As the moment of Duke Richard's arrival drew near, Arthur couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness. His introverted nature, forged from years of avoiding social interactions on Earth, threatened to resurface. The memory of presenting his projects to professors and industry experts in university flashed before his eyes, and for a moment, he felt like he was back in that familiar yet uncomfortable setting.

However, with a deep breath, Arthur shook off his anxiety, straightening his posture and steeling himself for the encounter. As he waited, he reflected on what he knew about Duke Richard and the Dukedom of Luke.

Richard Luke is the current head of the Dukedom of Luke. The Dukedom of Luke was renowned for having exceptional aura knights, who relied on their martial prowess rather than magical abilities. In this world, mages were evaluated based on their mana capacity, elemental affinity, and unique abilities. However, knights were a different story. Their potential couldn't be measured, and they had the capacity to grow stronger over time, unlike mages whose mana capacity was fixed.

Ordinary knights stood little to no chance against mages, but there existed a select few who could harness the power of aura stars. These elite knights trained their bodies to the limit, cultivating aura stars slowly within themselves. As they acquired more stars, their bodies underwent significant transformations, becoming stronger and faster. In the history of knights, the highest recorded number of aura stars was eight, and those who possessed this many were said to possess superhuman abilities, capable of outrunning cheetahs and delivering devastating blows that could shatter buildings. However, as of now their are no 8 star knight in Keldoria.

Though aura stars only granted physical strength, the more a knight possessed, the more they transcended human limitations, allowing them to compete with mages who wielded the magic ability.

It was estimated that within the Dukedom of Luke, there were over two hundred knights boasting between one and four aura stars, ten knights with five stars, five with six stars, and two who had achieved the prestigious rank of seven stars. Duke Richard Luke and his eldest son, Benjamin, were said to be among the elite, both having reached the coveted seventh aura star. This remarkable achievement positioned the Dukedom of Luke as a formidable powerhouse in Keldoria.

Arthur's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, signaling the arrival of Duke Richard Luke.

A sharp crack echoed through the Great Hall as the door swung open, revealing the select few members of the King's council that Arthur had summoned earlier. They entered with a sense of purpose, bowing respectfully to Arthur before taking their customary places.

Once the council members were settled, the atmosphere shifted as two men and a striking young woman stepped into the hall. Both of the men were impressively built, exuding strength and confidence, with handsome features that contrasted sharply with Arthur's body which is covered with fat. Arthur couldn't help but feel self-conscious about his own physique, which he knew was far from ideal.

The man dressed in luxurious silk garments was undoubtedly Duke Richard Luke, while the other, clad in polished armor with a symbol, was likely a guard—either for Richard or his daughter, Olivia.

After assessing the two men from Luke, Arthur turned his attention to the young woman who had entered with Richard. The moment he laid eyes on Olivia, he understood why the old Arthur had harbored such a crush on her. She was stunning from head to toe, with an enchanting figure and a graceful way of walking that was utterly mesmerizing. Even the current Arthur found it hard to look away, captivated by her presence.

"We greet you, Your Majesty," Duke Richard said, bowing along with the others. Their bows were more a formality than a show of deep respect, a customary gesture to avoid appearing rude or drawing unwanted attention.

"You may lift your heads," Arthur commanded, his voice steady. In the past, he would have bent over backward to please Duke Richard, desperate to win the heart of Olivia, the flower of Luke. But today, Arthur's response felt different from before, which made the duke a bit confused since he was not expecting a simple response.

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Duke Richard cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "We are aware of your affections for our daughter, Olivia," he stated, his tone direct and unyielding. "We have come to discuss the marriage between you and her. However, we also have a request to make in return."

As the duke spoke, he regarded Arthur as a king unworthy of his title, blinded by his love for Olivia and willing to do anything to win her hand. Richard was certain that Arthur would eagerly accept whatever terms he proposed, confident that he held the upper hand in this negotiation.

"Before we discuss the marriage, let's first address the conditions of your request," Arthur replied, his voice steady. The words hung in the air, and a wave of surprise and confusion washed over the faces of everyone in the Great Hall, including the members of the king's council. They all know that the political marriage was something Duke Richard used to his advantage to gain something but nobody guessed that the useless king would see through Richard's plan and respond that way.

But it was Arthur's response that surprised Duke Richard the most. Just six months ago, when Arthur had first ascended to the throne, he had proposed a marriage alliance to the duke, offering the largest region of Keldoria, Solarny in exchange for Richard's support in the marriage. At that time, the offer had been enticing, but Richard had rejected it because of his love for his daughter and the burden of ruling a region that would demand more responsibility than he was willing to take on.

Despite his shock, Duke Richard, as the head of his family, quickly regained his composure. "The request I would like to make is for the king's military support and a financial sum of three hundred thousand Keldo gold coins," he stated, his tone firm and resolute.

Arthur's expression hardened. "Before I consider your offer, I need you to explain why you require more of my soldiers for, as well as the reasoning behind the sum of three hundred thousand gold coins," he demanded, his voice serious and unwavering.

Richard took a breath, his gaze steady. "When the nation of Elysia attempted to invade Oakstead, your majesty's army, alongside the forces of Chronos nation, successfully defended it. Now, Elysia has turned its sights on our Dukedom, as we are the next closest target. We urgently need additional military support to protect our lands. Gold is necessary to sustain our knights and allies during this critical time."

At that moment, one of the king's council members, responsible for military affairs, interjected. "Didn't we already send some of our mages and soldiers to assist you?"

"Yes, your highness did send help," Richard replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "But it was insufficient, and our family has suffered significant financial losses during this period. We need more support to ensure our survival."

Although the Dukedom of Luke was part of Keldoria, the kingdom did not extend its full support as it did to the other five regions of Keldoria. While it offered assistance to Luke, this support was carefully measured to ensure that the other five regions remained secure and less vulnerable to attack.

This is because when a family was granted the title of duke, they effectively became a nation itself, enjoying the privileges of independence, including exemption from taxes on any events occurring within their territory. Thus, only supporting a minimum number needed and nothing more.

After a moment of silence, Arthur turned to Duke Richard. "This is not a request I can fulfill without careful consideration and discussion with my council. I suggest that you remain here for today, and I will provide you with an answer by tomorrow."

Duke Richard was still puzzled that Arthur would not agree immediately and was making a logical request. Though it was not what he had anticipated, he had no choice but to accept the request.

After Richard agreed, a heavy silence fell over the Great Hall. The courtiers and council members exchanged puzzled glances, struggling to comprehend that King Arthur Jr. was making a decision based on logic and foresight. It was clear that he was not only considering his own interests; he was thoughtfully weighing the pros and cons of the situation at hand.

Breaking the stillness, Arthur spoke, "Prepare three rooms for our esteemed guests, and ensure that the rest of the personnel accompanying the duke are brought inside the palace." His voice was steady and authoritative, signaling that he was taking charge of the situation with a level of maturity that surprised many in the room.

…

In the hallway outside the Great Hall, three maids accompanied Duke Richard, Olivia, and the knight. As they waited, the knight turned to Duke Richard, asked "Is that good-for-nothing King Arthur Jr.? He doesn't seem to match the rumors we've heard."

"That's what puzzles me as well," Duke Richard replied, his tone contemplative.

Behind them, Olivia spoke up, her voice soft and charming. "Dad, I really want to help the family, but do I still have to marry that... that ugly man?"

Richard glanced at his daughter, feeling a pang of reluctance at the thought of giving away his beloved daughter, the flower of Luke. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, my dear. I want to make you happy, but the situation has grown dire, and I have no choice. However, if Arthur ever mistreats you, I swear I will hold him accountable," he promised, trying to comfort her and went to rest in the room that was prepared for them.