Reincarnated as incubus: I didn't mean to seduce you!

"I believe, given the unique status of Baron Helois himself and Sack’s admission of his harm to Baron Helois, according to the usual practices of the Noble Council, such egregious behavior must be severely punished."

"I propose that control of Sack’s management over the Florence Chamber of Commerce be, according to the regulations, transferred to the Noble Council as compensation and awarded to the injured Baron Helois."

After he finished speaking, it seemed he did not feel it was sufficient, so he gritted his teeth and added, "And Baron Bernard, his son’s wrongdoing cannot merely be resolved by death."

"According to past procedures, although he did not commit the act directly, he must also provide compensation for his son... sufficient compensation!"

The crowd gasped in shock, truly believing their colleague had gone mad.

Although this approach might win the approval of Baron Helois, both the Noble Council and its leadership were not unaware of the underlying situation.

This was the result of interest negotiations and mutual compromises, only the costs were not publicized, and belonged to the unspoken rules among the nobles.

Now, by acting this way, Viscount Bill undoubtedly exploited the fact that the exchange of benefits occurred privately and direct evidence could not be presented, and he bluntly shifted the blame to secure forgiveness.

My goodness, the crowd exclaimed in awe!

They only felt that Viscount Bill had wasted his years learning the rules of nobility.

Even if you can temporarily gain acceptance from that member of the Helois family by using this tactic, what use is it?

Your actions are nearly a provocation of the unspoken rules among nobles.

You’re not without your own vulnerabilities, can you escape potential revenge from Baron Helois, let alone from Earl Campbell who wants you dead?

Your next read is at empire

Since the stain is real, it would be better to honestly admit it, choose to lie low and seek forgiveness, rather than daring to act this way?

If you displease both sides, it will only hasten the end of your noble life!

But they were unaware of what Viscount Bill was thinking in his heart.

’Since the problem is already out there, and I can’t hide from it, why not choose to directly shift the stain onto someone else?’

’I indeed made some "small mistakes" in handling this matter, but those small mistakes aren’t fatal, are they?’

’Rather, my stain being in someone else’s hands, whether it’s Baron Helois whom I’ve offended, or Earl Campbell who I’m about to offend, having their own stain, they can deal with me at any time.’

’What benefit is there for them to outright eliminate me? Apart from venting their anger, nothing is achieved!’

’Instead, my allowing them to hold a stain against me that they could exploit in the future, they can exert control over me at any time, essentially entrusting my safety into their hands.’ n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

’Keeping myself in play also leaves an expendable card in the Royal Capital Council, after all, only nobles who are actually impacted by my actions are qualified to actively pursue my case.’

Viscount Bill could only hope that these two individuals would be slightly intelligent and not completely ruin him on the spot, turning a small clever move into a huge laughing stock, which would be utterly despairing.’

…

Unbeknownst to them, on the other side, Kael too was troubled.

The Lion Heart Family’s baptism ritual was extremely powerful, with the addition of the Phoenix Heart, it not only enabled him to fully complete the progress bar of the "Lionheart Crest" but also directly granted him the ability to have Fire Element Affinity.

Upon returning home, as he went for a second wash in the family pond, Hassaka, who was attending to him, noticed Kael’s completely unscarred body and expressed her surprise:

"Young Master Kael, all your scars have disappeared."

She gently wiped where the scars had been, her soft tail lathered with soap gently cleaning Kael.

"That’s quite normal, the Phoenix Heart is itself a significantly precious material, it can even enhance the body’s natural healing capabilities to some extent, it’s a shame there’s only one. If only there were more than ten..."

Kael paused there.

While the Phoenix Star is precious, few know that if more than ten Phoenix Hearts could be combined with Lava Crystals from the neighboring Duchy and Parasol Wood watered by the Moon Well from the Supreme Forest, it could be crafted into a ritual that grants the Spellcasters the power to summon an Arcane Pet Phoenix.

Unlike having a Phoenix as a straightforward Arcane Pet, a Phoenix obtained in this manner is by nature more of an elemental creature.

And, as it shares the same origin as Kael, it would strengthen continuously along with Kael’s growth.

It could even stand in for Kael to endure a successful instant-death attack if he encountered one.

This special Arcane Pet, effectively granting Kael another life, was vital for him, who unlike players, could not simply resurrect continuously.

Of course, Hassaka didn’t know any of this and continued to focus on washing Kael’s body.

As she did so, she suddenly frowned and sniffed the air.

Sniff sniff—sniff sniff!

"Hassaka, what is it?"

"Oh, I’m sorry, Young Master Kael, it’s just that you smell even more delicious now..."