Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 94: Ambrose Faction

Grim awoke to sunlight streaming through partially drawn curtains. For a moment, he didn’t recognize his surroundings.

His body felt heavy, muscles aching from exertion and mana depletion. Echo lay on a stand beside his bed.

Voices drifted from beyond his door. He pushed himself to a sitting position just as the door opened.

Chen Xing entered, followed by Master Yongrun. Behind them came Lord Orvannis, accompanied by two guards. Lady Mei was there as well, with her own security detail.

"The triumphant warrior awakens," Chen Xing said with a slight smile. "How do you feel?"

"Like shit," Grim replied dryly. "What time is it?"

"Nearly noon," Yongrun answered. "You’ve been unconscious since yesterday’s match."

Lord Orvannis stepped forward. "A remarkable victory, Lord Ambrose. The capital speaks of little else."

Grim nodded in acknowledgment, then gestured to Sera. "Sera, refreshments for our guests."

Twenty minutes later, they had relocated to the study. He sat behind his desk, still pale but properly dressed, the weakness in his limbs were a heavy burden. The others arranged themselves around the room, with Lord Orvannis taking the chair directly opposite Grim.

Sera entered with a tray of refreshments, setting down delicate cups of steaming tea.

"I presume this isn’t merely a social call," Grim said once they were alone.

"Indeed not," Orvannis replied. "Recent events have reshaped the landscape of imperial politics. House Draykar faces trial this afternoon. House Luminaris has suffered a defeat. And House Ambrose..." he raised his cup in a small salute, "...rises once more."

Lady Mei interjected, "Our network reports Julius Luminaris spent most of last night in closed council with his remaining allies. He knows his position is weakened."

"Which brings us to the purpose of my visit," Orvannis continued. "You suggested a potential alliance between our houses. I’ve come to formalize that arrangement."

A subtle tension filled the room. This was what Grim had been working toward. Another noble house openly aligning with House Ambrose, shifting the balance of power in the capital.

"On what terms?" Grim asked carefully.

"Equal partnership," Orvannis replied. "We stand together against House Luminaris. We share intelligence, resources, and political support.

Grim considered this. "And in return?"

"I require only two things," Orvannis said. "First, a mutual defense pact. An attack on one house is considered an attack on both."

"Reasonable," Grim acknowledged. "And the second?"

Orvannis leaned forward slightly. "Knowledge of the technique you used against young Luminaris. The one that absorbed his mana. My house has collected sword techniques for generations, but I’ve never seen anything like that."

The room grew quiet. Even Chen Xing seemed surprised by the request.

After a moment’s consideration, Grim nodded. "Very well. But I have a condition of my own."

Orvannis raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

"I lead our new faction," Grim stated firmly. "House Ambrose takes precedence in all matters of policy and strategy. Your counsel will be valued, but final decisions rest with me."

A tense silence followed. Orvannis studied Grim carefully, weighing the young lord’s audacity against his recent accomplishments.

Finally, the older man smiled. "Bold. Very bold. But perhaps what the current climate requires." He nodded. "I accept your condition, Lord Ambrose. You’ll lead our faction."

"Then we have an agreement," Grim said. "The technique is called Celestial Mist: Absorption. The most advanced technique in the Celestial Mist style I know." freeweɓnovel.cøm

"Is it teachable?" Orvannis asked, his interest clearly piqued.

"Only if you’re an Ambrose," Grim replied flatly. "I won’t teach it to anyone."

Orvannis looked disappointed but nodded in understanding. "A pity, but not unexpected. The most powerful techniques are often thus."

"The entire fight was about creating conditions for the absorption," Grim explained. "By depleting my own reserves and provoking Max to overcommit, I created the perfect scenario."

Orvannis sat back, clearly intrigued. "A dangerous gambit. If he had recognized your strategy..."

"He would have switched to pure swordplay earlier, yes," Grim agreed. "But Max has always been proud just like his father."

"And if the absorption had failed?"

"Then we wouldn’t be having this conversation," Grim said simply.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Sera entered, bowing low. "My lord, Lady Lianna Levenhart and Lady Mira Luminaris request an audience."

Surprise rippled through the room.

"Send them in," Grim ordered after a moment’s hesitation.

Lianna entered first, her expression a mixture of concern and relief at seeing Grim upright. Behind her came Mira.

"Lady Lianna, Lady Mira," Grim greeted them with a formal nod. "This is unexpected."

"Forgive the intrusion," Lianna said, glancing at the assembled nobles. "We can return later if..."

"No," Grim cut in. "Please, join us. We were just concluding our business." He looked to Orvannis. Nodding his head to seal the pact.

Orvannis smiled, rising to his feet. Then turned to Lady Mei. "Will you be attending the trial, my dear?"

"Naturally," she replied. "One should always witness history firsthand."

They departed shortly after, leaving only Chen Xing, Yongrun, Lianna, and Mira with Grim.

"You shouldn’t be exerting yourself," Lianna admonished, moving quickly to his side. "Though I suppose near-death experiences are becoming something of a hobby for you."

"Politics waits for no man’s recovery," Grim replied, then turned his attention to Mira. "Now, Lady Mira. I must confess your presence here is... surprising."

Mira met his gaze directly, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. "I’ve come on my own behalf, not my father’s. Max is recovering, but his wounds were significant."

"I’m aware," Grim said neutrally.

"I’m not here to accuse," Mira clarified, leaning forward. The movement caused her already low-cut gown to reveal more of her skin than she needed to, a fact she seemed perfectly aware of as she maintained eye contact. "The tournament has its rules, and you adhered to them. I simply wanted to see for myself what kind of man defeats my brother and exposes our ally as a traitor in the span of two days."

"And what have you concluded?" he asked Mira, his expression remaining neutral.

"That you’re either extraordinarily lucky or frighteningly calculating," she replied, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone as she toyed with a pendant that hung just above her cleavage. "And I don’t believe in luck and the other is quite attractive."

Lianna broke the tension with a sardonic smile. "House Draykar’s trial begins in two hours. Will you attend, or have you had enough drama for one day?"

"Yes," Grim replied firmly, surprising both Chen Xing and Yongrun. "My absence would be noted and potentially seen as weakness or disinterest."

"But your condition..." Yongrun began.

"Is sufficient for me to sit and observe," Grim cut him off. "This is as much a part of the game as the tournament itself."

"Julius will be there," Chen Xing warned.

"All the more reason for me to attend," Grim replied. "I want him to see me watching as his ally falls."

"The trial will be brief," Mira said after a moment. "The evidence is overwhelming, after all."

Something in her tone caught Grim’s attention.

"Justice will be served," Grim replied carefully.

"Indeed it will," Mira agreed, her eyes never leaving his. "Justice always finds its way, Lord Ambrose. One way or another."

She rose. "I should take my leave." She offered a formal curtsy. "Thank you for receiving me, despite our... complicated family relations."

After she departed, Chen Xing exhaled sharply. "That was dangerous. Having a Luminaris in your home, in your weakened state..."

"Mira isn’t Julius," Grim replied. "She came to take my measure, nothing more."

"And to deliver a warning," Lianna added dryly. "She suspects something about the evidence against House Draykar. Though I suspect she was more interested in studying you than delivering threats. The Luminaris women have always had questionable taste."

Grim nodded. "She’s intelligent. More so than her brother." He glanced toward the window, where the imperial palace was visible in the distance. "But suspicion isn’t proof. And after today’s trial, House Draykar’s fate will be sealed regardless."

He rose from his chair. "Sera," he called, and she appeared almost instantly. "Prepare my formal attire. I have a trial to attend."

"You’re really going to attend?" Lianna asked, concern evident in her voice.

"I am," Grim confirmed. "This is the culmination of our first major move against Julius. I want to witness it personally." His eyes hardened. "And I want Julius to see me there, watching as his carefully constructed alliances begin to crumble."