Durette, though increasingly wary of Erwin, was also somewhat regretting permitting him to approach so closely. But with so many observers watching, he couldn't retreat, could he? Durette forced a smile. "Of course not, please enter!"
Seeing Durette's outwardly confident but inwardly anxious demeanor, Erwin smiled, not exposing him. Compared to Erwin's current strength, Durette was genuinely no match. In Erwin's estimation, he was now no different from a plaything. If Erwin wanted to, he could eliminate him with a casual gesture. It could only be said that Erwin was now far superior to them. The four supreme families, which had once represented a significant challenge for him, were now merely minor obstacles.
Erwin walked directly into the manor. The Cavendish operatives remained waiting in position. Rivers and Old Tom stood at the front. They had no concern whatsoever for Erwin's safety. Now, their master's strength was beyond ordinary comprehension.
Rivers said, "Our master is genuinely too powerful now! I feel like we're becoming increasingly less useful!"
Old Tom glanced at Rivers. "As long as Master hasn't indicated otherwise, we remain useful. Even sacrificing ourselves for Master represents our value."
Rivers nodded. "You're exceptionally perceptive; I've never been able to develop that skill."
Old Tom rolled his eyes. "You know, sometimes you should engage your brain, otherwise, I'm concerned Master will eliminate you one day."
Rivers laughed. "In the family, having someone as brilliant as Master, and someone slightly less brilliant like you, is sufficient. Any additional clever people, and there's no capacity."
Old Tom looked at Rivers. "So, you've been maintaining a façade of being brutish?"
Rivers said, "It's not maintaining a façade. In fact, I am brutish, but there are many circumstances when I cannot simply be brutish; I need to engage my mind. But that's to gain greater utility. Now that Master is so powerful, I don't need to employ my brain at all, so of course I want to be a content brute. You don't understand—not having to think is genuinely enjoyable."
Old Tom shook his head and didn't respond.
Was Rivers foolish? In fact, he wasn't foolish at all. Otherwise, they wouldn't have survived like him when the previous regime's army was almost completely annihilated. Although fortune played a part, as they weren't in that camp at the critical moment, Rivers' subsequent concealment reveals that he wasn't a genuine brute. It's simply that the image of a brute could spare him considerable complications. As Rivers said, the Cavendish family already has sufficient intelligent individuals. His master treats his own people well, but he also possesses one significant characteristic: the Master is excessively cautious, or rather, suspicious. He might not be intolerant of Rivers' intelligence, but he certainly wouldn't want so many clever people around him constantly. Just as Erwin instructed Charlotte, Charlotte is intelligent, but she needs to understand when to employ that intelligence. The distinction is significant. Rivers, perhaps, could be considered wise in his apparent foolishness.
Inside the manor, the same location, the same dining table. Food was arranged on the table. The difference was that, compared to previously, there were two fewer individuals. No Charlotte, and no former head of the Demos family, Nott Demos.
From the moment Erwin sat down, Durette had been observing him warily. He seemed terrified that in the blink of an eye, Erwin would suddenly materialize beside him again and claim his life.
Erwin cut a small piece of steak and tasted it. "Hmm, your culinary standards have definitely improved this time."
Durette said, "I'm pleased Lord Cavendish is satisfied."
Erwin smiled. "Don't be so tense. You don't genuinely believe I can simply appear beside you without any restrictions, do you?"
Durette paused, stunned by these words. Then comprehension dawned—so, there were restrictions. This reassured him considerably. Durette released a barely perceptible sigh of relief.
Erwin's lips curled into a knowing smile. "What? You actually believed it?"
Hearing this, Durette's heart skipped a beat. Erwin laughed heartily. To be honest, he hadn't been this entertained in considerable time. Erwin ignored the nervous Durette. He continued cutting and savoring his steak in small, deliberate bites. Erwin was genuinely hungry, and soon, he finished a piece of steak. Erwin retrieved a napkin and wiped his mouth. "Hmm, not inadequate, I'm very satisfied. Now, let's address business."
Durette subconsciously leaned back in his chair. He was clearly nervous.
Erwin waved his hand dismissively. "Don't be so anxious. I won't eliminate you immediately. I have to provide you an opportunity to confront me, correct? Otherwise, wouldn't your patricide have been for nothing?"
Durette paused, then instinctively asked, "How did you know?"
Erwin smiled. "Is it that difficult to deduce? Last time you and your father were performing in front of me, I could discern you weren't a peaceful person. You crave power, and you crave strength. Although you conceal it well, the light in your eyes doesn't lie. It's simply that perhaps my unfortunate Uncle Nott was too confident, or perhaps he didn't anticipate his only relative would act against him. What I can observe, the Cavendish heir can observe too. I believe it must be him who provided you the method to extract your bloodline. You extracted the bloodlines of all the Demos family members? And condensed them into this pure bloodline ability you now possess?"
Durette's face turned somewhat ferocious. "That's correct, it should have belonged to me from the beginning. According to the Demos family's ancestral teachings, only the person with the highest bloodline purity can become the Demos patriarch. And I possess the highest bloodline concentration, but that old man occupied that position and never relinquished it to me. He deserved to die! Since he wouldn't surrender it to me, I took it myself. I never anticipated that after fusing the bloodlines of all the Demos members, my bloodline concentration would reach such an elevated level. I'm now no weaker than the Demos family's ancestors!"
Durette's tone was somewhat manic. But Erwin, conversely, picked up the coffee cup beside him and took a small sip. He was so calm. Durette's performance abruptly ceased. Wait a moment, this reaction isn't appropriate. Shouldn't Erwin demonstrate some reaction to what I revealed? Whether it was disgust, astonishment, or at the very least, condemnation? Why is he so indifferent? Why is that?
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I've just launched Hogwarts: I, Tom Riddle, Am a Good Teacher! I've put extra care into the writing and consistency for this one, and I think you're going to love the vibe.
If you enjoyed my previous work, come check out the first few chapters and tell me: Would you survive a class with Professor Riddle? Don't forget to drop those Power Stones to help us rank!
— MrGrim