I Level Up Dragons with My Evolution System-Chapter 99: Meeting of Nobles (1)

The individuals in question were two fourth-year men, currently 4-star students. They belonged to the 85th Regiment, but preferred to work alone for personal reasons.

They were brothers born on the same day, but not of the same mother.

Albey and Andre.

One belonged to the Convergence Group and the other to the Information Group.

They didn’t waste much time and set off immediately, as they had a long journey ahead of them.

"We were informed that the vampires had managed to bribe a few low-ranking nobles, so we’ll first go to the party taking place three days from now in the evening," said Edward.

Albey and Andre nodded in agreement. "Should we infiltrate that small party?"

"That’s what we’ll do. These minor nobles are being used and manipulated, but at the end of the day, they’re traitors. They’re paid handsomely to carry out their misdeeds, so we need to find out what’s going on from the inside."

"We don’t do much undercover work," said Andre, the intelligence officer. "But we can assist you with information from the outside."

"We’ll handle the infiltration. We’re not very good at it, but we know the city very well. I want you guys to take care of observing suspects from the inside," Aurora said. "I’ll figure out a way to infiltrate you. I don’t want you to look for traitors; I want you to focus on those who might have vampire traits."

Searching for vampires wasn’t going to be an easy task, because—aside from their energy, their complexion, and a slight difference in their teeth—they look exactly like humans. That’s why they needed someone to take care of it.

Albey and Andre agreed. They then went on to explain the plan in greater detail, and the journey went smoothly.

--

Silver Ash City.

Night.

Although the night hours aren’t usually very busy in this city, today the streets were unusually crowded with people. Even though it was a bit strange, the time of year called for these festivities.

This week marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of Silver Ash City, and everyone was celebrating; the city’s leader, Lord Roger Ashford, was presiding over the festivities.

But, far from the public eye, in a small nightclub frequented by the nobility, the young heirs of minor noble houses had decided to hold their own celebration today.

This was peculiar, at least in the eyes of Harry Smith, son of Viscount Smith.

Why choose such a secluded place to hold a party for nobles? He had been invited here by one noble of high rank, who claimed that several important people would be in attendance.

Among them were the Iron Baron and the heir to Viscount Presley.

As the heir to a noble family that had been in decline for over a century, he had to come here to network. Although he encountered some setbacks on the way, he had finally arrived.

And the whole time, one thought kept running through his mind: Shouldn’t they take the opportunity to throw a party in a more glamorous venue?

Perhaps in one of the grand halls of silver; while they weren’t the most prestigious, for a group of middle-ranking nobles like them, it was a good option.

Why in such a desolate place?

’Forget it. Let’s go say hello to the host,’ he told himself and continued walking through the hall.

"Young Lord Harry, you’ve come." A man approached from the side—Baron London.

Harry turned around and gave him a respectful nod. "Baron London, thank you for your invitation. I came as soon as I could; I hope I’m not too late."

"Haha, Young Lord Harry, even if you’re late, it’s no problem, and we’d be honored. You are one of our stars, after all. Please, come with me; I’ll introduce you to the hosts."

Although Harry was respectful on the outside, inside he snorted derisively. ’Lying bastard. What do you mean, a star? Look around you—everyone’s looking at me with disdain!’ He shook his head.

There was nothing he could do. Not to mention the fact that the Smith family had recently fallen on hard times and lost all ties to the high nobility; they had even had to sell off many of their estates to cover family expenses.

They were ruined; any baronial family in the hall was better off than the Smiths.

Moreover, he wasn’t even the Smiths’ legitimate heir. He had risen to the position after his twelve brothers had tragically died fighting dangerous beasts. With no clear successor, there was no choice but to give it to him, the despised son of the Smith family.

He followed Baron London, who led him to the grand music and dance hall. Most of the nobles were gathered here, as this was where the meeting—the reason for their invitation—was to take place.

Supposedly, a matter of great benefit to Silver Ash City and the surrounding territories was to be discussed, sponsored by the Iron Baron himself and the Heir to Viscount Presley.

Off to one side of the ballroom was a secluded room. Upon entering, they found a table with seven seats. Four were occupied by well-known figures.

"Gentlemen, I have brought Young Lord Harry," Baron London greeted them.

Harry Smith recognized three of them and proceeded to act with restraint.

"Greetings, Iron Baron, Lord Larry Presley, and General Jake. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

General Jake was the first to respond with a hearty laugh. "Young Harry, I haven’t seen you in nearly ten years. You’ve really grown. How is your father?"

"I’ll call you Harry, okay? We’re the same age; we don’t need to use so many unnecessary titles," said Larry Presley amiably.

The Iron Baron nodded.

After Harry exchanged some small talk with the first two, he proceeded to sit down. ’Did they set a chair for me at this table?’ Harry was surprised, but he didn’t show it.

Baron London sat down as well. Six in all.

’Who could it be?’ Harry looked questioningly at the other man; he didn’t recognize him. He was wearing a classic red suit with gold and black trim.

Unable to recognize him even after looking more closely, Harry glanced at the other chair.

’Who could it be for?’ Harry couldn’t think of a single person who could match the stature of the men sitting before him.

A high-ranking general. The most famous baron in the province, the heir to a prestigious family of viscounts, and Baron London, a renowned merchant in the kingdom who deals in silver and bought his title with money.

And then there was him. He had no idea why he was here, but he was.

’Well, if I’m here, I guess any of the people I saw outside could be next.’ Harry scoffed at himself and stopped thinking such nonsense.

"The Lord isn’t here yet. And since we’re all here now, how about we start talking about the main topic?" General Jake said suddenly, drawing everyone’s attention.