge loyalty to him, along with the strength required to support his ambitions.
Nonetheless, Arthur harbored hopes of acquiring both before Abel's arrival within the next decade.
"Abel, oh Abel, now that my status and talent have grown stronger, I will sever any ties you may have with those who support you."
He chuckled inwardly, thinking, "How will you defeat me without them?" Yet, outwardly, his expression remained a gentle smile in the presence of others.
His caution towards Abel was no longer as strong as it had been when he first reincarnated in this world, especially after learning from the strange woman that this world was the real world and the novel "The Birth of the Elemental Lord" was a mere copy based on this world.
However, the possibility that Abel in the novel was the main character made him wary as well.
Particularly troubling was the knowledge that Abel's future achievements in the novel portrayed him as an extraordinarily powerful Elemental Lord!
Without delay, the butler beside David stepped forward to address everyone present.
He announced, "Alright, those of you who wish to present a gift to young Lord Arthur, please come forward."
The next event held great importance as it was a gesture of honor towards the host, particularly the Asvold family, one of the three prominent families.
No one dared to offend the majesty of these three families, for they were the sole contenders capable of challenging their power!
Just as everyone prepared to line up and present their gifts, a remarkably intense pressure enveloped the hall.
The pressure they felt was comparable to that of Duke Asvold himself.
Just as they were about to discern its source, a man dressed in a pristine white robe materialized at the center of the hall.
He was accompanied by an elderly servant, and a charming little girl with short blonde hair followed closely behind.
"Long time no see, Arthur Asvold!" the man greeted.
