Damn, I Have to Marry the Strongest Antagonist at the Start? - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Chapter25-Is There a Daily Report Here Too?
At House Ravenwood.

Duke Charles, Leslie, Madelyn, and several elder members of House Ravenwood sat around the round table with serious expressions.

“The Bounty Guild has really stooped to a new low! For an old vice leader to have the nerve to challenge a younger generation! If I were him, I’d find a wall to bang my head against!”

“If it were just him challenging Owen, it wouldn’t be a big deal. We could simply have Owen refuse. But since His Majesty has spoken, it shows that he has some opinions about our Duke’s mansion…”

“Regardless of His Majesty’s views or how other mages see it, Owen’s talent is exceptional, and he possesses the Godslayer Staff. He must not be lost!”

The elders on either side of the round table spoke with irritation.

They were very pleased with Owen’s talent and strength.

But now, various forces were meddling, especially the Bounty Guild’s vice leader—a nearly platinum-tier elder—openly challenging the young Owen, shamelessly disregarding their own reputation.

“You all worry too much. I’ve already sent several messengers to intercept Owen before he enters the capital.

As long as he avoids this vortex, both the vice leader of the Bounty Guild and His Majesty will have to give House Ravenwood some face.”

Duke Charles, seated at the head of the table, remained quite composed.

Being plotted against by various factions and even His Majesty was within his expectations.

House Ravenwood had grown too strong and too prominent, drawing attention.

Owen was in a similar situation, his fame too great and possessing the Godslayer Staff, attracting too many eyes.

However, precisely because of this, the top-tier forces were restrained from acting directly against Owen. As long as Owen kept a low profile, this matter would gradually fade away.

“The Duke’s actions align perfectly with my thoughts. We cannot follow the path laid out by them.

With the prodigies of various factions gathering in the capital, Owen’s return would be the spark to ignite the powder keg.

At that point, it would be extremely disadvantageous for House Ravenwood.”

An elder of House Ravenwood stroked his graying beard and nodded seriously.

“House Ravenwood is now at the center of the storm. The key to breaking this situation lies with Owen. The longer we delay, the more beneficial it is for us!”

“Yes, based on Owen’s previous behavior, he is a smart man and should quickly distance himself from the capital, this dragon’s lair.”

Many nodded in agreement during the meeting.

Although House Ravenwood was currently in the spotlight with countless eyes on them, as long as Owen did not show himself, they dared not make a move!

House Ravenwood was not to be trifled with by any Tom, Dick, or Harry.

Without absolute profit to entice them, they would not risk everything.

However, at this moment, a messenger suddenly rushed into the meeting, drenched in sweat and panting heavily:

“Your Grace, bad news, Master Owen just arrived at the gates of the capital and headed straight for the Royal Arena!”

As the messenger finished speaking in a hurry, the previously noisy hall fell silent.

They stared at the intruding messenger in shock, mouths agape.

Owen went to the Royal Arena?!

Did they hear correctly?

At this time, shouldn’t Owen be leaving the capital as quickly as possible?

Whether it was the vice leader of the Bounty Guild or other prodigies, they had long been eyeing him.

Entering the capital at this time was tantamount to courting death!

The House Ravenwood elders, who had previously thought Owen to be a smart man, now felt their reputations were at stake.

“What were the previous messengers doing? They were supposed to have Owen leave, not go to the Royal Arena!”

Seeing the oppressive atmosphere around the round table, the messenger could only speak up, “The previous messengers did inform Master Owen, but Master Owen still forced his way into the capital. Commander Benedict and the others are still trying to persuade him…”

Before he could finish, the anxious Duke Charles interrupted, “Send out a summons! Any family members not engaged in critical matters must go to the Royal Arena. Owen and the Godslayer Staff must not be lost!”

Receiving Duke Charles’s command, the messenger quickly turned and left to relay the orders.

“Why? What is Owen thinking? Has he gone mad? Tony’s strength is comparable to a true platinum-tier Level 1 fighter. Owen’s current strength is no match for him; it’s just suicide!”

“Perhaps his victory over the second young miss made him overconfident. The priority now is to stop Owen…”

As the group discussed countermeasures in the meeting room, the messenger suddenly returned.

“Your Grace, many of the family’s elite and strong members have been deployed to the borders and other remote areas.

Some are currently completing tasks assigned within the estate. For now… for now, there are no strong fighters available.”

The messenger cautiously glanced at the gradually darkening face of the Duke and then quickly relayed the newly gathered information.

“Who is it? Who is plotting against House Ravenwood?”

Duke Charles’s face was full of anger and confusion.

The family had many experts, meant to deal with any crises that might arise.

But now, they had all been sent away. Clearly, someone was scheming against them in the shadows!

However, thinking of the importance of Owen and the Godslayer Staff, he could only suppress his anger for the moment and waved his hand decisively:

“Let’s go to the Royal Arena!”

Although there were no powerful mages to escort him, Duke Charles himself possessed great strength and could protect Owen.

After angrily leaving the meeting room, Duke Charles was quickly followed by Madelyn, who, after a moment of thought, got up and followed him.

While she didn’t know what Owen had in mind, based on her previous understanding of him, especially his methodical combat style, she knew he wasn’t impulsive or reckless.

Since Owen chose to head to the Royal Arena despite knowing the situation, he must have his own plan!

The other elders of House Ravenwood, seeing this, could only rise and leave, dragging their aged bodies.

They were old and no longer had much fighting power.

They just hoped that the Duke would succeed in all matters.

After everyone had left, the messenger, with his head bowed, half-knelt on the ground and earnestly addressed Leslie, who was sitting in the corner of the round table:

“Miss, the order has already been given for all the family’s strong members to avoid this matter for the time being.”

Leslie paused for a moment, seemingly in thought, then nodded, “You may go.”

Owen’s appearance had caught her off guard, and he was someone she couldn’t fully understand for the first time.

However, through her meticulous planning, Owen was now trapped.

The more he struggled, the faster he would perish.

…

In the capital city.

On the way to the Royal Arena, Owen could clearly sense the curious gazes of the mages in the capital.

Meanwhile, Benedict and the other Wolf Guards shielded him in the center, all the while trying to dissuade Owen from participating in the duel.

“Master Owen, this duel is extremely disadvantageous for you. You should abandon it for now and return to the family to discuss this further. The family is full of experts who will protect and help you…”

Owen did not stop his steps towards the Royal Arena.

He spoke slowly, “I appreciate your concern, but first, the Duke’s mansion will definitely not help me. Second, I have many doubts I want to verify with this opportunity. You don’t need to worry about me. Remember to keep your eyes open and protect them.”

Benedict looked at Owen with a puzzled expression, not understanding why he was so sure that the Duke’s mansion wouldn’t help him.

After all, he was now the Duke’s son-in-law. And what did he mean by protecting their eyes?

Not long after, Owen arrived at the Royal Arena.

By this time, it was already crowded with top prodigies from various factions and countless mages who had come to watch the spectacle.

The previously empty VIP seats were now packed with people.

The scene was incredibly noisy, like a bustling marketplace.

Among the gathered crowd in the capital, Owen quickly noticed a middle-aged man with a scholarly appearance, wearing a monocle.

He sat quietly in a corner of the VIP section, looking very low-key, with a book on his lap and a quill in his hand, occasionally writing in the book.

“Edward… the scholar responsible for recording the continent’s history from Academy City…”

Seeing Edward, Owen felt a slight heaviness in his heart.