Budot's face grew somber. He retracted his pressure, causing Faith to exhale sharply.
However, Budot's voice beca even colder than before, almost inhuman. "Faith, I hope you still rember who you are, and whose blood flows in your veins."
"Blood... ridiculous. Just now, you were threatening by talking about how my mother was killed, dismbered by your own hands. Ha... why didn't you rember whose blood flowed in her veins then? Why didn't you rember that my mother was your sister, Uncle Budot, huh?" Faith snarled, each word a deep indictnt aid at Budot and this damned Sword Family.
But Budot seed unmoved by it. He was only concerned that threats and lineage essentially had no effect on Faith.
In the world of nobles, specifically true nobles like the Sword Family, not the assimilated new nobility like Myra's family, bloodline still played an incredibly important role.
It wasn't just about status, but also the powerful Magus blood that passed down through generations, creating mighty Magus who kept the nobility prosperous for eternity.
Previously, Kain had killed the two noble brothers, Horan and Horon. These two were re failures of a noble family in Pyce city, cast out to expand their lineage. But before Kain arrived and annihilated them both, they had terrorized Kadata town for ten years without the local governnt daring to intervene.
Even when Kain killed these two, that noble family in Pyce city actually sent troops to Kadata town to retrieve the bodies and punish the perpetrator. Although Kain thwarted this with cunning and his status as a Kanzax Academy student, it still demonstrated how important bloodline was to nobles.
As for Faith, he resembled the Sword Family in no way except for his appearance. He didn't practice swordsmanship, didn't prove his talent as a Magus; he only possessed the mind of a strategist, trapped within a body that should have beco a swordsman.
In Faith's eyes, the Sword Family and Budot were utterly foolish to think they could use death or bloodline to force him to do their bidding.
"Besides..." Faith continued. "Don't think you can do anything to or Cecilia. You haven't forgotten what our identities are, have you?"
At this, Budot fell silent, unable to utter a word.
Indeed, both Faith and Cecilia were students at Kanzax Academy. This ant they couldn't be touched, at least not until they graduated.
Of course, even killing Faith wouldn't destroy the Sword Family, but it would bring no benefit and only greater harm.
That's why Faith could still dance around until now.
Budot couldn't help but recall the first ti he saw Faith at five years old—a child with intelligence beyond his age, with bright eyes, yet sowhat timid and withdrawn like his father. Cecilia, also five, was, needless to say, very much like her mother, a typical Sword Family mber.
However, the timid Faith of yesteryear had vanished.
He was no longer withdrawn; he had locked everything inside himself. He had intellect, and he was no longer weak. After all... Sword Family blood still flowed in Faith's veins—tough, sharp, and cold—but combined with his intellect... it made Faith soone Budot couldn't comprehend.
"The Invisible Sword."
This was what Faith's maternal grandfather, the current head of the Sword Family, used to describe Faith. An invisible, intangible sword, yet extrely lethal. This sword needed no blade, for its enemies would provide it with one. This sword also didn't exist, for it fundantally shouldn't.
Budot was forced to compromise because Faith was right.
Currently, both sides had to exploit each other's value because both were bound.
Faith was bound to the Sword Family, to his twin sister Cecilia.
The Sword Family was bound by the Kanzax Commander, who represented the Akazac Empire's dominion. While the Kanzax Commander allowed the true noble class to continue existing and developing, they were constrained from monopolizing power. That's why the struggle for resources was decided by a ga; if it were purely by force, the Sword Family would absolutely devour everything. The Kanzax Commander did not want that.
"Alright, state your terms." Budot said, and he heard Faith's faint, ghostly chuckle, like a whispered reply.
"Ten years."
"For every ti I help the Sword Family in the ga, I want Cecilia and myself to be granted ten years of freedom."
Faith stated his condition, causing Budot to narrow his eyes.
However, Faith wasn't finished. He simply observed Budot's reaction at that mont, then offered his usual fake smile and continued.
"Don't be so quick to anger, Uncle Budot. Think about it: currently, the ga set by the Kanzax Commander restrains the Sword Family. You clearly possess imnse power, yet your share of profits across all of Adia is barely more than anyone else's."
Budot, once again, couldn't help but admit that Faith was right.
Given the Sword Family's power, the amount of resources they should be able to enjoy in Adia—the most prosperous city in Kanzax province—should be enormous. But the reality was the opposite.
Though their share of resources was still among the highest, it was like enjoying 5% of the resources while other factions enjoyed 3% or 4%. While ranked highest, the difference compared to the overall total was negligible.
The Sword Family clearly didn't want this.
Faith leaned back into the chair, eyes closed, head tilted slightly back. He didn't even look at Budot, but his mouth continued to speak.
"So, ten years of freedom for both of us, in exchange for three years of abundant resources. Isn't the Sword Family making a huge profit?"
"Are you certain?" Budot retorted with a question, but the faint smile on Faith's face remained unchanged.
However, his next sentence shifted direction.
"This is a battle of wits, not force."
"So, your swords must be cast aside, and you must move your tiny, limited brains. Even hire people to play for you."
"But you can do that, and other families can do that too. So, this should be a new equilibrium, right?"
"However, the Sword Family still gets the largest share of resources, even if the difference is negligible. Not because you've won the battle of wits, but because the other families don't want to cause displeasure or discord."
"Which ans... the Sword Family is living on charity!"
Faith's words stunned Budot, then ignited his fury, true fury. Once again, the terrifying pressure of a High-class Magus descended, to the point where death seed imminent.
But Faith remained unfazed, not even blinking.
"But... I can turn the Sword Family into a predator. Not to gain a quantity of resources, but... all of it."
"Well, are you interested, Uncle Budot?"
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