From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

After the Duke's funeral had concluded, the crowds that had converged from all corners of the country gradually dissipated. Their presence had made the city unbearably congested, but their departure left behind many matters to be dealt with.

Although it was just a grand funeral, organizing it took as much time as commanding a battle.

Inside the mansion's great hall, the members of the Romann and Fischer families all turned their attention to Aldrich, having just witnessed something peculiar.

That was Aldrich and King Cyart's lengthy private conversation, which, for reasons unknown, ended with Cyart leaving the funeral visibly upset.

Given King Cyart's known favoritism towards the Romann family, Aldrich must have said something quite offensive to anger the King.

Byrne was very curious and asked Aldrich, "Lord Aldrich, what exactly did you say just now? Why did you anger His Majesty?"

He remembered Aldrich as a man full of wisdom and high emotional intelligence, who never easily lost his temper nor provoked those around him.

Such a person choosing to anger King Cyart surely had a crucial reason.

Aldrich pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "I merely mentioned that the family's situation had changed greatly and that Amos was about to make a breakthrough as a Monarch and couldn't travel to the Royal Capital for the time being."

He calmly continued, "But King Cyart became unstable just hearing this, growing more and more irate until he finally didn't want to hear another word and stormed off."

People looked at each other, and Ariel said after a long silence, "So, did you just refuse His Majesty's invitation?"

Aldrich shook his head and replied, "Indeed, I did."

"The current situation feels amiss. I think we shouldn't go to the Royal Capital. It would be best for the members of the Romann family to stay in Emerald Lake Province for the time being, and if possible, not to leave the city at all."

Zayne couldn't help but say, "Although Cyart is a relatively loose country, the King of Cyart is still the most powerful and influential noble leader. He openly declared his protection over the weakening Romann family during the funeral, and you've immediately affronted him."

He stopped there without finishing, and Ariel asked with a frown,

"Aldrich, did you perhaps give this too little thought? Shouldn't the Romann family be seeking good graces with King Cyart especially at this moment?"

Aldrich insisted, "Sorry, but I truly feel that there's something off about King Cyart's situation, so I refused his request."

Looking resolutely at everyone, there was undeniable determination in his eyes.

"I can't produce any concrete evidence. It is only my vast experience and intuition, along with certain subtle clues, that have alerted me to danger. If the Romann family really accepted the invitation to the Royal Capital, it's highly likely that something bad would happen."

After hearing what could not really be called reasons, everyone could only exchange glances, but ultimately, Ariel nodded.

"Aldrich, your judgment has always been spot-on, so I'll trust you this time, but next time, you better listen to my advice before making a decision."

"Thank you," said Aldrich, finally letting out a sigh of relief as he nodded lightly.

Though offending King Cyart seemed unwise, Aldrich's wisdom was always high, a fact even Ariel acknowledged.

Therefore, his refusal must have its reasons, and deep down, everyone was inclined to believe just that.

Aldrich then turned to Byrne, nodding very seriously and respectfully, "The best time would probably be in a year. Your Excellency Bain, please come to assist Amos in his Monarch breakthrough then."

Byrne nodded in understanding, "Alright, I see. During this year, let's all be cautious and vigilant."

"This period will be the Romann family's most vulnerable."

Once the members of the Fischer family returned to the East Coast, they first visited Fein City and then took the train back to Nasir City.

As they disembarked, they found the station swarming with people, and many citizens of Nasir City lined up to welcome them, eyes aglow with admiration.

The people of Nasir City regarded the rising Fischer family as a heroic family. Virtually everyone in the city, regardless of age or gender, held them in high esteem.

After all, without the efforts of the Fischer family, the citizens of Nasir would not have their current lives, a sentiment that every Nasir citizen recognized.

Byrne didn't leave immediately upon exiting the train but instead surveyed the station's situation and nodded lightly.

"The situation isn't bad."

Currently, the 2nd and 3rd railways are under construction, both originating from Nasir City. One leads to the towns in the Sunrise Lake area, while the other, much longer, extends directly to Phelps Port in the Southern East Coast Province. Find adventures on empire

If both railways could be completed, the development speed of the East Coast Province would ascend to a new level. At present, other provinces in Cyart are still in the initial stages of railway construction, and the railway from Fein City to Nasir City remains the only line in Cyart.

It was at this moment that Byrne and company saw Theo coming to greet them.

The elderly butler, still sprightly, walked up calmly and produced a letter.

"His Excellency Byrne, you have a letter."

"Who is it from?"

The butler nodded and said, "It's a letter from Mr. Kano."

Byrne was momentarily taken aback, then nodded lightly and said, "I understand."

Upon opening the envelope and reading its contents, his brow furrowed immediately. What Kano had written was indeed too horrifying.

"What on earth is this about..."

Byrne was well aware of Kano's character. Although unsuitable for any group, his judgment and the extraordinary power he possessed were beyond question.

"From where does the danger come?"

——

Inside the Fischer family estate, Felix, Byrne's grandson and Darren's eldest son, was sitting upright in his seat, seriously assembling a new mechanical clock.

"Whew... Done."

He had mastered a little more of the Power of Consecution of the 2nd Rank and felt that in no more than two years, he could attempt the ascension ceremony to the 3rd Rank of the Path of Reforging.

Cold sweat had broken out on his forehead. He reached up subconsciously to touch it and found it strange at heart. For some reason, these past few days, he'd been restless deep inside, and he kept having strange dreams.

In those dreams, Felix often saw many springs and treads, as well as an abundance of gears spread across the sky.

Underneath his feet was a desolate earth, full of steel and stone.

Those springs, treads, and gears made Felix's breathing oppressive. He always felt as if he could merge with them at any moment.

He didn't understand what these dreams meant.

What did they mean, exactly?

However, after each dream, Felix would wake up feeling spiritually weak and physically exhausted, as if he had been through a battle.

He knew something was very wrong but didn't know the exact reason.

"What's happening to me? Why do I keep having these dreams?"

He raised his hand calmly, and suddenly noticed something very strange, even hair-raising.

A golden gear mark with a metallic texture was slowly emerging on the palm of his hand, seemingly a symbolic mark of the new True God, the Master of Reforging.

What shocked Felix the most, however, was that, inexplicably, it coexisted with the hidden mark of the Lord of the Lost without any rejection!

"Great Lord of the Lost, what on earth is happening?"

Meanwhile, Karl also sensed something unusual.

A certain special existence had imparted a sort of... power into Felix's soul.