Chapter 107: Spade Council

Raven stepped out of the carriage, his black boots tapping softly against the cobblestone street. He adjusted his neat black coat and looked up at Havan Manor.

The building was huge, made of white stone with detailed carvings of noble symbols and tall pillars supporting a grand, arched doorway.

Emanuel moved ahead, opening the iron gate that led to a wide path lined with manicured hedges and marble statues.

Jacob, Quincy, and Selene followed close behind Raven, their expressions calm and composed.

As they neared the entrance, two men in blue uniforms clad with long rifles in their hands stepped forward and blocked the path.

"Your invitation, sir," one of them requested, his tone formal but firm.

Emanuel handed over a neatly rolled parchment with the stamped Holmes Family seal. The guard looked at it briefly, then nodded, stepping aside and signaling to the other guard.

The grand doors, each inlaid with golden patterns, swung open with a creak.

Raven inhaled deeply and stepped inside.

The foyer was nothing short of magnificent. A shiny black-and-white checkered marble floor stretched across the room, reflecting the light from a huge crystal chandelier above. Tall, arched ceilings held up by decorative columns were covered in painted murals.

Noblemen and women in neat formal attires moved gracefully through the room, their quiet voices blending into a soft hum. Most didn't pay much attention to Raven, but a few curious eyes stayed on him, their faces showing interest.

Emanuel guided Raven towards a side corridor leading to the council chamber.

"Have you come here before?" Raven noticed Emanuel knew the ins and outs of this building and was surprised inside.

"No, My Lord. But I gathered information about this building from a friend of mine."

Raven nodded faintly; his sharp gaze soon approached the heavy oak doors looming on the left side.

Lots of people stood outside the chamber and were chattering.

After a swift look, Raven realized that most of them were servants or guards.

"Only the member of the Spade Council is allowed to enter." As Raven's group approached the door, a tall man clad in silver armor stepped forward and blocked his path.

Unlike other guards in formal dresses, he looked more like a Knight from a medieval Rune Age!

[Oh? A genuine Aether Armor Set, huh? Each of his pieces of equipment is an artifact, lad!]

Only then did Raven adjust the monocle and look at the equipment.

'The Armor plate is a Rare Rank, the amulet is an uncommon item, three rings, two being uncommon and one being rare, his boots seem similar to mine but superior in quality, his helm is a rare artifact, his gauntlets are uncommon too, and finally his sword is a rare item!' Raven knew that each uncommon artifact would be worth around 10,000 gold coins!

[And his rare artifacts should be around 80,000 to 100,000 gold coins! It is a Rank-3 Aether Rune Set. As for his strength, he should be around Intermediate realm Expert Rank.]

'I can feel suffocating just by standing near him.' Raven kept his composure and then asked.

'How powerful is this Expert Knight?' While asking, he took a badge from the inventory and showed it to him.

[How should I describe an Expert Realm strength… Yes. Usually, a group of 7 to 8 Knights is needed to kill the same Rank Magical Beast. Even that much strength wouldn't be enough if the Magical Beasts entered a berserk state. But with the help of the Aether Armor set, only two people would be enough. Did you check the equipment skills? Armor Plate has a self-repairing effect and buffs the user with regenerative power. When injured, it is more like the automatic injection of the healing potion into the user's body. His rare ring has a Rank-3' Wind Shield' spell engraved, his Helm has a Rank-2' Vision of Clarify' spell engraved, his weapon has '100% Extra Sharpness,' his amulet has a unique Rank-2 spell called 'Aura of Courage' engraved, and his boots have the Rank-2 'Invisibility' spell too!]

'How much gold coin did the Count invest in a single Knight?' Raven couldn't help but get stunned inside.

[Most probably around 500,000 gold coins.]

‘What?’ Raven was startled.

[Hmm, a Baron's total monthly profit from taxes and his businesses should be around 80,000 to 100,000 gold coins. Viscount should earn around 200,000 to 300,000 gold coins. As for a Count with a city of 1M and multiple towns and small cities, his monthly profit would be around 1M to 1.5M gold coins for sure.]

Raven couldn't help but take a deep breath.

As the guard checked his badge and spatial ring, Raven continued his conversation with Zera.

'1M gold coins per month, huh? But if I can concoct 100 'Mind of Insight' and send them for auction, I can make a similar amount.] He couldn't help but voice out his thoughts.

[You are treating the Alchemists and Wizards like idiots, kid. Do you know why Anastasia sent the potion you made to influential figures like Alchemist Johnathon before auctioning the second batch? If you think she is helping you, you are gravely mistaken.]

At that moment, Raven's eyes widened.

'Johnathan already made a Legendary potion called Elixir of Insight. The reason he didn't make a low-rank potion wasn't because he lacked knowledge. It's easier for him to make a downgraded version of the Elixir of Insight potion. But instead of doing it, he sent his disciple to attend an auction and look at my potion… He is teaching his disciples to make a similar potion like Mind of Insight! And Anastasia doesn't want me to monopolize the potion, too.' Raven couldn't help but get shocked.

[Took you long enough. And thanks to someone buying ingredients in masses, the Ravenshield family must have already figured out the potion recipes. If my calculations aren't wrong, they will likely make a potion with similar effects in 6 months. As for Johnathan's disciple, he might make it in 10 months to 1 year. At that time, your potion's demand will reduce considerably.]

'If that happens, my profit should be only around 1000 gold coins per potion!'

[True. But this step is necessary. Otherwise, you need much more time to gather money and build a town after recapturing.]

'Then, I should focus on buying more sets of ingredients and concocting more potions.' Raven turned grim. He also decided to face a similar situation in affinity potions.

‘Thankfully, I signed a magic contract and even told her to register my name for the patent rights.’

[Tell Jacob to buy the ingredients in different shops from now on.] Zera added.

At that moment, the silver-armored guard finished checking his spatial ring and gave it to him with a polite smile.

It was as if he had realized this young boy's wealth and gave him a light nod.

"You can go in, Sir Thomas."

"You guys wait here," Raven told Jacob, Selene, Quincy, and Emanuel to wait outside and step into the chamber.

The air smelled of old wood and a faint hint of ink from the many papers scattered on the round table.

The space was already full of activity. Representatives from Knight Households, Barons, and Viscounts filled the hall, talking quietly, with some whispers or soft laughs breaking through now and then. He also saw a few servants standing near the round table and helping the nobles.

'They must be Count's trusted servants. Hmm, I don't even know anyone here.' But he felt many from the Knight Household were looking at him occasionally.

Although they tried to act neutral, Raven could feel some cold stares directed at him.

Some looked at him with dislike, others with curiosity, and a few with hidden hostility.

As Raven approached the table, a deep voice called,

"Oh, Young Master… Oops, Lord Thomas, I didn't think you'd show up."

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Raven turned towards the voice and saw a tall, broad-shouldered man clad in a dark green doublet adorned with silver embroidery. His sharp blue eyes bore into Raven as he smirked. His words were mocking, drawing smirks from others.

Raven adjusted his monocle and looked at him.

'Oh? Richard Palmer, head of the Palmer Family, huh?' He recalled the information he got from the innkeeper.

'Didn't that guy named Finn say the Palmer Family Head is the one who threatened Walter to sell Chateau Holmes Wine Factory?'

Raven did not falter. He returned Richard's gaze with an icy calm and replied,

"It would be unwise to avoid a council meeting where the future of one's family is about to be discussed, wouldn't you agree, Mr. Richard?"

The smirk on Richard's face faltered for a brief moment before he gave a nonchalant shrug.

"Indeed. I admire your... resilience."

Ignoring the subtle jab, Raven moved to his designated seat.

Emanuel had briefed him earlier about the seating arrangement—Knight Households were positioned at the outer edge of the round table, followed by the Baronets, with the Barons and Viscounts occupying the inner ring.

Count Andres Spade sat at the center, his chair slightly elevated to signify his authority.

Raven's seat was closer to the outer edge, but he didn't mind. His gaze scanned the room, observing the key figures Emanuel had described.

Baroness Elara of Shadowfen spoke in hushed tones with Viscountess Rowena Stormwatch. Viscount Alaric Hawkspire sat quietly, his fingers steepled as he listened to Baron Gideon of Frostvale discuss some territorial dispute. Count Andres Spade remained silent, his expression unreadable as he observed the room.

The meeting began promptly at 10:30, with Count Spade calling for order.

His deep voice silenced the room instantly.

"Esteemed members of the Spade Council, let us begin. We have a long agenda today, so I urge you all to be concise and respectful during discussions."

The first few topics revolved around disputes over mining rights and trade routes. Raven listened attentively to their conversations. He observed how they argued with each other and how Count gave final words after discussing with everyone.

The elite members like Baron Gideon and Viscount Thorian dominated the discussions, their words carrying more weight than those of the Baronets and Knight Households. Occasionally, a representative from a Knight Family would attempt to voice their concerns, only to be brushed aside or subtly dismissed.

After hours of discussions, Count Spade looked at the final document and addressed the topic.

"Hmm, Holmes Family matter, huh?"

He opened the document and continued.

"The Crest Merchandise has accused the Holmes Household of not repaying the debt on time. On 12th November, Year 1404, Walter Holmes borrowed 50,000 gold coins from Crest Merchandise with an interest rate of 8%. However, after borrowing the money, it is stated that Walter Holmes misused his authority as a noble household and refused to pay the annual interest for years."

"Didn't Walter Holmes die two years ago in the train accident? Why are they bringing up this case now?" A cold voice interjected Count's speech from one of the Elite Members' seats.

The one who interjected him was a silver-haired woman in her late forties. She had a slightly wrinkled face and blue eyes and looked as cold as ice.

She was Viscountess Rowena!

At that moment, Richard Palmer stood up from his seat and answered.

"That's because Walter promised to return the money with interest in 16 years and even made a specific date, My Lady."

"And today happens to be the final date?" A trace of annoyance appeared on Viscountess's face. She had seen many similar forged debt cases in this Council and felt disgusted.

Meanwhile, Count Andres shrugged his shoulder and continued to read the document.

"After calculating the interest of 8% for 50,000 gold coins, the Council hereby orders the Holmes Family to pay off 114,000 gold coins by this evening to the Crest Merchandise." He suddenly looked at the wall clock on the left side and added.

"It's already evening, isn't it?" An amusing look appeared on Count's face.

Then, he looked at the document again and continued.

"Suppose the current Heir of the Holmes Family can't pay the total amount and interest of 8% per annum on time, the Spade Council has the right to confiscate all Holmes Family Property and transfer them to Crest Merchandise under the approval of Walter Holmes's Will's Executors. Article 69, Clause 12 of the Property Law states that if the deceased owed any outstanding debts, the Executors of the Will have the right to pay off the debt instead of the Heir." As he spoke, Count Andres looked at Raven's seat and asked.

"Do you have anything to say, Thomas?"

Raven stood up from his seat and asked.

"What if I can pay off the debt with interest right now, My Lord?"

"Oh? That would be interesting. But you are not in your dream, are you?" Count's voice turned colder.

"Of course not, My Lord." Raven paused for a moment as he took out a fake debt document he got from Anastasia and sent it to Count Andres's seat by summoning a nearby servant.

"When I visited the capital city a month ago, I had an opportunity to become acquainted with Lady Anastasia Ravenshield." He paused as Count Andres opened the file and looked at the seal.

Unlike the normal seal, this one had rune letters engraved inside, giving off a strange, mysterious energy.

"This is indeed a real deal." Even Count was flustered and looked at Raven with a shocked face.

Meanwhile, Raven curled his lips upward and spoke.

"Thanks to her generosity, she lent me 120,000 gold coins with an interest of 4% under her family name." He waved his hand as he spoke and took out four large leather bags from his space ring.

"Each bag contains 250 platinum coins." Then, he took another small bag and added.

"And this bag contains 140 Platinum coins. I hope the Council forgives me for delaying the debt payment that my father has left behind. After all, I was kidnapped by some thugs and also lost my memories. I wouldn't be aware of this matter if the Council didn’t send a summoning letter."

A dead silence appeared in the meeting hall.

"What an interesting turn of events!" Viscountess Rowena finally broke the strange silence and looked at Raven keenly.

Meanwhile, Raven also took a wooden box from the spatial ring and gave it to the servant.

"Please pass this box to Lord Count. My teacher has made a promise to him after all." He turned his gaze towards Count Andres and added.

"My teacher told me to give you this box as a gift, My Lord."

"Promise?" Count suddenly recalled a minor incident.

A coffin-like chest filled with gold coins and a letter appeared in his study two months ago. At that time, he snorted coldly at the person who sent those gifts for being arrogant and threw the letter at the dustbin.

But he clearly remembered that the person who wrote that letter mentioned something about gifting him five potions of 'Potion of Insight,' an inferior version of the Legendary Potion' Elixir of Insight'!

Raven quietly nodded and continued coldly.

"My teacher said he promised to give you five 'Mind of Insight' potions once you helped him rescue me from the kidnappers. I hope you liked it, My Lord."

"Mind of Insight? Where have I heard of that name before?" At that moment, Baron Ronald suddenly recalled something and soon spoke surprisedly.

"Oh! The potion has been creating a sensation in the capital recently. I heard that Ravenshield Family has produced a new type of potion called 'Mind of Insight,' which is said to be a low version of the Elixir of Insight potion. Although it only works on mortals and Rank-1 Walkers, it still causes a stir among the young nobles."

"Ravenshield family?" Count Andres slowly looked at the debt document and then towards the wooden box in the servant's hand.

He slowly reached out the box and opened it with both hands.

A total of five vials of crystalline bluish liquid were placed inside.

'Does that mean the man who entered my study and placed that gold chest was a Wizard from Ravenshield Family?' A cold sweat dripped down from his forehead.

'And what is his connection with this fool from the Holmes Household?' He recalled Thomas's earlier words and soon turned grim.

'Didn't he say 'Teacher' earlier? F*ck!'

At that moment, Richard Palmer suddenly stood up from his seat and shouted.

"The document must have been forged, My Lord. There is no way this guy has a connection with someone from the Ravenshield-"

"Silence!" Count Andres gave him a sharp glare and soon turned his attention towards Raven.

'Thank goodness I trusted the Oracle Lore's prediction. Or else, I might have offended a powerhouse from the Ravenshield Family!'

"I think we can conclude that the Holmes Family has paid the debt with interest and close this case, right?" He asked. Although a few Knight Household members wanted to raise their hands and complain, Count Andres didn't give them even a glance and continued.

"Byrce, collect those bags and send them to the Crest Merchandise after checking the amount."

"Wait!" Countess Rowena suddenly raised her voice, attracting everyone's attention.

"It has been two years since Walter Holmes died, right? Why hasn't the Executors passed on the Will to the only Heir of the Holmes Family?"

At that moment, a black-haired young man in his mid-thirties stood up from his seat and answered.

"That's because the Heir wasn't in normal condition, My Lady. After his father's death, he refused to see others and closed himself in his mansion. And just when we thought of bringing this matter to the Council, some thugs kidnapped him-"

"George Amell, right? I heard that you have been managing two of Holmes's shops for the past few years, but why didn't I see you mention his kidnapping matter in the last council meeting even once? Are you one of Walter's Will Executors? He would've never imagined that his friends would play with his son's life for some profit." She couldn't help but speak her thoughts out loud.

"Rowena! Please watch your words." Count Andres couldn't help but intervene. After all, he also paid no heed to this case because of the Falcons and felt a sense of guilt.

Then, he turned his gaze towards George Amell and another red-haired lady and spoke coldly.

"George Amell and Sara Wills. Once the council meeting ends, please head to the Administration Department and officially transfer the 'Will' to Thomas Holmes. If I heard you guys are delaying things, I won't stay still like before."

"Y-Yes, My Lord." Both George Amell and Sara Wills nodded.

"Byrce! Go and collect the gold coins from Thomas."

"Yes, My Lord." A young man with blonde hair and a pencil mustache appeared from the corner of the hall and moved toward Raven's seat.

As he was checking the money, Count closed the file and decided to end the council meeting.

"Now that the final case has been solved, let's end the council meeting."

Richard Palmer's face flushed red with suppressed anger, his fingers tightening around the table's edge.

He soon stood up and spoke, "This isn't over, My Lord. We also need to discuss revoking the council membership of the Holmes Family."

Baron Gideon shook his head and asked coldly.

"Why should we need to revoke a Knight Household who has a connection with one of the Twelve Ancient Families?"

Meanwhile, Count Andres stood up and announced.

"Let's end the meeting then. There is no need to discuss anything about the Holmes Family here."

Although many showed disappointed looks, nobody dared to open their mouths. As for Richard Palmer, he stood there with a stunned look for a few seconds and slowly sat down.

After that, Count Andres was the first to leave the chamber, followed by the elite council members. Then, Baronets and members from the Knight Households also stood up from their seats.

As the nobles began to disperse, murmurs of intrigue and speculation filled the chamber.

Meanwhile, Raven calmly stood from his seat, adjusted his monocle, and walked out of the chamber.

Then, he turned his gaze towards Emanuel and spoke.

"Emanuel, accompany the Count's butler to confirm the debt has been settled. Selene, go with him to ensure his safety."

"Yes, My Lord!" Both Emanuel and Selene nodded.

"What about the transfer of the Will to your name?" Jacob asked as he heard the fierce argument happening in the meeting room from outside.

"It's already 5. P.M. They will likely send someone tomorrow to discuss this matter." Raven paused for a moment and then added.

"Let's go back,"

As Emanuel and Selene entered the chamber to accompany Byrce, Raven's group exited the manor through the same opulent path they had entered.

The sun hung low in the sky, painting the city in hues of amber and gold. The carriage awaited them at the edge of the cobblestone street, the driver nodding as they approached.

As they settled inside, the carriage started to move again.

…