"I know what my existence brought upon this family. And I take that burden not with shame—but with resolve." He raised his head, eyes like two blazing stars. "I didn't return to seek forgiveness. I returned to build something greater."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"I will not rest until the King family rules the entire Red Silk Realm," Kent declared, his voice like thunder on still water. "No more crawling behind noble clans, no more submission to imperial dogs, and no more hiding in caves while our ancestors' names are mocked."
"—I will not represent a broken branch. I will carry the name of the King Clan to the heavens!"
The earth trembled slightly beneath them. The wind stopped. Even birds flying overhead paused in silence.
Tears returned to Patriarch Daku's eyes—not of grief, but pride.
A woman from the clan, Kent's younger cousin, stepped forward. "You… really do all-this for family?"
Kent smiled. "I am just beginning."
