But in the end, Baron didn’t act. He couldn’t risk exposing his identity before he understood the full situation.

Besides, he was deep within the territory of an Old Blood Clan. There was no one to appeal to, and Demon Hunters were everywhere. For all he knew, they were all just waiting to turn him in for a reward.

"What are you still standing for, you Bloodless? Get on your knees!"

The Chief Steward abruptly kicked at Baron. Baron dodged instinctively. Missing his target, the Chief Steward staggered and nearly fell.

The Demon Hunters roared with laughter.

Humiliated and enraged, the Chief Steward turned to the guards beside him. "Break his legs!"

The maid whimpered softly.

As the guards charged him, Baron’s hand instinctively went to the Spear Sword at his waist.

’Looks like the original plan is shot,’ he thought. ’I can’t just let them take me... There are dozens of Black Iron Demon Hunters, but only two at the Bronze Tier, and they’re spread out. I could feint an attack from the side, then escape through a window...’

The guards closed in, and Baron’s hand gripped his Spear Sword. But just then, a voice like a clap of thunder boomed from a short distance away:

"What are you all doing here!"

A Demon Hunter, wearing a uniform Baron recognized, approached at a quick pace. Baron noted he was also a Bronze Tier.

"Master Bass..."

All the Attendants present, including the Chief Steward, bowed to the Demon Hunter. Baron followed their lead and bowed as well.

The Chief Steward immediately began to complain. "This Bloodless Attendant was the one who acted insolently... He violated the rules for household Attendants and came from the rear courtyard to the front without permission..."

"I don’t care about the rules for household Attendants," Bass said. "Miss Isabella does not wish to see trivial matters like this interfere with the Demon Hunters’ training... All of you, to the confinement room for one day!"

"But..." The Chief Steward’s face went white.

’Bass is one of Isabella’s Household Servants, and I serve Young Master Jose,’ he thought. ’He’s obviously using this as a chance to establish Isabella’s authority in front of the Demon Hunters who serve Young Master Jose and Young Master Tune.’

"’But’ what?" Bass scowled. "You’re just an Attendant. Are you really going to defy my orders?" He turned slightly, flashing his sheathed sword, the threat unspoken but clear.

The Chief Steward’s face alternated between pale and ashen. ’Right now, if I don’t comply,’ he thought, ’someone with a reputation like Bass will surely beat me. I can’t imagine a beating from a Bronze Tier feels good.’

’But if I do obey, and Young Master Jose finds out later, he’ll think I’ve brought shame upon him.’

’If he becomes Patriarch someday, forget about getting promoted—I’ll be lucky to even keep this Chief Steward position I only got through the back door.’

He glanced at the Demon Hunters who had been enjoying the show. The moment Bass appeared, they became like chickens spotting a weasel, all their earlier swagger and mockery gone.

Not one of them spoke up for him.

The Chief Steward glared at Baron, who wore an innocent expression. ’It’s all his fault! If this idiot had just watched where he was going...’

He gritted his teeth. Just as he was about to comply, a smooth, gentle male voice sounded from behind:

"Bass, what are you doing here?"

The moment he saw the newcomer, Baron couldn’t help but think, ’Now *this* is what a goddamn legendary noble elite should look like.’

’He’d been to his share of galas. He’d seen it all—the fragrant socialites, the silk-clad dandies, the millionaire bachelors. Their style was always the same: just a gaudy pile of custom-made pieces from ridiculously extravagant luxury brands he couldn’t even name.’

But the young man before him wore a deep blue, patterned suit that accentuated his trim figure, making him appear as straight and sharp as a sword. An expensive jeweled earring dangled from one ear, and he wore white gloves. He held a black umbrella, its surface covered in dense, intricate runes. It looked to be some kind of Alchemy Weapon.

Because as a Dragon Knight, Baron’s intuition sensed a dangerous aura from it.

He was in his early twenties, lean and light on his feet, with an air of refined elegance. He possessed the ’old money’ style of a Western noble, yet also had a certain polish and smoothness more characteristic of someone from the East.

This young man was likely the closest thing Baron had ever seen in reality to the pampered, wealthy scions from comics and movies.

Jose Beowulf.

The second son of the missing Patriarch, Andes Beowulf. A powerful rival to Isabella in the competition for the Patriarch’s seat. A Bronze Silver Faction Demon Hunter.

Upon seeing Jose, the one caught in a dilemma was no longer the Chief Steward, but Bass.

’I may be one of Isabella’s Household Servants,’ Bass thought, ’but with the Dragon Hunting Ceremony moved up, there’s a very high chance this man will be the one recognized by the Dragon Spear and become the next Patriarch.’

’And when he settles accounts...’

Without missing a beat, Bass turned and roared at Baron. "Didn’t you hear me? How dare a Bloodless like you come to the front courtyard! One day in the confinement room for you!"

Baron: "?"

The maid’s face paled, while the Chief Steward sneered.

The confinement room was a place feared by all Attendants of the Beowulf Family. A normal person would grow restless after just ten minutes there. A full day wouldn’t drive you insane, but it was an excruciatingly painful lesson.

...

Bass returned to the training grounds, the Bloodless maid who had tried to help Baron trailing behind him.

Isabella asked, "What happened?"

Bass said, "A Bloodless Attendant wandered into the front of the house. The Chief Steward caught him and sentenced him to a day in confinement."

Isabella asked coldly, "How did he end up there?"

’Does he not know that most people in the Beowulf Family, including some of the Old Race Attendants, look down on the Bloodless?’

’Though, that’s a common failing of most Old Blood Clans on the Inner Side, and of society as a whole.’