Grim felt a chill run down his spine. Malaxis wasn’t just gathering social and political intelligence—he was mapping supernatural activity and military responses throughout the Empire.
The evening was progressing exactly as the entity had planned, with eager nobles volunteering information in their attempts to curry favor. Each conversation added another piece to whatever larger picture Malaxis was constructing.
"Lord Ambrose," a familiar voice interrupted his observations. Grim turned to see Lord Terras approaching, the man’s arrogant bearing unchanged despite his previous humiliation. The missing right ear was partially hidden by carefully arranged hair, but the scarring was still visible.
"Lord Terras," Grim acknowledged coldly. "I’m surprised to see you here."
"House Ambrose has always hosted inclusive celebrations," Terras replied with forced civility. "Besides, I wanted to personally congratulate you on your achievents."
"How generous of you."
"Indeed. I also noticed you have so... charming new staff mbers," Terras continued, his gaze moving past Grim toward where Violet stood near the refreshnt tables, efficiently managing service details.
"The household staff are none of your concern," Grim said, his voice carrying a warning edge.
"Of course not," Terras replied with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Though I do appreciate... quality service when I encounter it."
With that cryptic comnt, Terras moved away toward the refreshnt area, leaving Grim with an uneasy feeling about the man’s intentions.
Near the refreshnt tables, Violet was coordinating with the serving staff to ensure guests’ needs were properly attended. Her efficiency and attention to detail had not gone unnoticed by various guests, who had complinted her professionalism throughout the evening.
She was arranging additional platters when Lord Terras approached.
"You’re doing excellent work tonight," he said, positioning himself closer than was strictly appropriate for addressing a servant.
"Thank you, my lord," Violet replied politely, continuing her work while maintaining professional distance.
"Such dedication deserves recognition," Terras continued, moving closer still. "Perhaps we could discuss... opportunities for advancent in a more private setting?"
"I’m quite satisfied with my current position, my lord," Violet said firmly, attempting to step away.
But Terras reached out, his hand grasping her wrist to prevent her retreat. "Co now, there’s no need to be hasty. A woman of your... qualities could benefit from the right kind of patronage."
"Please release , my lord," Violet said, her voice remaining controlled despite her obvious discomfort.
"Lord Terras," another voice interrupted as Shen Lao appeared nearby. "Is there so difficulty here?"
"No difficulty at all," Terras replied without releasing Violet’s wrist. "Simply discussing career opportunities with this lovely young woman."
"I see," Shen Lao said, his scholarly deanor not quite concealing sothing dangerous in his eyes. "Perhaps such discussions would be more appropriate at another ti and place?"
"Perhaps you should mind your own affairs," Terras snapped, his grip on Violet’s wrist tightening.
The interaction was beginning to draw attention from nearby guests, creating exactly the kind of scene that could escalate quickly in such a politically charged environnt.
Grim felt the disturbance before he saw it. Sothing in his blood caused his anger to rise. He turned toward the refreshnt are quickly.
Through the crowd, he could see Lord Terras gripping Violet’s wrist while she tried to maintain professional composure despite obvious distress.
The sight ignited sothing cold and dangerous in Grim’s chest. After everything Terras had done—the insults to his family, the arrogant assumption that House Ambrose could be bullied with impunity—now the man dared to assault his staff in his own ho.
"Excuse ," Grim said to Princess Liona, his voice carefully controlled despite the fury building inside him.
"Grim?" Liona’s eyes followed his gaze and imdiately understood the situation. "Oh."
One second Grim was next to Liona, and the next second Grim was standing in front of Lord Terras. Grim’s reaction speed was getting faster, his instincts kicked in and using mana to enhance his body was second nature.
"Lord Terras," Grim said as he approached, his voice carrying enough authority to cut through the ambient noise. "I believe you’re making my staff uncomfortable."
Terras looked up with surprise that quickly shifted to defiance. "Lord Ambrose. I was simply having a conversation with this charming young woman about potential opportunities."
"Release her. Now."
"I don’t think you understand the situation—" Terras began, his grip on Violet’s wrist remaining firm.
"I understand perfectly," Grim interrupted, stepping closer. The ground where Grim had stepped got colder, leaving behind a footprint.
"You’re assaulting a mber of my household staff in my own ho, during a celebration honoring my family."
"Assault?" Terras laughed, though there was a nervous edge to the sound. "Don’t be dramatic. I’m simply—"
"You’re about to learn the consequences of disrespecting House Ambrose a third ti," Grim said, his hand moving to his sword hilt.
The gesture sent a ripple of alarm through the nearby guests. Several people backed away, recognizing that the situation was escalating beyond re social discord.
"You wouldn’t dare draw your sword at your own birthday celebration," Terras said, though his voice lacked conviction. "Not in front of all these witnesses."
"Wouldn’t I?" Grim asked, partially Echo. "I seem to recall warning you about the consequences of crossing my family. Apparently, you didn’t take that lesson to heart."
"My lords," Chen Xing appeared beside them, "perhaps this matter could be resolved through discussion rather than... more direct thods?"
"The ti for discussion ended when he put his hands on my staff," Grim replied without taking his eyes off Terras. "Release her, apologize, and leave my ho. Those are your options."
Terras’s face flushed with anger and humiliation. The crowd had grown larger, with even the nobles gathered around Rowan beginning to take notice of the confrontation. "You arrogant little—"
"Choose your next words very carefully," Grim warned, the sword sliding another inch from its sheath.
For a mont, the hall fell silent except for the soft crackling of magical energy around Grim’s partially drawn blade. Then Terras made his decision—the wrong one.
Instead of releasing Violet, he yanked her closer, using her as a shield. "You won’t risk harming an innocent servant," he sneered. "Your precious honor won’t allow it."
The calculation was logical but fatally flawed. Terras didn’t know the rate at which Grim was progressing and how much stronger he was than the tournant.
No longer suffering from poison and mana exhaustion from the tournant, Grim was a different person now.
Moving with enhanced speed, Grim stepped forward and grabbed Terras’s wrist with his free hand. Mana flowed through his fingers, instantly numbing the man’s grip and forcing him to release Violet, who stumbled backward toward Chen Xing’s protective presence.
"Wrong choice," Grim said quietly.
Terras’s wrist had beco numb and unable to to utilize it. Slowly his wrist was becoming black.
Grim was utilizing a technique Yongrun had showed him before, but never had a chance to use.
Overloading soone’s mana points and causing stress to their body. If soone doesn’t have your magical affinity, you can overload their body and cause severe harm. Their body will overwork trying to filter the mana out.
In one fluid motion, he drew echo and swung his sword so fast, that it humd theough the air. Lord Terras scread as the tip sliced through his left ear, severing it cleanly just as Grim had done to the right ear months earlier.
Blood splattered across the floor as Terras staggered backward, his hand clutching at the ruin of his ear. The hall erupted in gasps of shock and horror as guests processed what they had just witnessed.
His other wrist was black, injured and unable to raise it. Even though it was Grim’s first using the the overload technique, he executed it perfectly.
"That," Grim said, cleaning his blade on a cloth napkin before sheathing it, "is what happens when you fail to learn from previous lessons. Next ti I won’t stop at ears."
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