In the work, Baltazar Morfeus managed to take over the entire duchy of Noir.
The House of Noir was a ruined family that had lost its former glory. Cetus, which was their main source of commerce, collapsed due to the appearance of the abyss of Nun on the coast.
Specialized in maritime trade, commerce stagnated when they lost access to the sea. The monsters that emerged from that abyss prevented ships from passing, making those trade routes impossible.
The Noirs couldn't offer their military power to protect the ships, since the latter was invested in defending the border.
After a civil war ended a neighboring kingdom, that territory was left without rulers, which caused several guerrilla and bandit groups to form, constantly attacking the border.
The problem was there were already three kingdoms interested in taking over that territory, so if Avalon counterattacked, it would enter into conflict with them, when it was much more beneficial to sell them weapons and supplies.
Therefore, the duchy was obligated to protect the border, and having lost their maritime trade routes, they couldn't benefit economically from the neighboring kingdoms' demand for weapons and resources.
The great epidemic that attacked the kingdom of Cyrowind had spread to the crop fields that fed all the Noir territories.
Not only did it bring xeno immigrants from the great forest, but the plague had ended food production.
All the duchy's fortune was invested to keep the territory afloat. But by not solving any problem, they only went further into ruin.
Valupurgis was a province located in the middle of all the chaos. Completely dependent on resources from neighboring territories, it was one of the most affected places.
And also the place where the mafia would be born. The Morfeus family got rich illegally selling weapons to the guerrillas attacking the border, and from there, they kept expanding.
They amassed enough power and wealth to practically have the province of Valupurgis under their control.
But Baltazar wanted more and decided to take over the duchy. A very easy task for him.
But what would happen if the House of Noir fell into the hands of a criminal organization? The kingdom should take action.
That's why in the novel, Baltazar takes Penelope as a second wife, though he only does it to "legally" acquire the territory.
No noble would want that territory, so they turned a blind eye and accepted it.
However, Penelope was a love interest of the protagonist, so Alexander ends up stopping Baltazar.
"You want me to get married?" Lloyd was more than confused.
That wasn't what happened in the novel.
"That's right, I've already spoken with her father to arrange a marriage, that fool knows he doesn't have many options. Of course, if you don't like her, you can always take other wives, the only thing I want is for our family to unite with the nobility," he affirmed.
Lloyd stroked his chin with his fingers. Penelope was part of the protagonist's harem, he wasn't thrilled about getting involved with her.
However, if she hadn't gone to the academy yet, then she hadn't met Alexander either.
Besides, maybe if he accepted, Baltazar wouldn't have to attack the duchy. He'd be avoiding his death too.
"Well, I suppose I don't have much choice either," Lloyd finally replied, dismissively.
"No Lloyd, you're the one who chooses. You haven't yet entered the age when you're interested in girls, but when you do, it's possible you'll fall in love with someone. If your love for that person prevents you from being with anyone else, I'll respect it."
The boy's lips parted slightly, he didn't know what to say.
Did Baltazar have a romantic side?
No, more importantly, Lloyd was surprised his father put him ahead of his own plans.
Was he really facing an evil mafioso? What had happened to make him change so much? Maybe Baltazar was the villain of a poorly told story.
The boy swallowed. What if his death was the cause of what happened in the novel?
If so, there was something threatening his life.
"Whatever you say, I'll accept your conditions," Lloyd finally said while crossing his legs and leaning back in the chair.
Baltazar's expression relaxed a bit.
"Good, then tell me. Do you want to learn magic or swordsmanship? Maybe both? I'll find a good teacher," he affirmed.
It was a good question. Which path should he choose?
In video games, Lloyd always chose to be a glass cannon. Besides, in that world magic had much more potential than swordsmanship.
And his lineage was very powerful, magic was the best option.
"Both, I don't plan to settle for learning just one thing, when I can master them all," the boy declared.
Again, his arrogance played a trick on him.
He wanted to invest all his time in magic, but his desires to prove he could master both made him rush.
"Alright, I'll take care of that. As for your lineage, unfortunately I have matters to attend to in the coming days, so I won't be able to teach you directly," the man commented.
Lloyd smiled at those words.
"What's the problem? You're free now right? Teach me what's necessary, I'll develop the rest on my own," the blond affirmed, with an arrogant expression.
Baltazar seemed somewhat surprised, but then smiled back.
"You never cease to surprise me son, alright... Let's start the lesson."