"National Advisor."
Hearing the ancient god address him,Lance hastily bowed."Your servant is here!"
"Convey my decree.Summon Owen back to the capital imdiately..."
A triumphant smirk spread across Lance's face.But before the ancient god could finish his sentence,everyone in the grand hall sensed a token appearing outside–a Duke's token!
In the Erald Empire,all noble titles were recognized by the heavens and bestowed by the ancient god.This Duke's token bore the na of Edward Blackwood!
As the Cloudview County Duke's token materialized within the hall,everyone's expression shifted.
The ancient god had clearly intended to abandon Cloudview County,to abandon the Blackwoods.When Edward had left,everyone,including the ancient god,had believed Azure Cloud was dood,the Blackwoods destined to fall.That was why the ancient god had so readily promised the Cloudview County dukedom to Edward.
Now...
The appearance of this token presented a dilemma.If the ancient god approved it,it would an acknowledging the Blackwood clan's renewed control over Cloudview County,effectively breaking his pact with the Druids.If he refused,it would make him,the ancient god,a liar,breaking his word.
"How dare they!"Lance roared,his eyes wide with fury.The Azure Cloud Blackwoods had chosen this mont,during the court assembly,to make their move,a blatant challenge to the ancient god's authority!
Edward had chosen this precise mont,with all the officials gathered,to make his play!
...
On the Azure Cloud border...
Everyone watched the unfolding scene in the sky.Cloudview County was at the center of a swirling vortex of energy,the heavens themselves seemingly poised to bestow their blessing.This was the mont of a Duke's ascension,a rare sight!
Hope filled their eyes.
The Blackwood clan had led them against the Druids.They yearned for the Blackwoods to ascend to the dukedom,to legitimize their rule!
But soon,anxiety crept in.The heavens'blessing was delayed.
The Blackwood clan frowned.
Edward,however,remained calm upon his throne.Kenneth had explained the process of a Duke's ascension."I imagine the Duke's token has reached the grand hall by now,"he mused.
A grin spread across his face,and he called out,his voice booming,"I implore His Majesty,the ancient god,to honor his promise made in the grand hall and bestow upon ,Edward Blackwood,the dukedom of Cloudview County!"
As his words echoed,every Psychic on the Azure Cloud border raised their voices in unison.
"We implore the ancient god to honor his promise!"
Their voices rose in a crescendo,wave after wave,their plea carrying across the distance,reaching the ancient god's ears.
They called out once,twice...but there was no response.The Azure Cloud Psychics'cries grew frantic.
Then,silence fell.On this day,so soon after their victory against the Druids,a shadow of despair settled over the Azure Cloud Psychics.
The ancient god's blessing did not descend.The formation in the sky dissipated,the pillar of light vanished!
Only Edward remained,seated calmly upon his throne in the air.
The bastard on the imperial throne,favored by heaven,had broken his promise,refusing to grant Edward the dukedom!His words were nothing but empty air,another betrayal of the people of Cloudview County!
As anger simred within the hearts of the Cloudview County forces,Edward's voice rang out once more.
"It seems His Majesty,the ancient god,does not recognize .But what does it matter if I don't have this dukedom?"
His words stunned everyone in Cloudview County.
Indeed,even without the ancient god's recognition,was Edward Blackwood any less of a Duke?
"The twelve border counties have been ceded.Azure Cloud is no longer part of the empire.Are we,the Psychics,not allowed to fight for what is rightfully ours?We stand on our land,resisting the Druids!"
"Thirty years ago,we stood our ground.And today..."
"We do the sa!"
Edward's voice echoed once more.
Everyone in Border town stared at him,their eyes wide.
Kenneth,along with the five patriarchs,looked at Edward.A smile spread across his face,and his voice,amplified by natural energy,reached every ear."If the ancient god refuses,then I,as Duke,recognize Edward.What say you,people of Cloudview County?"
"Hahaha!Duke Edward!"
"Duke Edward!"
Cheers erupted once more throughout Border town,wave after wave.
To hell with the ancient god!He hadn't lifted a finger to help them during the war.Why should they need his approval to na their own Duke?
"You little rascal,are you rebelling?"Ethan muttered,watching the scene unfold.His descendants were a wild bunch.
As soon as he finished speaking,a ssage flashed across the pale blue panel,bright and impossible to ignore.
[Your descendant,Edward,deliberately chose the day of the imperial court assembly to request the dukedom.He was certain the ancient god had no grounds to punish the Blackwoods and intentionally humiliated him.Still harboring resentnt for the ancient god's betrayal in the grand hall,he has decided to gradually undermine the ancient god's authority,inciting dissatisfaction among the people of Azure Cloud and even the entire Erald Empire.Trait obtained:Rebellious Heart.]
[He is gradually becoming a rebel.Success rate of inciting rebellion increased by 20%.Psychological damage to the ancient god increased by 20%.True damage increased by 10%.]
"..."
Ethan stared at Edward,who wore a faint smile,listening to the cheers of the Psychics around him.At this mont,he suspected that these Psychics would storm the heavenly palace itself if Edward gave the order.
He scratched his head,bewildered.
"Well,this kid has the potential to bring ruin upon the entire family."
...
The chants of"Duke Edward"echoed throughout Cloudview County for half a day.
Although the ancient god hadn't officially recognized him,within Cloudview County,Edward was their Duke,in their hearts and in their actions!
Inside the Sky Hall...
"You little brat!Are you trying to start a rebellion?Who put you up to this?Do you even realize what you've done?You little bastard!" Your next read is at m v|l-e'-
Nathan was giving Edward a thorough thrashing,chasing him around the hall.Edward,shielding his head,felt a familiar sense of dread,reminiscent of the ti he had been caught with Betty.
"Great-grandfather,stop!What's the big deal?Those bastards in the heavenly palace are a bunch of hypocrites!Why should we bow to them?Besides,I'm just uniting the people!The ancient god never intended for us Blackwoods to actually beco Dukes..."
"You dare talk back?!"Nathan's blows grew even fiercer.
"Even if you want to rebel,you should do it discreetly!Why make such a spectacle?You think you're so tough now,huh?Your wings have sprouted,and you've beco arrogant beyond asure!"
"Alright,alright,dear,that's enough.He hasn't actually committed treason.Besides,compared to what Edward did during our battle with the Druids,this is nothing."Luna intervened,stopping Nathan."It's just a little rebellion.No need to get so worked up that you injure the child."
Julian chid in,"Yeah,Dad.Just tell him to be more careful and not make such a fuss next ti."
Daniel stroked his beard,looking at Edward,who was kneeling on the ground,with approval."Good boy."
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