Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 237: Chapter 226: Passing with Ease, The Unattainable is Always in Commotion

Jon’s arrival brought a hush over the council hall of the Lord’s Mansion.

The young man before them carried a cloth bag and wore a suit of leather armor marked by wind and snow. His boots were even caked with mud. Among the lavish robes and gleaming plate mail that filled the room, he was utterly out of place—like a lone wolf from the wilderness that had stumbled into a banquet.

But no one dared to underestimate him.

The most important trait for a noble was a discerning eye.

Jon’s composed bearing and the mountain-like steadiness of his aura reminded them of those truly powerful Knights who possessed great Power.

It was true that as nobles, they held authority far surpassing that of Ordinary people. But they also had to share this world with Professionals. This was the fundamental logic underpinning the Empire’s order.

So, these nobles, accustomed to the machinations of fame and fortune, subconsciously reined in their arrogance, daring only to secretly gauge the depths of this sudden intruder.

Jon, however, seemed oblivious to the stares around him.

With a steady gait, he walked straight through the path that parted for him in the crowd. He stopped before the main seat, ignored the old steward’s faint wariness, and gave Cecilia Benest a casual bow. His posture was neither servile nor overbearing, without a hint of sycophancy. It was as if he weren’t facing an Imperial Princess, but an Ordinary noblewoman.

"I am Jon, a consultant for the Morton family. I apologize for disturbing you at this late hour, Your Highness. I have come regarding a matter related to the recent commotion."

"The information I possess may be of some assistance to you."

Cecilia was not offended by Jon’s casual etiquette. Her gaze, as clear as a lake, rested for a moment on the bag in his hands before shifting to his impassive face, her expression tinged with just the right amount of curiosity.

"Consultant Jon, the news you bring is certainly intriguing."

"But... at such a delicate moment, how am I to be certain of the truth of your words?"

She leaned forward slightly, the corners of her mouth still curved in an amicable smile, but her words held a rare authority befitting her imperial blood.

"After all, trust must be earned."

Jon’s expression remained unchanged. He simply took a silent step forward, crisply untied the drawstring on his bag, and gave it a gentle shake.

A strange creature, tightly bound within a dim Light Cocoon, rolled out onto the deep-red velvet carpet.

It had dark gray, metallic wings and mesmerizing, vortex-like pupils. Even sealed within the Light Cocoon, it exuded an unsettling, demonic aura.

It was the Demon-Eyed Raven.

A wave of sharp, suppressed gasps echoed through the council hall as whispers spread rapidly.

Jon continued.

"My follower captured this Mage’s Magic Pet at a vantage point within the town. It was intently ’observing’ your procession."

"I believe that it, and the master behind it who has yet to reveal themself, are inextricably linked to tonight’s meticulously planned disturbance."

"What!"

Viscount Garrett Rokko cried out, his portly body trembling with agitation.

"Where? Consultant! Where in Roco Town did you capture it?"

Jon, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard the local Lord’s question. He pointed at the imprisoned Raven on the floor and continued addressing the Princess.

"If you need a lead, Your Highness, this Magic Pet is the key. A contractual bond must exist between it and its master."

"Simply hand it to one of your Mages. By tracing the connection through this contract, they will have a high probability of identifying the mastermind. It’s far more efficient than a city-wide manhunt."

Cecilia’s long eyelashes fluttered.

She didn’t respond to Jon’s proposal immediately. Instead, she subtly turned her head, her eyes meeting briefly with the old steward’s at her side.

Land gave an almost imperceptible nod, offering his opinion. ’This method is viable!’

Having received confirmation from her confidant, the Seventh Princess’s gaze returned to Jon, the gentle smile on her face deepening.

"Consultant Jon, thank you for bringing this crucial lead. Cecilia Benest will not forget the aid you and the Morton family have rendered."

"But how can I possibly repay you for this favor?"

And who was Jon?

He was a seasoned veteran who had completed countless missions. He knew exactly what these nobles wanted to hear.

He immediately gave another slight bow and declared righteously.

"Your Highness is too kind. This is simply what any person with a sense of justice ought to do. Upholding the order of the Empire is the fundamental duty of every noble."

"Any attack on the royal succession, on the bloodline of the Royal Family, is a provocation against the very foundation of the Empire. It absolutely cannot be tolerated!"

His words were resolute, instantly earning a ripple of quiet admiration from the room.

The nobles nodded in agreement, their gazes now holding a genuine appreciation for Jon, a sense of recognition that he was "one of them."

To step forward at a critical moment, secure a vital clue, and yet be so principled in defending the honor of the nobility and the Empire—this consultant for the Morton family was truly someone to be reckoned with.

As Cecilia watched Jon, even the perfect smile on her face seemed to gain a touch of sincerity in response to his words.

"Your loyalty and character are admirable, Consultant Jon."

Jon accepted these praises without demur.

"It is my honor to have been of some small service in this matter. However—"

He paused, his gaze meeting Cecilia’s directly.

"I originally came to Roco Town to handle a shipment of important materials for my family, but with the entire city now under lockdown, my passage is blocked..."

He didn’t need to continue. A woman as astute as Cecilia immediately understood that this was likely the true reason Jon had come tonight with such crucial evidence.

Yet, she felt no displeasure at being used or taken advantage of. On the contrary, she greatly admired his pragmatism and efficiency.

’Talent like this... if only he could work for me...’

The thought flashed through her mind, but she gave no sign of it.

She merely turned her head, her gaze falling upon the Lord of Roco Town standing at her side. Her voice was gentle, yet it carried an authority that could not be questioned.

"Lord Garrett."

Viscount Garrett Rokko, still inwardly fuming with embarrassment from Jon’s earlier dismissal, jolted at the Princess’s summons. The sullen look on his face was instantly replaced by fawning sycophancy and an eagerness to prove his worth.

He nearly trotted a step forward and bowed deeply.

"Your Highness! I am here!"

"Though a city-wide lockdown is currently in effect for security reasons, the family business of Consultant Jon is also of great importance."

"I hereby grant special permission for Jon, consultant to the Morton family, as well as his personnel and materials, to be granted immediate passage out of the city."

"Yes! I will obey Your Highness’s decree!"

Garrett answered without a moment’s hesitation, his expression one of excitement, as if he had finally found an opportunity to display his loyalty.

He turned to Jon, his face plastered with a more enthusiastic smile than ever before, as if their previous friction had never existed.

"Rest assured, Consultant! I’ll go and arrange it personally! Which gate is your convoy at?"

In response to the Viscount’s enthusiasm, Jon merely offered another slight bow—a gesture that was perfectly polite, yet carried an obvious sense of detachment.

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Viscount."

He then turned to Cecilia and nodded his thanks.

"Thank you for your understanding and support."

"I still have matters to attend to, so I will not disturb Your Highness and the other lords from your important duties. I shall take my leave."

With that, he turned and departed without a moment’s hesitation.

After a brief silence, the low murmur of the nobles’ discussions rose once more in the council hall. The center of their conversation was, without a doubt, the mysterious consultant from the Morton family.

Cecilia Benest also watched Jon’s departing figure and murmured to herself.

"Jon... of the Morton family... I’ll remember that name..."