Seeing the nobles bickering among themselves, the king gave them a sharp glare. The entire assembly instantly fell into pin-drop silence with just that single look.
King Vincent turned his gaze to Max.
"What was the reason for choosing the Xiemen region, even after knowing its condition?"
For a moment, Max didn't know how to respond. But then, with a calm smile, he replied, "It was a merchant's intuition."
The king paused. Then a wide smile spread across his face.
"A merchant's intuition, is it?" he said, chuckling. "I look forward to seeing what miracles you'll bring."
Satisfied, the king soon made another announcement — his birthday was tomorrow. He invited everyone to attend, and to Max's surprise, personally invited him as well. It was a perfect chance for Max to offer the gift he had specially prepared — a painting he had brought from the modern world.
After the announcement, the nobles slowly began to leave. Max also left, accompanying Duke Regulus to his mansion in the royal capital. Because of a recent dungeon outbreak and a sudden monster invasion, the Duke had been assigned to the Sky High City — a territory under his domain — and had only recently returned.
Duke Regulus had no wife or children. He had dedicated his entire life to the empire's safety. His duchy was maintained by loyal servants, supported by the royal family.
His mansion in the capital was magnificent — so elegant that it reminded Max of the old palaces he'd seen back in the modern world. But still, even this place couldn't compare to the grand Royal Castle.
The mansion stood tall at the edge of a gently sloping hill, surrounded by layered gardens that bloomed with vibrant, exotic flowers rarely seen even in royal estates. Towering stone walls covered in flowering vines wrapped around the property like a living tapestry. As Max approached through the grand gates carved with crests of the Regulus family, he was met with a sight that left him in awe. The main structure was made of pale grey marble that shimmered faintly under the daylight, with tall stained-glass windows reflecting hues of red, green, and gold.
Elegant balconies stretched from the upper floors, each lined with intricate wrought-iron railings shaped like twisting dragons. A serene water fountain sat at the centre of the wide courtyard, the gentle splash of water adding a touch of calm to the grandeur. Servants moved silently along polished walkways, dressed in elegant uniforms, maintaining the silence and order of the estate like clockwork. Inside, the high-ceilinged halls were lined with paintings of famous battles, noble ancestors, and ancient magical beasts. Rich velvet curtains, golden chandeliers, and floors that gleamed like mirrors made it feel as if Max had stepped into a palace carved out of a fairytale.
Max and Albert were warmly welcomed and given a fine room to stay in.
That night, during dinner, Albert got a little too excited with all the sweets and delicacies. He ended up eating so much that he fell sick and couldn't attend the king's birthday banquet the next day.
The following morning, the Duke personally took Max to get properly dressed for the event. Now that Max held a noble title, he had to look the part. They visited a famous clothing shop, entering discreetly to avoid drawing attention.
While Max browsed through the clothing racks, a familiar voice stopped him. It was the same man who had mocked him as a "countryside fool" when he first entered the city.
Max stayed calm. "I forgive you for what you said earlier," he said softly. "But I'm not in the mood to be disturbed."
The man scoffed. As an employee of the most prestigious shop in the city, his pride blinded him. "I don't need forgiveness from a peasant," he sneered. "Get out of here before I call for guards and say you tried to steal."
That crossed a line.
Max frowned. "Say whatever you want. But I won't stay silent if you frame me."
The man suddenly yelled, claiming the store was being robbed. People nearby rushed over, surrounding Max. The employee added fuel to the fire, shouting that Max was violent and had stolen money. Even when Max showed he had coins and tried to explain, the man declared he had stolen that too.
Just then, Duke Regulus and the shop manager stepped into the scene.
Seeing the Duke, everyone except Max instantly bowed. The employee quickly tried to twist the story in his favor, pointing at Max and accusing him again.
But before he could finish, the Duke raised a hand.
Slap!
Everyone stood frozen. The man looked stunned.
"Why… why did you hit me?" he stammered.
"You dare accuse a noble?" the Duke said coldly. "This man is Baron Max, recognized by the King himself. The money he showed you was given by His Majesty as a reward for his achievements."
The room went silent. Then, people began bowing to Max, praising and congratulating him.
The arrogant man went pale. Fear consumed him. For insulting a noble, a person could be beheaded — sometimes even their entire family. He prepared for the worst.
But Max looked at him calmly.
"I'm not from a place where people lose their lives over a few bad words," he said. "Just learn from this and don't repeat it."
Tears filled the man's eyes. He dropped to his knees in gratitude.
The manager introduced the employee as Jean, once a kind man, but deeply hurt by betrayal in his past. His personality had soured, but he remained excellent at his job.
Curious, Max checked his stats. Jean had knowledge and experience both above 70 — an impressive level. Max made a mental note that he might have a use for him later.
As the crowd dispersed, the manager sincerely apologized and offered to gift Max whatever clothes he chose — completely free of charge. Max was delighted. As a merchant, saving money while gaining value was always a win.
He picked out several fine outfits, including a beautiful one for the banquet — eager to finally appear before everyone in proper noble fashion.
Once the selection was complete, Max requested the clothes be delivered to the Duke's mansion, and he left together with Regulus — heading back to prepare for the king's birthday banquet.