What? I Actually Reincarnated As Stepping Stone In Another World?

In the city square of Rozen, all the leaders of the Luvic noble families had gathered.

They stood in a neat line, with three men representing the three high-ranking Luvic families in the south at the forefront. The middle row was filled with middle-level Luvic noble leaders, who were quite numerous.

In the back row, there was a line of low-level Luvic family leaders, making up almost 70% of the Luvic noble families in the southern region.

Lucas Weis, one of the three high Luvic nobles, stood on the right with his young daughter Anna Weis next to him.

Standing in the center was a middle-aged man with short black hair. His face looked stern and dignified, as if he had spent decades on the battlefield. This was Roy Valha, the leader of the Valha family, a high-ranking Luvic noble family known for its military focus.

The Valha family was one of the three high-ranking Luvic noble families in the south.

Compared to the other two Luvic noble families, the Valha family was very close to Duke Asvold's mansion. This was because the then-leader of the Asvold family had entrusted the Valha family as a military family responsible for protecting the southern region with millions of soldiers.

In a way, the Valha family was the pillar of the southern region when facing attacks from other empires attempting to invade the Balka Empire from the south.

The Valha family's loyalty was unquestionable, as their founder had sworn an oath of allegiance to the Asvold family, which made them a trustworthy and dependable family.

The last person on the left was a handsome young man with thin glasses on his face, who happened to be the leader of the Allen family, Brian Allen, a high-ranking Luvic noble family.

The Allen family was known for their intelligence and power in the information department, making them the eyes and brains of the southern region as no one could escape their surveillance.

Currently, the three of them stand side by side without initiating any conversation. It was not because their relationship was bad, but rather because they didn't dare to speak as there was an extremely luxurious throne with sparkling golden patterns floating in the sky above them.

The sudden appearance of the golden throne shocked everyone present, and they felt overwhelming pressure. Although no one sat on the throne, they were all too intimidated to speak.

"Has everyone gathered?" The majestic voice rang throughout the Rozen region, causing fear to spread among the people.

The pressure emanating from the throne made it difficult for anyone to move as they all gazed up at the sky.

The Luvic nobles lined up in front also trembled with fear, but Lucas Weis, Roy Valha, and Brian Allen managed to resist the aura to some extent, being early-stage Elemental Saints.

However, a closer look would reveal that even they were not completely at ease.

Suddenly, a man in a red robe adorned with blazing flame patterns appeared before the throne, catching the attention of everyone in Rozen.

He held a red sword with flame patterns on its scabbard and had fiery red hair that seemed to burn like a flame, with eyes that could set the entire Rozen ablaze.

At the sight of him, one word came to everyone's mind:

"What a majestic figure!"

Suddenly,

"Greetings to Lord Duke!" Brian Allen, Roy Valha, and Lucas Weis immediately bowed with one leg bent and saluted David, who was floating in front of the throne.

Hearing this, all the Luvic nobles behind them and the people in Rozen also immediately bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Lord Duke!" The sound of the salute echoed throughout the Rozen region, which was truly amazing.

David, who saw this, nodded, and his face did not show any emotional turmoil at all. Immediately, he sat on the throne and looked at the Luvic nobles present.

"All of you, get up," David said lightly, but to everyone present, this was the absolute order of a ruler.

Hearing this, everyone present immediately stood up and couldn't help but stare at this majestic figure of the southern region, especially the people of Rozen, who had never seen this legendary figure and the pinnacle of the southern region.

After all, David had never appeared before his people since he took the Duke's throne. He rarely interacted with the people of the southern region and delegated all his responsibilities to his subordinates.

"Truly, the great figure of the South is very powerful!"

"Worthy of being the leader of the southern region and a true pinnacle of power!"

The people of Rozen whispered and couldn't help but admire their leader.

Dard, who was the leader of Rozen, was in the company of low-level Luvic nobles and felt cold at the moment. He was also a low-level Luvic and was entrusted to lead Rozen, the capital of the southern region. Of course, he was just a puppet used to watch over Rozen and had no real power or authority.

However, he used his empty power to blackmail various merchants and other people for his personal and family benefits.

He always did this clandestinely, thinking that it wouldn't be long before Rozen would fall into his and his family's hands.

However, the incident with Arthur getting injured scared him to death!

After all, only he knew that Arthur, the little boy, was the heir to Duke Asvold and was injured in Rozen's territory!

As a result of Arthur's injury and the subsequent investigation, Duke Asvold's mansion began to oversee the Rozen region, leading to the exposure of all the crimes committed by him.

His violence, blackmail, and abuse of power led to his removal as the leader of the Rozen territory.

What's more, the little girl who was Duke Asvold's heir turned out to be no ordinary girl!

She was the daughter of Emperor Balka and the first princess of the Balka Empire, Lucia Balka!

This made him really feel that he was finished now because Princess Lucia said coldly just before leaving, "Your attitude really makes me disgusted."

Of course, hearing this, he felt that his death would not be long in addition to the punishment for his crimes; perhaps only a few more days before his punishment and his family's noble status were revoked.

"Damn it! I don't want to die!" Dard shouted inwardly and regretted doing so.

The reason he hadn't been punished yet was that Duke Asvold had given an invitation to all Luvic nobles in the south, and his family, who were low-level Luvic nobles, also accepted.

"I have to find a way to escape!"

"No matter what, my top priority is to escape from the south and head north."

Dard muttered to himself and clenched his palms.

He didn't care about his family, and his main thought was to escape.

"Thank you, everyone, for your presence." David looked at the crowd of Luvic nobles and people present and expressed gratitude.

"All is our duty, Lord Duke." The Luvic nobles spoke in unison as if they were one person.

The people in attendance were grateful for the Duke's show of appreciation, particularly those who held the Duke in high regard.

David nodded and continued, "Today is a special day because it is the day of the awakening of our new generation."

"However, this year is quite special and different from previous years."

David stopped speaking and did not continue.

It was as if the next sentence was very important.

Hearing this, the Luvic nobles and Rozen people present pricked up their ears and waited with a strong sense of curiosity within them.

David smiled slightly and continued.

"That's because I have something important to say."

Everyone present, especially the Luvic nobles, felt their hearts skip a beat.

"It's because..."