30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 264

In the Empire, they could be likened to warlords or feudal kings, wielding immense influence, military power, and financial resources—houses whose legacies spanned generations, untouchable by most.

Among the countless noble families in the South, numbering in the tens of thousands, only nineteen could rightfully claim this title.

For the past twenty years, rumors had spread that merchants, guilds, and mercenaries were surpassing even the nobility in power. However, no matter how much those three factions grew, none could ever surpass the Great Nobles.

What were they, really?

[The Nobles Above Nobles.]

Even earning the nickname "The Impassable Wall," they were not ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) mere figureheads like the so-called Noble Council. They were the true rulers.

Quite literally, within their own domains, they wielded power akin to kings.

Of course, not every Great Noble House was defined by overwhelming military or economic strength. Some achieved their status through history, merit, or sheer achievements.

However, among the Great Nobles, the ten highest-ranking houses undoubtedly possessed unparalleled power.

One such house among them was none other than—

"Mordred."

Shk—

"Commonly known as 'Madness' Mordred. One of the rare noble houses blessed by a greater power, much like Galahad with the Blessing of the Lake, Lionel with the Lion King's Blessing, or Guinevere with... the Blessing of Root Crops."

"I feel like something’s off at the end there."

"Are you looking down on root crops?"

"...My favorite foods are potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn."

"I like them too."

Though the words were spoken in a joking manner, Simon’s expression remained deadly serious.

"Among the Great Nobles, they are without a doubt the most dangerous. Long ago, they received a blessing from some powerful being in exchange for power. Ever since, the Mordred bloodline has been able to commune with ghosts."

"Because of this, they possess various techniques that utilize the power of spirits, but at the same time, they constantly live with the risk of being possessed."

"As a result, everyone in the Mordred family is said to carry a perpetual state of madness."

"...That sounds less like a blessing and more like a curse."

"It’s apparently not a curse. It’s not inherently evil, and if controlled properly, they can gain immense strength from spirits."

"So, in other words, there’s always a risk that their powers will consume them?"

"......"

"No matter how I look at it, that’s a curse, not a blessing."

"Ahem!"

Simon inwardly agreed but wisely chose to keep his mouth shut.

Even speaking ill of a Great Noble behind their backs was dangerous.

If word of their conversation ever reached Mordred’s ears, even the Guild Association would crumble like a sandcastle.

"Hah... Regardless, as you can probably guess, Mordred is the most dangerous among the Great Nobles."

Simon’s expression screamed 'I want nothing to do with them.' Meanwhile, Ihan responded with nothing but mild indifference.

Not because he underestimated the Great Nobles.

But simply—

‘Ah, so that’s a thing, huh.’

‘No matter how terrifying ghosts may be... can they really be worse than humans?’

Ihan had long since decided that the truly terrifying ones were the living, not the dead.

‘Like those spellcasters who perform live human experiments, the ones who steal people’s faces, or that freak who's been alive for 400 years...’

See? Weren’t the living much more terrifying?

"...That’s just because you’ve only ever met the strangest people, Sir Ihan."

"That’s not the point. My point is, don’t be so scared. My goal is to take down that damned vampire, not to fight Mordred."

"W-Well, that’s true."

"If we do end up fighting them... well, can’t be helped."

"......"

"I said can’t be helped. Don’t look at me like that."

"...Sir Ihan, please."

Please understand that the Guild has nothing to do with this if something happens.

Simon’s tone was firm.

Ihan clicked his tongue.

"Tch, so cold."

As expected of a second-rate Hao Clan master, he had no loyalty.

It was an unusual situation.

***

Even before they reached the Mordred estate, Simon and the others had already been wary of them—as if they were absolutely certain of the danger.

And, in a way, that was only natural.

Twitch!

Flinch!

"Here! I feel something here!"

"It’s the exact same presence as that cursed blood Uncle gave me! It’s so clear...!"

The twins—or rather, the mystic beastkin siblings—were sounding the alarm with their Sixth Sense.

With such a powerful ability confirming their suspicions, how could they not be certain?

With their animalistic ears and tails exposed, the twins let out low growls.

Of course, to the average person, those growls wouldn’t seem insignificant at all.

[[Grrrr—!]]

Their combined aura, amplified by their abilities, was as fearsome as real wolves.

They looked cute, but anyone foolish enough to let their guard down...

Would lose a wrist in an instant.

Ever since they had entered Mordred’s domain, the twins had been in a constant battle stance.

Their bodies were already poised to spring forward at any moment.

However—

Thump!

"Tsk. You little brats are being a pain."

"???"

"???"

Before they could even react, a hand had grabbed the scruffs of their necks.

Pinned down in an instant.

The overwhelming pressure from that grip was so immense that they couldn’t even struggle.

They didn’t even seem to be angry about being restrained.

Like puppies caught by the scruff, they could only whimper softly.

"Maybe bringing them along was a mistake...."

It seemed that, due to their young age, they still struggled to control their emotions.

They didn’t just disobey orders—they outright rushed in without thinking.

"...Still, at least now we can be certain."

"That’s true, I suppose...?"

"Haa... this is a nightmare."

Simon grabbed his head in frustration.

Now that he was certain, it only made things worse.

"If vampires truly are hiding within Mordred’s ranks..."

"Or worse, if they’ve taken control of Mordred..."

"Do you have any idea how disastrous this could be?"

A union between ghosts and vampires—