Founder Of The Greatest Noble Family-Chapter 71:How Is It Possible For You To Reach 10th Rank?

Roland stared at the blade still gleaming in Erina’s hand, its edge lowered but not sheathed. Her expression had changed not from fear, but from suspicion.

The shift startled him.

He had expected her to be cautious at first, then overawed once he revealed himself. Instead, she looked more guarded, her posture rigid and eyes coldly evaluating.

Question marks filled Roland’s thoughts as his brow furrowed.

’Why is she still acting like I’m the threat?’

He had tried to keep his ascension subtle, but after that vortex... it was pointless to hide. He thought flexing his power a little might command respect—maybe a touch of fear—but instead it triggered the opposite reaction.

And she wasn’t some random noble’s daughter either.

Roland remembered her well, Erina Wellington. During the military march in the last year of his training , she had led several drills herself, fierce and relentless. Back then, he had blended in like a shadow, but he saw everything. She was dangerous, smart, and definitely not someone easily fooled.

His thoughts sharpened as he took a small breath and asked flatly, "Ma’am Erina, what’s the meaning behind this? Are you planning to attack now?"

His arm reflexively pushed Janet behind him. She let out a soft gasp but didn’t protest. Understanding the tension, she stayed quiet, trusting him.

Erina’s gaze remained fixed. Her next words cut like ice.

"How can I not doubt you?"

Roland’s eyes narrowed.

"Someone with no noble support, no past military glory, suddenly becomes a Transcendent Knight? I might believe you are reaching the Ninth Rank but to step into the Tenth?" Her tone was sharp, almost accusatory.

"Do you have any idea how much time, resources, and effort that requires? Even nobles with royal favor take decades."

Roland clenched his jaw.

"And here’s the other thing," she added, voice dangerously quiet. "While the rest of the baronies are suffering—beast tide, cultists, plagues—your little estate is as calm as a morning lake."

Her eyes flared with a chilling glare. "So what if you’re the reason behind the chaos elsewhere? What if you’ve struck a deal with the demon worshippers for protection and strength?"

Her words were a dagger to his gut.

Roland’s face twitched. His usual calm cracked, and for the first time, he genuinely lost his temper.

"What the fuck?" he snapped inwardly. The absurdity of the accusation made his blood boil. A wave of heat surged through his chest as cold sweat broke on his neck.

’I need to fix this. Now.’

His voice dropped, but the weight behind his words was hard.

"Miss Erina, I swear..I am not one of them. I’ve never been."

He spread his arms slightly. "I earned my resources through honest trade. I make wine, tools, refined crafts, and I sell them outside. I earn gold. With gold, I bought elixirs and scrolls from merchant routes."

His eyes held hers without blinking. "And if you think I’ve used anything unholy to ascend then bring the Church."

Roland’s voice rang clear. "Evil energy doesn’t hide under holy light. Call the priests. Let them scan me. Right here. Right now."

That stunned her.

Erina’s hand trembled slightly on her sword. Her suspicion hadn’t vanished, but Roland’s open defiance and directness made her hesitate. It was rare for guilty men to demand divine investigation.

After a tense pause, she lowered the blade slightly.

"Alright," she said quietly, "Let’s proceed. But if you’ve lied to me..."

"I haven’t," Roland cut in and snorted inwardly.’

’Even if I did what can you do.At this stage I can kill you with a snap.’

His tone carried steel. The kind that doesn’t bend even under pressure.

.....

Within the hour, the estate bustled like a shaken beehive.

Priests from the Church of Life descended in white robes, carrying artifacts and staff blessed by divine light. Soldiers surrounded the perimeter of the estate, standing watch, while others combed through the village outskirts and woods.

Erina had issued strict orders for non-violence, but the weight of the inspection hung over every household. Villagers, confused and fearful, began to panic.

At the village square, people gathered and voices rose.

"Why are they here?"

"Are we under attack?"

"They say they’re looking for criminals!"

Children cried, livestock scattered, and murmurs turned to unrest.

But Roland’s decree came quickly.

His messengers rang bells and posted notices: "This is a formal investigation sanctioned by the kingdom. Please cooperate. Those who resist may be suspected. However—any harm to the villagers by outside forces will not be tolerated."

The message was clear.

And with that one line, the Wellington legion backed off tense, but restrained.

Soon,every inch of the village was searched for.The knights and priest looked all around to see any signs of evil things.

However they were quite suprised..

’’Is this really a village?’

’’The roads and sewage disposal system is even better than some cities.."

"Hmm!What do you know?Sir Roland cares about ordinary people like us and personally sends people to check roads each season."

The knights, not knowing what to say, asked the priest to proceed with the investigation.

.....

Back in the estate, the main chamber had been cleared.

Roland stood shirtless in the center of a ritual circle, surrounded by three senior priests from the Church of Life. Their hands moved in slow, rhythmic gestures as a pale, golden light began to swirl between them. The aura of divinity grew stronger with each chant, filling the room with a sacred warmth that made even the toughest knights step back.

Erina stood at the edge of the room, arms folded, staring at the ritual.

The lead priest’s eyes glowed faintly as he summoned a beam of holy energy and extended it toward Roland. The golden stream flowed directly into his chest.

The room held its breath.

The light trembled, then shimmered—

And remained pure.

No darkness. No distortion. No rejection.

The second priest chanted and poured another layer. Then the third. A layered matrix of holy energies washed over Roland, searching, testing, purifying.

And yet...

Nothing. Not a hint of evil.

Instead, the light embraced him, even brightened, as if recognizing the strength within him was not corrupted but refined.

The high priest finally stepped back, voice solemn. "He is clean."

"Completely?" Erina asked, almost not trusting her ears.

"Beyond any shadow of doubt," the priest confirmed. "There is no trace of demonic energy. In fact..." He looked at Roland with reverence. "The purity of his Qi is higher than many High Knights we’ve seen. His soul... is tempered, untainted."

Erina fell silent.

For a long while, she stared at Roland. Her grip on her sword finally loosened.

The truth had hit her harder than a sword strike.

She had doubted an innocent man. Worse, she nearly attacked him during one of the most critical moments of his life. Had she succeeded in disrupting the breakthrough...

She closed her eyes and breathed slowly.

"...I see," she said, voice barely above a whisper.

Roland didn’t gloat. He didn’t sneer. He simply pulled on his robe, covering his torso, and nodded to the priest.

"Thank you," he said, voice calm again.

Janet approached quietly and stood beside him, gently clutching his arm. Erina looked at them both. A man—noble in action, powerful in strength, and steady in spirit—and his wife who stood for him against all odds.

She lowered her head.

"...I apologize," Erina said bowing her head.

Roland paused.

Then he smiled faintly.

"Well, now that that’s cleared... Perhaps we should talk properly, Lady Erina."