Chapter 212: The Storm at Lord Falek

This bracer wasn't particularly elegant or beautiful, but as everyone frowned in confusion, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a magical artifact—its name is the Windrunner Bracer. Wearing it makes your sword swings faster; I spent eighty gold coins to buy it from the capital!"

"It's a magical ornament?" The surrounding nobles erupted in murmurs.

Lord Leo's expression darkened further, yet he refused to back down.

"Eighty gold coins? Probably just a showpiece. The inscriptions are loose and sloppy—clearly low-grade. It might barely grant a bronze knight a tenth of a speed boost!"

And indeed, Lord Leo had hit the mark.

It was a beginner mage's practice piece, with extremely loose inscriptions and the lowest-quality magical paint.

This thing was bought purely to satisfy the vanity of minor nobles.

After all, even the worst of it was still a magical ornament.

A true standard enchantment, by contrast, must at least enhance a bronze knight's abilities by thirty percent.

Naturally, such items cost far more—starting at one hundred and seventy gold coins.

Thus, Ellis's artifact, which only boosted ability by ten percent, was truly empty show.

But Ellis didn't care at all—he continued mocking, "Hah! Even a tenth boost is better than your staff, forged by some apprentice you can't even name!"

"You—" Lord Leo trembled with rage, but had no retort.

He couldn't reveal who truly forged his staff, and the moment Ellis produced a magical ornament, he'd already been outclassed.

Yet just then, a voice came from beside Lord Leo: "My lord, you instructed me to bring the newly acquired miraculous telescope you wished to show off at the banquet—surely you haven't forgotten?"

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, the nobles at the table turned to look, seeing Cooper holding a copper tube, bowing respectfully toward Lord Leo.

Lord Leo stared at his servant, equally puzzled.

Fortunately, Cooper was thorough—he didn't let the confusion linger, and immediately explained, "My lord, your single-tube telescope, rivaling magical artifacts, will surely outshine Lord Ellis's ornament!"

"It brings distant objects—up to a hundred meters away—into crystal-clear view, as if right before your eyes!"

"You said when we departed that gazing across the boundless sea from the terrace of Lord Falek's estate would be an unmatched pleasure!"

"Oh? You brought it? I nearly forgot!" Lord Leo accepted the tube, half-skeptical.

Yet his doubt hadn't faded—it deepened.

He trusted Cooper's loyalty.

But was Cooper's claim credible?

"Lord Ellis, what's this? Your servant dares interrupt our conversation? Is this not a grave breach of decorum?" Ellis fixed his gaze on the copper tube in Lord Leo's hand.

Inside, he was startled and uneasy.

Did Leo really have something so miraculous?

He thought Leo was bluffing, yet since Leo had already produced it publicly, his confidence wavered.

"Lord Ellis, what breach of decorum? My servant merely reminded me at the right moment—that's what a loyal retainer should do!"

"By the way, you're not afraid of my single-tube… telescope, are you?"

Lord Leo had been uncertain himself, but seeing Ellis's nervous expression, he finally relaxed.

Whether true or false, there was no turning back now!

"Hmph! Afraid? Pulling distant objects close? Don't joke—no ordinary copper tube could do that, not even a magical artifact!"

"Hah! Lord Ellis, I won't say you're wrong—our glorious continent is vast, its races countless. No one dares claim omniscience!"

"So your ignorance doesn't prove such a device doesn't exist!"

"Hmph! I admit my ignorance—then prove it to me, Lord Leo!"

Hearing Ellis's rebuttal, Lord Leo glanced at Cooper.

Cooper gave a firm nod, reaffirming his confidence.

"Very well—I'll prove it to you. But this place is too cramped. Let's go outside the estate."

Thus, the nobles all moved toward the estate's outer grounds.

Though Lord Falek held the title of viscount,

he was the second son of a count's family, and his estate stood on a cliff overlooking the sea, with splendid views—standing on the garden's side terrace, one could gaze directly at the shore and rocks.

Lord Leo slowed his pace, giving Cooper time to whisper the device's usage.

"Cooper, are you certain this copper tube is truly that miraculous?" Lord Leo finally asked.

"My lord, rest assured—this single-tube telescope is truly miraculous!"

Recalling his own shock upon first seeing it, Cooper gave an unhesitating affirmation.

He'd never had the chance to meet Lord Leo before, so he'd never been able to promote this telescope for Gervas.

Now, this was the perfect opportunity—and he could display it before even more nobles.

Lord Leo finally felt at ease.

Soon, they reached the terrace. Lord Leo stepped to the edge, stretched the copper tube as Cooper had taught, aimed it at the coconut grove below, and pressed it to his eye.

In the next instant, Lord Leo froze—then displayed the classic three-step reaction all nobles exhibited upon first seeing the telescope.

Of course, his astonishment was utterly unmasked.

This spectacle left several nearby nobles utterly baffled.

"Lord Leo, are you done? If this is a fraud, just admit it honestly—we'll understand you lied out of shame!"

"So stop wasting our time with these strange antics!"

Seeing this, Ellis's uncertainty vanished—he believed Leo was stalling.

But he didn't realize his voice had jolted Lord Leo back to reality.

Reluctantly lowering the telescope, Leo turned to him.

Lord Leo smiled brightly. "Ellis, I told you—you lack vision. Beyond magical artifacts, this world holds countless wonders—like this single-tube telescope in my hand!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, to prove I'm not lying, come and experience this wonder yourselves!"

Lord Leo handed the telescope to several nobles.

Letting them feel its marvel firsthand was far more effective than any words.

The nobles took the telescope one by one, each taking their turn.

What followed needed no description—each noble trembled violently, as if possessed by magic.