The guests from the west had finally reached the ducal grounds of the Velmora family in Serenity Town, Westirifer.
The massive entourage consisted of several hundred escort cavalry guards and eighteen carriages belonging to three different noble families. Of course, the two units of war paladins and valkyrie knights, along with the three leading carriages, were not counted among them—those belonged to the Holygrill family of Holycross, which was already part of Westirifer itself.
*Clip… clop… clip… clop… clip…*
"Halt!"
The moment Gorthas reached the entrance gates of the ducal grounds, he pulled hard on his horse's reins, bringing the animal to a sharp stop, and announced in a clear voice:
"We have arrived."
The escort cavalry behind him obeyed at once. One by one the guards reined in their mounts, and the long line of carriages under their protection came to a halt as well.
The foremost carriage of the Holygrill family stopped directly in front of the entrance gate. Seeing this, Head Minister Allen, Lady Talmora, and Elder Guntor stepped forward together to welcome the arrivals.
Although Holycross State and the Holygrill family were now part of Westirifer and no longer required such formal ceremony, the information Allen had received indicated that the most exalted existence of the Holygrill family would be arriving today. Proper respect was therefore necessary. Even if that existence did not come, a dignified welcome was still required to maintain amicable relations.
The three of them advanced. With smooth, measured steps, Allen approached the very first carriage of the Holygrill family. To his surprise, the door did not open. Being the professional butler he was, Allen showed no impatience and simply waited. Still the door remained shut, yet the curtains of the carriage window were drawn aside.
Then, to Allen's sheer astonishment, a young man with silver hair and neon-green eyes peeked out and smiled.
"Oh, hi Allen. What's the special occasion? You've never come out to welcome me like this before. Did you miss me that much?"
Allen froze in shock.
"Young Master—that is the carriage of the Exalted Lady Synthia! What are you doing in there? And when did you—?"
Lucifer raised one finger to his lips, silencing him at once.
"Exalted Lady Synthia? Allen, just a short while ago, at the border between Serenity and Velmare Town, she tempted and coaxed me into accepting her as my wife… and I agreed. After that we sealed our love with a kiss right there on the spot. So she is no longer some exalted existence—she is my wife. If you don't believe me, ask Sister Delya, Gloria, and Aunt Aria."
Allen stared, first stunned, then seeing the mischievous smile on Lucifer's face.
"Young Master, do you really expect me to believe whatever nonsense you spout? Now come down at once. You're in deep trouble today—Madam Mia is furious with you. Behave yourself."
Lucifer blinked. "Why? Why is she angry with me this time? What have I done?"
He waved a hand airily. "Whatever it is, I'll persuade her. But Allen, what I'm saying is the absolute truth. My wifey is my wife now."
Allen bristled. "What nonsense are you sprouting? What do you mean 'wifey is your—'"
Before he could finish, two more heads appeared at the same window. One was Delya, whom Allen knew well. The other was a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
Delya cut in smoothly. "Sir Allen, Lucifer isn't lying. Grandaunt really did propose to him… and he accepted."
Allen's voice went flat. "What?"
The second woman smiled, her laughter soft and teasing. "Oh-ho-ho… so you're Sir Allen. I've heard good things about you from Aria. Well then—I am Synthia Holygrill."
She playfully poked Lucifer's head with one elegant finger. "And this horny little monkey is telling you the truth. I really did propose to him, and he agreed to take me as his wife. We even sealed the deal with several rather thorough kisses. For now, I am only his woman…"
Lucifer turned on her with theatrical disbelief. "What do you mean 'for now I'm only his woman'? Planning to collect a second or third husband the moment we tie the knot?"
Synthia's eyes sparkled with pure mischief. "If you fail to live up to my exacting standards, darling, I might just start shopping around. A woman has needs, you know."
Lucifer clutched his chest in mock agony. "You manipulative little temptress! First you seduce me, then you coax me into saying yes, and the second I accept you start threatening me with rivals? Fine. Do whatever you want. Actually—never mind. Aunt Aria is far more beautiful than you anyway."
Synthia's playful expression vanished into genuine outrage. "What—what the heck did you just say, Lucifer?! Trying to turn me against my own niece?!"
But Lucifer had already stopped listening. He pushed open the carriage door, stepped down lightly, and fixed his gaze on Artemis, who stood beside Allen.
"Artemis. Aunt Aria is asleep inside and thoroughly exhausted. I don't want her woken, and I don't want anyone disturbing her rest. Leave the formalities of welcoming the rest of the guests to me, Allen, and the others. You take the coachman's seat and drive this particular carriage straight to the palace courtyard. Arrange a quiet room for her as well."
Artemis moved at once. From inside the carriage Synthia called after Lucifer again, still half-teasing, half-indignant—but he never looked back. Feeling both a strange sense of loss and a rising irritation, she opened her mouth once more. Before she could speak, Delya caught her wrist.
"Grandaunt… you're in trouble. I think he's actually angry with you this time."
Synthia frowned. "Angry with me? Why? What did I do? He was the one who teased me with that last line!"
Both Gloria and Delya simply shook their heads. Under Artemis's guidance the carriage rolled forward again, passing through the entrance gate and disappearing from sight.
Once it was gone, Elder Guntor and Lady Talmora turned to Allen.
Guntor nudged him. "What just happened? Am I dreaming, or did the exalted personage of the Holygrill family just take your young master as her husband?"
Talmora added, still bewildered, "What was that? Why the sudden change?"
Allen's reply was grim. "I am not the young master, and I am just as confused as the two of you. What I do know is that the master is in a foul mood. Keep a close eye on him. Anyone who offends him right now may not walk away in one piece."
With that, Allen moved toward the second carriage to continue welcoming the guests.
---
While Allen, Elder Guntor, and Lady Talmora attended to the other arrivals, Lucifer walked toward Gorthas, who stood with Cassian. When he reached them he glanced at the nobles still stepping down from their carriages.
"Gorthas… what do you think about all this?"
"About what, Master?"
"About why I invited every last one of these so-called high and mighty nobles of the kingdom."
Gorthas answered carefully. "Is it not to have them take part in the celebration of the duchy's ascension, and afterward enjoy the Fertility Ceremony Festival?"
Lucifer's voice dropped, quiet and cold. "No, Gorthas. Do you truly believe they deserve to share in our celebration? Most of the guests coming to witness our rise are dogs of the Lustbound Heaven Kingdom. I will never celebrate any joyous occasion in their company. If I truly wished to hold a celebration, I would do something that improved the lives of our own citizens. Instead look at what I am doing—spending time and gold on these kingdom dogs."
His eyes narrowed. "Some of them came with genuine goodwill, and for that I am grateful. But others came carrying only contempt. Some came to dig for secrets about Westirifer. Some came to search for my weaknesses. And I know—beyond any doubt—that a few among them will try to harm my people."
He turned fully to Gorthas. "So I ask you again. Why did I invite them?"
Gorthas fell into deep thought. He understood that when Lucifer posed a question like this, the truth was far more dangerous than it appeared.
Lucifer interrupted the silence. "How many forces does Holycross have available for immediate action? And how many in reserve?"
Gorthas looked up, startled by the sudden shift. "If war broke out this very moment, roughly 2.6 million knights could take the field at once. The Holygrill family holds another 1.7 million in reserve. Why do you ask, Master? Are we about to wage war on someone?"
Lucifer's smile was calm, almost gentle—yet it carried the weight of steel. "No. We are not going to wage war on anyone. We are going to defend our land… because someone else is already waging war on us."
Gorthas's eyes widened. "Who?"
"'Who' is the wrong question, Gorthas. The correct question is 'how many.' The enemy is not alone. They have helpers who live among us like sheep in the household, quietly chewing grass. Leave those sheep alone long enough and they shed their soft faces, become wolves, and hunt your family."
Hatred burned cold in Lucifer's voice. Then it softened, though the resolve beneath it only grew harder. "But do not worry. I will roast those sheep alive… and I will eat their flesh without so much as a burp. I will protect everyone. Trust me."
While Gorthas turned over the growing danger in his mind, another voice spoke.
"Master… you are holding this celebration because you want to find those man-eating sheep before they fully mature."
It was Cassian, who had been listening in silence.
Lucifer tapped the young man's shoulder in quiet approval. "Correct, Cassian. And one or two of those man-eating sheep are already among this batch of guests. Before I skin them and roast them, I intend to give them one last chance."
Gorthas's vigilance toward the three noble families instantly sharpened to a killing edge. His gut told him Lucifer was not exaggerating—and Gorthas had always trusted his own intuition.
"Cassian, Gorthas—come. There is still time." Lucifer's tone lightened only slightly. "And Gorthas, if you correctly guess which of these noble families hides the man-eating sheep before dinner tonight, I will teach you a spear technique you have never seen. How much of it you can comprehend and make your own… that depends entirely on you."
With that, he led both men toward Allen, Lady Talmora, and Elder Guntor.
---
The members of the Holygrill family were puzzled that their leading carriage had gone straight inside while they still waited at the gate. None of them raised a fuss, however; Lucifer remained outside speaking with Gorthas. Meanwhile Nad, Kevlon, and Desmond had struck up quiet conversation with Arlena, Arlira, and Arlissa, learning that the three young women were sisters, that Cassian was their eldest brother, and that the entire family had lived in Velmare Town until recently pledging loyalty to Lucifer and the Velmora family.
At the foremost carriage of Redbarn Barony, Allen laughed with genuine warmth.
"Oh-ho-ho! So it is the esteemed Baron Denford of Redbarn Barony. I have heard many tales of your wisdom and physical power. The famous SS+-rank Barghest Hunter himself. It is my honor to welcome you and your beautiful wives to the ducal palace of the Velmora family—truly."
He smiled wider. "I also heard that Young Lady Aelema and Young Lady Fiji are coming. Where are they? Our grounds hold many diversions I am certain they will enjoy."
Nadira smiled in return. "Our daughters are in the last carriage with their other mothers. If what you say is true, then I too would like to know what amusements made you boast so freely."
"Hehehe… My lady is quite humorous. Bragging? I speak only truth. And knowing how wise Baron Denford is, I am certain he will appreciate the intellectual games we call Sudoku and chess."
Baron Denford gave a low chuckle. "If you are exaggerating this much, then I truly must see these so-called Sudoku and chess for myself."
---
Some distance away, at the foremost carriage of Ironford County, Lady Talmora offered a graceful welcome.
"Welcome, Sir Goccrek, Lady Layuri, and Young Master Ildrek. You are all most welcome in Westirifer. I hope the journey was not too hard on you."
Goccrek and Layuri stepped down, followed by their grandson Ildrek. Layuri regarded Talmora with a pleasant smile.
"No, no—you need not worry over such small matters. The Holygrill family cared for every comfort along the way. The only real problem was the length of the journey and the lack of entertainment. I hope the Velmora family of Westirifer will take better care of our needs."
"Of course, Lady Layuri. Of course we will see to every need."
Layuri's smile deepened. "If that is so… then I have heard certain rumors about Lucifer, sole son of the Grand Duchess of Westirifer. They say his stamina is unparalleled. Arrange him for me. Let me experience what your duchy has to offer. In return, you may comfort my grandson and my husband. Let them taste your youth. A perfect arrangement, is it not?"
Lady Talmora found herself in an awkward position. She felt no personal offense that Goccrek and Ildrek might desire her, yet she could not decide such a thing on Lucifer's behalf.
"Lady Layuri, I have no problem in having sex with—"
A calm voice cut across her words. "Aunt Talmora, you are still here. Elder Guntor is looking for you."
She turned and found Lucifer standing just behind her, accompanied by Gorthas and Cassian. Confused, she glanced several meters to her right, where Guntor was indeed speaking with Duke Gelvin.
Seeing her hesitation, Lucifer spoke again, firmer this time. "Go. What are you standing around for?"
He pushed Cassian gently forward. "Aunt Talmora, this is Cassian. He, his three younger sisters, and five other members of his family have just pledged loyalty to me. After you speak with Elder Guntor, take Cassian and the other eight with you."
Only then did Lucifer turn his full attention to Goccrek, Layuri, and Ildrek.
"Sir Goccrek, Lady Layuri of Ironford County—you are welcome in Westirifer. Now, please call your important ministers so that we may escort you inside."
Goccrek's eyes narrowed. "Who do you think you are, boy? Do you imagine yourself clever? Do you think I failed to notice you deliberately sent that Keilname lass away?"
Lucifer's reply was quiet and absolute. "Sir Goccrek, this is Westirifer—not your Ironford County. Follow Westirifer's rules. Understood?"
He continued without pause. "As for who I am—I am Lucifer Velmora. And yes, I do consider myself smarter than you. I heard from Sister Delya that yesterday, under the pretense of 'entertaining the guests,' you and seven of your ministers spent the entire night with Aunt Aria. One woman against seven men. Do you think my aunt is some commodity for your use? And now you wish to share Aunt Talmora with your grandson as well? Whatever your appetites may be, I will not allow it."
His voice dropped further. "If you have such fetishes, satisfy them in your own land. Try them here and you will face consequences you will not enjoy. Follow me if you wish… or turn around and return home to indulge yourselves as you please."
Layuri gave a soft laugh. "Quite the hot-headed young man, aren't you?"
Lucifer did not answer. She nudged Goccrek. "Let us see what Westirifer has to offer."
She began walking after Lucifer. Midway, Allen and Elder Guntor joined them with the guests of Redbarn Barony and Weilheim Duchy, followed by the remaining members of the Holygrill family. Together the entire procession passed through the entrance gate and entered the military district beyond.