From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

The spirit rune "Thorns".

Unlike "Reverse Stab," which only causes mental shock, "Thorns" possesses a mystical power that goes a step further. It can grow a large number of black thorns directly on the body of the enemy, restricting their movement, and both the mental shock and black thorns can take effect on groups.

Chris was already very strong in terms of offensive capability. He didn't need any further enhancements in that area, but his defenses were relatively weak and in urgent need of reinforcement.

Therefore, Karl, in order to let this assassin "deliver damage while alive," ultimately chose the spirit rune "Thorns" for insurance.

With this, the overall strength of Chris Fischer had received an enormously significant boost.

Today, he transformed and officially became a true powerhouse reputable even among those on the East Coast, and the Fischer family too emerged as a force not to be underestimated on the East Coast.

"Next, the increasingly powerful Fischer family should be able to make even greater strides. In the next twenty-one years, who knows what the scene will be like."

Karl could feel that his breakthrough of the fourth seal was still a long way off.

"Fischer, hurry up and offer up another Forbidden class rare artifact. I can feel my soul desperately craving, that instinctual desire is simply irresistible."

Or rather, I don't want to resist it at all.

----

The emerging city on the East Coast Province, Phelps Port.

This city belongs to the Eagle clan and has also been the fastest-growing city on the East Coast in the recent decades.

As one of the Cyart Kingdom's top ports, Phelps Port's reach included the Eastern Four Kingdoms, the White Sea, and even the Aphotic Sea.

The patriarch of the Eagle clan, "Black Hawk" Zavier, was a man of great foresight. He vigorously developed industry and spared no effort to introduce foreign steam engines, offering convenient policies for various factories.

Although the processes of urbanization and industrialization brought about issues like chaos, violence, and diseases, the rapid development of Phelps Port was a "miracle" visible to everyone.

A black carriage made its way through the crowd. Upon seeing the Roarer clan's crest on the carriage, people would subconsciously keep their distance, not daring to get close.

Viscount Garcia, clad in a black military uniform, sat inside the carriage with a calm and composed expression, holding an odd black mechanical enamelled watch in his rough and heavy hands.

Timepieces of the current era on the Ouden Continent had already incorporated tourbillons and also the invention of a second hand. However, the mechanical enamelled watch in Viscount Garcia's hand was quite different.

It was apparently an older model, with only an hour and minute hand, and no tourbillon to offset the effects of gravity on the timekeeping mechanism's escapement.

In reality, this black mechanical enamelled watch was not actually a timepiece, but rather a powerful Forbidden rare artifact.

The Forbidden rare artifact number 4571 "Countdown Timer".

In order to increase the likelihood of success against the Fischer family, Viscount Garcia had obtained this Forbidden rare artifact called "Countdown Timer" a few months earlier by trading with the Carnians from the northernmost part of the Eastern Four Kingdoms.

All Forbidden rare artifact numbers were designated by the "Crimson Flame Library," one of the six ancient libraries. Generally speaking, the smaller the number of a Forbidden rare artifact, the stronger the mystical power it possessed.

The single-digit Forbidden rare artifacts, numbered up to nine, were even coveted by the powerful experts of Heavenly Enlightenment.

While it was only a four-digit number for a Forbidden rare artifact, "Countdown Timer," with a number within five thousand, contained very potent mystical power within.

Rumours about the Fischer family and the Romann family had spread throughout the East Coast Province. More and more commoners and nobles believed them, and many began to embellish the stories, with tavern-goers especially liking to hear those "rumors," "secrets," and "conspiracies."

However, Viscount Garcia still didn't believe it.

"But without a doubt, the latent power they hide is indeed troublesome. Rather than rashly attacking, Vina should investigate the internal situation of the Fischer family first."

"Is such caution really necessary?"

Viscount Garcia's younger brother, Andrew, furrowed his brow, feeling that his brother was being overly cautious.

"After all, the Fischer family is still just a small clan, and their power and influence seem laughable in the face of the Roarer clan."

"Even if the Fischer family has the backing of the Lion clan, what of it? We, the Roarer clan, also have the support of the Eagle clan."

"As long as they are not part of the direct lineage of the Romann family, they are nothing in front of the Roarer clan."

In truth, the core members of the Roarer clan were all aware that their patriarch, Viscount Garcia, was about to assassinate Byrne Fischer, the head of the Fischer family.

What they all couldn't understand, though, was why Viscount Garcia still held the Fischer family's potential and hidden strength in "high regard," even though he was convinced that there was no close relationship between the Fischer family and the Romann family.

Over the year, Viscount Garcia had spent considerable time, effort, and money to acquire Forbidden rare artifacts, all as a part of his preparations to kill Byrne Fischer.

"You simply don't understand, the power hidden within the Fischer family is absolutely formidable. With several strong individuals falling before them, even I can't guarantee that I will certainly kill Byrne."

Viscount Garcia looked at his brother, his eyes sharp and penetrative as if he could see through to one's soul.

"We must delve into the secrets of the Fischer family, research and prepare ambush locations, and also this Forbidden rare artifact—it's all crucial work we need to complete."

"Just like the war with the Rhea People back then, we can never afford to be careless on the battlefield or have you forgotten how the Tempest Bishop met his end?"

His tone became increasingly serious, and his gaze even turned icy cold.

"The Sea God Cult had hidden their strength at that time, and we knew absolutely nothing about it. We arrogantly expected an easy victory, yet the outcome is known to all, though some foolish ones never learn their lesson!"

Andrew swallowed hard, somewhat intimidated by his older brother.

"I understand."

The black carriage arrived in front of the Eagle clan's mansion and finally came to a stop.

The mansion was built entirely in the Lorne style, appearing grand and unique. Its colors were elegant yet vibrant, and the surrounding lawns were meticulously groomed and level, as if created by a Mysterious force.

Viscount Garcia arrived at the mansion, where he met Viscount Zavier who was still cloaked in a black robe, his demeanor austere, and with the appearance of a young man.

"Zavier, what are you doing?"

Upon entering, Viscount Garcia saw Zavier looking fascinatedly at a blueprint.

"This is an unprecedented invention. It's utterly captivating. Garcia, I'm looking at the future of Phelps Port."

Zavier lifted his head, took a deep breath, and then handed the blueprint to Viscount Garcia, who however, found mechanical industry blueprints utterly incomprehensible and could only shake his head after looking at it.

"What is this exactly? It looks like a ship?"

"It's a steamship. You can understand it as using the power of a steam engine to propel the ship on water, rather than relying solely on wind and alchemy."

Zavier's expression remained neutral, but his tone conveyed great importance to the contents of the blueprint.

"Its advent could even change the world. The steamship will sooner or later replace sailboats. They will be easier to navigate for long voyages, faster, and will lead to the flourishing development of Phelps Port."

Viscount Garcia didn't quite understand. Could steam engines really provide power for ships? And if everyone started using them instead of the power of sea winds, what would the Tempest Church think?

They would surely feel that the sacred object of the Reforging Church was trying to usurp the authority and domain of the Tempest Overlord, which would lead to great anger.

"It may not develop as smoothly as you think," Viscount Garcia shook his head.

"You still don't understand, Garcia. The East Coast Province could very well become the wealthiest province in the Cyart Kingdom in the future."

Zavier shook his head and replied, "The steam engines invented by the Reforging Church are truly magnificent. They are far more important than the exorbitantly priced and difficult to master art of alchemy."

"In no more than fifty or a hundred years, the existence of steam engines will change the entire world, and every aspect of people's lives will bear the trace of steam and machinery!"

Finally, Viscount Garcia could not help but laugh at this point, sincerely believing his old friend was having fanciful thoughts, and he laughed heartily:

"Hahahaha, Zavier, have you gone mad? That's simply impossible! The great churches will never sit by and watch the Reforging Church grow unchecked!"

"The steam engine is somewhat interesting, I admit it has brought change. Yet, it's merely ordinary in the face of true, powerful forces. I don't see anything special about it!"

Zavier suddenly realized his mistake; he shouldn't have discussed such matters with Viscount Garcia, a professional soldier who was completely out of his element with these topics.

So he nodded politely, and with a blank expression, he asked, "So, what do you need me to do, Garcia?"

Viscount Garcia's expression darkened as he said, "I need your help to kill Byrne Fischer!"

Zavier was not at all surprised by this answer, and after a long silence, he calmly said:

"Are you sure you want to kill that man? He's very cautious now, always keeping his whereabouts secret, and both you and I are well aware that the Fischer family possesses some kind of hidden power. To act rashly against them could likely lead us into some sort of danger."

The situation was becoming increasingly tense after the maritime warfare. Many nobles learned to keep their movements secret, and public banquets became increasingly rare, making assassination attempts more difficult.

"I've made up my mind! Lend me your strength, Zavier!"

There was a wild beast-like intent in Viscount Garcia's eyes, his grip tightening on one hand as he pulled out the Forbidden rare artifact "Countdown Timer" with the other.

"At most ten years, maybe even five, and the Fischer family will become a great impediment before us!"

His words continued with determined conviction, trusting in his own judgment.

"Often, my judgments come not so much from intuition as from the accumulation of years of experience. If we let the Fischer family continue to develop, they will eventually become a beast capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the powerful. That would be even more troublesome and dangerous!"

"Byrne Fischer, the lead of the Fischer family, must fall into death now!"