The First Magic World War

Sophia Garanord changed into a formal dress and, upon seeing Charles, curtsied slightly and said, "I've been under Mister Mecklen's care for some time, and I've specifically come to express my gratitude."

The middle-aged gentleman smiled slightly and said, "I am Armand, the butler of Count Galanod's mansion, accompanying the young lady here, and I also bring the Count's gratitude."

"The Count says, 'Sophia's life is more precious to him than all the treasures in the world. He cannot imagine how to live if he were to lose his daughter. He does not know what gift could possibly equate to the value of Sophia, so he can only offer the most sincere friendship as a token of thanks.'"

"If you need anything in the future, please tell us, and the Garanord Family will spare no effort to help."

Charles wore a faint smile on his face, but internally he combed through his memories and mused, "Count? I don't think I've heard of him. Forget it, no use racking my brain, I'll ask Taoles later."

"Well, actually Anne would also know. She definitely knows what status Count Galanod holds, how could I have forgotten yesterday?"

"Oh, right…"

"Asking Anne about the Roses of Strasbourg, in her presence, would be like flirting with death. Out of reverence for life and desire for a peaceful living, I instinctively avoided this tragic question."

Some of the nobility in the Empire hold actual power and have very high status, while the status of others is relatively ordinary due to historical reasons.

For example, Archduke Ferdinand, although an archduke, does not have as much influence as Earl Brittany. The Brittany Family's nanny is of Sacred Order, while it is a struggle for the Archduke to gather even a few of Intermediate rank, let alone the High Order Transcendents.

Charles invited the two of them in and instructed Mrs. Plum Sauce to prepare coffee and tea.

Although he was having his meal, he had to stop and let Mrs. Plum Sauce clear the breakfast away first, requesting the two visitors to take a seat in the small study.

Every move of Sophia Garanord spoke of the air of a noble young lady, yet her sapphire-like eyes seemed to stealthily suggest that with Butler Armand present, it was inconvenient for her to show familiarity.

Charles took this as an illusion and treated the two guests as ordinary friends.

Sophia Garanord and Butler Armand stayed for half an hour, after which the middle-aged gentleman reminded, "Miss, the Count has matters to attend to shortly and needs your presence."

Sophia Garanord rose, curtsied slightly, and took her leave.

After seeing off the two visitors, Charles actually let out a sigh of relief; Butler Armand seemed to exert quite a bit of pressure on him, though he couldn't quite say why.

Charles no longer felt like eating breakfast and had Madam Nancy send letters to Vinnie Yarsaenu and Silvie Martin, as well as asking Madam Nancy to stop by Sparrowhawk Street No. 1 to bring Anatasiya and Belisa over. Since Taoles had just returned to Strasbourg, Charles didn't disturb him.

Mrs. Plum Sauce, upon knowing that guests were coming and they were several young ladies, started to prepare pastries and couldn't help muttering to herself, "Mister Mecklen's guests are always such beautiful young ladies. I don't think I have ever seen a gentleman among his visitors."

"If he were born in the New Continent, he'd probably have a hundred children by now."

Charles, while at home, did not constantly activate Insight and was unaware of his cook's sotto voce criticism.

Half an hour later, Mrs. Plum Sauce brought up several well-baked apple pies.

Having skipped breakfast, Charles was not very hungry, but the apple pies, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, burst with warm apple sauce at every bite, refreshing and delicious, so he finished off a whole plate of them.

An hour later, the young ladies arrived one after the other at Elysian Pastoral Street No. 58.

Well, Miss Annie Brittany was the third person to arrive.

Miss Taoles was the last one to arrive.

Except for Belisa, all of these ladies were university graduates, and even Belisa was a high-quality woman, after all, she was a Second Order Extreme Flyer, while most university graduates could never even come close to touching the edge of the Transcendents.

Soon, Elysian Pastoral Street No. 58 turned into a ladies' chatting session, and Charles wasn't that he couldn't get a word in—it was that he dared not intervene rashly, so he just stayed by the side, trying to make his presence as little felt as possible.

When Silvie heard Anatasiya mention that Charles was now the temporary civil officer of Strasbourg, Seagull City, Silver Pigeon Fort, and Ode Mountain City, she asked in surprise, "Have you been back to Seagull City?"

This seemingly insignificant question immediately garnered the attention of nearly all the ladies.

Charles came from a merchant family and his relationship with his family was not very good, his brother wanted to take over all the family assets, and that was the public persona Charles had cultivated for himself.

Even Vini Yarsaenu was quite concerned about Charles' family; the son of a merchant was just too outstanding, already counted as one of the most distinguished young people in the Empire, while the others all had illustrious backgrounds.

Charles shrugged his shoulders and said, "I sent them some small gifts," his tone carrying a hint of grievance.

Silvie Martin certainly knew Charles' "true face," but the rest of the ladies couldn't help but imagine things, with Anne even fantasizing about a malevolent sister-in-law urging her husband to pressurize his brother—an all too common trope in folk tales—eliciting a motherly-like sympathy.

It was only then that Silvie realized the atmosphere was a bit odd; she didn't dare bring up this topic either, given the somewhat awkward nature of her and Charles' identities. Moreover, Charles' sister-in-law was also her own sister—once these relations were exposed, Silvie's former fiancée status would be impossible to conceal.

She hurriedly said, "Although it may not be nice to say this, I still feel that you should just live like this."

Silvie's words were very vague, but to the ears of the ladies present, they carried a sense of "helplessness" and "brotherly strife."

Anatasiya, who was quite straightforward, said, "I've also heard that there are many rumors about Mister Mecklen in Seagull City. He has no grudges or enemies, why would someone spread rumors about him? It must be his brother, trying to prevent him from returning to inherit the family property..."

Charles broke into a cold sweat and hastily said, "Anatasiya! Please don't talk like that, let's forget about these things."
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He had more than just enemies in Seagull City.

He was practically surrounded by enemies!

It was just that some of them didn't know they were at odds with Charles Mecklen, that's all.

And for those who did know, what they were spreading were not rumors.

Charles thought to himself, "I was considering whether to make Mister Freeman Simon Qing Martin the protagonist. But for the sake of my future reputation, whether he likes it or not, he has to take on this role."

"Mister Freeman Simon Qing Martin will have his name etched in history."

"The enraged Miss Bunana will surely become a literary master in the Fars Empire!"

"I am a clean man."