Chapter 110 - 37: A Soft Knife

Chapter 110: Chapter 37: A Soft Knife

Unlike the excited Knight, Victor had no interest whatsoever in the so-called new Lord.

He was long accustomed to being an Observer and a bystander. He didn’t care what impact the new Lord’s arrival would have on Navia, nor did he have any stake in how the new Lord would clash with that Belmont fellow.

In any case, no matter what happened, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to provoke him.

That was enough.

Victor said impassively, "Continue leading the way."

The Knight froze for a moment. "Mr. Rockwell... don’t you want to stay and watch the excitement?"

News of the new Lord’s appointment had spread half a month ago. Having had so long to ferment, the residents of Navia were all more or less curious about their new ruler.

So, as soon as the commotion started at the gate, pedestrians on the street immediately gathered on both sides, clearly hoping to be the first to catch a glimpse of the new Lord.

The Knight had originally thought that since Victor had asked so many questions about the new Lord, he must be very interested in her...

But he saw Victor shake his head. "No, I’m in a hurry."

"Ah... yes, of course!"

The Knight certainly didn’t dare disobey his command, so he led Victor forward, moving against the flow of the crowd.

Behind them, the clamor grew more distinct.

Victor acted as if he hadn’t noticed at all, detached from the bustling Mortal World, as if he had never truly been a part of it.

At the end of the road.

A welcoming party composed of country squires had come forth, likely having heard the news of the Lord’s arrival.

Leading them was, of course, the Mr. Belmont the Knight had mentioned. Following behind him were his butler and the other prominent Nobles and squires of Navia.

Victor was a good dozen meters away from them, but he could still see the perfunctory smiles on their faces.

Their attitude toward the new Lord was self-evident.

If they weren’t afraid of giving people something to talk about, they probably wouldn’t even have bothered to put on an act, let alone dress up to welcome their guest.

Behind him.

The sound of hooves echoed.

The Lord’s entourage entered the city a little later than Victor, but since they were either on horseback or in carriages, they arrived before Viscount Belmont at the exact same time as Victor.

Victor had no desire to steal the spotlight on such an occasion and was about to silently step aside when a familiar figure at the head of the procession caught his eye.

The moment he saw her face clearly.

Victor’s heart trembled, and he froze on the spot.

There.

A young woman in a pure white riding habit sat atop a fine steed, her long black hair tied high in a ponytail, revealing a face of exquisite beauty.

Under the sun, her face was beaded with the fine sweat of a long journey, making her look travel-worn, yet she didn’t seem disheveled in the slightest. Instead, she radiated an overwhelming, vibrant Life Force.

Lilia.

Victor’s gaze was locked tightly on her.

He never would have thought...

that after a month apart, he would meet her again like this, in a place like this.

Lilia didn’t look at him, acting as if she hadn’t noticed a Great Mage was standing right beside her.

She dismounted nimbly and walked briskly toward Belmont, her sturdy leather boots making crisp, rhythmic sounds on the ground.

Belmont’s gaze swept over the girl’s face, and the displeasure in his heart grew stronger.

He felt like the King had played him for a fool.

He could have even accepted them sending some ignorant, incompetent Noble, but what was the deal with this little girl who looked like she hadn’t even come of age?

’Does she think being the Lord of such a remote county is some kind of child’s play?’

The smile on Belmont’s lips almost faltered.

Just as Lilia walked up to him and was about to speak, he turned directly to Victor. "And this gentleman is?"

The Knight in front of Victor snapped to attention and saluted. "My lord, this is Mr. Victor Rockwell!"

"Mr. Rockwell?"

Belmont’s eyes lit up.

This Great Mage was renowned far and wide. As the de facto ruler of Navia, it was impossible for him not to have heard of his great name.

’For such a powerful figure to come here!’

’I wonder what his purpose is. Is he just passing through, or will he be staying for a while...?’

’No, whatever his purpose, the very fact that a Great Mage has stayed here is enough to cast a halo of glory over Navia!’

In his excitement, Belmont completely forgot about Lilia.

He was about to continue exchanging pleasantries with Victor when he saw the young man’s brow furrow slightly. "Sir, it seems matters concerning me are not the most important thing right now."

"No, of course not, Mr. Rockwell!"

Belmont said with a solemn face, "Right now, matters concerning you *are* the most important thing!"

"May I ask what brings you to Navia? Are you just passing through, or do you have another purpose? Please, tell me! We will do our utmost to meet any of your needs!"

Hearing the excitement in Belmont’s tone, Victor felt increasingly uncomfortable.

He couldn’t just stand by and watch Lilia get the cold shoulder.

He was about to sternly refuse his offer and tell him to focus on the person who deserved his attention.

But before he could speak, Lilia cut in. "Um... Mr. Belmont?"

The girl’s voice was light and soft, as if coated in honey.

This finally caught a sliver of Belmont’s attention.

He turned his head arrogantly, glancing at Lilia.

Even after being snubbed and ignored, the girl still wore a sweet and polite smile. She looked for all the world like a good-tempered pushover.

Under Belmont’s faintly contemptuous gaze.

Lilia, smiling, took out a sheet of parchment and handed it to Belmont.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Viscount Belmont."

She used his more formal title, her dark eyes looking straight at him. "My name is Lilia, Lilia Seville, the eighth princess of the Light Kingdom."

"This is the letter of appointment signed by my father, the King. Please have a look."

Once the surname "Seville" was spoken, no matter how displeased Belmont was with the girl before him, he had no choice but to patiently hear her out.

He frowned as he took the parchment, and after seeing what was written on it, his gaze froze.

Noticing the change in his expression, the smile on Lilia’s lips grew brighter. "As you can see, starting today, I will officially assume the position of Lord of Navia County."

"I know that you have been managing Navia County all this time. I have no intention of fighting you for power. I only hope we can cooperate amicably to manage this place even better together."

"So, Mr. Belmont."

The girl tilted her head and smiled. "Instead of continuing to stand here exchanging pleasantries, I think we should probably head to my new office and begin the handover of various duties."

"Don’t you agree?"

As her words fell.

In the ensuing silence, Viscount Belmont secretly gritted his teeth.

Lilia’s words were tactful, but her status as the eighth princess, announced so publicly, left him no room to refuse.

He could only clench his teeth, bow, and make a gesture to lead the way. "Of course, Princess Lilia."

Belmont chewed on the title. "Please, follow me."

The large procession departed.

Only the crowds of onlookers on both sides of the road remained, whispering to each other about the new Lord’s youth and gentleness.

Victor stood where he was, watching the girl’s retreating back.

She never once looked back.