Javier placed one hand over his chest and lowered his head a little, a courteous gesture. His voice was smooth and deliberate, carried the polished cadence of a seasoned noble.
"Within my heart, I sincerely apologize for such unbecoming behavior shown before you all."
The bow was formal and respectful on the surface, but the faint gleam in his eyes hinted at a subtle edge, mocking without breaking etiquette.
"Hmph! Very well... let us return to the matter at hand." Marquis Saten spoke sharply, though his lips still wore a feigned smile. His eyes narrowed as he straightened his cloak, the jewels on his rings catching the light.
"Count Garius, your son’s beast has wrecked three of my carriages, scattered my horses, and humiliated my household in plain view. Such recklessness cannot be brushed aside as if it were nothing."
He leaned forward a little, letting the words drip with smugness.
"Five hundred gold will cover the damages, hardly unreasonable for the disgrace caused. Surely you agree?"
Garius’s calm smile never faltered. He turned his head toward Javier, his tone smooth but edged with purpose.
"Your Pekko has destroyed three of Honorable Marquis Saten’s carriages, and he demands compensation for his ’loss.’ Such recklessness has caused embarrassnt to the Marquis and inconvenience to his household. He values this damage at five hundred gold."
The Count’s eyes sharpened slightly as he folded his hands.
"Of course, in our household, such a sum is small. Yet, it’s not the gold that matters, it’s how we respond. So tell , my son... how will you respond to this demand?"
"Five hundred gold?" Javier repeated, calm but edged with disbelief. He glanced toward Marquis Saten, then back to his father. He bowed his head slightly, speaking with respectful steadiness.
"Esteed Father, forgive ... but surely even the finest craftsn in this capital would laugh at such an estimate."
He straightened, his expression composed, his words sharp as a blade wrapped in silk.
"A carriage fit for travel, reinforced wheels, noble trim. Ten, perhaps twenty gold. Add horses, harness, lacquered finish—five, ten more at most. Even with the most extravagant embellishnts, the sum could never co close to five hundred. To claim otherwise is insulting to reason itself."
A soft, refined chuckle slipped from him, noble and asured, yet underneath it was mocking. He bowed once more toward Garius with flawless courtesy.
"Yet, if Esteed Father commands it... I will pay the five hundred gold without complaint. Your word, Father, is law to ."
Every syllable felt like a dagger. He accepted bla if ordered, but by doing so he stripped all dignity from Saten’s inflated demand.
Around them, nobles shifted and murmurs started. Marquis Saten’s jaw clenched, his teeth grinding behind a smile stretched too thin. The boy’s words, precise and cutting, had left no room to hide. His face darkened, but he didn’t dare lash out with Garius watching.
Garius leaned back slightly in his chair, the golden diamond glass tilting idly in his hand. His smile was faint and unreadable as his gaze moved between his son and the marquis.
"You hear him, Your Honorable Marquis," Garius said smoothly, his tone calm but heavy with weight.
"My son has spoken with the asure of a craftsman, a rchant, even a judge, yet he also shows the willingness to bend if I decree it. Tell , is this not proof enough of both discipline and respect? He acknowledges , and he acknowledges you."
"Hah! Surely your household can pay that much, right, Count Garius? Hmm?"
Marquis Saten spoke with mock authority, his smirk wide, waiting for Garius to falter.
Garius wore a small, calm smile. He tilted the glass a little, the liquid catching the light, then spoke in a tone that was smooth and refined.
"Very well, Your Honorable Marquis. If five hundred gold is truly what satisfies you, then so be it." His eyes flicked toward Javier, sharp beneath the calm. "My son, do as you see fit. If you want to pay this fine gentleman, then pay him."
"As you command, Esteem Father." Javier bowed slightly, his lips twitching as if he were barely holding back a grin. With a wave of his hand, his magic storage opened. A shimr of light, then a tallic clatter.
Out dropped a polished device, its gears glinting. Steam hissed faintly as it whirred.
"...Ah. Not this one." Javier casually shoved the magical sugarcane press back into the shimring space.
Another flash, this ti a mana cannon slid halfway out, its barrel gleaming with runic inscriptions. Gasps ran through the nobles.
"Crap... not this either." Javier muttered, shoving it back with exaggerated annoyance.
Then more items spilled out, one after another. A jewel-studded tiara. A mithril longsword , a chest full of cut diamonds, jewel, pearls , shining like water. Golden trinkets, rare fabrics, magic crystal, rare runes, rare material and several crystalline artifacts whose value was beyond money.
The nobles’ eyes widened, so clutching their sleeves, their breaths catching. The pile glittered like a treasury laid bare in the courtyard.
"Damn it," Javier muttered, scratching his head as he leaned into the glowing portal of his storage. "Why can’t I find my gold pouch?" He glanced around, pretending to be irritated.
To the surrounding nobles, every casual motion scread mockery. Five hundred gold was nothing next to the wealth spilling at Javier’s feet. And yet, he acted as though he were scrambling for pocket change.
Javier tugged again at the glowing rift of his storage, and with a flash of light, he pulled out a blade that shimred darker, heavier than mithril, the unmistakable gleam of adamantite.
"Ah... I almost forgot about this one," he said casually, his voice smooth as if he were talking about a misplaced trinket. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it onto the growing pile, the blade ringing against the chest of diamonds with a sharp, resonant sound.
Gasps rippled through the nobles again, so turning pale, others stiffening as though the weight of that single sword might crush their pride.
Beside him, Liana stood gracefully, her hands folded before her, lips curved in a serene smile.
Not far away, Marcellus and Cedric exchanged a brief glance. Both n’s lips twitched, their composure strained. Then, with slow, deliberate movents, they stepped closer until they stood by the pile as if guarding it.
( End Of Chapter )
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