Founder Of The Greatest Noble Family
Chapter 66:Count Wellington Interest

Chapter 66: 66:Count Wellington Interest

Black, foul-smelling impurities began to ooze from his pores, staining the floor with filth as his physical body underwent a total purge. The stench of rot and age fled from him like a shadow before dawn.

His skin glowed faintly, pores tightening, scars fading. The dullness in his eyes cleared, replaced by a sharper, crystalline gaze that could pierce through lies and fear alike.

Suddenly all his hair stood on end, dancing as if caught in a divine storm. Arcs of lightning-like Qi sparked around him, and for a brief moment, his figure seemed otherworldly, elevated beyond the reach of mortals.

His soul responded.

Like chains breaking one after another, Roland felt parts of his being long locked away suddenly open. His soul, once hidden behind the curtain of flesh, began to expand and radiate presence. He could sense it shaping, molding, becoming more refined—no longer just an echo of thought but a true force.

He could perceive the changes happening inside him.

The rhythm of his heartbeat harmonizing with the world, the flow of energy in the air around him, the subtle whisper of time passing through the land.

Warmth enveloped him.

His vision brightened and his senses sharpened.

His thoughts became still and calmness surrounded him .

He could feel himself getting stronger and stronger.

When the transformation slowed, Roland stood still as his breath calm, his body radiating vitality like an awakened star. His presence no longer resembled that of a baron or knight. He had transcended. The life force within him pulsed like a rising sun.

He was no longer a man of the common realm.

His essence, soul, and body had taken the first true step on the path toward the transcendent.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Roland opened his eyes.

Sharp. Clear. Immovable.

"This... is what it means to rise," he whispered to himself.

The breakthrough was still the process

But the road ahead was just beginning.

...

Wellington Estate, Southern Territories of Kingdom Jin.

Count Wellington, draped in a fur-lined cloak and seated behind a mahogany desk, narrowed his eyes as he skimmed through the report in his hand. The candlelight danced across his stern, weathered face etched with years of war and court politics.

He tapped the scroll on the desk sharply. "Is this information correct?"

"Without doubt, my lord," the butler answered respectfully, bowing slightly. He was an old hand at this.He was trusted, quiet, and often responsible for discreet errands and hidden orders.

Wellington’s brows furrowed.

According to the latest intelligence, the beast tide across the southern border had been intensifying at an alarming pace.

Yet, strangely, there was a stretch of land Apus Village and its surroundings that remained unusually stable and quite peaceful

That, in itself, was abnormal.

"Beasts don’t act like this," Wellington muttered to himself. "They rage when driven, they attack in swarms but scattered, terrified...?"

"My Lord..I think it pertains to a message sent by Baron Roland."

He recalled the letter sent to him nearly a month ago.

A sealed message from Baron Roland Weiss, warning of demon contractors, those damnable cultists who consorted with abyssal forces and stirred chaos. According to the report, the cultists had begun performing sacrifices.Since killing so many humans might attract the Kingdom’s eyes they were using the beast.

"What a troublesome thing?"

The name Weiss struck a memory. A familiar ache pressed into his chest.

"...The last time I heard that name," he said slowly, "was when the undead mage ambushed us near the foothills."

He remembered clearly that the previous Baron Weiss had died that day. He was a brave, humble noble who, in his dying breath, pleaded with Count Wellington to help his young son to retire from the army and become Baron.

Wellington had honored that wish, pulling strings to ensure the boy Roland was not stripped of title and land. After that, he’d paid little attention to the backwater village. There had been no need.

Until now.

"This certainly brings back memories," he murmured, fingers tightening around the parchment.

He looked up. "Any word on the Baron’s current strength?"

The butler cleared his throat. "The last confirmed report placed him at Sixth Rank. Intermediate Knight."

"Hmm..." Wellington leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin.

The butler then spoke about the affairs of Baron Roland.They team collected the information but unless required he didn’t feed useless things to Count.

He had also heard rumors about Roland’s terrifying vitality and... unusual stamina. A man capable of handling any woman,as praised by villagers.

And possibly someone who had risen quietly, far beyond what the reports showed.

His mind drifted to his own troubles. Specifically Eriana,his beloved daughter.

Eriana was a powerhouse of 7th Rank late stage warriors with arms that could bend iron and a temper to match. At thirty-five, she remained unmarried, due to lack of suitors. No nobleman dared approach her after she sent one running in tears and another limping for a week.

She was a headache. A mountain of muscle and pride. Strong-headed, sharp-tongued, and absolutely uninterested in dainty courtly grace.

He sighed heavily.

"No man wants to wed a warhammer," he grumbled. "And if I hand her to someone weaker, she might just kill him in bed..."

Still, a faint glint lit his eyes. Perhaps it was time to roll the dice.

"Send scouts to Apus. No need to alarm them," he said at last, tapping the desk. "And send word to Eriana to lead forces and eliminate these pest.Also.."

The butler blinked. "Also?"

"Tell her," Wellington said with a sharp smirk, "to head down and visit the village herself. Let her see if Baron Roland is to her liking. And tell her it’s not a command—it’s a suggestion."

"A suggestion, my lord?"

"Yes. Tell her the boy is quite strong and vigorous.Maybe she’ll take the bait." He exhaled and looked up at the ceiling with mild despair. "And if we’re lucky, perhaps he’s the one man crazy enough to handle her."

The butler gave a careful bow and retreated, a knowing smile on his face.

Far away in Apus, Roland had no idea that a woman was being sent to fall into her laps without doing anything.