The air was humid as sweat tickled off the people's faces. The city was crowded as always, being the trade hub that it was. People with various color tones and clothing wandered the city in large crowds, some were finding opportunities in this city where a large sum of money would change hands daily, and some were hoping to purchase a few unique goods as souvenirs to bring back home, while some were just experiencing the wonders of the bustling city.

The warm wind blew with the odor of dust, a stinky and fishy smell. The merchant caravans and lone travelers traveled across the land from who knows where to enjoy the summer in the Coastal City of Blue Isle.

But this time it was somewhat different as there was a long queue of luxurious carriages with various insignia on them waiting outside the city gates with the company of guards and soldiers with them.

The city folk and the pedestrians watched curiously as the guards inspected the papers one by one and gave entry to the long line of carriages.

Some of the carriages were adorned with golden designs and oil paint which gave the carriage a glossy and branded feeling. While other carriages looked comparatively ordinary, The material from which the carriages were made differed a lot. This made a clear distinction between the class of the Noble Families.

Everyone in the city knew that there would be a large gathering of nobles in two days and something important would be announced by Marquis Miller during the event.

Nobles from all around the Empire had come on the invitation of Lord Miller.

Blue Isle City was an important Trade hub because it was located on the shore of the Endless sea and was used for Trade with the 'Island Chain' In the endless seas. The city was located beside the duchy of Danbo.

The Blue Isle City had a trade route connecting the city with Southern territories and the capital but because of the harsh geography and the existence of magical Beast and bandit groups, the Blue Isle city had no safe trade route towards the north of the empire where the Zarx Territory was located.

The Duke of Danbo had a slight conflict with Marquis Miller as of late because of the Infamous Young Master of the Carlstine Family.

The very pampered brat of the Dukedom had fallen in love with Marquis Miller's daughter, Sophia Miller during the imperial academy. Sophia was known to be a very beautiful young lady who was also a talented Mage.

Naturally, Thinking that he would get whatever he wanted, Duke Carlstine's son - Liam, proposed to Sophia.

Sophia knew what kind of reputation Liam had and naturally did not want to marry him.

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Sophia always knew that she would have to marry someone sooner or later. That's just how it worked in the nobility. There was no such thing as a 'love marriage' in nobility.

Children of nobility were brainwashed to sacrifice anything for their families. Sophia however, was not just any ordinary girl who would have to do all that is asked of her unconditionally.

Sophia was a talented Rank 2 Mage at the age of 16 which was not less than Rudra's talent in the sword which made her an asset for the Miller House and the Empire as a whole.

Strength was everything in this world and Sophia's talent had earned her the right to control her fate to at least some degree and so she had decided to marry someone who would be suitable for her and bring benefits to her house at the same time.

Liam was obviously not such a person. Although the marriage would bring the Miller House great benefits, but Sophia did not like a person like Liam who was just a scumbag who liked to oppress others and thought himself to be the greatest in the world. Sophia knew that such a person would get himself killed sooner and later and that would not be good for her future if she married him.

Sophia's Father, Marquis Miller was a wise and shrewd man who loved his daughter very much. He understood Sophia's reasoning and he also did not want to ruin her life for little benefit. therefore, he declined the marriage.

Liam was infuriated by the blatant rejection and somehow convinced his father that the marriage would benefit the Dukedom greatly, Which was not false at all.

Creating Familial relations with the House Miller would benefit the Duchy of Danbo as Duke Carlstaine would hold an even more firm position in the East. Having a massive trade hub as an ally would be beneficial during wars. Not to mention that the House of Carlstine would get a genius mage who would have great achievements in the future.

This was a win-win deal for the Duke and he took an interest in this matter. He sent a very attractive marriage offer to Marquis Miller but was rejected repeatedly as the Marquis was an unyielding person who did not change his decisions on a whim.

The Duke was enraged as he began obstructing Blue Isle City's trade route to the north. He increased the toll taxes on the merchants coming from Blue Isle City and began pressurizing Marquis Miller through his connections. Marquis Miller began taking losses as he understood the fact that he had a major weakness and that was the Important Trade route to the north which was his livelihood.

Duke of Danbo thought that Marquis Miller would eventually agree to the marriage as it wasn't a bad offer from the mentality of a noble and it wasn't worth it to make an enemy out of a Duke just for one's daughter's happiness.

This was currently the status quo of this situation. The Duke of Danbo wanted to prove that his authority in the east could not be matched and Marquis Miller was furious about the attack on his livelihood and the fact that the Duke of Danbo could exploit his weakness anytime he wished. Marquis Miller was reluctant to be pushed around.

And then suddenly, Marquis Miller invited The Duke and a lot of nobles for an apparent announcement.

People began to guess wildly the reason for the gathering. The story that Liam had asked Sophia's hand in marriage and the rejection that followed, and the declining relations between the two Houses had already spread in the population. some people thought that Marquis Miller could not handle the pressure and would announce the marriage, and some thought that the marquis will declare war on the Duke.

But no one knew the actual reason why Marquis Miller had organized the gathering.