Chapter 275: Desperate Michaels Family; Iron Fang Sect's Amuriah
Three days had passed since the battle marked by Ramiro's appearance.
Much of the core of the Michaels family was currently gathered in the midst of a meeting inside a room within the Michaels Townhouse in the royal capital of Brawlmanica. Duke Shane Michaels's expression was perpetually furious, as were many of the others present. Bad news had continued to pour in without cease for the past four days.
A heavy pressure and signs of desperation could be felt throughout the room.
"Things cannot continue this way. Lord Shane, what exactly do you propose we do in such dire times? At this rate, our family will end up worse off than when we were forced to cede our position as the rulers of this land." An elderly man asked with a grim expression.
"There has to be something! We have not gathered so much power for centuries in preparation for our resurgence for no reason. This should have been a blessed opportunity granted by the heavens, and yet why have things turned out like this?!" A middle-aged woman with a scarred face, ruining what was once great beauty, asked with wide eyes.
Duke Shane waved his hand, silencing the room before speaking. "Everyone, please settle down. Indeed, things should have gone as planned, but it appears that Jean-Paul Helmsley was extremely foresighted before his demise. On top of that, by some ridiculous set of circumstances, that sect called White Star Radiance appeared out of nowhere, filled with terrifying geniuses, and Hunter Helmsley has strong ties to them. Sects generally do not meddle in kingdom affairs, but their situation was abnormal from the very beginning. Because of this, we will be forced to take more… desperate measures."
The room fell silent as sharp gazes lingered on those present. Some still showed deep uncertainty.
"What exactly are you suggesting?" A luxuriously dressed man with a powerful aura asked while gazing deeply at Shane Michaels.
With a fierce and determined gaze, Shane made a powerful declaration. "While we still have momentum and influence over various noble powers and smaller sects, we will carve through the lands of Brawlmanica in a coup and establish our own independent country, hailing my son Shaunem as our new king."
Silence once again pervaded the room as many expressions went blank in thought. Unwillingness was evident among some, while others cared little as long as they retained power. Then there were those with conquering mindsets who saw opportunity. However, such a move would be extremely troublesome, especially given the current state of the world, where a unified Brawlmanica was far stronger than a fractured one.
"We do not have the luxury of fearing consequences any longer given our rapidly deteriorating situation. Prince Hunter will soon reach the royal capital to invoke the royal bestowment seal, backed by the will of the people and the support of enough nobles. Are you all willing, or not?" Shane asked with an extremely grim expression as his aura surged.
Cold sweat formed on many faces before firm conviction finally took hold.
"There is no turning back now. Perhaps you are right." A woman muttered with a dark gaze.
"I am in agreement with Lord Father. For the future of the Michaels family, we must act now and dispose of the trash who took what belongs to us." Shaunem declared with a sharp gaze.
"Yes! We cannot allow things to continue like this! We will fight to the end for the Michaels family!"
"For the Michaels family! Take back what belongs to us by any and all means!"
"We should invite forces from other lands to become part of our power as well."
"Hmph! Three of our five vassal clans from centuries ago have turned on us. The Hoovers, the Leons, and the most treacherous Hollemine clan must be completely erased! It was those gunslinging mages of the Hollemine clan who betrayed us so readily centuries ago that caused our rapid decline, even though we made them suffer in cold blood! How dare they still live on as vassals of the Helmsley royal family!"
Determined shouts echoed one after another as the Michaels family rallied their morale while dredging up old grievances. Duke Shane looked at his son Shaunem, then at his other children present, all wearing dark and resolute expressions. His gaze moved to his three siblings, several uncles and aunts, and four of his first cousins. He etched their faces into his memory, knowing deep down that there was a chance he would not see some of them again in the coming days.
With a grim declaration, Shane spoke.
"Then let us begin!"
…
Garffle Country, within a certain Marquis household.
A man and a woman smiled in glee as they watched a young woman who resembled both of them with pride. This family was known to everyone as the powerful Eisenstrum clan. Behind the young woman stood two other younger women, giving off a friendly yet guard-like air. All three wore the sect attire of the Iron Fang Sect.
"Oh, my dear daughter! You have finally returned. Your two older brothers should be arriving soon once they finish their business." The man smiled happily.
"Come, come, Amuriah! Give mama a hug. Oh, how I've missed you, my dear." The woman beside him walked forward eagerly.
Amuriah swiftly embraced her mother, hugging her tightly. Her father quickly joined them, wrapping his arms around both.
"Mom, Dad, I've returned!" Amuriah said with slightly teary eyes before continuing. "Matters related to the sect are… complicated because of the continental war. I managed to avoid being dragged too deeply into it since I come from a Marquis family."
"We are just glad that you are alive and well." Her mother replied with a bright smile.
The atmosphere subtly shifted as the embrace ended and expressions grew more serious.
"There is much to discuss. As you know, Garffle Country exists in a constant state of complexity. Because of this, forces with hidden allegiances move freely, and information travels at an alarming speed both within and beyond our borders. Our plans from over ten years ago were seemingly foiled by the demise of the late King Helmsley, but…" her father spoke with knitted brows.
"Hmph. That man intended to use us as well, given our family's sacred skill that generates a special form of electricity capable of enhancing and controlling hard minerals. With his passing, we should have gained greater leverage and influence over Prince Hunter's movements, but we abandoned that path once the waters in Brawlmanica grew too murky." Her mother sighed and shook her head.
Amuriah looked between her parents with a questioning gaze. "Prince Hunter, huh. From what I know, he's very exceptional. Even now, I'm not opposed to our marriage. He was handsome the few times I saw him growing up. I've simply been too occupied with sect affairs to keep up with recent events."
Her parents exchanged glances, their smiles slowly twisting into something uneasy.
Her father looked at her carefully before speaking. "We have a dilemma, and we must act quickly. It appears Prince Hunter may soon ascend the throne if nothing goes wrong. To make matters worse, he has already become a Mortal Lord."
Amuriah's eyes widened in shock. "He's truly a Mortal Lord?! At such a young age?! He really is exceptional… Ugh! Things are moving far too fast. Sixty percent of our leverage has already been lost. We should prepare for his coronation and use our engagement contract so that I may become his queen."
Silence briefly pervaded the room. Her parents wore hesitant expressions, while the two Iron Fang disciples behind her listened intently.
"What's wrong? Did I say something strange?" Amuriah asked with confusion.
After a brief pause, her father sighed. "It's just… there has been a strange rumor circulating recently. It hasn't spread widely yet, but through certain connections we've managed to learn of it."
"And? What rumor?" Amuriah asked, unease creeping into her voice.
"The rumor claims that Prince Hunter has formed a contractual engagement with another individual." Her father spoke gravely. "It is believed to involve a demihuman."
"…Hah? What nonsense." Amuriah scoffed. "Even if that were true, it shouldn't affect my standing as queen. This continent is still dominated by humans, regardless of bloodlines."
"My dear Amuriah, normally you would be correct, but this situation is different." Her mother replied solemnly. "Especially if that demihuman is an elf."
For the first time, Amuriah felt her heart pound violently. An image of a powerful elven kingdom connected to a certain sect flashed through her mind. Memories of Prince Hunter's close ties to that sect followed. The pieces began falling into place, and a wave of panic surged through her.
"No… No!! I have to go to Brawlmanica before it's too late!!" Amuriah cried out.
"D-dear, calm down!" her mother pleaded.
"No! I refuse to let some wench steal my place as queen!" Amuriah roared. "We must act before it's too late! I'll use my remaining contacts within the Iron Fang Sect. Keep your hands off my king, you wench!!"
With that, Amuriah stormed out of the household, the two startled Iron Fang disciples rushing after her.
"…I knew this would happen." Her father muttered grimly. "We must begin our own preparations."