From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

"Stars Embrace Order?"

Byrne furrowed his brows, silently mumbling a name that had become as familiar as thunder, an organization that had been very active in Cyart for decades and had caused a great deal of trouble.

The most terrifying conspiracy was the Stars Embrace Order's attempt to murder a member of the Adley family from the Royal Family.

That was one of the heirs to the throne with the potential to ascend to Monarch Level, who could one day become Cyart's next ruler, yet he had almost been killed by the Stars Embrace Order, and it was only by great luck that he did not lose his life.

It was said that they worship an otherworldly god known as the "Chaos Constellation," and the followers who believe in him are utterly convinced that, after death, their souls will be transported to a new world within the chaos, to become part of the backbone of the "Chaos Constellation," attaining eternal happiness in the new world.

Therefore, followers of the "Chaos Constellation" are not afraid of death. As long as they adhere to the doctrine, they will see their impending death as a gift.

The head of the Stars Embrace Order was a mysterious person called "Black Starlight," with unknown strength, and nobody knew their true identity.

There were rumors, however, that he could very well be someone from one of the Ten Great Families.

In the decades since the gods fell silent and vanished, heretical cults around the world have been expanding rapidly, and the influence of the Stars Embrace Order in Cyart has been growing by the day.

They are extremely hostile to the nobility of Cyart who follow the True Gods, constantly seeking to cause various sorts of destruction. All of the True Gods Church loathe the followers of Stars Embrace, executing them on sight upon discovery.

Byrne sank into thought, as the Fischer family was assisting the Romann family in smuggling religious contraband, he was very clear about one thing.

Many large families outwardly hate heretical cults to the bone, but behind closed doors, perhaps they all have unclear cooperative relationships with them.

After all, those heretical cults command specialized resources, and not everyone wants their family to be under the control of the churches, especially in the chaotic times following the disappearance of the gods.

Viscount Bast slowly explained, "Those demons you just saw, did you see them?"

"I once sold that Forbidden knowledge to 'Solar Gold,' a special power that allows one to make contracts with demons."

Making contracts with demons.

Byrne had only read about such knowledge in some of the most ancient prohibited books.

Viscount Bast continued, "Demons are a powerful force. I believe the force itself is neither good nor evil, but rather that it's the churches that are too old-fashioned."

"In order to gain the Forbidden knowledge that allowed for making contracts with demons, I had to cooperate a bit with the followers of Stars Embrace. At that time, I saw their leader 'Black Starlight'."

Black Starlight, Byrne's eyes lit up with interest in this mysterious and unfathomable existence. He immediately asked, "What exactly is the person that legends call Black Starlight like?"

However, Viscount Bast's answer was very ambiguous.

"It's hard to say... or rather, I don't know."

After pondering for a moment, he said calmly, "Black Starlight claims to be a messenger of that god, and everyone seems to have a very different view of him."

"He is a very strange person, particularly fond of helping those who are lost. Many people are in debt to that mysterious person, and 'Black Starlight' is also exceptionally good at hiding his true identity; to this day, no one knows who he really is..."

Viscount Bast took a deep breath, he had rarely encountered anyone smarter or more watertight than himself, but "Black Starlight" was clearly such an existence.

"After I met him, I searched for clues about that mysterious person for a long time, but found not a single trace; it's as if 'Black Starlight' does not exist in this world and is merely a legend."

"If it weren't for the fact that I had seen him with my own eyes, I might think the same."

Byrne recalled that among those who surrounded and attacked Tempest Bishop "Thunderous Monarch," there were followers of the Stars Embrace Order, and the attackers of Earl Hovern also included figures from the Stars Embrace Order.

Even when Chris went out to seek the ceremony for advancement, he had encountered a very peculiar elderly follower of the Stars Embrace Order.

Those fellows were incredibly terrifying, infiltrating everywhere like water through cracks. In comparison, the followers of the "Last Blood" cult, another active organization in the Cyart region, were far too honest.

It is said that after many years of effort, the followers of "Last Blood" have found four "Witch Candidates," who are reincarnations of the soul shards of the Witch of Demise.

According to the ancient oracles passed down, all "Witch Candidates" will fight each other until only one survives.

She will have the honor of becoming the vessel for the resurrection of the Witch of Demise.

Ultimately, to witness the resurrection of the great being!

Since only one "Witch Candidate" can survive in the end, the three leaders of "Last Blood" turned against each other, each supporting a different "Witch Candidate."

They agreed that once the fifth and final "Witch Candidate" appeared, they would begin to kill each other frenziedly, without holding back.

Viscount Bast nodded slightly, took out another wine glass, poured himself a drink, and said calmly, "Without a doubt, compared to those self-amused witch followers, the Stars Embrace Order, which directly despises the nobility of Cyart, poses a much greater threat."

"Indeed, those people might attack us, just like they did to the Hovern family before."

Byrne nodded, then asked, "Breaking through might take one or two months, or maybe even longer, perhaps more than a year. Where exactly do you plan to break through?"

Viscount Bast revealed a fox-like smile again, and said slowly, "Hehe, that has been my most important secret all along."

The next day, afternoon.

Finally, Acting Bishop Zayne Frosac arrived.

He no longer looked young, but rather had become a middle-aged man with the aura of a theologian noble, his demeanor authoritative, sparing no smiles, and his expression very solemn.

However, he was not the last ally to arrive.

The final person to offer assistance was a powerful individual whom everyone could imagine showing up, yet some were still surprised by his arrival.
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This man was Aldrich Romann, the "Dragon Taming Lord" of the Romann family.

Aldrich Romann was a man with black hair, dressed in a light blue tailcoat, appearing even younger than Byrne on first glance - but that was because, as a Monarch powerful expert, his actual age was already over fifty.

He moved with a calm and steady gait, as if each step was taken with firmness and confidence, his gaze profound and clear, revealing lucid thinking.

"Greetings, everyone, I am Aldrich Romann, a friend of Viscount Bast."

"I came all the way to the East Coast specifically to assist Viscount Bast, to help the Lion clan, but also for the Romann family itself..."

Aldrich introduced himself, then smiled and began to make conversation with everyone present, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

His speech radiated wisdom and maturity, unhurried and calm, with every sentence carrying a composed ease.

Byrne soon understood why Viscount Bast would support Aldrich becoming the new duke, as the contrast between Ariel and him was quite stark.

This was a highly seasoned and composed sage.

He suddenly noticed that Aldrich wore ten entirely different rings on his hands, each one emitting a special spiritual fluctuation.

Thus, Byrne quickly realized something.

All ten rings were Mysterious rare artifacts? And he could even feel that among the many rings, three were incredibly unique, as if they were powerful Forbidden rare artifacts!

The heir of the Romann family was indeed an extraordinary guy!

Byrne was utterly astonished; this was the first time he had seen such a display of opulence, carrying three Forbidden rare artifacts on one's person, this fellow's personal equipment exceeded that of a whole viscount family!

He immediately perceived the gap between the Fischer family and the truly top families; although the Romann family was a prominent entity even among the Ten Great Families, Byrne had not realized the distance between them was so vast.

"Thank goodness that prince did not fight to the death last time. If he had unleashed the full power of the Forbidden rare artifacts he was carrying, the outcome may not necessarily have been in our favor."

Back then, the prince knew that one of the three had died, and that the remaining two would not be able to defend themselves even if they desperately managed to take down Fein.

The more powerful the Forbidden rare artifact, the greater the cost of unleashing it, and Prince Conrad certainly had reservations.

"It looks like the person I've been waiting for has finally arrived, so let's go."

Viscount Bast said with a smile, finally deciding to lead everyone away from Ahornblatt Manor to the place he had chosen for his breakthrough.

When they stepped outside, they suddenly found that it was snowing in the sky.

Everyone was stunned by the white snowflakes landing on the maple leaves, even though it was still late autumn, snow had unexpectedly begun to fall.

The silent world was caressed by a gentle breeze, the snowflakes fluttering down like a dream, the fiery red maple trees covered in white snow, with glittering icicles hanging from their tops like exquisite crystal ornaments.

Everything became quiet and peaceful under the blanket of snow, the noise gradually fading, and the whole world seemed wrapped in a silver veil, exuding an ethereal beauty.

The distant mountains, too, became more majestic against the backdrop of the snow, as if draped in silver attire.

"Why would it be snowing at this time of year?" Renzo couldn't help but express his amazement.

Aldrich analyzed calmly, "This year's snow is somewhat unusual, coming much earlier than before, perhaps there is some mystical factor at play."

"A mystical factor?" Byrne murmured to himself.

"Never mind the snow, at least it's of no use to us," Viscount Bast spoke slowly.

"We're leaving."

Next, they finally learned where Viscount Bast intended to go.

He did not choose to make his breakthrough in his own manor but instead headed to a secluded valley far away, where something hidden was said to aid Viscount Bast's breakthrough to the Monarch Level.

On the way to the valley, every snowflake around them danced and fluttered like an elf, adorning the world with a poetic beauty that brought a sense of calm and delight to everyone present.

Byrne suddenly saw a scene that had appeared in a prophecy before.

Viscount Bast took a breath of cold air and eagerly outlined the future prospects with outstretched hands.

"Byrne, do you know? In a little while, we will completely change the East Coast Province, and not only that, but your family and mine will go even further!"

"In not too many years, with the support of the Romann family, we will become the unchallenged 'Iron Triangle' in Cyart, hahahaha!"

He gazed at Byrne without continuing, but Byrne clearly understood Bast's meaning.

This man had never forgotten the ideal he once spoke of—to become the new king of Cyart!

But was that really good for the Fischer family?

Byrne's gaze grew complicated.