A Background Character’s Path to Power

The lead guard's eyes narrowed, a muscle twitching at his jaw.

His subordinates shifted, their grip on their weapons tightening even further.

Lumin's words were a direct challenge, not just to them but also to the Viremont House. But they were a bit confused how to handle this situation as they were used to people covering in fear and obedience, not questioning their orders or masters.

"Watch your tongue, half-elf!" The lead guard snapped, his hand moving from the sword hilt to point directly at him. "You are speaking to the knights of the Viremont House! We act on the authority of Lady Carmine von Viremont herself! These 'laws of the kingdom' or 'decency rules' you speak of don't apply when we are rooting out criminals who offended our master!"

Then, he gestured at the still whimpering soldier. "This soldier was simply fulfilling his duty, yet you assaulted him! That's a crime against the Crown!"

Another lanky guard from the side sneered.

"Perhaps, his 'wife' has something to hide? Why else would she cover herself, and her husband be so defensive?"

He then took a step toward Cassandra. The moment he did, a chilling sensation covered his entire body, piercing through his heavy armor.

"!"

He instinctively looked at Lumin, and his eyes widened in horror.

The half-elf was staring at him coldly, and the guard felt like he was being swallowed by those eyes.

It was then he realized, if he took a step further, he would die!

Gulp!

He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry as parchment. His foot hovered mid-step before slowly retreating, his armor clinking with the tremble running through his limbs.

"..."

A deathly silence fell over the checkpoint. They didn't know what exactly happened, but the guard's reaction said it all.

This man is dangerous...

The man in question, Lumin, didn't move again. Yet the air around him seemed to thicken, pressing down on everyone present like an invisible weight.

The torch flames guttered unnaturally, casting jagged shadows across his figure.

The line of passing crowd shrank back, afraid to be entangled with this mess.

The gate guards, caught between the defiant stranger and the aggressive Viremont hounds, looked visibly uncomfortable. They were still unwilling to intervene, but they were also disapproving of the Viremont's heavy-handed tactics. So, they decided to wait to see who would back down first and then choose what to do.

Meanwhile, Cassandra, who was behind Lumin, remained still. Her head still modestly bowed helped her to hide the complex storm brewing inside her.

My wife...

The words echoed in her mind, sending an unexpected warmth through her. It was a strange, almost foreign sensation to be called so intimately. By a man she barely knew, no less.

And it wasn't just the intimate term, but his actions, the fierce protectiveness in his voice, the raw conviction with which he claimed her, his mentality, and words regarding the situation, they all stirred something deep within her.

'...'

But she forced herself to calm down. It wasn't time to act like those women in stories. Her analytical mind kicked in, swiftly processing the situation.

Lumin had cornered them with logic and morals, challenged them in a way that resonated with the common folk and the neutral guards.

He's... incredible.

She found herself thinking. The way he stood there, utterly fearless, turning their own pompous words against them, it was almost intoxicating to watch.

But she knew it wouldn't be enough.

Because people like them didn't care about morals or being decent, hence the current predicament.

Like master, like dog.

They only understood power, and they had just been shown a glimpse of Lumin's. Things were probably going to escalate further since Lumin's subtle threats wouldn't be enough to make them back down, so she would have to step in.

After all, this whole situation was, in a way, her fault for attracting Carmine's ire.

"I won't say anything to you," But Lumin was the first to act again. "Since you made it clear that you don't understand civilized discourse." His voice dropped to a dangerously low register, each word dripping with icy contempt. "But let me educate you on something you might actually comprehend."

He took a single, deliberate step forward, and the lead guard instinctively stepped back.

"You hide behind your lady's skirts like cowards, wave her name around like a shield, and think that makes you untouchable." A cold smile played at the corners of his mouth. "How very... knightly of you."

The lead guard, as if realizing something, quickly took two steps toward Lumin, barely containing her rage.

"Honestly, I'm curious about something. Do you practice this routine in front of mirrors? The dramatic pointing, the righteous indignation, the threats against unarmed civilians?" He tilted his head mockingly. "Or does this Lady Carmine of yours personally train you in the art of being her obedient lapdogs?"

The lead guard's face flushed crimson. "You dare—"

"Oh, I dare quite a lot," Lumin interrupted smoothly. "Unlike some people here, I don't need to invoke my master's name every time I open my mouth. Though I suppose when you lack any real authority of your own, borrowed power is all you have."

He gestured dismissively at their weapons.

"And these dramatic displays with your swords? Very intimidating. I'm sure the merchants and common folk are properly terrified. Your lady must be so proud of how well you can bully those weaker than yourselves."

"Stop insulting our master-!" The lead guard shouted angrily, swinging his sword at Lumin.

But Lumin calmly stared at the incoming attack, not a trace of fear or anxiety in his expression.

Instead, he calmly raised his hand, displaying a token with an obsidian surface, its polished black stone gleaming in the light. Carved into its surface was the sigil of an ancient oak tree, its roots burrowing deep into the stone with intricate detail that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly presence.

"!"

The lead guard's sword froze just before it reached Lumin, his eyes widening in recognition and dawning horror.

"That's... that's..." he stammered, his grip loosening on his sword.

"Well, since I figured you wouldn't listen to reason, I thought it's better to deal with you in a language you understand," Lumin stated, his voice now carrying an undeniable weight of authority. "And you are correct. This is..."

"....The Luthaire Family Head's personal token."