The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] - Chapter 227

Chapter 227: Announcements
It was short yet very sweet.

Despite being the quickest banquet, it was likely the Duchy’s most emotional one.

The air that had once been thick with tension was now layered with a strange sense of disbelief.

For all its grandeur and formality (not), the banquet had lasted barely long enough for people to register what had happened before it was over.

Plates once heaped with roasted garlic butter potatoes, vibrant Brussels sprouts, golden baked fish, and corn were now bare.

Every crumb was gone, and even the ‘spiritual’ garnish—once meant to enhance the aesthetic—had been plucked clean.

The only thing left?

The lemonade.

And had it not been prone to spilling, the battle would’ve likely continued. But even now, it was being carefully rationed to ensure that everybody got some.

Each sip was treasured and lucky for those who had tasted it before, as they clearly had more self-restraint after knowing just how fast it could disappear.

In the aftermath, disbelief gave way to emotion.

Many were still catatonic, while those who weren’t idle were trying to examine the authenticity of their experience.

It wasn’t an unusual sight—people slapping themselves and then demanding confirmation from their peers.

“Hey, that wasn’t a dream, right?” One noble stared at the empty plate that gleamed with emptiness as if it had never been used.

“You tasted that too, right?”

“I—I think I did.” Another noble answered, equally unsteady. “Steward Han called it a fish, even. I heard that.”

“Fish? Is that what fishes are supposed to look like?”

“I don’t even remember what it looked like. When I blinked, it was gone.” Chimed a soldier.

There was nothing left.

And yet, even for the mourning victors and pseudo-losers, they could still recognize the fleeting joy that had graced their tongues.

A new memory branded into the minds of all present.

Food. Real spiritual food.

They had tasted it.

Devoured it.

And now, it was as though the veil that obscured their understanding of life had been lifted.

But for some, or even for most, it was like being given a second lease on life.

It wasn’t just delicious, a word that’s likely foreign to these people, but it was also life-saving.

And maybe that’s what made it all feel real. For at the center of it all were clear remnants of spiritual energy that now circulated in their bodies.

And it was thanks to a certain someone.

Their eyes naturally gravitated toward him.

Luca Soren Kyros, their Young Lord.

As the Duke and Duchess’ most trusted people, they had long known about the affliction.

They may not have known about the issue of the souls, but most have known about the heir having a condition, and yet here he was returning with such ferociousness that cannot be ignored.

While they didn’t think much of it when it happened, they could remember it.

The way he had humbly handed Butler Gary that space button was so simple and natural.

Now, that moment had taken on a divine weight. For in their memories, their young lord stood beneath an ethereal glow—the light of salvation—radiant, dazzling, and kind.

The statues of Luca that adorned the manor suddenly felt justified.

No—if anything, there were far too few.

Statues should be erected on every Kyros-owned planet and in every household.

His likeness should be immortalized, for the young lord was a savior returned to them.

And while they didn’t know the source of these food items, the fact that the heir could readily share it influenced an almost fanatical devotion.

Yet their growing reverie was broken by the Duke’s commanding voice.

“Everyone, settle down,” his words reverberated through the hall, effectively silencing the once frantic murmurs.

“There are great matters of importance that must be addressed.”

It was that familiar tone, and the people under the Duke’s command all straightened up.

That was that tone that left no room for argument. It was the tone they hadn’t heard in a very long time.

Shivers went down their spines, but at the same time, they were happy to feel that familiar sense of awe that got them to follow the Duke even when the outlook for all of them looked bleak.

It was the same golden eyes, but they now had the old flames of determination that had been gone for a while.

“First.” he began, his voice steady.

“I would like to formally reintroduce the heir to the Duchy of Kyros—my son, Luca Soren Kyros.”

Applause erupted, the sound filled with reverence and fervor even when they expected the same words.

But the sheer force behind the statement made hearts pound, including the heart of the actual heir, who couldn’t stop threatening to bounce off his rib cage.

Yet, the Duke did not stop there.

“Second,” he continued, his expression suddenly sharpening.

“The Duchy will be reinforcing its security. It is impossible to remain complacent. And after today, all of you must understand why.”

The gravity of the Duke’s words settled over everyone like a weighted blanket.

No one dared to question him.

Not when some even thought that the metal plates weren’t enough deterrence.

“Third,” the Duke’s eyes gleamed with resolve, “the Duchy will begin re-integrating into society.”

A ripple of astonishment spread across the room.

Reintegration? After almost decades of isolation, was that even possible?

But they didn’t get to linger in their musing as the final declaration came.

“The fourth matter,” the Duke’s voice lowered as his gaze swept across the hall.

“The recent addition to the manor.”

This got the people murmuring.

They knew about the emptied wing being sealed off, yet no one but the Butler and the Head Steward knew about its purpose.

So, just what was it for?

It was for the Dungeon-linked space that was the main reason for this homecoming in the first place.

This delayed the banquet for a while, as they decided to activate the space before people started coming over to look for them.

The 200,000 CP space shocked Luca when it appeared with a gate eerily similar to the Dungeon gates back in Tesseris, albeit much smaller.

Definitely much smaller.

For a moment, he hesitated until D-29 confirmed that it was definitely the space they paid for.

So, even with the unsettling implications, the little money grubber pushed forward, wanting to make use of the expensive space.

Only to be met with a prompt that made his blood feel a little too hot.

Although he expected it, deep inside, he hoped he was just being too dramatic.

But here he was, with a prompt asking for 100,000 CP to elevate the space’s efficiency to 40% of his actual Dungeon.

It was a must.

Then, even as the others watched him pale at this expense, he pushed forth and paid for it.

And that was how they ended up with a backyard space reminiscent of his own Dungeon when it was at level 2.

In fact, it was so similar that the only things that didn’t carry over were their houses and the creatures. But the vegetation, including the unupgraded farms, was there.

That was unexpected, and even the system wondered why this outhouse was a wound to its pride!

But it seemed like everyone else liked the extension, so it stopped itself from issuing angry prompts.

“Brother. Isn’t this a bit too amazing? Are you making this into just a sanctuary for the creatures?” Ollie asked because this space had potential—a lot of it, in fact.

“Isn’t this also a temporary solution to increasing harvest?” Asked Jax, who could see the empty farmland and feel a pang of something.

“D-29, do you think hiring more spirits like the Elders is possible?” Asked Luca, who was beginning to see the other’s point.

“There are other spirits, Host, but they might be more expensive since we already bought the ones we could afford. But how about another form of contract?”

“There’s another one???”

“It came out in the Trove after the Dungeon Level was upgraded, Host. It’s called a union contract.”

“!!!”

Everyone stopped at this development because it made the Duke re-calibrate their initial plans.

And that was precisely the topic of the fourth announcement.

For a staggering 35,000 CP, Luca could establish an official labor union within the Dungeon-linked space. It would allow others to swear fealty to him, effectively protecting his interests while creating a workforce.

A direct contract with one’s core.

This was not a matter to be taken lightly.

And now, it was time for the Duke to address it.

“There is a matter of a contract that can be entered to join our newest endeavors. But those of you who would be willing to commit must understand that there is a very likely possibility of death for those who betray.”

He paused, letting this all sink in.

“This is not a decision to be made lightly, and if you have doubts, leave now, and provided you do not speak of today, you get to keep your life.”

“But if you choose to stay—”

He paused, his golden gaze locking onto each and every soul present.

“Then you will become part of something far greater than yourselves.”

A heavy silence fell.

And yet…no one moved to leave.

Not a single soul.

For they had been waiting for this moment.