In the affluent district of Thunder City, at the Andes Family estate, the towering marble gates were a hubbub of constant activity.

Elegant gentlemen and dignified ladies, greeted by tail-coated waiters, headed towards the carriages, stepping on a red carpet dozens of meters long and walking into the magnificently lavish mansion.

Outside the manor was a constant stream of carriages, while inside, the manor was already abuzz with noise, as lively as a blazing fire.

The walls of the banquet hall were adorned with splendid murals, and beneath the marble columns carved with reliefs, a dazzling array of jewels and legendary treasures from around the world were displayed.

Among them were lizard skins from the New Continent, demon horns from the depths of Hell, jewelry crafted by Elf Craftsmen, and marble sculptures hand-polished by Dwarf sculptors… The décor here was sumptuously lavish yet solemn, almost like the palace of the Ryan Kingdom.

Brilliant candlelight complemented by melodious music reflected dazzlingly through the magic-enhanced crystal chandeliers.

The light shone on the impeccably dressed, elegant guests, making their rosy faces even more radiant and glowing.

And astonishingly, the owner of this "palace" was merely a noble of the kingdom.

Standing on the edge of the dance floor in the banquet hall, Edward Campbell could not help but reflect.

No wonder father decided to raise the commercial taxes in Thunder City, these citizens are indeed too wealthy...

He was Duke Campbell's eldest son, the heir to the Duchy, and also the undisputed main character of this party.

As the future Duke thought this, Yang Andes, holding a glass of wine, elegantly approached Edward, exchanged polite greetings, and then clinked glasses with him gently.

"Your Highness, are you satisfied with the banquet prepared in your honor?"

The ostensible purpose of the banquet was to celebrate the full month birthday of Edward's youngest son, but everyone clearly understood that the true purpose of the banquet was far more significant.

The Duke's failing health was now an open secret in the upper echelons of Campbell Duchy, a rumor that had spread since the day of the triumphal ceremony.

According to the Ryan Kingdom's tradition of primogeniture, the title of Duke of Campbell Duchy would be wholly inherited by Aaron Campbell's eldest son, Edward Campbell.

Holding a banquet at this time served the dual purpose of allowing the future monarch to meet his vassals, and the vassals to behold the future lord's esteemed presence.

The reason Edward was standing here was indeed at the old Duke's behest.

The only variable was that the banquet was originally planned at the governor's mansion, but the Andes Family suddenly came forward, offering to bear all the expenses and even provided their newly built, yet unoccupied, estate for the event.

Since the guests included nobles from the entire Duchy and even neighboring regions, the cost of the banquet was significant.

Edward Campbell readily accepted the Andes Family's generous offer to take on the costs of the banquet.

Besides saving on the banquet's expenses, he did not dismiss the idea of forming a good relationship with this wealthy family.

Even though Governor Wilson advised him to not get too close to these merchants, but rather to maintain a proper distance,

Edward had his own ideas.

As a hero who had defeated the Demon King, surpassing his father in military achievements was no longer possible, the only way to ensure his name was remembered was to seize this hard-won peace and make Campbell Duchy the most prosperous territory along the coast of the Vortex Sea.

The Andes Family had made a fortune in colonial trade, clearly, no one among the present nobility understood better how to run a territory than they did.

Since they had chosen him, Edward felt that they must have recognized the potential for greatness in him.

He decided to further leverage his strengths.

Responding to the Family Head Andes's eagerness, Edward replied graciously yet with dignity,

"You are thoughtful, Sir Andes, this banquet is truly astonishing, but it must have cost quite a bit of money."

Yang Andes smiled slightly and responded with ease,

"It's merely a trifle, being able to host such a distinguished lord is an honor for our Andes Family."

"A trifle?" Edward raised an eyebrow slightly and said with a smile, "With such lavish standards, I dare say, this is not something an ordinary noble could afford... Be frank with me, give me a figure, or it will be difficult for me to be at ease."

"Then, if I may be so bold..." Yang Andes looked towards the distant door, smiling as he spoke, "I am not quite sure of the exact figure, as it was mainly handled by the servants, but if I had to estimate, it would be around five million silver coins."

Five million silver coins!

Hearing that number, Edward involuntarily gasped in his mind.

Even for him, the heir to the Duchy, that was a substantial sum, enough to equip an army of five thousand!

It should be noted that this was not some asset value, but actual silver coins! How could a family of citizens have earned so much money?!

Edward felt both envy and a flicker of unease in his heart.

Perhaps all along, he and his family had underestimated these merchants' power.

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