Dragon City.
As the clock tower struck twelve, golden sunlight leaped from the moat, climbing the colorful silks draped over the stone archways.
The blacksmith's apprentice planted the last heraldic flag on the flagpole, the wool fabric brushing against the boy's sweaty neck. He grinned, watching the throngs of people on the street, the flags of the seven great families fluttering in the wind.
The sharp melody of bagpipes drifted from afar, and the crowd suddenly parted like a receding tide.
"They're here! They're here."
People whispered excitedly.
Forty pure white warhorses shattered the stagnant morning mist on the cobblestones. Knights in silver armor held high banners emblazoned with lions and shields, the light reflecting off their breastplates dancing on the timbered walls on either side.
This was the Frank family's honor guard, the most lavish in the Empire. At the head of the procession was Seth Frank, the patriarch of the Frank family.
Not long ago, he had personally passed through the Gates of Hell and rescued the Empire's youngest Emperor, Augulas.
The man who had once ventured alone into the Gates of Hell had a jawline as sharp as a blade. Beside him rode the unparalleled Southern Overlord, Mary.
Mary, leading the Rose Army in conjunction with the Edward family's forces from the Eastern Border, had routed the Burns Empire's army, successfully defending the Empire's borders. People had forgotten her past transgressions, remembering only her glorious achievements.
Following closely behind the Frank family's honor guard was the Hall family's.
A pumpkin carriage rolled over the moss in the cracks of the paving stones. Earl Hall stroked the rose crest on his sword hilt, while the stunning Imperial Rose, Dolores, lowered her eyes to adjust the folds of her skirt.
The Hall family was accompanied by only 36 knights; they could not exceed the royal family's number, lest it be seen as disrespectful.
Next came the guardians of the Northern Border, the Moria family's honor guard. Grand Duke Moria rode at the forefront on a massive white snow bear, with Leon closest to him.
As the most outstanding scion of the Moria family's third generation, Leon, a candidate for the papacy, was the only one qualified to stand beside Grand Duke Moria on such an occasion.
The Moria family also had only 36 knights, their shields engraved with bears and snow shields, and their mounts were all brown bears.
When Grand Duke Moria's snow bear exhaled frosty mist, Leon discreetly turned his holy emblem ring inward—the silver chain of the papal candidate cast a slender shadow on his collarbone, trembling slightly with the snow bear's gait.
"Look! The giant's chains are bleeding!" A child's scream pierced the cheers.
The Simmons family's knights raised long whips studded with barbs. The raw flesh on the giants' backs beneath the iron chains oozed blue blood, dragging eerie totems across the stone slabs.
The Simmons family of the South had directly tamed giants as mounts. They crawled on the ground, heavy shackles on their necks and limbs clanging as they moved, while the proud Simmons clansmen sat on their backs.
The honor guards of the other Creed families arrived one after another. Dragon City, the royal capital, welcomed a festival even more lively than the Harvest Festival: the Creed Festival.
The seven great Creed families gathered in the royal capital, during which the entire nation reveled. Everyone received seven days of vacation and government subsidies, and could collect food and necessities for free.
People, immersed in the pain of the failed expedition and the loss of the Pope, finally found solace in their hearts.
The seven great Creed families held an incredibly esteemed position in the Empire, as the highest and most unshakeable nobility.
As their processions passed, even the proud citizens of the royal capital became incredibly enthusiastic, lining the streets to welcome them.
The children's faces beamed with curiosity and admiration, chasing the tracks of the wheels as if chasing legendary heroes.
The air was filled with a mixed fragrance of vanilla and magic, and the gazes of passersby were full of awe and anticipation.
In the distance, the bells of the clock tower continued to ring, deep and far-reaching, playing the overture for this solemn moment.
Each Creed family was worthy of the highest twelve chimes. When the eighty-four chimes ended, the parade would be declared over, and what remained would be the people's own revelry.
The taverns and teahouses along the streets were packed, the food and drinks on the tables emitting enticing aromas, and the air was filled with a joyful and lively atmosphere.
Vendors hawked their wares, their voices almost drowned out by the applause and cheers. Children waved colorful flags, while the elderly expressed their respect for the families with prayers and blessings.
At this moment, a warm magical energy permeated the town, gently caressing the faces of every resident,
bringing a subtle tremor.
This was a blessing from the Edward family. The Edward family's main business was potions and imitations, and one-fifth of the family's elite were sages, and one-fifth were church personnel. The blessing was just a greeting gift.
The welcoming ceremony continued, everyone's face was filled with a satisfied smile, and their hearts were full of hope for the future.
In this ancient land, magic and faith coexisted, and the seven great Creed families were the most steadfast guardians of this land.
As the eighty-fourth chime faded into the dome of the royal palace, Leon's silver boots stepped across the star map inlaid in the floor of the council chamber.
Eight obsidian chairs surrounded a round table, the rhythm of Augulas's fingers tapping the armrest betraying his anxiety—the Emperor's gaze swept over Dolores's falling purple hair, and finally fixed on the Holy Thorns ring worn by Leon.
There were a total of eight seats in the Supreme Council Chamber, with Emperor Augulas occupying one, and the heads of the seven great Creed families each occupying one.
Behind each chair was carved the emblem belonging to their respective families.
In addition to the heads of the families, the most outstanding young people in the family were also allowed to attend the meeting, but they could only stand beside the heads of the families and listen, without the right to speak.
Among those attending this time, Leon and Dolores finally saw Emma's figure.
She was attending the meeting with her grandfather.
When Emma saw the two, she didn't show any expression, as if she were looking at strangers.
This was the Empire's highest-level round table conference, starting with Augulas, followed by Seth Frank, the head of the Frank family, with the Southern Overlord Mary Frank standing beside him.
Byrne Hall, the head of the Hall family, with the Imperial Rose, legendary witch Dolores Hall standing beside him; Alex Moria, the head of the Moria family, with the youngest papal candidate Leon Moria standing beside him.
Remus Burke, the head of the Burke family, with the immortal princess Emma Burke standing beside him.
Charles Simmons, the head of the Simmons family, with the 35-year-old six-star knight Val Simmons standing beside him; Locke Edward, the head of the Edward family, with the 22-year-old sage Orlando Edward standing beside him.
Hughes Rhine, the head of the Rhine family, with the Empire's prophet Sella Rhine, who was only 8 years old, standing beside him.
The people beside them would, barring accidents, be the next generation of heads of the families, and even if they weren't the heads of the families, they would definitely be the strongest young people in the families.
Augulas felt very depressed about Seth bringing Mary to the meeting.
He originally thought that after Randall fell, Mary would lose her backing, but he didn't expect Seth to approve of Mary and bring her with him.
But what made Augulas even more depressed was the relationship between Leon and Dolores.
He had already learned about their relationship through Randall, and even knew that Leon had several bestowed items hidden on him.
Augulas realized that Leon was his biggest threat.
The Azure Dragon Whip was already on Leon.
And Dolores had also been taken away by Leon.
He secretly vowed that he would take back everything he had lost and destroy the traitor Leon.
After all the Creed families were in place, Duke Simmons, the oldest head of the Creed families, took the lead in saluting Augulas,
"The Simmons family of the Southern Border sends greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, and is willing to forever guard the Southern Border for His Majesty the Emperor."
"The Burke family of the Western Border sends greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, and is willing to forever guard the Western Border for His Majesty the Emperor."
"The Moria family of the Northern Border sends greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, and is willing to forever guard the Northern Border for His Majesty the Emperor."
"The Edward family of the Eastern Border sends greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, and is willing to forever guard the Eastern Border for the Empire forever."
"The Rhine family of the Islands sends greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, and is willing to forever guard the Islands for the Empire forever."
"The Frank family sends greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, may the imperial power be forever consolidated."
"The Hall family sends greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, may the Empire prosper."
After the heads of the families saluted Augulas, they took their seats, and the meeting officially began.
"Randall has escaped, and we have lost three bestowed items, [Hand of God] [Ear of Ignorance]
[The Gate], this matter is of utmost importance, we must gather all our strength to capture Randall."
Without any small talk, the meeting went straight to the point.
The handsome middle-aged family head Seth Frank said.
Leon could hear from his tone that he was also quite eager for the bestowed items,
He still didn't know that [Ear of Ignorance] was in Ophelia's hands, which meant that Ophelia hadn't betrayed him.
She really hated the Frank family.
I don't know what means Mary used to get the Frank family head, who has always favored men over women, to approve of her, Mary's condition is a bit strange.
Leon frowned, focused his attention, and observed Mary's entries, and found that she had actually recovered her divinity, which was quite surprising.
Augulas neither agreed nor opposed, his attitude was even stranger.
Could it be that he made some kind of deal with Randall inside the Gates of Hell?
Leon didn't see any new entries on Augulas, but it was normal for some deals not to have entries.
Judging from the fact that Augulas didn't look at him once, and didn't even congratulate him on becoming a papal candidate, he guessed that he probably already knew about him and Dolores.
"Hall, Randall is your friend, didn't he go to you?"
Locke Edward, the head of the Edward family, who has always been at odds with the Hall family, asked.
Earl Hall shook his head, "He didn't come to me, we have different positions, I won't protect him."
"Hall, I hope what you said is true, otherwise with Dolores's ability, it should be a very simple thing to hide him, right?"
Locke Edward asked.
Earl Hall frowned slightly, "The Hall family will not protect Randall."
"Since Hall said so, Edward, you don't need to continue to force him to express his position."
Grand Duke Moria said.
The other families looked at Grand Duke Moria in surprise, usually he and Hall were the most fierce, what's going on now? He actually took the initiative to speak for Hall.
"I suggest that the seven great Creed families join forces to form a hunting team to arrest Randall."
Grand Duke Moria continued, ignoring everyone's strange gazes.
A gloomy look flashed in Augulas's eyes, are you not even pretending now?
"Okay, then the Frank family will take the lead, and the family juniors present will form a hunting team."
Seth Frank said, "Is that okay? Mary?"
"Everything is up to the family head's arrangement."
Mary said.
Seth Frank wanted Mary to draw a clear line with Randall.
It seems that the camp has indeed changed.
"Does anyone from other families object?"
Seth Frank looked at everyone.
"The Moria family has no objection."
"The Edward family has no objection."
"I agree."
"I agree."
"Agree."
"Agree."
Seth Frank looked at Augulas, "What does the Emperor think?
"No objection, but the bestowed items must be returned to the Empire."
Augulas's meaning was very clear, you can arrest Randall, but the three bestowed items must belong to the Emperor.
Except for the Frank family, the eyes of the heads of the other Creed families obviously flickered, they all had their own thoughts.
Hall had no pursuit of bestowed items in the past, but now for the future of his children, he has to participate in the competition for bestowed items.
"This distribution is probably inappropriate, everyone knows that using bestowed items will inevitably pay a price, letting one family bear it alone, maybe this family will weaken because of it, how can we let the royal family bear such pressure?"
Charles Simmons said.
"Simmons is right, we can't let the royal family bear the price alone."
Remus Burke said.
Other families also expressed their positions.
"Even if it belongs to the Creed family, it essentially belongs to the Empire."
"Every time, the Creed family will always be loyal to the Empire and will never betray the Empire."
Augulas narrowed his eyes, knowing that this was a group of old foxes that were not easy to deal with.
"Then according to everyone's meaning, how should the bestowed items be handled?
Augulas asked.
"The Hand of God must belong to the Church, everyone should have no objection to this, right?"
The head of the Edward family said.
"The Church has held the Hand of God for too long, Randall did this kind of thing because of excessive power, isn't it worth our warning? The Hand of God should not belong to the Church, it should return to our Creed families."
The young head of the Rhine family, Hughes Rhine, said.
"That's right, the bestowed items should belong to the Creed families."
"The Hand of God is of great significance and is related to the future of the entire Empire, it must not be controlled by people with ulterior motives."
Except for the Edward family and the Moria family, the other families unanimously believed that the bestowed items should belong to the Creed families.
Grand Duke Moria believed that it was okay for the Hand of God to continue to be held by the Holy See because Leon was a candidate for the papacy.
After some discussion, everyone finally discussed a decision.
The bestowed items controlled by Randall must be watched over by the seven great families in rotation, a cycle of 4 years.
The family that finds Randall first will be the first to obtain the [Hand of God].
A team composed of the heirs of the seven great Creed families will be responsible for hunting down Randall.
This cooperation is also to allow the descendants of the seven great Creed families to increase their affection and form a sense of cooperation.
Li En, Doris, and Mary were all in the group, which was led by the oldest, Val Simmons.
Val Simmons was 35 years old this year. He was originally proud of becoming a six-star Radiant Knight, but after seeing the achievements of younger members of the Creed family far surpass his own, he felt a sense of inferiority. Taking on the role of captain this time put a lot of pressure on him.
Val Simmons had participated in Li En and Catherine's engagement ceremony. He remembered that the last time he saw Li En, he seemed to be only a three-star knight. He didn't expect his growth to be so rapid, and now he had become a candidate for Pope, which created a deep psychological gap for him.
After this topic ended, the Creed family began to discuss the next issue: modifying the Creed Covenant to abolish the rule that families cannot intermarry.
As early as hundreds of years ago, when the Holy Empire was founded, the seven Creed families refused to marry each other in order to balance power, but now, each family believes that marriage is the best way to consolidate their position, and they urgently request the abolition of this rule.
The abolition agreement was passed almost unanimously.
Afterward, Duke Burke looked at Regulus and asked, "My granddaughter, Emma, grew up with His Majesty the Emperor. She is now of marriageable age. Your Majesty, are you willing to marry her?"
