Chapter 66: Where does the Sungrade stand?
The patriarch found Eon, his legendary Salamander partner, at a young age of twenty.
He was considered a genius ever since he was young. Not only had he mastered the martial arts of the Sungrade by the age of 15, he had a deep understanding of magical practices.
Within the family, he was the only teenager to have two Weapon grade beasts and a historical grade beast under him.
The school of taming that he followed was the oldest, the one that focused on the affinity between the tamer and the beast.
As common knowledge, one needed to possess three things to tame any beast: 1) a unique agreement of the beast and the tamer, 2) a deep knowledge of the taming method, and 3) an abstract authority between the two.
While the other schools had their own unique methods, the [School of Affinity] focused more on the Raw and natural bond formation between the beast and the master.
The tamer and the beasts spend a long time together before forming a bond, something that manifests as a stronger bond as seen in some cases.
Finding the creatures that one shares a unique affinity with has always been a difficult task.
He wasn’t just lucky to find the creatures that were right for him, he traveled all across the eastern lands to bring in the endangered species before he obtained his partners.
Still, he was too young when he was first called to the Sun Sanctuary.
And now, his youngest son was the one to be called to the sanctuary after his eldest daughter.
"The guardians called him...?"
Lady Markeet, someone who acknowledged Sam’s abilities, was also shocked by the news.
Lady Leha had brought the youngest children to their bed after their mothers promised them to tell the story of the Sanctuary later.
Sam also told them it was time to go, so the children listened to their new favorite big brother.
Now, with Alex and her little nephew gone, the family members on the dinner table were questioning the patriarch.
"No! That must be false—." Able was about to cause a scene but one glare from his sister shut him down.
Prism was younger than him. He was younger than any of them.
And yet, the honor that any of them had to earn with great achievements was being given to him without anything significant.
At the very least, the ones who weren’t at the battlefield a few months ago believed his achievements to be insignificant.
Yet, these words were not of the Sungrade Lord. They came from a power even beyond him.
"It is Their will and I have made my decision." The patriarch’s voice was stern.
He was certain that Sam was ready now that at least half of the elders had declared their support for his request to leave.
They were confident that he was skilled enough to handle himself in most of the outside situations. And even if he wasn’t the strongest within the family, none of them knew for certain whether he would find a flame partner in the sanctuary or not.
Still, seeing the sanctuary and experiencing it alone is something that gives any tamer in this world a new perspective about the world of creatures.
"You will be going out tonight itself."
"Huh? That soon?!" Lady Emilia was surprised while Lady Isha beside her gasped in shock. "At night at that?!"
The two ladies did not want anyone from their family to go into the demon forest at night. The Sanctuary was located deep within the forest and the path itself was filled with all kinds of dangers.
The demon beasts frequented the path, and if that wasn’t enough, the ones going to the Sanctuary would have to face certain challenges that all those who want to reach that place must go through.
"The more unique the person, the more unique the challenges. My lord, at least let him go at first light instead."
Even Lady Markeet did not like the sound of this. She advised the patriarch to reconsider his decisions, but things were beyond his control at this point.
"It is not in my hands anymore." He couldn’t change anything even if he wanted to anymore. And the reason for that was something the boy watching his father could tell very well.
He may go there by himself but he would not be the only one present at the sanctuary.
"Furthermore, I need him here along with everyone tomorrow as well." Now that the first matter was discussed, the patriarch took a deep breath and looked around the room at his family once again.
"We must make an important decision now." The future of the Sungrade now rested in their hands.
In this ongoing conflict of the crown, where do the Sungrades stand?
"The emperor has fallen severely ill and there are movements of rebel forces eyeing for the throne."
While these matters weren’t something one should discuss so openly, the patriarch saw everyone present in this room including the direct assistants of each of the people present here as trustworthy allies.
While there were younger boys present, they were old enough to know just how dangerous this whole thing was.
Plus, Able was a great fighter despite his age.
He understood the meaning of ’making a decision’ as well as the rest of them.
"I do not want to speak ill about anything or anyone, however, the Sungrades have always protected the eastern lands. Before the empire even came to be, we were here, fighting against the demons."
The Sungrades were one of the ancient families of the continent. And they were not going to get in the middle of succession schemes.
"I do not wish to support anyone with a claim to the throne, however, I do wish to protect my family and my people. And it might not be possible given our position."
An ancient pact was made between the Sungrades and the founders of the empire.
It was their duty to help the crown, and it was their responsibility to bear the burden of the will of the crown.
Only they could go against the demonic forces as well as they have. They were the wall that prevented another demon infestation throughout the continent.
To maintain their authority under the crown, they would be called to do as they had sworn if the emperor passed away. And they did not have too long on their hands.
"We must talk about this together. I do not wish to push my will on all of you." The patriarch had the final say in this.
He had no need to ask for others’ opinions. But, his subjects on one side, if even the people closest to him oppose his decision, with what face could he face his subjects when something goes wrong?
"So please..."
He was a powerful individual that had broken the limits of humans and reached a realm that anyone in the world could ever achieve. He was a lord of fire, but when it comes to experience, he did not have nearly enough of it.
"We should rest for now and hear the happenings of the conference from our dear Lady later." He finished his piece and placed his utensils down.
He was done with his meal, but there were still sweets that Sam had prepared with the help of Alex and the maids.
He wanted to try them as well, so he continued on with his desserts while Lady Mililian looked at the boy with a worried look.
He was the only link to their secret operation. An operation that was going to start the moment they talked about choosing a side.
"Hmmm~. What is this?" The special dessert that the children prepared was pretty good and to the patriarch’s liking.
Sam knew they’d like it. After all, when he was captured and about to be executed, this was the very thing he asked for as his last meal.
’But not again.’
Sam did not want to see the family that his mother loved so much fall like they did. They had only defended themselves in the past, and that was not a sin.
"You should try it with the dark chocolate, father." He smiled at the person he still hated, but not enough to drive him to the point of killing him.
"Oh? Oh ho!"
He was enjoying the sweets.
But he will enjoy the things that Prism was going to gift him in various forms going forward.