From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

The castle walls were covered in green vines, blending harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment. The spacious hall displayed various antiques and artworks, showcasing the taste of the castle's owner and their noble status. Exquisite murals and grand chandeliers made through alchemy added a mysterious touch to the entire castle.

This was the manor castle of the "Wasteland Beast," the Frosac family.

Most of the main members of the Frosac family had already gathered, with nearly everyone's expression tense, anxious, and some excited and expectant.

Everyone knew that today's family meeting was likely the most important one in decades!

In the solemn atmosphere, everyone's faces were tight and serious, the air seemed almost frozen, and only faint breathing and the occasional rustling of paper could be heard.

The family head "White Beast" sat at one end of the meeting table. He was thin, haggard, and appeared to be filled with paleness and aging. His white hair and body had mutated to a degree that was almost inhuman, enough to frighten children.

Without a doubt, that was the tremendous side effect of a Forbidden rare artifact.

The "White Beast," the current oldest monarch powerful expert of Cyart, had always been a good friend of Duke Black Iron.

The old man's brows were furrowed, his eyes were blind, but it was as if he were scrutinizing the souls of every family member. His pale fingers gently tapped on the tabletop, producing rhythmic "tap-tap" sounds, each strike landing heavily on everyone's heart.

Sitting beside him were several elder family members, with faces etched by the marks of time, but now showing unprecedented seriousness.

Their eyes occasionally sparkled, as if they were contemplating how to begin speaking or how to make a decision.

The younger generation of family members seemed even more nervous, their fingers unconsciously stroking the table surface, or gripping the armrests of their chairs tightly as if searching for some kind of support.

Their gazes moved between the family head and the elders, trying to read some clue from their demeanors.

In a corner of the conference room, a female family member bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes revealing determination, her hands clasped together as if praying for a good outcome to the meeting.

No one in the meeting room spoke; only the sounds of breathing and tapping mingled together, each person expressing their inner tension and unease in their own way.

It was at this moment that someone finally broke the silence.

"His Majesty Noah has issued a national decree, accusing the Fischer family and the Romann family of treason, colluding with evil heretics, attempting to subvert Cyart – their crimes are heinous, unforgivable."

"Claws of Wasteland" August Frosac was still the same middle-aged man with a small mustache, tall and thin, dressed in a blue and black tailcoat, trousers, a waistcoat, and an overcoat.

He paused for a moment, then continued to address the family members:

"The Adley Royal Family has declared the Fischer family to be 'Rebels,' and has issued a gold-cast royal edict, demanding that the rest of the major families in Cyart Kingdom cooperate with the Royal Family to eradicate them immediately."

Everyone fell silent.

It was common knowledge that for over a hundred years, the Romann and Fischer families had maintained good relations with the Frosac family.

Duke Romann had saved the Frosac family several times during the wars, even more than once.

If they were really to be eradicated, the Frosac family would inevitably be denounced as traitors, and thereafter other families would hold prejudices against them.

Yet, defying the royal command was undoubtedly also a huge betrayal.

After all, the Frosac family was a part of Cyart, and they should obey the orders of the Adley Royal Family to attack the Fischer and Romann families.

Being forced to choose one out of two choices with severe consequences was the most unacceptable thing.

Many didn't want to speak, as they could not bear such heavy responsibility.

It was then that Zayne, who had been silent, spoke up.

"What I really want to know is, what do you all think about those two letters from Lord Aldrich and His Excellency Byrne?"

"Wasteland Beast" August Frosac immediately said, "Zayne, you are with the Tempest Church now, aren't you?"

Zayne nodded gently, not denying it, and went on:

"But I am also a Frosac, and I will always be a member of the Frosac family, you cannot deny that."

"Lord Aldrich and His Excellency Byrne also made it very clear in their letters that they hope the Church will intervene to investigate the situation of the Adley Royal Family, stating that the Words of Tranquility Order has taken control over the Royal Family and that we need to initiate a war to remove the evil cultists surrounding them."

"Wasteland Beast" August Frosac shook his head, looking at Zayne with an incomprehensible gaze, and retorted:

"I find it laughable, these are just excuses for rebellion. Anyone who has read a book understands, don't they? Historically, all the families claiming to rid the Royal Family of villains only ended up as usurpers if they succeeded!"

Zayne let out a cold laugh and said, "Since they want the Church to investigate, that implies they are confident something will indeed be uncovered."

"What if what they say is true? What if you end up helping the Words of Tranquility and become the accomplices of heretics? Would you have the Frosac family become the enemy of God?"

He took a few steps forward, looking directly at his uncle August.

"Can you shoulder such responsibility, my uncle?"

August immediately grew angry, his arms even beginning to swell involuntarily.

"What did you say! Zayne!"

At this moment, Zayne had none of the respect for August he had decades ago.

The original Zayne, whether in terms of status or strength, could only be considered mediocre within the family, while August, as the next heir to the family head and a Monarch Level powerful expert, was someone Zayne had to please.

Now, their statuses and strengths were nearly equal, which wasn't apparent in normal times, but in critical moments, neither would back down.

And just then, the aged "White Beast" spoke up.

"Stop arguing. Why don't you both take a break and listen to my thoughts?"

Zayne immediately bowed respectfully and stepped back, saying, "You are the head of the Frosac family; naturally, your view is the most important."

August nodded and also stepped back, saying, "Please share your thoughts, but I still must remind you not to drag the entire family into trouble over personal relationships. Defying the royal command can lead to our family's destruction!"

The aged "White Beast" slowly nodded, looking as if he might fall asleep at any moment, his eyes half-closed and devoid of any energy.

"I can roughly see that the time for a great reshuffle has come, heh, it's about time, too. But my opinion is there's no need to rush. Positions, after all, should be chosen after collecting enough information. We might as well wait and see what the Jones family decides."

So that was it, Zayne immediately understood.

This oldest fox in Cyart Kingdom planned to see which way the wind was blowing before declaring his stance, delaying it if possible until then.

Indeed, a choice befitting an old fox!

But that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Zayne was well aware that defying a royal command wasn't something the family could afford to do lightly, so this was all he could secure for the Fischer family.

Of course, he didn't say this just out of friendship; few people would risk their entire family for friendship and drag them onto a battlefield that could lead to annihilation.

Deep down, Zayne felt that both the Fischer and Romann families definitely had a chance to win, and besides, the Adley Royal Family had indeed been a bit off in recent years.

"Soon, the Tempest Church will go to the Cyart Royal Capital for investigation!"

——

Nasir City.

The sea breeze, carrying the salty scent, gently brushed over the port of Nasir, dispersing the thin morning mist.

On one side of the harbor, members of the Fischer family and many citizens had already gathered early, faces brimming with anticipation and joy, the whole sky seeming even brighter.

Suddenly, a whistle from a ship broke the quiet of the harbor. People looked up to see a steamship, belching smoke, slowly entering the port.

The brilliant sunlight shone on the ship, its golden light reflecting off the waves, as if enveloping the ship in a sacred aura.

"They're back!"

"They've really returned! That's great!"

"It's His Excellency Byrne of the Fischer family, Lord Chris, and Lord Darren!"

As the ship docked, the crowd began to stir.

The figures of Byrne, Chris, and Darren appeared at the bow, dressed in fine clothes and exuding an aura distinctly different from ordinary people. Their return made everyone present heave a sigh of relief, while the citizens erupted into loud cheers.
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Byrne smiled and waved to the crowd, his smile as warm as the sunshine.

Inwardly, he pondered the next steps to take.

"Based on the timing, our letter to the Romann family should also have reached the hands of the Jones and Frosac families."

"Hopefully, they will make choices that are beneficial for us."

"As for the Fischer family, we also need to hold a family council to decide on future matters."

"Moreover, Irene's situation must be told to the members of the Dawn Church!"