The emperor's son, Prince Alaric, had noticed Marcus, who was now in James's body, and his impressive victory in the war against the Voss family. “This guy seems interesting,” Alaric thought to himself, which led him to extend an invitation to Marcus for an upcoming noble party.

A few weeks had passed since Marcus, now inhabiting James's body, had made significant progress in rebuilding the villages of Tigerheart and Eirene, and training his knight with Sir Cedric in the morning and secretly cultivation at night, he reached Foundation Establishment again, and Knight lower bottleneck one day when he just started training with sir Cedric, soon enough, Alexander brought him the ornate invitation from Prince Alaric himself.

As Marcus read the invitation, his mind raced with thoughts. "Hmm, just like those parties in Western novels," he mused. "I will join it, Let me see what this is all about." Marcus then instructed Alexander, “Alexander, you stay here administrating the village of Eirene. I will be back, maybe soon later.” Alexander replied “As you wish young master, stay safe”

After preparing with two soldiers and Captain Sir Cedric, they departed. After three months, they arrived at the grand estate of the emperor's son, late at night. The Empire of Franckland was known for its opulence and wealth, and the estate was a testament to that reputation. Tall, gilded gates opened to reveal a long driveway lined with blossoming cherry trees, leading to a mansion illuminated by hundreds of lanterns. Marcus told his soldiers and his captain to stay outside near the gates, in the room designated for soldiers and knights of other nobles and rich commoners, every war according to the empire the solders and knights are so respected this rule was appointed by the Son of the Empire so no one dare to look weirdly nor disrespect Captain Sir Cedric and the solders

Marcus, dressed in a fine suit that accentuated his strong muscular body and long blonde hair, stepped out of the carriage. He had ensured that James's appearance was impeccable, knowing that first impressions were crucial in such settings. As he walked towards the entrance, he observed the other guests arriving—nobles alike, all vying for attention and status.

Inside, the grand hall was decorated with crystal chandeliers, rich tapestries, and polished marble floors. The air was filled with the sound of a string quartet playing a lively tune, and the chatter of the guests created a vibrant atmosphere.

Marcus scanned the room, noting the various groups that had formed. There were the old aristocrats, dressed in their finest, speaking in hushed tones. There were also the newly rich, eager to prove themselves. Among them were several nobles from the countryside, who seemed out of place amidst the grandeur.

He approached a group of young nobles and rich commoners whose attire was slightly less opulent than the rest. They were being subtly mocked by a few of the wealthier commoners. Marcus detected high amount of Destiny and Fortune on them "This is a good opportunity," he thought. "Making allies here could be beneficial."

The nobles looked at him with a mix of surprise and gratitude. One of them, a young man with sandy hair and a nervous smile, stepped forward. "I'm Edward, from the Barony of Lytham. These are my friends, Lady Beatrice and Sir Thomas."

"Good evening," Marcus said, introducing himself. "I'm James of the Tigerheart family. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Marcus shook hands with each of them, exchanging pleasantries. As they talked, he could see the relief on their faces. It was clear they were grateful for his friendly approach.

Just as Marcus was beginning to feel comfortable, a young woman approached him. She had striking blue eyes and auburn hair that cascaded down her back. Her dress was elegant, and she carried herself with a grace that caught everyone's attention.

"Excuse me, Sir James," she said, her voice melodious. "Would you do me the honor of a dance?"

For a moment, Marcus was taken aback. He had not expected such direct attention. He glanced at Edward and the others, who were watching with wide eyes. He knew that rejecting her in front of everyone could cause a scene, but he also felt a strong sense of caution.

"I'm sorry, my lady," Marcus replied, his tone polite but firm. "I must decline your offer. Perhaps another time."

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The woman's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. "Very well, Sir James," she said with a slight curtsy. "Another time, then."

As she walked away, Marcus could feel the eyes of the other guests on him. He knew he had made an impression, but he wasn't sure if it was the right one. He turned back to Edward and the others, who looked at him with a mixture of awe and confusion.

"Who was she?" Marcus asked, trying to shift the focus back to his new acquaintances.

"That's Lady Elara," Beatrice said, her voice hushed. "She's one of the most sought-after ladies in the empire. Many men would give anything for a dance with her."

Marcus nodded, understanding the gravity of his decision. "I see. Well, perhaps it's for the best."

The rest of the evening continued without incident. Marcus mingled with the guests, making a point to speak with as many people as possible. He learned a great deal about the political landscape of the Empire of Franckland and the various power struggles within the nobility.

Despite the lavish surroundings and the seemingly endless flow of wine and food, Marcus couldn't shake a feeling of unease. He knew that in such a setting, alliances could be as fragile as they were crucial. He would need to tread carefully if he was to achieve his goals.

As the night drew to a close, Marcus found himself on a balcony overlooking the estate's gardens. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the warmth of the crowded hall. He leaned against the railing, lost in thought.

"James of Tigerheart," a voice said, breaking the silence.

Marcus turned to see a tall man with dark hair and piercing green eyes. He recognized him as the emperor's son, Prince Alaric.

"Your Highness," Marcus said, bowing slightly.

"No need for formalities. I noticed your victory against the Voss family. Congratulations, and I'm sorry for your parents' and people's loss," Alaric replied. "I wanted to thank you for coming tonight. Your presence has caused quite a stir."

Marcus met his gaze, sensing the underlying challenge in the prince's words. "It was my honor, Your Highness. The empire's nobility is truly impressive, and don’t worry about that."

Alaric studied him for a moment before nodding. "I hope we can speak more in the future, James. There are many things I wish to discuss with you."

Marcus inclined his head. "I would be honored, Your Highness."

As Alaric walked away, Marcus felt a shiver run down his spine. He knew that his journey in the Empire of Franckland was only just beginning, and that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and intrigue.

For now, he would bide his time and continue to build his alliances. The Empire of Franckland was a land of opportunity, and Marcus was determined to seize it.

He walked over to the group of non-human nobles, countryside nobles, and the rich commoners. As he mingled with them, he noted their names and backgrounds, building rapport and discussing various matters that concerned them.

Edward, from the Barony of Lytham, was the first to share his story. His family had long been loyal to the empire but had recently fallen on hard times. Lady Beatrice, a noblewoman with a sharp wit, spoke of her efforts to modernize her family's estate despite resistance from traditionalists. Sir Thomas, a knight from a neighboring barony, was determined to prove his worth on the battlefield.

Among the non-human nobles was Lord Thalos, an elf with centuries of wisdom and a deep connection to nature. His presence was both imposing and calming. There was also Lady Mira, a half-dwarf, whose engineering skills were unmatched. She spoke passionately about her latest inventions and how they could benefit the empire.

From the rich commoners, Marcus met Nathaniel, a wealthy merchant who had recently come into possession of a vast fortune. His ambitions were clear—he sought to climb the social ladder and secure a noble title for his family. Sophia, another commoner, had made her wealth through shrewd investments and was known for her sharp mind and keen business acumen.

As Marcus listened to their stories, he began to formulate a plan. "We all have something to gain from working together," he said, his voice low and conspiratorial. "The empire is vast and filled with opportunities, but we must be united to seize them."

The group listened intently, nodding in agreement. Marcus continued, "Let's form a secret alliance. Together, we can support each other's endeavors and protect our interests. i will provide one silver coin to anybody who join it."

The idea was met with enthusiasm. Each member agreed to the proposal, Marcus felt a sense of satisfaction as he looked at his new allies. This was the beginning of a powerful coalition, one that could influence the future of the empire.

Months passed since Marcus attended the noble party. During this time, he had focused on solidifying his position in the village of Tigerheart, training his soldiers, and expanding his influence. The village had flourished under his leadership, but now it was time for the next phase of his plan.

As the noble party wound down, a wealthy commoner who is family business almost collapsing had no choice but to approach Marcus, still in James's body. The man handed Marcus a parchment and said, "I will give this to you for ten golds."

Marcus, curious, asked to see the parchment. Upon examining it, he realized it contained information about the location of a dragon egg. Intrigued and recognizing the potential value of such a treasure, Marcus accepted the deal.

The man's face lit up with satisfaction as he handed over the parchment in exchange for the gold coins, his parents company is finally not in debt!