Before anyone could devise a course of action, Percival sternly reminded the attendees. "Do you people think it is possible to overthrow ?"
His eyes scanned the room. "Have you forgotten who possesses the most military power here?"
His voice cut through the hall like a blade.
Nobody feels comfortable facing such a naked threat from Percival. However, it can't be said that his move wasn't effective.
Many were intimidated by Percival's words, destroying every possible idea that dawned in their minds.
Only Johann maintains his calmness. He quickly reassures the people in the hall.
"Don't be swayed by his empty threats. The number of elite knights under Percival's command is comparable to so of our own forces here. The only difference is that he can use his title as duke to rally the commoners to his cause."
Johann paused to allow his words to sink in.
Everything he said was true.
Commoners believed in the person who held the official title because the power to enforce the law ca with that title. Percival can just say it was for the sake of the duchy and many commoners will assemble behind him.
As for the rest of the Klovers, they don't have this kind of privilege.
If they wish to do the sa, the commoners may comply with them out of fear. But they will not be fully committed to fight for their sake.
Along the way, so might defect or secretly report it to Percival.
Whatever plot the mbers of Klover were scheming may not go so smoothly.
Well, that is the case for people in the hall.
As for Johann, he has nothing to worry about. He had SIN on his back to help him gather the people for his course.
The guests began to look around and reassess their stance.
Johann's calm confidence was infectious, and they started to see the situation in a new light.
Sensing that the situation could not be turned in his favour, Percival knew he had lost this round.
The good news is this event had woken him from his complacency. He realizes how close he is to the edge of the cliff.
He directly warned Johann, "Once again, I warn you not to challenge the duke, or you will face the consequences. Fighting won't bring your dead grandson back to life!"
His eyes swept the room, observing the expression of the attendees. In a way, his warning is also for them.
"Rember this- I am not without resources, and I will not be brought down easily."
With that, Percival turned on his heel and marched out of the banquet hall with his family trailing behind him.
Before he exited the hall, Johann called him out, "Percival, it is true I can't bring my grandson back to life. But I can prevent other grandparents from losing theirs."
....
"Phew... That was tense," said Demin who's watching silently from the sideline.
When he heard Percival attend this banquet, he was slightly worried, thinking that Johann and Percival had reconciled with each other.
Thankfully, his worry doesn't co true.
This banquet was organized to be a stage for Johann to attack Percival.
Demin felt relieved. The two of them were fighting as he hoped, which ant, his son would not be targeted for a while.
Judging by the seriousness Johann showed, it is certain the fight will inevitably escalate in the future.
As such, he started to consider the various ways in which he could leverage this burgeoning conflict to his advantage.
As he was thinking, Betto ca and talked to him.
"Yo, Demin. What the hell just happened in the estate?"
His confusion was almost comical. A complete opposite to the tense atmosphere that had filled the hall just minutes before.
Looking at the visibly confused Betto, Demin sighed. He couldn't believe the third contender for the duke's throne to be this oblivious.
Then again, Betto's ignorance made him less of a threat and more of a pawn.
"Where have you been all this ti?" Demin asked.
"Why should I tell you?" Betto shot back.
"Tsk!" Demin clicked his tongue. "You've grown smarter. Anyway, a lot happens while you are away and you just missed a show. Johann just publicly accused Percival of so very serious cris. Expect a civil war to happen soon."
Betto raised an eyebrow, "Hoh?! A civil war, you say? Isn't this a good thing?"
Demin shook his head, "Not really. Johann alone isn't enough to fight with Percival. He needs help."
"Don't tell ...!"
"Yeah, I plan to lend a hand to Johann."
"Are you kidding ?! Why?"
"Because Johann is no longer a threat. He's old and had no heir. Even if he becos a duke, how long he will hold onto that position? We might as well take this chance to eliminate Percival instead of just watching them weaken each other."
"So, you're saying we should support Johann now, help him defeat Percival, and then... what? Just wait for him to die?"
"Exactly," Demin said. "When he eventually passes, the dukedom will be up for grabs again."
In fact, Demin doesn't have enough patience to wait for that long. As soon as Johann ca to power, he would take action.
"I see...," Betto seed to consider this but was not fully convinced. "But Demin, you forget about Sarika. She's a legitimate heir of the dukedom."
"That's easy. Just send her to the battlefield or marry her off. Knowing her temper, she will choose the battlefield."
Betto frowned, "She's an excellent commander. If she gains military support..."
Demin waved off Betto's concerns.
"Do you think the Duchy of Camble had that strength to spare for her sake? The western frontier is the most dire place right now. They had no ti to cater to her request. Plus, it keeps her occupied and away from any political manoeuvring."
"You're right. The war at that place had been going on for years now and shown to sign of ending."
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