Mid-afternoon, the day after Commander Christopher Hogan's death...

Vicente had spent hours at his master's side the night before before going home to rest.

With his master's guidance and most of the materials he needed, he would spend much of the next few days studying the forging art.

He intended to occasionally appear at the Mazzanti estate over the next few days as Cesar but felt it would be more appropriate to act as Nina's brother until the auction.

As such, he had slept at the Fuller estate on his return the night before and had a hearty breakfast with Nina this morning before taking her to the academy.

After dropping his sister off at the academy, he went to the Millfall Blacksmith's Association, which he was just about to leave alongside Lukas.

"... So that's what you're planning," Lukas commented quietly after listening to Vicente's short-term plans. "That's good. Having you in the association will be good for training our forging skills together. It will also be my chance to learn how to produce the family's equipment."

"I intend to develop a new model of weapon based on my affinities, but you will be able to produce similar things in the future based on your own characteristics. In any case, I want my second group to have common weapons, so you'll be responsible for producing them." Vicente commented, making it clear to Lukas that the new model of weapons would not make him obsolete in the Mazzanti family.

Lukas understood that Vicente's second group was the Scarlet Syndicate, a group he didn't intend to integrate fully into his family but rather leave as an affiliated faction.

"I see. That's good. I've got a lot of work to do." He commented with a smile, not caring whether he was making weapons for the Mazzanti family's main or secondary faction.

What he wanted most in the Mazzanti family was the opportunity to grow with Vicente's support but also the chance to learn from a forging genius. Making equipment for the main or secondary group was not a priority for Lukas.

"Anyway, you should prepare well, Lukas. We'll have a few days of training here in the association building, but then we'll be busy and full of problems again. Use this time. I don't know when we'll get the chance to do this again." Vicente sighed as he stopped in front of his blond friend.

Lukas narrowed his eyes and asked. "Do you think we won't have any problems now? You don't think THAT person won't act against us now that he's managed to raise his level?"

"I think it's unlikely," Vice said of Viscount Symons. "He's stronger, but there's no room for him to act now. Royalty doesn't like overly arrogant nobles."

"Do you think that would limit him?" Lukas understood Vicente's point.

Viscount Symons had just committed a crime by taking the 3rd-stage herb from the Mazzanti family. Nothing would happen to him since Vice wouldn't file a complaint with the Martial Court, nor would a noble be punished for a single act against a "common" citizen.

However, if the Viscount decided to act soon after his breakthrough and deal with the Mazzanti family again, the royalty might take a negative view of his actions.

To act twice in a short period, disregarding the laws of the kingdom, would be terrible for a nobleman, especially one as 'common' as the Viscount!

What message would this send to the rulers of the kingdom? That Viscount Symons considered himself above royal law and openly placed himself above the kingdom!

From a public point of view, an action by the Viscount now would be terrible for his image.

"Not only would he tarnish his reputation if he decided to act against our group now, but he has other things on his mind now. Besides being the strongest locally, which gives him time to think and make his plans, there will be that auction you told me about in the next few days, and also his family's wedding.

These are two important events that could bring him closer to a better title than the one he currently holds.

At the very least, these things at his disposal for the next few days seem more important than eliminating a lesser opponent." Vicente sighed, aware that the chances of the enemy taking action were not zero but very slim, considering how weak he still was.

It had to be said that the Viscount didn't know about Vicente's situation and the Mages at The Vile Altar. But even if he did, his chances of acting against the Mazzanti family were now slim, not only for the sake of his reputation but because of the importance of the two points listed.

The upcoming auction has been the talk of Millfall for days. Many had said that items valuable even to Mages would be available at the event and that important groups from the province would be coming to town to participate in the auction.

On the other hand, the marriage of the Symons family and House Staples was not as simple as one might think. As much as the Symons family seemed superior to Shelby's family, things weren't that superficial.

There were reasons behind Marcus and Shelby's engagement that went beyond each family's current titles.

Shelby's family could benefit greatly from such a marriage, but the Symons family would also benefit from the union.

Vicente didn't know exactly what the Viscount's family would gain from such a union, but Shelby had always given him the impression that it wasn't just her house that would benefit from it.

Those two things gave him the confidence to believe that he would have peace for the next few days.

"It makes sense... Anyway, I hope you're right." Lukas said before he saw two army soldiers quickly approaching them.

"Vicente Fuller, we're here on behalf of Captain Bain, the temporary Commander of the local headquarters. She sent us here to bring you to her!" A serious-looking man shouted as he approached Vicente and Lukas, causing the young blond man to open his eyes in a cold sweat.

Gulp!

'Have they found us already?' Lukas felt every muscle in his body contract as he noticed sweat forming on his body more easily.

He was aware of the army's situation and the death of Commander Hogan. But he hadn't thought that the local soldiers would be so efficient and quick to reach them so quickly and unexpectedly.

He looked at Vicente in fear but was surprised to see the calm smile on the black-haired young man's face.

"Really? We're thinking along the same lines. I was about to go to her. Fortunately, she saved me the trouble of coming to you at such a terrible time." Vicente said with a smile on his face before joining the soldiers sent by Nova.