Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

[Sea Blue City Suburbs]

[Navarre Manor]

Unlike the stifling heat of Sea Blue City, the Navarre Manor located in the suburbs is pleasant and cool.

The artificial gardens surrounding the main residence isolate the scorching summer and restlessness, as the evening breeze gently stirs, producing a rustling sound, maintaining a serene and picturesque old-time tranquility—except for the mercenaries hired to guard the manor.

The worsening security situation in Sea Blue City similarly affected the lives of the wealthy living in suburban manors.

Some families dug out their stored weapons and armor, began arming servants and workers for self-defense; some families abandoned the comfort of their suburban manors, choosing instead to move back to their old homes in the impenetrable city.

Following a rumor about a certain family's mass extinction by robbers spreading to Sea Blue, the wealthy became more generous in hiring people to wield swords on their behalf.

Mercenary business boomed again, with reputable and skilled mercenaries in high demand. Even pier gangs joined in, transforming into semi-public violent rental groups.

Meanwhile, ordinary people without the funds to hire bodyguards naturally direct their anger and resentment towards the inspectorate and Vineta Army, who should be protecting the public.

Not just one representative from other cities has denounced the inaction of the inspectorate and the army in the Grand Council, and not just one Vineta autonomous city has begun expanding their city guards.

However, none of this affected tonight's banquet at Navarre Manor—Lady Navarre arranged a private dinner, hosting the business partner [Fernando Leo] who traveled back from Paratu.

The atmosphere at the beginning of the banquet was harmonious.

The chubby Mr. Leo is always humorous in speech, narrating his experiences on the journey vividly, causing the third Miss of the Navarre Family, Olivia Navarre, to sometimes cover her mouth in amazement, sometimes giggle.

Even Lady Navarre was unwittingly captivated by Mr. Leo's stories, nodding frequently.

At the table, only Catherine Navarre and the father of Lady Navarre, Mr. Dan Ora, remained unmoved.

The former, as a witness to many stories, naturally carries a self-assuredness of knowing more than others when facing them;

The latter sits at the main seat at the table, focused on drinking the customary soup of every meal, as if a frozen lake incapable of rippling even amidst a howling gale.

However, as the conversation inevitably touched upon the owner of a name forbidden to be mentioned within Navarre Manor, the atmosphere of the banquet began to turn somewhat eerie.

Finally, Olivia Navarre could no longer contain herself.

The young girl, newly joining the social scene, leaned forward with a swan-like long neck, completely unaware that her pendant had already fallen into the soup plate in front of her.

Regardless of her mother's expression, she mustered the courage to ask Mr. Leo the puzzling question:

"Why is it specifically a wolf? Aren't wolves bad animals? There are so many good animals, lions, eagles, whales... Why a wolf? How could that person be called 'wolf'?"

Opposite the young girl, Mr. Leo put down his cutlery, wiped his mouth clean, and seriously answered, "You must understand, Miss Olivia, Lord Montaigne's 'title' doesn't come from friends, but from enemies.

To be precise, it comes from the Herders. In the eyes of the Herders, wolves are both greedy, cruel beasts, and formidable, resilient predators. Herders both hate and revere wolves, so it's easy to understand why they gave Lord Montaigne such a title, wouldn't you say?"

On the other side of the table, Lady Navarre and Catherine simultaneously furrowed their brows.

However, Olivia Navarre was immersed in the satisfaction of her curiosity being fulfilled, completely oblivious to the displeasure emanating from her mother and sister.

"I see!" The girl happily clapped her hands, then curiously asked, "So... does that person like the title that the Herders gave him?"

"What kind of person is Lord Montaigne? He couldn't possibly care about how defeated foes call him, so it doesn't matter whether he likes it or dislikes it."

Mr. Leo shifted his tone, smiling amiably, saying, "However, usually reverence from an enemy speaks more to a person's accomplishments than praise from a friend. Thus, Lord Montaigne's subordinates accepted the 'Blood Wolf' title with respect, and the title then spread far and wide."

Olivia understood instantly, nodding vigorously.

Mr. Leo continued to emphasize, "Nevertheless, at formal occasions, Lord Montaigne chose the Winged Lion as the symbol for his crest and banner. This sufficiently shows that Lord Montaigne has always been one of us Sea Blue People, which has never changed—though he's far across mountains and waters, he will never forget his homeland."

The girl listened, her eyes slightly moist. She suddenly put down her cutlery, sprang up from her seat, and was about to slip away, "Grandfather! Mother! I'm feeling a bit dizzy! Please allow me to leave! No need to serve me anymore! Enjoy your meal! Goodbye Uncle Leo!"

"Where are you going?" Catherine, sitting next to Olivia, grabbed her sister's arm with a face of disdain, picking up a napkin to clean the pendant stained with soup for the young girl: "Reckless, not at all like a well-mannered lady."

"Who cares what you say? Those under house arrest have no right to talk about me!" The young girl retorted defiantly, vigorously breaking free from Catherine's hold, making a face at her sister: "Continue your house arrest!"