Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System-Chapter 74: I am Baron Duval

The faint morning light filtered through the stained-glass windows, spilling into Sylvan’s bedroom.

Two Maids entered the room on light feet and began to clean up the utter mess. They were long accustomed to picking up these broken items every morning.

"My lord, it is time to get dressed."

The older Maid spoke in a low voice, holding the formal attire for the day.

Murphy got out of bed, imitating Sylvan’s usual posture as he spread his arms with a blank expression.

The Maids skillfully removed his nightrobe, revealing his naked body.

Throughout the process, Murphy neither deliberately looked away nor showed any discomfort, maintaining the distinctive noble attitude of treating servants as if they were invisible, like living tools.

This was precisely why he had carefully examined Sylvan’s body the night before. The Thousand-Faced Illusion required a perfect replication of every detail. Not even a mole on the chest or a scar on the waist could be off, lest these personal Maids discover the slightest flaw.

Just as a Maid was fastening the Silver Buttons of his formal attire, the door was gently pushed open.

The Former Lady Baron walked in, wearing a loose-fitting dress.

"Mother, why did you come in directly?"

Murphy imitated Sylvan’s displeased tone, his brows furrowed tightly.

The Former Lady Baron casually dismissed the Maids. Only after the door was closed did she say softly, "My child, today is an important day for you. Of course Mother had to come see you personally." She took a few steps closer, her fingers gently adjusting the collar of his attire. "After the succession ceremony, we must plan for the future of the territory. Viscount Hans won’t be causing any more trouble for now, and our relations with the Church Court have been smoothed over."

Murphy glanced imperceptibly at the slight bulge of her abdomen beneath her loose dress, sighing internally at the chaos of noble circles.

He responded in Sylvan’s usual tone, "I am naturally aware of all this. However, Mother, you seem to have been overworking yourself lately. It would be best to leave these matters to me."

"Only by working together, mother and son, can we restore the Duval Clan to its former glory." The Former Lady Baron gave a benevolent smile. "Remember, you must conduct yourself with decorum and grace at the ceremony today. Let everyone see the bearing of the Duval Clan’s rightful heir."

"Rest assured," Murphy replied, lifting his chin slightly. "I know what to do."

The Former Lady Baron nodded in satisfaction. After giving a few more instructions about the ceremony’s details, she turned and left.

Throughout the entire exchange, she didn’t notice anything unusual at all.

After all, people mostly identify others by their appearance and voice. Even a slight change in personality would simply be attributed to mood and stress.

Murphy finished dressing and, with the Maids’ help, completed his morning ablutions.

Then he pushed open the door and walked out.

Leo was waiting at the corner of the hallway.

This Knight’s Attendant, who had once pointed his sword at Murphy, now knelt respectfully on one knee. "My lord, congratulations on your succession today."

Murphy’s gaze fell on his empty right sleeve—the price he had paid for being ambushed while delivering a message for Sylvan.

He imitated Sylvan’s tone, speaking gently, "Rise. I remember your loyalty."

Leo looked up, his eyes shining with excitement. "It is my honor to serve you, my lord."

Afterward, Murphy encountered other followers in the long corridor, including Arthur and Luca.

The two followers bowed their heads in a respectful salute. Arthur looked as if he wanted to say something more but ultimately just said in a low voice, "May the Duval Territory regain its glory under your leadership."

Luca immediately followed, "May the Duval Territory regain its glory under your leadership."

Murphy also replied gently, "But of course."

At the top of the steps leading to the main hall, Rotton’s nephew, Lawrence, stood waiting with his head bowed.

The young man’s eyes still held a lingering grief, yet he forced himself to appear spirited as he paid his respects to the new Baron.

Murphy just gave a slight nod without saying much.

According to Sylvan, Lawrence should have died during the purge over the past six months. He only survived because the Former Lady Baron insisted on protecting him.

This incident also became one of the sources of the rift between Sylvan and his mother.

After entering the main hall, Murphy encountered many influential figures who had once held high positions in the Baron’s Castle: the Finance Officer, the Captain of the Guard, the Heads of the Internal Affairs Departments...

As well as the Sheriff, the Tax Officer, the mayor of New Wood Town, and the stewards of the various manors from outside the castle...

Now, they all bowed to him respectfully, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and sycophancy.

Among the crowd of manor stewards was Yor, looking much older, whom he hadn’t seen in over five years.

Murphy wanted to say something to Yor, but given Sylvan’s personality, he would never speak to a cripple like Yor, especially not one who was crippled because of the Twilight Mountain Range incident.

However, there were also some old faces he didn’t see.

For example, Old Jimmy—the father of Jimmy, who had been shot in the head right in front of Murphy—was nowhere to be seen.

He was likely dead.

Killed in Sylvan’s purge.

TAP. TAP.

Just then, Bernard the steward hurried forward and bowed deeply. "My lord, everything is ready. All the important figures within the Baron’s Domain have arrived."

By tradition, the succession ceremony of a mere Baron was considered a family affair. Thus, no other nobles or Bishops were invited to observe. The Noble Council and the Church Court only needed to be notified after the fact.

Everyone present today was one of the Duval Territory’s own.

Murphy nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the newly decorated main hall.

Deep red draperies embroidered with the Duval Clan’s crest of mountains and rivers hung from the vaulted ceiling. The candles on the silver candelabras brightly illuminated the entire space.

The guests stood in order of rank and status, leaving an open space at the very front where a throne and a Scepter, symbols of the Baron’s authority, were placed.

At that moment, the Former Lady Baron walked slowly into the main hall, supported by her Maid.

She had deliberately changed into a deep blue formal gown for the occasion. Although the dress was still loose-fitting, her every movement exuded a noble air.

Her gaze fell upon Murphy in the center, and she gave him a slight nod.

Following protocol, Murphy bowed to the Former Lady Baron.

Seeing this, Bernard immediately raised his voice, "The succession ceremony for Baron Duval begins now!"

The Master of Ceremonies walked to the center of the hall, unfurled a parchment scroll in his hands, and began to proclaim the history and achievements of the Duval Clan in a resonant voice.

From the first Baron who was enfeoffed as a Pioneer Knight, the merits of each successive Lord were listed one by one.

Murphy stood in the center, his expression calm, but inwardly he was rapidly recalling every detail Sylvan had briefed him on.

"...And so, in the name of our ancestors, we bear witness to Sylvan Duval succeeding to the title of Baron!"

As the Master of Ceremonies’ voice faded, the Former Lady Baron slowly stepped forward.

She took the Scepter, the symbol of the Lord’s authority, from an Attendant and turned solemnly to Murphy.

"Sylvan Duval, my son," her voice was clear and steady, "today, I entrust the authority of the Duval Territory to you. May the wisdom of your ancestors guide you, and may this land prosper under your rule."

Murphy knelt on one knee and lowered his head to accept the Scepter.

The heavy Scepter was cool to the touch, and the Duval Clan’s engraved crest of mountains and rivers pressed uncomfortably into his palm.

But in that moment, he could feel the eyes of everyone in the hall focused on him.

"I, Sylvan Duval, do hereby swear," Murphy raised his head, imitating Sylvan’s tone as his voice echoed through the hall, "that I will uphold the duties of a Lord, guard every inch of the Duval Territory, and protect every one of my subjects."

Next was the vassals’ pledge of fealty.

Leo was the first to step forward. He knelt on one knee, and though the loss of his right arm made the movement slightly clumsy, he still held his sword horizontally before his chest. "On my honor as a Knight, I swear my allegiance to you, Baron Duval."

After him came the other followers—Arthur, Luca, and Lawrence among them.

A total of fifteen followers came forward one by one to swear their oaths, each with perhaps different thoughts in their hearts.

But in that moment, there was only solemnity and reverence.

The oaths of the various officials followed.

When everything was finished, the Former Lady Baron placed the ring symbolizing the status of a Lord on Murphy’s finger.

Bernard immediately cried out, "The ceremony is complete! All hail Baron Sylvan Duval!"

The entire hall responded in unison: "All hail the Lord Baron!"

The sound wave echoed through the hall as Murphy slowly rose, Scepter in hand, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

In this moment, in the eyes of the world, he was no longer Murphy the humble Groom, but the new Baron of the Duval Territory.

[Seeker adrift in the mortal world, destiny has manifested two vastly different paths to supremacy before you.]

[Option 1: On a dark and windy night, a shadowy figure slips into Lingyun Pavilion like a phantom and abducts the designated successor. The next day, the new Pavilion Master appears before all, purging the pavilion’s affairs with an iron fist and rooting out long-standing corruption. In merely five years, Lingyun Pavilion’s prestige is restored, its former decline completely erased, and it once again stands tall in the Jianghu.]

[Reward: Building Strength and Endurance "Entering the Hall"]

[Option 2: A shadowy figure quietly infiltrates Lingyun Pavilion, abducts the designated heir, and takes their place. For the next twenty years, the new Pavilion Master appears to follow the rules, but secretly siphons all the pavilion’s resources for themself, gradually hollowing out Lingyun Pavilion’s foundation through subterfuge. When the time is ripe, although Lingyun Pavilion still exists, it is no longer the one founded by the original Pavilion Master. Nearly three hundred years of legacy are thus severed.]

[Reward: Breathing and Guiding Technique "Slightly Accomplished"]

’After half a year, it’s finally here?’

Murphy glanced at the options. ’Is there even a choice?’

’Revitalizing the Baron’s Domain is impossible.’

’Absolutely impossible.’

’Then I’ll just have to reluctantly choose to dig up the Baron’s Castle’s foundations.’

’But twenty years... ’

’Such an incredibly long time.’

...

「Three months later」

At dawn on a spring day, with the morning dew still fresh, the Former Lady Baron successfully gave birth to a daughter.

The birth was unexpectedly smooth, causing the mother very little pain. The midwife who delivered the baby was amazed, calling it a good omen blessed by Oriane.

The baby’s cry was also clear and pleasant, like the chirping of birds at daybreak.

Following noble tradition, Murphy named the baby girl "Aurora," symbolizing dawn and hope, and entrusting her with the best wishes for the territory’s future.

Publicly, the castle officially announced that she was the posthumous child of the late Baron, conceived before his death.

As the news spread, the commoners all talked about the girl born with a good omen, as if she could truly bring a new Dawn to this long-suffering land.

However, when it came to preparing a celebration, Murphy clashed with the Former Lady Baron.

Adopting Sylvan’s attitude, he pointed at the numbers in the account book and said sharply, "The territory’s finances are already stretched thin! Where would we find the spare resources to hold a celebration?"

Hearing this, the Former Lady Baron’s expression immediately darkened.

She clutched the baby in her arms, her voice icy. "When that bastard was born, the entire city celebrated for three days! My daughter, your own sister, why can’t she have a proper celebration?"

The "bastard," naturally, referred to Kelvin’s daughter, Cecilia.

Murphy was silent for a moment before leaving the room with a sullen expression.

Afterward, the celebration was held as planned. It took place not only within the castle but outside as well, lasting for a full seven days.