Chapter6-Wait, That’s How You Handled It?

"All of you, get out of my way!"

"I am Viscount Archido of Mington Principality!"

"I came here today specifically to see your tavern mistress, Lady Mary—bring her out to meet me!"

Inside Twisting Bird Tavern, the bartenders immediately stepped forward, trying to stop the rampaging Viscount.

"Honorable Viscount Archido, we deeply apologize, but our mistress, Lady Mary, is currently occupied. She is unavailable to meet you today—please schedule an appointment in advance."

"Appointment?"

A look of annoyance flashed across Archido's face.

Just then, he noticed Joad and Mary sitting together. His expression twisted with rage.

"Mary! So you were here all along!"

"I actually thought you were busy—turns out you were just entertaining some pretty boy!"

The bartender's expression changed slightly.

He knew Joad's identity well—a mere Viscount was not someone who could afford to offend Joad.

He quickly tried to defuse the situation.

"Viscount Archido, you're drunk."

"This gentleman here is Joad of House Whide—you really shouldn't provoke him."

However, upon hearing this, Archido became even more arrogant.

His eyes widened, his burly physique resembling a towering mountain.

"Just a Marquis's second son? You think I should be afraid of him?"

"Listen carefully—I have already become the most favored young noble of the Grand Duke of Mington Principality. My future is limitless—do you understand?"

Mington Principality bordered Ilan Principality.

Though the two weren't at war, tensions and conflicts often arose.

However, since their military strength was evenly matched, neither side wanted to risk an all-out war.

If Archido's claims were true, then he really wouldn't care about Joad, the youngest son of House Whide.

Meanwhile, Joad sat lazily, holding his wine glass, taking occasional sips—completely ignoring Archido.

Mary the Blond cast a surprised glance at Joad—this wasn't right.

Something felt very wrong.

As a noble-born, didn't he have any sense of family honor?

Why wasn't he getting angry? How could he stay so calm and keep drinking?

Mary grew anxious and couldn't help but whisper.

"Joad, he's provoking you so blatantly—aren't you angry?"

"Angry? Why would I be?"

Joad shook his head and continued.

"People like him are just envious of House Whide's glory—that's why they keep provoking us."

"If I respond, won't that only make him think he can compete with House Whide?"

Mary the Blond blinked.

…That actually made sense?

But why did something still feel off?

Joad, however, smirked in satisfaction.

What House Whide's glory?

To him, that was nothing more than a dirty rag to be tossed away when no longer useful.

He couldn't care less about such things.

The real reason he spoke so grandly was simply because…

He was too lazy to deal with it.

By the Goddess of Magic, he definitely wasn't going to share his true thoughts with anyone.

At that moment—

Archido strode toward them.

His eyes burned with unconcealed greed and lust as he stared at Mary the Blond.

Mary frowned and spoke firmly.

"Viscount Archido, as a noble, I expect you to at least uphold basic etiquette."

"I am accompanying Joad—please leave."

Accompanying?

Archido sneered.

Then, he cracked his knuckles and suddenly spoke.

"If I throw Joad out—will you accompany me then?"

"Joad, if you don't want to embarrass yourself, you better leave on your own."

Hearing his own name called out, Joad finally set down his glass, stretching lazily.

"Archido, right? Let me remind you—this is Ilan Principality, not Mington Principality."

"Oh? So you're threatening me now?"

Archido snorted coldly.

Suddenly—his aura surged, expanding rapidly.

The ranking system for aura was similar to mana.

From what Joad could sense—Archido was an Advanced Apprentice Knight.

Mary the Blond grew worried, casting a glance at Joad.

She couldn't understand why he remained so calm.

…Was he hiding his true strength?

Joad smiled faintly and glanced at Archido.

"Archido, are you sure you want to do this here?"

Archido let out a cruel grin, his eyes gleaming with hostility.

"Joad, today I'll teach you what happens when you offend me!"

He unsheathed his sword, his aura exploding outward.

Inside the tavern, other guests panicked, quickly backing away to avoid getting caught in the fight.

Mary the Blond's heart leaped into her throat.

But just as everyone braced for a fierce battle…

Joad took a deep breath and then—

"HELP! Someone is attacking a noble! Catch the criminal!"

His voice was loud and clear, instantly echoing throughout the tavern.

Everyone froze.

Even Archido, who had just drawn his sword, stopped mid-swing.

"..."

Mary the Blond was dumbstruck.

She stared at Joad, mouth agape, unable to believe what she had just heard.

…Did he just call for help?

Did he not care about noble dignity at all?!

Just then—a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded from outside the tavern.

"Who dares cause trouble in Midwinter Keep?!"

"Arrest them all!"

A group of uniformed sheriffs stormed into the tavern, surrounding Archido.

These sheriffs were the subordinates of Viscount Harmany, the lord of Midwinter Keep.

They were responsible for maintaining order in the region and weren't weak—some were even Advanced Apprentice Knights.

In fact, they had been watching the tavern for some time.

If Viscount Harmany hadn't explicitly instructed them to protect Joad, they wouldn't have intervened so quickly.

Archido's face drained of color as he saw the sheriffs.

Though he was a Viscount of Mington Principality, in Ilan Principality, he had no special privileges.

"I am Viscount Archido of Mington Principality! You cannot touch me!"

He roared in panic, hoping to intimidate them with his status.

However, he clearly underestimated Midwinter Keep's sheriffs.

"Mington Principality's Viscount?"

The lead sheriff sneered, a look of disdain in his eyes.

"Too bad—this is Ilan Principality."

SMACK!

He slapped Archido across the face.

Archido stood frozen, his cheek burning, completely stunned.

"You… You dared to hit me?!"

"I am a Viscount of Mington Principality!"

"I will protest to your lord! You will pay for this!"

Archido sputtered in rage—he had never suffered such humiliation in his life.

The lead sheriff simply smirked and waved his hand.

"Boys—take him away."

"Let our esteemed Viscount experience the hospitality of Midwinter Keep's dungeon."

At his command, the sheriffs swarmed Archido.

They didn't care about his title.

In Midwinter Keep, the lord's orders were absolute.

And daring to attack Joad?

That was a one-way ticket to disaster.

"You… You dare!"

Archido tried to fight back, but against so many skilled knights, he was quickly overpowered.

"Stop! Stop! I was wrong! I surrender!"

"Help! Someone save me!"

As Archido was dragged away, his arrogance vanished, replaced with pleading wails.

…

Inside the silent tavern, everyone stared in shock.

Meanwhile, Joad simply shrugged, took another sip of wine, and grinned.

But then—his expression shifted.

He sensed a hidden mana fluctuation.

"…Elite Mage?"

Joad's mind power spread out—and sure enough, he spotted two cloaked figures outside.

They were carefully concealing their mana, but they couldn't hide from Joad.

"Two Beginner Elite Mages?"

"What are they doing in Ilan?"