From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

The people of Nasir were always immersed in joy and elation, for they all knew an important piece of news. Nasir was about to become the Royal Capital of Cyart, and everyone's heart was filled with extreme delight!

As the gentle glow of the setting sun draped over the area, Fischer Manor was abuzz with celebratory scenes, once again celebrating a magnificent victory.

The gates of Fischer Manor stood wide open, welcoming each distinguished guest who was invited. The air was filled with the scent of joy.

In the garden, the meticulously arranged celebration site was like a fairyland, with colorful flowers crowding around the central fountain. The jets of water danced to the rhythm of the cheerful music, sprinkling droplets that sparkled golden in the sunset.

The long banquet tables, crafted from the finest wood and covered with pristine tablecloths, were set with silverware and exquisite porcelain.

Before the feast began, the band struck up an exuberant and cheerful movement from a high platform in the distance. The melodious music floated through the air, and guests took their seats with faces brimming with anticipation and excitement.

The food was a feast for the eyes, ranging from delicate appetizers to hearty main courses, and sweet desserts. Each dish was a masterpiece meticulously prepared by the chefs.

The guests raised their glasses in a shared toast, cheering for victory, for heroes, as laughter and conversation filled the entire manor.

As night fell, the banquet did not come to an end.

Brilliant lights were lit throughout the manor and fireworks bloomed in the night sky, adorning it like a beautiful painting.

"I am very grateful for everyone's presence today..."

Darren Fischer.

As the "Duke Fischer," he mingled effortlessly throughout the entire banquet. A smile was plastered on his face from beginning to end, until after the event ended, and only then did he adopt a mocking smile, shaking his head as he left the place.

There had been a lot happening recently, especially with an endless series of victory celebrations and meetings, seemingly without end—perhaps that was the price of becoming a Conqueror of Cyart.

"Phew, today's victory feast is likely to be the last... There probably won't be any more nobles from other provinces arriving in Nasir, right?"

With a raise of his eyebrow, he quickly headed to Christine's study in Fischer Manor, where Andre was also present.

Christine paid no heed to Darren's sudden arrival, engrossed in her work.

Documents were piled up on the desk like small hills, yet they were arranged very neatly, without the slightest disorder, in line with the character of Christine and her husband Andre.

Darren sauntered in, casually picking up a document from the desk, finding that it contained statistics on a multitude of situations across Cyart in recent months.

In Cyart, there were, in total, five provinces: East Coast Province, Ahornblatt Province, Glenborough Province, Emerald Lake Province, and Elphinia Province.

Within these five provinces were fourteen cities. Ahornblatt Province, the poorest, had only one city. Glenborough, though not very wealthy, had four cities due to being three times the size of East Coast Province. In addition, there were three cities each in East Coast Province, Emerald Lake Province, and Elphinia Province.

Beyond the fourteen cities in Cyart, there were also a full fifty-eight towns, and an even greater number, indeed a vast multitude, of villages.

In the decades since steam engines appeared, Cyart's rural population had been steadily and rapidly decreasing, while the populations of cities and towns exploded, especially since the "Calamity of the Dead" accelerated urbanization, for the villages had no way to fend off the onslaught of the dead.

Nowadays, the population of Cyart's cities and towns was around six million, while the rural population numbered over seven million, totaling over thirteen million people.

Within this population of over thirteen million, the number of Extraordinary Exponents had drastically diminished during eleven years of civil war, leaving just over nine thousand, most of whom were legitimate Extraordinary nobility.

The survey also clearly indicated that Extraordinary individuals without inherited territories were converging towards the cities.

The number of Extraordinary beings in Cyart who had reached the Transmutation Level and still lived was about three hundred, with roughly eighty in East Coast alone, while those on the Monarch Level were merely a dozen or so.

Besides, this statistical survey contained many "yet to be ascertained" areas, including the status of various lands owned by the Extraordinary nobility families, the output of Extraordinary materials, and the like. Experience exclusive tales on empire

Having finished reviewing the statistics, Darren lifted his head and fixed his gaze on Christine, saying:

"You didn't go to the feast, Christine."

Christine, in her wheelchair, took a deep breath and finally began to acknowledge Darren.

"I've been too busy recently, too lazy to bother with such trivialities. It's best you don't come bothering me unless it's something important."

Darren nodded, understanding her deep down. Christine was never a social butterfly to begin with. Although her insight into people's hearts meant she wasn't bad at socializing, she just didn't like it, or it could be said she detested it to the point of "abhorrence."

Because she possessed the "Peeking Eye," she could discern other people's aptitude, talent, and character. Deep down, Christine truly had no patience for those who were hypocritical or even more disgusting.

"How are things with all the various matters lately?" he asked casually.

Hearing this, Christine paused, her face gradually showing an expression of despair and pain.

"Not bad, I guess. The situation in Cyart has gone to the dumps already. Even if more troubles arise, heh, what can be done?"

"The eleven years of civil war and the Undead Calamity have destroyed most of Cyart's foundations..."

"Since the unification of Cyart, I've been continuously busy, non-stop. But there are simply too many things to do, and even my 'Enforcer' team, at full capacity, still faces too much..."

She sighed and continued,

"Rather, our original efficiency and scope were only sufficient to cover the East Coast Province, and now is the busiest time for governing Cyart, so there's just too much to do."

"However, the upside is that these 'actions' have quickened my pace on the 'Path of Authority'."

After Christine had spoken, Darren nodded his head, smiled, and squinted his eyes as he said,

"As far as I know, you've completely mastered the power of the Consecution at the 3rd Rank, Christine. When do you plan to complete the ascension ritual for the 'Glorious Knight' at the 4th Rank?"

However, Christine appeared quite "nonchalant," or one might say indifferent, about her personal extraordinary power.

"No rush. My personal extraordinary power really isn't important."

"No, I think it's very important." Just then, Andre, who had been listening by the side, spoke up.

He gazed at Christine, whose eyes slightly trembled as they met the gaze of her significant husband.

"Andre..."

Andre said very earnestly,

"Christine, I know you don't cherish your own life, but I want to say that your life is very valuable to me! It's even more important than my own life!"

"I dream that you will advance to the 4th Rank sooner because only then, in the time that remains, will you have the chance to reach the 5th Rank!"

"I beg you, Christine... I haven't asked much of you, but this is the one thing I hope you can promise me, to complete the ascension ritual for 'Glorious Knight' soon!"

Andre's expression turned unprecedentedly gentle as he held his wife Christine's hand and said,

"Survive, my Christine..."

Christine was clearly moved, but after some thought, she still said, "Andre, I have already pledged my life and destiny to the family..."

But then, Darren suddenly interjected very seriously, "Christine!"

"I agree with Andre because perfectly honing a blade is actually the best way to use it. If you hope to be relieved of duty and retire back to the Lord's side in a few decades, then it doesn't matter."

"But if you hope to serve the Fischer family longer, perhaps even for centuries, and genuinely want to help everyone in the Fischer family, you must step onto the 5th Rank while you still live!"

Christine took a deep breath, knowing full well in her heart that Andre and Darren were expressing concern for her.

They hoped she would live longer, instead of being reduced to a "consumable."

In fact, as Andre had said, for a while, Christine felt that her "Life" and "Individual Will" were completely unimportant.

But in that moment, she suddenly understood a lot. Andre and Darren were right—if she had the chance to ascend to the 5th Rank, she needed to try for it.

Such an attempt would be a positive action for herself, for those close to her like Andre and Darren, or even for the entire Fischer family and the Dawn Church.

Although deep down Christine felt it was highly unlikely she would ever touch the 5th Rank in her lifetime, she still nodded decisively and said, "I understand. I'll complete the ascension ritual in the next few days."