Chapter 87: Straley's Decision

"You... you actually..." Wallace's eyes widened in disbelief. "Didn't I tell you? Lord Gallen couldn't possibly be..." Wallace glanced around, then cautiously lowered his voice, "A Celestial Dragon."

After spending much time with Gallen, Wallace had noticed that Gallen not only lacked the arrogance typical of old nobility, but also frequently betrayed a casual disdain and even hostility toward the noble class in his words and actions. Unlike Wallace, a rebellious noble by birth, or the commoners who awakened after experiencing noble rule, Gallen's contempt for nobles seemed innate, instinctive, habitual—as if, in his mind, nobles were never a group deserving respect. This was not behavior one would expect from someone born into nobility. So, despite the small details worth noticing, Wallace was certain Gallen was no noble, let alone the identity he had once wildly imagined.

After Wallace's accusation, Borgin waved off the concern with an innocent look. "Celestial Dragon? I never said that! I just spread a few little stories. As for what people think after hearing them, that's beyond my control."

Wallace's expression darkened; he said nothing. He knew this routine well—it was the very method he used when stirring up sensational news. After a long silence, Wallace asked in confusion, "How could such a rumor fool even the king?"

"It's simple," Borgin replied, adopting the tone of a mentor instructing a junior. "Better to believe it than not. Celestial Dragons are the sort of people who, if offended even slightly, can bring ruin upon you. Even rumors without solid proof can't be ignored." Borgin looked deeply at his nephew, amused. "Besides... you know exactly what kind of man our king is, don't you? Are you overestimating those old nobles' intelligence?"

"Uh..." Wallace had no argument, so he nodded in agreement, "That's true enough."

Though the Michael family were nobles, they were considered anomalies among Goa Kingdom's aristocracy. While other nobles squabbled within the city walls for power and lived off the legacy of their ancestors in decadent luxury, believing their so-called noble blood was the root of their status—and forgetting that power always sustains status—the Michael family, instead, actively ventured beyond Goa Kingdom, mingling with 'common folk' and conducting business to expand their influence and accumulate power. In truth, they resembled a merchant family more than a noble one.

Though Wallace, his uncle, and father often disagreed in principle, they shared a fundamental consensus: most nobles in Goa Kingdom were fools, including the king. This wasn't an issue of innate intelligence, but the result of absolute arrogance clouding their judgment—a product of a 'pig-farming' style noble upbringing.

"But," Borgin suddenly shifted, his expression grave, and cautioned Wallace, "there is one competitor you must take seriously."

"Competitor?"

Wallace immediately protested, "I haven’t even agreed to—"

Borgin ignored his nephew’s reluctance and continued, "Sterley of the Otterluck family, the most favored candidate for the princess’s husband. Before you, he already had two rivals killed."

"What?" Wallace's face grew somber; he realized the family had lured him into a trap.

"No need to worry," Borgin said, his smile never faltering, even as he discussed matters of life and death. "That fellow excels at manipulation, enticing hearts, and flattering his way through society. Two competitors died in 'accidents,' and yet those old nobles still trust him as an 'outstanding youth'... Remarkable!"

Wallace offered no comment, but Borgin grew more animated. "I want to see: how will he react when he learns his rival is backed by a 'Celestial Dragon'?"

"You..." Wallace frowned deeply, clearly displeased. "You summoned Lord Gallen just to use his prestige?"

"No, this isn’t exploitation," Borgin said seriously. "It’s cooperation. It’s our family’s sincere gesture to the new rising ruler of the East Sea. If we succeed, Lord Gallen’s support won’t be from just our family, but from an entire kingdom." He patted his nephew’s shoulder firmly, speaking with heartfelt encouragement. "Those old nobles are arrogant and ignorant, but our Michael family understands the world well: Power always stems from strength. As long as the rising sun of the East Sea behind you remains strong, our family’s sincerity toward him will never waver. So—for Lord Gallen’s sake," Borgin pressed Wallace’s shoulder hard, making it ache, "you must marry the princess!"

...........................................................

Otterluck Residence.

Borgin had speculated about Sterley's reaction, but the reality was beyond his imagination. Cursed by the creator’s malice, Sterley always looked out of place—like a buffoon from a comedy, his expression after an outburst even more indescribable.

"Celestial Dragon?" Sterley’s face twisted, his emotions spiraling out of control. "The Michael family has actually connected with a Celestial Dragon!"

Faced with his employer’s tantrum, MR.1 responded with cold indifference. Not only indifferent, but MR.1 found it all rather absurd—even though he was naturally taciturn.

In just a week, an earth-shaking rumor had swept through Goa Kingdom like a fever. It started as a whisper among drunkards and women in private, then spread through the noble circles. By the end, MR.1 could barely step out to buy cigarettes without hearing a dozen people on the street animatedly discussing the 'Celestial Dragon’s secret visit.'

MR.1 didn’t believe such tales. With a Celestial Dragon’s noble status, who would go to sea, laboring and killing day after day?

But the nobles and subjects of Goa Kingdom remained feverishly obsessed. In a kingdom built on bloodlines and hierarchy, worship of noble lineage permeated all levels, and the world nobles—the Celestial Dragons—were the most exalted of all. So, they discussed Celestial Dragon news with the greatest enthusiasm, never questioning its authenticity.

At first, it was just Borgin’s misleading little stories—vague, not worth scrutiny. But as the rumor spread, countless citizens contributed to its evolution: the tale of the 'Celestial Dragon’s secret visit' grew ever richer, the characters more vivid, the plot more dramatic and convoluted. Record all these wild tales circulating among the people, and one could film five lengthy volumes of 'Gallen’s Secret Visit Chronicles.'

In such a wildfire of rumor, 'Celestial Dragon Gallen' became an unquestioned fact across Goa Kingdom. Sterley’s plan for seizing power was completely sabotaged by this.

Still raging in his room, Sterley finally heard MR.1 ask, "Are we still going to kill Wallace?"

"Hmm?" Sterley’s cold tone snapped him back to some sanity; after a moment’s thought, he answered, "Kill him! That brat isn’t a Celestial Dragon—at most, he’s a Celestial Dragon’s dog! But..." Sterley continued in a low voice, "I need to see how strong the Michael family’s connection to the Celestial Dragon really is. Wait for my signal before you act."

"Understood," MR.1 replied succinctly.

Yet, seeing the conflicted expression on Sterley’s face, MR.1 couldn’t help but add, in a slightly admonishing tone, "Employer, do you really believe that man is a Celestial Dragon?"

"Does it matter?" Sterley gritted his teeth. "The Michael brat just returned, and was invited to the palace to chat with the princess! Whether he is or not, the senile king already believes it!"

MR.1 looked at Sterley in surprise, beginning to reevaluate his distasteful employer: compared to other nobles, this bowl-cut master at least had some measure of intelligence.

But Sterley’s rare moment of cleverness was quickly smothered by the lure of power. He suddenly flashed a greedy, wicked smile, murmuring in excitement, "If I can cozy up to that Celestial Dragon and replace Wallace... Then forget the princess of Goa Kingdom, who knows what else..."

His brief rationality vanished, replaced by eager fantasies of serving an unknown 'Celestial Dragon' as a loyal dog...

Watching this, MR.1 fell silent once more.

MR.1 began to believe the rumor of the 'Celestial Dragon’s secret visit' himself: If one must deal with these brainless nobles every day, it’s surely more satisfying to go out to sea and wield a blade.