"Are you satisfied now, Duke Qinghui?"
The young nobleman spoke up immediately, not even giving Westheid and Reiya a chance to continue their conversation.
Westheid had no choice but to turn around. He raised an eyebrow. "And you are?"
Yolanda immediately offered a concise explanation. "This is Andre, heir of the Solren Clan."
"What clan?"
Yolanda gritted her teeth. "That ancient clan, the one that's been around since the Empire's founding! How many times do I have to tell you? You could at least try to remember the prominent clans of the Empire!"
Andre sneered. "Can't even remember the noble lineages? You're a bit too careless, Duke Qinghui."
He continued with contempt, "How can a piece of trash like you have the audacity to be the Patriarch of Lady Yolanda's family?"
"Don't you have any of the dignity of a Branch of Prosperity? Doing nothing all day, drifting aimlessly, just leeching off Lady Yolanda and fooling around with women. It's pathetic to see you've fallen this low."
"So hostile."
Westheid wasn't angered by the words. Instead, he carefully sized up the young nobleman before him. Noticing the man's gaze kept darting toward Yolanda, he suddenly said:
"You have a thing for Yolanda?"
Andre was taken aback, then replied, "Well… to be precise, I am a suitor. I am openly and honorably courting Lady Yolanda!"
Westheid started to laugh. "You really are a magnet for them, sister."
Unlike Westheid, the utterly down-and-out heir of the Direct Lineage, Yolanda—a member of a branch family—had shown astonishing Talent.
At a young age, she had already advanced to Tier Three, "Prominent." Even in the vast Radiant Holy Tree Empire, she was an undeniable genius. She was practically guaranteed to become a Hero-Tier Powerhouse in the future and was even considered to have the potential for Legend.
Combined with her stunning, Fairy-like beauty, her fame had spread far and wide throughout the Imperial Capital.
"You're the last person I want to hear that from, brother."
The platinum-blonde girl shot Westheid a look. She might have many suitors, but they paled in comparison to Duke Qinghui, the Imperial Capital's biggest player… no, there was simply no comparison at all.
Westheid had legitimately slept with over a hundred women!
Andre sneered. "Still in the mood for jokes, Duke Qinghui? The first Branch of Prosperity to lose his lands, fleeing to the Imperial Capital for refuge like a stray dog. Then you run around mating like a monkey in heat, and now you're even with this Dragon-blooded Hybrid…"
"That's enough, Andre. Insulting Duke Qinghui is an insult to me as well."
Yolanda took a step forward, positioning herself in front of Westheid, her voice cold.
Andre immediately grew frantic. "Then stop worrying about the Qinghui Clan! You're just from a branch family, why must you be loyal to this incompetent fool? The Solren Clan can give you so much more!"
The young man before them clearly didn't understand Yolanda at all, trying so earnestly to persuade the girl to escape the "fire pit" that was the Qinghui Clan.
Obviously, this had crossed a line for Yolanda. Just as the platinum-blonde girl's eyes grew colder, Westheid spoke up:
"Let's say I am a good-for-nothing. Are you a Branch of Prosperity?"
Andre froze, then shook his head. "No… Hmph. The Solren Clan may not be a Branch of Prosperity, but we are an ancient clan that has existed since the Empire's founding! Our seniority far surpasses the Qinghui!"
Westheid held up a finger and said:
"You're right, but the Autocratic Duke system is an all-new open-world frontier defense model independently created by the Radiant Holy Tree Empire. Here, those chosen by the Radiant Holy Tree will be granted the power of Autonomy in All Matters to defend the Imperial frontiers. I will play a mysterious role known as a 'Branch of Prosperity,' meeting companions with diverse personalities and unique abilities in a journey of free exploration and conquest, fighting back the Chaos and building my domain with them—all while gradually uncovering the truth of the Oath."
Westheid polished the badge on his chest again and again, speaking lightly, "Insulting a Branch of Prosperity is expressly forbidden by the Holy Law, Mr. Andre. I think you should apologize to me and seek my understanding and forgiveness. Otherwise, things could get ugly."
"You!"
Andre's eyes went wide with fury.
"Throwing your weight around with your status as a Branch of Prosperity? Your clan has fallen so low—no territory, no legions, no wealth. What right do you have to pressure the Solren Clan?!"
Westheid repeated what he had just said, "You're right, but…"
Andre snapped, "I'm talking to you! Stop repeating yourself!"
"Pfft—"
Witnessing this comical scene, Reiya, sitting in her wheelchair, couldn't help but let out a laugh. It was a small laugh, and she quickly covered her face, so no one noticed except for Westheid, who had been watching her the whole time.
When Reiya's gaze met Westheid's, he gave the silver-haired girl a wink.
However, this small, dismissive gesture made Andrew lose his composure. He slapped a hand on the hilt of his sword and roared:
"You insolent, flippant good-for-nothing!"
Just as the confrontation was about to escalate, the sound of military boots and fine steel on stone rang out.
"CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!"
A squad of the Royal Guard emerged from the palace at the top of the steps.
They wore visored helmets with intricate patterns, their thick, silver plumes cascading down like a lion's mane and covering their entire faces.
Their vambraces were also encased in Secret Silver Alloy. The Guards held lances forged from Mithril, which had spiraling patterns of flowing, faint blue magical energy. Heavy Dragon Swords hung at their waists, and their armor gleamed, showcasing its fine craftsmanship and sturdiness.
Seeing the solemn and imposing Royal Guard enter, the surrounding crowd of onlookers immediately backed away, dutifully lowering their heads to welcome the arriving royalty.
The Royal Guards escorted a woman into the square. She strode forward and asked directly:
"What is the cause of this commotion?"
Her brilliant golden hair was tied in a high ponytail that cascaded down her back, seeming to contain fragments of the sun itself. Her exquisitely beautiful face was magnificent, and her clear, azure eyes were as lovely as sapphires, yet sharpened by a dignified and imposing aura that made it impossible to meet her gaze.
She wore a light, elegant, and practical military dress. Over a black inner layer was a double-breasted, moon-white coat with a lapel, embellished with golden embroidery on the collar and cuffs, giving it a lavish and exquisite appearance.
The military dress was perfectly filled out by her statuesque figure. On her chest, she wore the Holy Tree Badge signifying her status as Regent King, its golden tassels hanging to her waist. Below, her long, slender legs were encased in ultra-thin black stockings, and her tightly pressed, rounded thighs created an alluring domain that sparked the imagination.
She was as dazzling and brilliant as the sun, possessing an effortless air of authority.
The Imperial Regent King, Celestia Gleamleaf.
Yolanda immediately stepped forward, placed a hand on her chest, and bowed. "Your Royal Highness, it is merely a small disagreement."
The Regent King said coolly, "Explain, Yolanda."
So, the platinum-blonde girl chose her words carefully and recounted what had just happened.
While Yolanda explained, Westheid sized up the woman before him.
'Eldest Princess Celestia… she looks pretty much the same as in the game. A scion of the Radiant Holy Tree, with a built-in T1 bloodline Talent. Too bad she's a pure political animal—way too difficult to romance.'
'My verdict: can't hold a candle to Reiya.'