From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

The sky seemed to have cracked open a vast chasm, pouring down endless threads of silver, the rain falling like a mad drummer, hammering the earth with a deafening roar.

The entire world was enveloped by rain, murky and chaotic, the dense droplets merging into torrents that surged and leaped across the ground, whipping up layers of white spray.

Trees lining the streets of Cyart Royal Capital swayed in the storm, their branches and leaves clattering under the assault of the rain.

Within a villa in the wealthy district, in the master bedroom.

Marquis Vlad, "Volcano Dragon," adorned in black, held a glass of red wine in his hand as he calmly watched his old friend, Marquis Samuel, "White Spirit."

Vlad Castleton spoke serenely:

"It's quite marvelous, isn't it? We've just lived a bit longer."

"Yet within a few short years, the two of us have become the most powerful of the Extraordinary nobility in the country, as the two older fellows stronger than us have been taken by the Grim Reaper… Heh, time is merciless and terrifying, fate is elusive, and in the end, no one can escape death."

"Not even those two legendary founders of our nation."

He gazed into the shadows.

Marquis Samuel, "White Spirit," stood within the shadows, clad in a white robe, his face veiled by darkness.

The man in the shadows was like a solitary traveler, understated and mysterious, yet impossible to ignore.

He had yet to speak a word.

Marquis Vlad was well aware that his old friend was not fond of speaking. He chuckled softly and continued:

"The new King will most likely be chosen from either Prince Baine of the 'Boulder Sledge Hammer' or Prince Noah of the 'Sword of Salvation.' They of the Adley Royal Family possess the Blood of Salvation, and their ancestors are saints recognized by the Salvation Church. Even if the Adley Royal Family has weakened due to the demise of the old man, their status is not something we can easily shake."

Indeed.

One of the important reasons why the Adley Royal Family had the credentials to lead the Cyart people in their migration eastward and were protected by the Church was because their ancestors carried the bloodline of the Lord of Salvation and were also recognized as saints by the Salvation Church.

The "Blood of Salvation" had not only immensely powerful strength but also signified extraordinary importance!

The colossal Salvation Church naturally was the backstage supporter of the Cyart Royal Family.

Marquis Vlad began to analyze the situations of the two candidates.

"There are many differences between Prince Baine and Prince Noah. Prince Baine is an old man loyal to the Royal Family, with a strong sense of honor, and relatively conservative in his actions. If he ascends, it is highly likely that he will continue all the past policies."

"Prince Noah, however, is different. He is undoubtedly obsessed with becoming stronger. If he succeeds the throne, he is very likely to leave the central power hanging… More than anything related to the Cyart Kingdom, 'Sword of Salvation' Noah Adley longs to break through to higher levels sooner.

In fact, he truly is a genius; it's only a matter of time before he breaks through to the Middle Rank Monarch, and he might even have a chance at reaching the high-level Monarch."

High-level Monarch, ah.

That rank is what many Extraordinary Exponents desire to reach, yet to this day, there are only a handful of top-level powerhouses in the Eastern Four Kingdoms who have attained the high-level Monarch rank.

Marquis Vlad was quite clear in his heart that it was highly unlikely he would ever reach the high-level Monarch in his lifetime.

Especially since he'd entertained the thought, it had become even less likely, for anyone who could truly become a top-level power might not waver or doubt their path.

After a moment of silence, Marquis Vlad continued:

"Therefore, I think supporting Prince Noah is our best choice."

"Only when there's a vacuum in the central power of the Cyart Kingdom will there be a chance for your family and mine to become the supreme families."

The so-called "supreme families" are those on the Ouden Continent that become royal families.

To become a king!

That has been the ambition of many throughout history!

Almost all the great nobles harbor a deep-seated desire to become a supreme family!

Even though they never talk about it in public, those families who already bear the mantle of monarchs can see through the "loyalty" of their vassals and understand their yearning.

The torrential rain showed no sign of abating; it rampaged through heaven and earth like a fierce beast, engulfing everything under its domineering influence.

In the distance, the sky flickered with the light of lightning, illuminating the pitch-black night. The rolling thunder mingled with the pounding rain, creating a symphony that was heart-stopping and soul-stirring.

Marquis Vlad drained his glass of red wine and went on.

"The Romann family, the Frosac family, the Jones family, and that emerging Fisherman family—without question, they will become our foremost adversaries."

He paused.

A murderous intent gradually solidified in his eyes, and the glass in his hand began to fracture under the heat.

"In fact, so many power struggles weigh as naught!"

"Sooner or later, those beneath power must battle."

Marquis Samuel in the shadow remained silent, like an unfinished painting, profound and mysterious.

Enshrouded in the heavy curtains of the night, only a vague and resolute outline remained, flickering like a candle in the wind, its brightness waxing and waning, filled with uncertainty.

The face of the "White Spirit" was hidden in the shadows, revealing only a pair of profound eyes.

"Fischer."

Vlad was stunned for a moment, hearing his old friend mention Fischer alone immediately brought to mind Byrne and Chris whom he had encountered.

"We must especially watch over Fischer; they are the most troublesome existence."

——

The funeral began.

The heavy rain had ceased, and in the faint light of dawn, the grand funeral of the King slowly commenced as the entire Cyart Royal Capital was immersed in solemnity and sorrow.

The sky was covered with thick clouds, as if even the heavens were mourning the passing of this great Monarch.

A gentle breeze flowed, bringing with it a chill, rustling the flags and white banners at the funeral, sounding like lamentations between heaven and earth.

On the city streets, the crowd moved like a tide, almost every person dressed in black mourning clothing, faces heavy with grief. They silently walked in procession, holding flowers and candles to bid farewell to the King. On both sides of the street, tall buildings hung black elegiac couplets filled with words of mourning for the King.

In the palace square stood a huge coffin, draped with white silk and adorned with gold, stately and solemn.

Round the enormous coffin stood countless soldiers, nobility, and officials in rows, their faces mostly marked with sadness and respect.

Byrne, Chris, along with Darren also stood among the ranks.

They wore black mourning clothes and remained silent.

Byrne had already noticed Prince Baine and Prince Noah in the procession.

Prince Baine looked as grim as ever, a burly old man.

He clenched his hands tightly, tears flowing ceaselessly from his eyes, unable to suppress the immense grief deep within him.

Prince Noah, on the other hand, was a lean young man with golden hair, nearly two meters tall, with a very indifferent expression, as if devoid of human emotion in his eyes.

"The Sword of Salvation," Prince Noah?

If Aldrich's conjecture was not mistaken,

He would most likely be the new King of Cyart!

Just then, the golden-haired Noah suddenly turned his head, his expressionless face locking eyes with Byrne who was looking at him.

They nodded to each other and then looked away.

Above the coffin, a huge golden Holy Grail floated silently, representing the King's supreme power and dignity, now a testament to his departure.

As the ceremony began, the solemn sound of a mourning anthem filled the expanse of the square.

The soldiers of the Royal Capital sang the national anthem in unison, their voices loud and firm, as if to remind people of the King's greatness and his indelible contributions.

Meanwhile, a group of priests from the Salvation Church clad in white robes began to pray for the King.

One of the Cardinals of the Salvation Church, the hidden guardian deity of Cyart, the Silver Hermit, slowly approached the spirit pivot, speaking in a voice inaudible to others.

"Who would have thought, you ultimately went ahead of me."

"When you, I, and the Romann family came here, we busied ourselves day and night with affairs without ever considering how we would die."

"After I lost my power, I did nothing but silently watch the two of you lead this country forward."

After a long silence, the Silver Hermit murmured:

"Perhaps, this ending is, for you, a perfect closure."

"You ultimately did not go mad from the price of the Forbidden rare artifact, nor did you betray your initial aspirations."

"The great Lord of Salvation will shelter your soul..."

"I will help the Adley Royal Family move forward, selecting a suitable new king, not only because you possess the Blood of Salvation, but also because of the century-long friendship."

Among the crowd, some sobbed in low voices, others prayed silently, each person expressing their mourning and respect for the King in their own way.

Within the ranks, Byrne knew very well in his heart that this funeral was not just a farewell to a national Monarch; it was the end of an era and the beginning of another.

As the great Blazing Sun slowly rose and illuminated the entire square, the King's coffin was gradually lifted, carried by soldiers toward the distant mausoleum.

In that moment, the entire Royal Capital fell silent, with only the sounds of the mourning music and the soldiers' orderly footsteps echoing.

After the King's spirit pivot entered the mausoleum, the entire Cyart Royal Capital observed a long moment of silence.

Then, the many members of the Extraordinary nobility present lifted their heads, finally hearing the Silver Hermit's aged yet forceful voice.

"Guardians of the kingdom, proceed to the palace; there we will select a new King for Cyart!"

"The legends of the past have now been sealed within the tomb; from now on, Cyart will enter a new era!"