"Him? He’s still far from ready. At twenty years old, he’s still rough around the edges—managing to take over the responsibilities of our Lien Castel line would be no small feat."
"You’re being modest, my lord. I’ve heard that Lord Derek became a Starry Knight at just eighteen and has exceptional talent in sword skills. It shouldn’t be a problem for him to become a Silver Moon like you in the future," Madoc said with a chuckle.
The elderly noble laughed and shook his head:
"If we’re talking about talent, the Count is truly formidable. I’ve heard from Sharon that the Count became a Starry Knight before he even came of age, and it seems he was an ’Awakening Starry Knight’ at that. The Count is the true genius!"
As he spoke, the elderly noble grew curious and asked:
"Lord Madoc, I heard that the truth behind the depletion of the mithril in the mines has been discovered? Was someone secretly manipulating the Mining Workshop? What exactly is going on?"
"As you know, our Lien Domain is in the south. Although we have dividend rights from the mine, we’ve hardly been involved in the management of the Workshop, holding only a marginal position."
Upon finishing, the elderly noble’s expression grew solemn:
"Such a significant matter has been concealed for so long, there must be something complex behind it..."
The North Port Mayor, Madoc, sighed and said:
"Indeed, it seems even the Count has been in a poor mood these past few days since returning from the Workshop. I fear the issue is more complicated than we imagined. However... the Count did not tell me the details, so I’m not too clear on the specifics."
As he spoke, he added with a smile:
"But, my lord, if there is anything you wish to know, perhaps you could ask the Count directly. After all, Lien Castel and the Count Mansion are one and the same—we’re all family here."
The elderly noble sighed:
"Speaking of the Count, I feel deeply ashamed. Had I known he experienced such difficulties at Castel Manor, I should have never come back and instead should have stayed by his side."
Upon hearing the elderly noble’s words, a young noble nearby couldn’t help but say:
"Grandfather, there was no way to know. Who could have predicted that Mrs. Ilena would fall and become a Blood Demon?"
"As for the silver mines... in my opinion, it definitely has something to do with the Legris Family. After all, their lands are closest to the Silver Mining City. I heard that when the Count was restructuring the Mining Workshop not long ago, the steward of the Legris Family even talked back to the Count!"
Hearing his eldest grandson’s words, the elderly noble’s brow furled slightly, appearing somewhat dissatisfied with the interruption.
But in the next moment, accompanied by light laughter, a languid female voice came from behind them:
"Oh? The Lien Castel family seems quite well-informed! It looks like you’re not entirely ignorant about the matters of the mine, are you?"
Upon hearing this voice, Madoc’s eyelids twitched. He looked up and saw an attractive lady in a burgundy noble dress gracefully exiting a carriage, escorted by an Armored Knight as she approached.
On her ample bosom, she bore a silver badge depicting a fire dragon.
Recognizing the lady’s identity, Madoc quickly offered another bow:
"Viscount Legris, welcome to North Port."
The lady slightly nodded to Madoc, then glanced at the young noble, Derek, and addressed Viscount Lien Castel:
"Lord Emery, you should better discipline this heir of yours. I, Lola de Legris, am innocent concerning the Castel silver mine, and the honor of the Legris Family does not permit such slander."
"To have such an uncouth successor, frankly, I’m quite concerned for the future of Lien Castel,"
Hearing the lady’s words, the elderly noble slightly furrowed his brow, while Derek beside him scoffed and said:
"The Legris Family is well known for its military might in Castel. Who knows what role you played in the Mining Workshop?"
As he spoke, Derek cast a disdainful look at the lady:
"The once formidable Legris family, known for their might during the Star Moon War, has now been reduced to a mere woman in charge. It seems the Legris Family is indeed on the decline."
Hearing Derek’s words, the comely lady’s expression shifted slightly.
But quickly, she laughed again and addressed the North Port Mayor, Madoc:
"Lord Madoc, did you see that? The Lien Castel family is looking down on our Count, not realizing that our Count is also a distinguished woman!"
With that, the lady lifted her head and announced to the surrounding nobles:
"Did you all hear that? The Lien Castel family looks down on female nobles!"
Hearing the lady’s words, the surrounding passing nobles showed strange expressions and murmured amongst themselves.
Derek’s face changed, and he hastily spoke in a panic:
"No, I didn’t mean... I wasn’t!"
Duke Lien Castel glared at him with dissatisfaction and then calmly said to the lady:
"Madam Lola, you need not concern yourself with our Lien Castel affairs. Instead, consider how to face the Count’s wrath."
As he spoke, he looked meaningfully at the lady:
"Although Derek is impetuous, he did make a valid point—when it comes to influence, no one in the Castel Mining Workshop can match the Legris."
The glamorous lady’s expression changed slightly.
But soon, she regained her composure with a smile, retorting:
"In that case, I’m also quite curious—how did the Lien Castel family, formerly leaders of the mine inspection team, fail to detect that the depletion of mithril was a fabrication?"