A Confrontation

Inside a luxurious room, a middle-aged man sat on a sofa, his expression calm and indifferent.

He was tall and well-built, his large muscles barely concealed beneath his robes.

His short silver hair gleamed under the light, while his sharp blue eyes held a mesmerizing intensity.

Despite the wrinkles on his face, traces of his former handsomeness remained. A thick beard covered the lower half of his face, adding to his dignified presence.

This man was Rudy Everhart, the head of the Everhart family and one of the most influential figures in the entire Magic Empire of Valdom.

Rudy slowly closed his eyes, sipping his coffee as if waiting for something.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from the front. He opened his eyes and looked toward the source—Jason.

However, his attention was immediately drawn to the handsome young man walking behind Jason.

'How handsome,' he murmured in surprise.

The young man's appearance was so striking that even Rudy couldn't help but admire him.

Compared to him, even the second prince—known as the most handsome man in the Empire—paled in comparison.

"My lord, I have brought Young Master Avaron before you," Jason announced, stopping a few meters away and bowing slightly.

Rudy gave a small nod. "Well, thank you for your efforts. You may wait outside. I wish to speak with him in private."

Jason didn't dare to argue and simply nodded. Without a word, he quickly stepped out, leaving Rudy and Arthur alone.

Rudy turned to Arthur, a faint smile forming on his lips.

"Good evening, Young Master Avaron. I apologize for summoning you here," he said calmly, rising to his feet.

Arthur studied him from head to toe, his curiosity piqued.

'So, this is Rudy Everhart, the God of Sword, huh?' he murmured under his breath.

The three Dukes of the Magic Kingdom of Valdom each ruled over their own territories and wielded significant influence.

The Everhart family, for instance, held great prestige within the military and army.

Rudy Everhart, the man before him, was a formidable general—unmatched in battle and a stalwart defender of the Magic Kingdom of Valdom.

Despite lacking magic power, he was a peerless sword master. His combat prowess and countless victories had earned him the title of the God of Sword.

Arthur's signature smile appeared as he placed his right palm over his chest and bowed slightly.

"Good evening, Lord Rudy. It is truly an honor to meet you," Arthur said respectfully.

Slowly lifting his head to meet Rudy's gaze, he continued, "So, may I ask why you've summoned me?"

Noting his polite demeanor, Rudy nodded in satisfaction before answering bluntly, "The reason I called you here is to discuss business."

However, his casual gaze suddenly turned cold, and a tremendous pressure erupted from his body, bearing down on Arthur.

"But before that," he continued in an icy tone, "I need an explanation—and accountability—for the destruction of my daughter's birthday party, Young Master Avaron."

The oppressive force around him intensified with each passing second, strong enough to bring most to their knees in fear.

Unfortunately for Rudy, his opponent was Arthur.

Though Arthur himself possessed no special abilities, the body he now inhabited—Aron's—was no ordinary one.

Aron had been the number one assassin of One Eye, the world's most powerful and dangerous organization.

By inheriting Aron's memories, Arthur had naturally acquired all of his abilities, killing techniques, and combat instincts.

In a sense, in this world, he and Aron had become one.

Yet even under the weight of Rudy's overwhelming presence, Arthur's expression remained completely unchanged.

"What is the meaning of this, Duke?" Arthur asked in a nonchalant tone, laced with killing intent. "Is this how you welcome a guest after summoning them?"

A powerful force erupted from his body, clashing against Rudy's pressure with equal intensity.

Rudy's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Arthur in disbelief.

"Impossible… How can you resist my pressure?" He muttered, his mouth slightly agape.

His strength had been forged through countless battles, honed by years of training under some of the world's most formidable sword masters.

It was this relentless pursuit of power that had earned him the title of the God of Sword.

Yet, the young man before him, who was likely no older than twenty-five, not only withstood his pressure but even pushed back against it. It was simply unbelievable!

"You don't need to know how I can withstand your pressure," Arthur replied, his expression flat and emotionless. "What matters now is why you did it. Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"

His tone was laced with arrogance and unwavering confidence, leaving Rudy momentarily stunned.

Throughout his life, he had faced and defeated countless powerful enemies.

Yet this was the first time someone had challenged him so directly—especially someone who wasn't even twenty-five years old.

If it had been anyone else, Rudy would have already delivered a severe punishment. However, his opponent was Arthur—a man who not only had the power but also the confidence to back up his arrogance.

Rudy swiftly withdrew his pressure but maintained his firm and cold demeanor.

"I want to know why you destroyed my daughter's birthday party. If you don't provide a satisfactory explanation, I won't let this matter slide—even if you are a representative of Young Lady Vanessa," he stated seriously.

Arthur also withdrew his pressure, a faint smile playing on his lips. 'This guy is really good at pretending.'

This was Rudy's mansion—there was no way he didn't know what had truly happened. Yet, since he chose to feign ignorance, Arthur had no interest in exposing him.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Arthur replied casually, "I didn't do it on purpose. In fact, it was your daughter who ruined her own birthday party."

"Oh?" Rudy's eyebrows twitched slightly, his anger barely concealed. "Are you saying this wasn't your fault, but my daughter's?"

Arthur remained unfazed and nodded firmly. "Yes, it was her fault. If she had controlled her mouth and arrogance, things wouldn't have ended this way."

Rudy's expression darkened at Arthur's words. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his right hand clenched into a fist.

Noticing the shift in his demeanor, Arthur immediately heightened his vigilance.

Although Rudy was known in the storyline as a fair and upright man, his love for Celine was immeasurable.

After all, she was his beloved daughter—there was no way he would stand by and allow her to be humiliated or hurt so easily.

Arthur knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down. He had to be prepared in case Rudy suddenly launched an attack.

But then...

"Hahaha! You're absolutely right, Young Master Avaron. This was entirely my daughter's fault, and I sincerely apologize for it."

The anger and gloom on Rudy's face vanished, replaced by an awkward smile as laughter escaped his lips.

Arthur: "..."