Chapter 82: A Topic Avoided at All Costs

Chapter 82: A Topic Too Sensitive to Mention

The war had ended. Everyone returned.

The city lord’s manor hosted a grand victory banquet, inviting all who had fought.

Lord Oats stood upon the high platform, announcing the triumphs of battle, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.

Li Wei stood among the throng. He spotted Guss and Merson at the banquet, flanking a middle-aged gentleman dressed in refined elegance.

He approached them with a greeting.

Merson smiled upon seeing him and introduced the man beside them.

"Li Wei, this is Monis."

Monis looked at Li Wei, extended his hand with a gentle smile, and shook firmly.

"I've long heard your name, Mage Li Wei. It's an honor to finally meet you—please treat me kindly."

Li Wei replied with a courteous smile, "You flatter me, Deputy Director."

Monis said, "In truth, we should have met much earlier."

Li Wei raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I don’t recall."

Monis smiled faintly. "I watched your duel with Leina at Golden Shield Manor."

A subtle ripple stirred within Li Wei. He asked cautiously, "What is your connection to the Bieber family?"

"My elder brother is Old John," Monis replied.

Li Wei was startled—Monis was Leina’s uncle.

His gaze shifted to Guss and Merson. Their formal attire bore embroidered noble crests.

They too were nobles.

Of course—how else could ordinary men found a literary society?

Suddenly, the music softened into a flowing, melancholic melody.

Dailis, draped in a violet-black evening gown, approached Li Wei.

"Li Wei, may I have this dance?"

The banquet had entered its ballroom phase. Once the dancing concluded, so would the feast.

Li Wei shook his head. "I’m sorry. I don’t know how to dance."

Dailis smiled. "It doesn’t matter. You can learn. Let me teach you."

Li Wei had no interest—but before he could refuse, another figure appeared.

Leina, in a deep burgundy gown, stepped forward.

"Li Wei, can you dance?"

"No."

"It’s fine. Just follow my lead."

Without waiting for reply, she seized his hand and pulled him into the swirling crowd.

Dailis stood frozen, watching Li Wei vanish into the sea of dancers.

When she finally snapped back, she stamped her foot in frustration. "Hmph!"

Leina’s palm was soft yet unyielding—like steel wrapped in velvet.

Before Li Wei could register the sensation, she spun him into motion.

Clumsy and uncoordinated, he moved like a puppet in her hands, dragged through the rhythm.

Noticing her awkward steps, he whispered, "Have you never danced before?"

"I learned as a child. But after growing up, I never attended balls."

"I’ve been training under my master ever since. No time for such things," she explained.

Under her guidance, he twirled—roles reversed between them, their dance unlike any other couple’s.

Thankfully, Leina was strong enough to effortlessly control his weight.

She murmured, "What were you talking about with my uncle just now?"

As they moved, her steps grew more fluid, rediscovering the forgotten grace.

Li Wei began to follow instinctively.

"He mentioned," Li Wei answered, "that the world outside is changing. Peace may not last."

Leina said, "Do you know what the city lord intends? Lately, my master has been meeting him alone… frequently."

A flicker passed through Li Wei’s mind. Had Oren not told Leina?

By now, many had begun to sense it.

Only one step remained before Oats declared independence.

One condition for nationhood: attaining the imperial rank of Marquis.

Only then would the Empire recognize the new kingdom. Otherwise, any self-proclaimed sovereignty would be dismissed as illegitimate—a mere speck beyond imperial protection.

Oats held the title of Life Baron.

With connections in the Empire, and bolstered by recent military achievements, securing a Life Marquisate wouldn’t be difficult.

In rank, a Life Marquis surpassed a Hereditary Baron.

Yet in prestige, a Hereditary Baron far outweighed a Life Marquis.

Thus, noble promotions often skipped ranks.

Once Oats became a Marquis and proclaimed his kingdom, the first stage of his ambition would be complete.

Then came the real struggle—consolidating power, seizing true control over every town within the realm.

That path would invite furious retaliation from the Malkil Kingdom—and fierce resistance from the three powerful inland cities.

The time was ripe.

Given Leina’s status, revealing the truth posed little risk.

Knowing what lay ahead might even benefit her—especially if she would soon face war again.

It would allow her to anticipate the shifting tides with clarity.

After a moment’s thought, Li Wei leaned close as their bodies drew near, whispering against her ear:

"The city lord plans to declare a kingdom."

Leina froze.

Her body stilled. Li Wei couldn’t move—he pressed against her, trapped in the sudden stillness.

Too intimate. He felt his cheeks warm.

To onlookers, they seemed locked in an embrace.

A breath passed. Then another.

Finally, she resumed the dance—this time in silence, absorbing the revelation within.

The idea stunned her.

Since childhood, she had known this land as the Malkil Kingdom.

In her heart, Malkil had always been her homeland.

To hear now of betraying the "motherland" and founding a new nation was a profound shock to Leina’s traditional beliefs.

When Li Wei saw Leina fall silent, he felt surprise and unease stir within him.

He hadn’t expected this matter to affect her so deeply.

Having no sense of belonging toward the Kingdom of Maril himself, news of Oz founding a nation naturally stirred no emotion in him.

Only now did Li Wei realize how momentous such an act truly was for others.

No wonder, until this day, not even a whisper of Oz’s intent to establish a nation had ever spread.

Now, all who knew stood trapped in a state of knowing yet being unable to speak.

It remained only to see who would break the silence.

And whoever broke it might easily become a sacrifice amid rumors and whispers.

Once Li Wei grasped this, he understood more clearly than ever that this secret could never be spoken to another soul.

Oz could tell him without fear, precisely because he was fated to bear the greatest danger.

Leina, recovering her composure, looked at Li Wei and said, “Do not tell anyone about this.”

Li Wei nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

Leina too now sensed the immense peril hidden within these words.

If word leaked out, even the army’s morale might falter.

Not everyone would wish to follow Oz in founding a new nation.

Such divisions would inevitably split the ranks from within.

For Maple City—still struggling along the path to nationhood—this would be a devastating blow.

It might well lead to defeat before victory is even achieved.

As for others, none dared recklessly spread rumors of nation-building.

Even the Kingdom of Maril would not dare use such rumors to unsettle Maple City’s forces.

That would be tantamount to openly acknowledging Oz’s claim to sovereignty.

All avoided the subject as if it were a curse best left unspoken.

(End of Chapter)