The second evening of the banquet was louder than the first.
Nobles laughed too hard, drank too deeply, and whispered like children trying to break the rules of a game they barely understood. Lior Vardas, dressed once again in austere black, leaned lazily against the polished table, wine in hand, half-listening to a duke babble about tariffs.
But his mind was elsewhere. Calculating. Measuring.
[Mission Status: 82% — Objective: Ruin Your House's Public Image.]
[Recommended Action: Public Conflict.]
He smiled, lips curling like a dagger's edge.
"I must admit," said a voice to his left, "you've made quite the return, Lord Vardas."
She stood poised in emerald silk, with curls the color of midnight and a stare as sharp as any blade: Lady Elin Hawthorne, heir to one of the kingdom's wealthiest merchant houses and known for her wit as much as her venom.
Lior turned to her, eyes flicking to the ruby pendant at her neck. "Lady Hawthorne. Have they already started wagering on my next scandal?"
"Wagering?" She raised a brow. "They've opened ledgers."
The nobles around them chuckled, and Lior dipped his head in mock humility.
"You know," she added, her voice lowering, "I expected something more... tragic. Black robes. Tears for your father. A moment of silence."
Lior swirled his wine, crimson reflecting in his gaze. "He wouldn't have wanted silence. He would've wanted results."
A few nearby nobles went quiet at that. The memory of Duke Corven Vardas, respected war hero, beloved patriarch, still clung to the halls.
"Ah" Elin said, sipping her drink. "And here I thought you were trying to erase him."
That struck the match.
Lior stepped forward, gently but decisively closing the distance between them. "And what would you know of legacy, Lady Hawthorne? You inherit ledgers and warehouses. I inherit blood and blades."
A hush fell over the nearby tables.
Perfect.
"But do correct me" he continued, voice smooth as silk wrapped around iron "Did you rise in power, or simply spread your legs across it?"
Elin's smile vanished. It was enough.
"You bastard" she hissed.
"Incorrect" he said, lifting his glass in toast. "I'm the rightful head of House Vardas. And by tonight, I'll be infamous enough to prove it."
He downed the wine, placed the empty glass on the table, and turned without another word.
The marble halls echoed with his footsteps as he exited the banquet. The doors slammed behind him with ceremonial weight. The guards exchanged glances but said nothing.
He walked through the eastern corridor and stepped into the open air.
The Garden Walkway waited like a stage. Lanterns flickered between ivy-covered arches, casting pale light over the stone. The wind carried the perfume of wilting flowers and half-heard whispers.
[Quest Progress: 96% Complete.]
A few servants had followed at a distance, gossip already blooming behind their hands. Perfect. Let them carry the tale.
Lior stood at the center of the path and tilted his head to the sky.
The stars were out.
He drew the ceremonial dagger from his belt. Every noble wore one, it was tradition. A sign of dignity, heritage, and protection. Its blade was never meant to be drawn in public, much less unsheathed during a royal event.
Which is why he held it up high and hurled it across the garden.
It slammed into a statue of the founding king with a dull clank, embedding itself in the marble between the eyes.
Gasps echoed even from the distant balconies.
[Quest Complete.]
[Reward Gained: +10 Destructive Leadership.]
[Trait Gained: Captivating Infamy.]
[Passive Activated: Public Misconduct.]
Lior exhaled slowly, lowering his hand as the system glowed before his eyes.
[Destructive Leadership: A reflection of your ability to lead through chaos. The more you destabilize others, the more your followers become unnaturally loyal.]
[+10: Minor Boon – Your commands are 5% more effective when issued during public scandal or crisis.]
[Trait: Captivating Infamy – Your presence draws attention. Nobles fear you. The masses gossip about you. Enemies underestimate you until it's too late.]
[Passive: Public Misconduct – Appearances at noble events reduce reputation. However, they increase notoriety.]
Lior grinned. "Now we're talking."
A flicker appeared before his eyes—another system window.
[Failure Points Available: 12]
And beneath that:
[Optional Objective: Visit the Crypt and find what is forgotten.]
Reward: Store opening and a lost artifact of the Vardas family.
[Hint: The Emblem of the Wolf still remembers you.]
He turned toward the darkness behind the gardens, where the path dipped toward the old stone mausoleum.
The smile on his lips became something more dangerous. Almost nostalgic.
He didn't look back.