Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World
Chapter 219: Banquet Turmoil

TL: Etude

The Duke of Ferdinand was about to announce his heir?

Everyone was initially surprised by this news, but after some thought, it seemed like the right time. Normally, the heir of a noble is automatically their eldest son, unless there’s an unforeseen event, and there’s no need to formally announce it.

However, the situation was different for the Duke. He had no sons, and his health seemed to be failing. Announcing his heir during this event seemed both appropriate and sensible.

Who would be the lucky one?

The most likely candidate seemed to be Viscount Henry, the Duke’s eldest brother.

Viscount Henry had recently taken up residence in Center City, diligently attending to the Duke and frequently networking with other lords. It appeared he was determined to secure the Dukedom.

However, it wasn’t a guarantee that the title would go to him. After all, Viscount Henry wasn’t a full brother to the Duke, as they were born of different mothers.

When the Duke was merely the heir apparent, the title was expected to be his, but Viscount Henry, who had been dishonest since his youth, caused some unpleasantness following the death of the previous Duke Ferdinand.

Despite these troubles, the current Duke succeeded to the title. Whether out of fraternal love or a desire to appear magnanimous, Duke Ferdinand did not pursue his brother’s past actions and even granted him a viscountcy.

Since then, Viscount Henry had been well-behaved, but lately, his ambitions seemed to have been rekindled.

Who knew if Duke Ferdinand still held a grudge for what had happened years ago? The title could end up in the hands of a distant relative.

As everyone pondered these possibilities, they waited in silence, eager to hear the Duke’s decision.

Regardless of whom the Duke chose, they knew they had to curry favor with him after the banquet. In fact, they planned to offer their respects as soon as possible.

In the midst of this, only Marltz Kent remained utterly calm, sipping his wine slowly, a cold smile playing on his lips. The wine, which usually tasted bland, seemed exceptionally rich today.

The ‘servant’ beside the Count watched the Duke intently, not blinking an eye.

“I… I have decided…”

Who was it? Viscount Henry? Most guessed it was him.

“The heir is…”

Viscount Henry himself was anxiously awaiting his brother to announce his name.

In his mind, he was almost certainly the heir. After years of careful behavior and gradually mending their relationship, his brother showed no sign of holding onto the past. If his brother didn’t mind, then tradition dictated that he would be the heir.

“Marltz Kent!”

In an instant, the hall fell silent, the breath of the guests stilled.

After a few seconds of quiet, the guests erupted into murmurs of surprise.

“The Count Kent… the Duke’s heir?”

“Who would have thought, Count Kent?”

The discussions were filled with disbelief at the Duke’s choice.

Particularly the Ferdinand family’s distant relatives looked stunned. Even if they weren’t in line for the title, they hadn’t expected it to go so far afield.

Indeed, the Kent family had some ancestral connection to the Ferdinand family, but that was generations ago.

“Viscount Henry? Viscount Henry?”

The people around Henry noticed that the Viscount hadn’t moved and quickly patted his back.

It seemed that the biggest shock was felt by the Duke’s younger brother, and everyone sympathized with him.

Henry came back to his senses but still looked stunned. He turned to ask someone near him, “What did my brother just say?”

Although the Duke’s speech was intermittent, it was clear enough for everyone in the hall to hear.

Viscount Henry hadn’t missed it; he just couldn’t believe his brother’s words.

“Uh… Viscount, your brother…”

The person asked was embarrassed, unsure of how to respond.

“What… what did my brother just say?”

Viscount Henry asked again, his tone harsher and veins bulging on his temples.

Startled, the person hurriedly replied, “The Duke… he said he has decided to make Count Marltz Kent his heir.”

“No!”

A loud yell echoed in the hall, drawing the attention of all the guests.

“No! This can’t be true!”

Viscount Henry, his face twisted in frenzy, unable to accept the harsh reality after hearing it confirmed, shouted aloud.

He pushed over a table in front of him, scattering food and drinks all over the floor.

Henry rushed to the dais, grabbing his brother’s shoulders and shaking him vigorously.

“Brother! My brother! Tell me this isn’t true. How could you possibly choose an outsider as your heir?”

Seeing his brother’s dazed reaction, he shook him even more violently.

“Speak, damn it! Speak!”

With Henry leading the way, other members of the Ferdinand family also gathered around, voicing their objections.

“Yes, Duke, even if you don’t choose Viscount Henry, you can’t pass the title to an outsider!”

“Take back that reckless decision. As the head of the family, you must consider our lineage.”

“Please reconsider, this title is a legacy from our ancestors.”

The guests were at a loss, watching this family dispute unsure of whether to intervene.

“Enough!”

Duke Ferdinand suddenly erupted, pushing his brother away with unexpected strength despite his frail condition.

Viscount Henry stumbled backward, tripping over a table which fell, scattering its contents.

The Duke pointed at him, his face contorted in rage, “You think I forgot about all the terrible things you did back then? Thought you could just wipe the slate clean? Ha! Wishful thinking!”

“I… I…”

Viscount Henry was speechless, a shard from a shattered wine glass piercing his hand, the pain bringing him back from his frenzy.

After all these years, his brother hadn’t forgiven him. Was their brotherly affection all just an act?

This was his second devastating blow of the day.

Duke Ferdinand suddenly regained his former dignity and commanded loudly, “Guards!”

The sound of footsteps filled the hall as a group of fully armed guards rushed in.

“Take this scoundrel and lock him in the dungeon! In the deepest, darkest cell!”

“Yes!”

Viscount Henry, his face ashen, didn’t resist as the guards dragged him away.

Duke Ferdinand spat at him, “Hmph! Ungrateful and delusional. Go to hell!”

Then, he surveyed the room, his gaze lingering on the family members who had gathered around.

“Now, does anyone else have objections?”

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