Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 694: Nobility Title

"I refuse!" Councilor Ives Ballard was the first one to respond, his tone filled with hatred and fury.

He glanced at Sabrina Benton and added with a mocking voice, "Lady Benton, to think that you would even suggest such a thing is ridiculous!"

Sabrina Benton's lips curled up into a smirk, "Is that so? Adam Constantine is only a Mana Liquefaction Magus, yet he was able to take out fourteen Mana Liquefaction Magi as well as a Mana Vortex Magus on the same night.

"Lord Ballard, I wonder what you were doing when you were his age? If I recall correctly, you were expelled from Saratoga for excessive drinking and gambling. Moreover, you also seemed to have failed the majority of the classes there."

Ives Ballard was embarrassed. "You! Benton, how dare you bring up my past!"

"Ah, apologies, Lord Ballard," Sabrina Benton chuckled in amusement. "It was a slip of tongue, I assure you. Nothing personal."

She then looked at the rest of the council members and asked, "My Lords, do I have your approval on this proposal?"

Hammon McLeod voiced out his opinion, "Lady Benton, I admit that taking fourteen Magi of the same rank is a noteworthy feat, but do you truly believe he had a hand in killing the Rank 3 Magus from the Cult of Bones?"

He paused for a moment before asking dubiously, "None of us were there when the battle took place. For all we know, Adam might have refused outside help. What's even more suspicious is that he refused to share his memories of the battle."

"I have on good authority that Adam Constantine was the one to kill that Mana Vortex Magus," Sabrina spoke confidently.

Hammon was at a loss for words. But it was at this moment, Nylian spoke up, "Lady Benton, may I ask who has vouched for him?"

Sabrina Benton deeply looked at this fellow councilor of hers. I cannot believe he's already at the peak of the Mana Vortex Rank…

Despite making preparations to advance through the Mana Vortex Rank, Nylian told no one about it except for Headmaster Blackwood. This caused Sabrina to have newfound respect for the elf. If it were anyone else, they would have paraded around the entire city.

She answered in a firm tone, "The Lord of Ravenfell."

At once, not just the councilors sitting at the table, but all the other Magi—scribes, attendants, and guards—in the room were shocked by this discovery.

Nylian was truly taken aback, not having expected Adam to catch the Headmaster's eyes.

The elf's feelings towards the raven-haired youth were complicated, to say the least. Although Adam had made sure to protect his daughter during the Duskfall Incident, it was undoubtedly true that the youth had taken her knowing what would go transpire there.

In the elf's eyes, that was no different than manipulating his daughter—a fact that he greatly despised.

However, personal sentiments had no place in the matters regarding the governance of the city.

Thus, without hesitating, he nodded. "I approve."

"Good arcana, if Lord Blackwood himself has attested to the boy's deeds, then who am I to deny?" Hammon McLeod too nodded with a surprised look on his face. "Hoho, I approve!"

"I approve," said the Flynn Patriarch. Regardless of the Headmaster's involvement, he and Adam had been allies for a long time and, as such, knew his capabilities very well.

Sabrina Benton turned her attention to Daniel Ranzenberg and asked, "I suppose you will be neutral in this matter as well?"

The old man with the sturdy build nodded his head ever so slightly before closing his eyes, completely detached from the happenings around him.

Sabrina Benton then looked at Taron Norwood and stated, "Your vote has now become irrelevant."

The elf made a face that was very ugly to look at, despite the species' innate good looks.

"It is decided then. Magus Adam Constantine will be granted the title of Count and be awarded land and the right to command a personal retinue of Magi within the city," Sabrina Benton began.

"Let it be known that Ravenfell does not forget those who shed blood in its defense, nor does it turn a blind eye to those who rise above fear and darkness."

Out of all the people present, Ives Ballard was the most dissatisfied with this decision. He couldn't help but complain, "Lady Benton, I've done my due diligence on the boy. I'll have you know that he's a gutter-born fool from a nameless kingdom in the Southern Federation!

"Do you really wish to appoint someone of his station to the noble status of a Count? I urge you to think this through! Your decision will put a stain on the proud nobility of this fine city!"

Sabrina turned to look at the old man and flatly said, "I forgot to mention... Count Constantine's title is hereditary."

Ives Ballard's eyes narrowed and he couldn't be more displeased with this decision.

A hereditary nobility title was a lifelong status. It meant that Adam's title would automatically be passed down to his eldest child—should he sire any.

Any land, privileges, and responsibilities tied to the title will remain within his family. Furthermore, his descendants will have noble status.

Essentially, Sabrina Benton's decision ensured that the Constantine lineage remained part of Ravenfell's nobility unless, of course, stripped of it due to treason or other serious offenses.

Sabrina continued to stare at Ives Ballard and declared authoritatively, "A generous sum of Acadian gold will be awarded to him annually for the first ten years, enough to establish himself as a noble.

"All income from trade tariffs, mines, and farmlands within his newly granted lands will belong solely to him. He will have a right to raise militia from his land in times of war.

"Exclusive access to the city's Grand Archives, allowing him to study grimoires and records left behind by the great noble Magi of the past.

"He will receive a Count's Signet Ring, symbolizing his authority, the right to attend council meetings, giving him a voice in the city's governance, and legal immunity from minor offences."

She paused for a moment before concluding, "Last but not least, Count Constantine will assume a new position within the city's armed forces. Given his battlefield achievements and formidable magical prowess, I doubt anybody in their right mind would dare oppose it."

Once again, everyone approved—everyone except Ives Ballard, that is.

As the items in the agenda were gradually addressed, it finally came time for Brigham Flynn to present his intel. Despite being the one to call for the meeting, he insisted that his topic be discussed last.

However, before discussing the matter, he instructed everybody—except the councilors to leave the meeting room.

Once it was only the seven of them remaining, he looked at every one present and spoke with an extremely solemn tone.

"I have at last uncovered the whereabouts of the Umbra Thieves' main stronghold!"