Imperial Throne

Chapter 174 : Perhaps, Not Entirely a Bad Thing

Chapter 174: Perhaps, Not Entirely a Bad Thing

The Earth-Thorn Beaked Bird was not a Magical Beast that lived in the Demonic Eagle Mountain Range. This meant that the surrounding territories of the Demonic Eagle Mountain Range did not have the corresponding Bloodline Potions materials. Thus, Yam had no choice but to send Sherry to Iceport to negotiate the deal. As a result, by the time the materials for this Bloodline Potion were fully gathered, Aches was already sixteen years old.

Originally, for the sake of the Soderbell Family, Yam did not want Aches to appear too gifted, so he did not pay much attention to the matter.

However, now that the Demonic Sword could ensure that the Soderbell Family would definitely produce a Fifth-Tier Bloodline User, the timing of Aches’s bloodline awakening suddenly became significant—Yam had officially awakened as a First-Tier Bloodline User at the age of nineteen and was now just over thirty, yet he had only recently advanced to a Third-Tier Bloodline User. According to the Hall of Spirits' records of Bloodline Aptitude potential standards, he was considered a Bloodline User with above-average aptitude, which was one reason why the Kasein Family valued him so highly.

After all, the Kasein Family was unaware of Yam’s actual bloodline awakening time. Previously, they had heard from Baron Ster once and simply assumed that Yam had awakened very early, only joining the White Mountain Territory at the age of nineteen. At the time, Akar was merely a seventeen or eighteen-year-old teenager, which led the Kasein Family to subconsciously assume the Soderbell brothers had both awakened at fifteen.

Therefore, if Aches awakened too late but still easily advanced to the Fifth-Tier, it would inevitably arouse suspicion about the Soderbell Family. This would be extremely dangerous for them—since the Hall of Spirits had already compiled a near-truthlike set of Bloodline Aptitude norms, any deviation by the Soderbell Family from this established norm would undoubtedly become a subject of scrutiny.

Once Yam finished gathering all the materials and began formulating the potion based on a high-priced recipe, he soon obtained, as expected, a specially mutated Bloodline Potion.

Thorned Giant Bird Bloodline Awakening Potion.

It was yet another unique Magical Beast that did not currently exist in the world—at least, after Yam and Akar thoroughly searched through all the bloodline knowledge archives in the White Mountain Territory and the Gem Territory, they found no records of any creature known as the Thorned Giant Bird.

According to documented sources, the bloodline ability of the Earth-Thorn Beaked Bird was unlike the Flame Stream of the Flame Demon Hound or the Suspended Zone of the Wind-Chasing Bird—abilities that required activation through the user’s will. Rather, it resembled the Flame Tiger’s Fire Element Affinity, which remained permanently active. This ability allowed for faster blood clotting and accelerated wound recovery—Self-Healing.

But the bloodline ability of the Thorned Giant Bird was a brand new one called Iron-Blooded Thorns. This ability naturally hardened Aches’s skin, forming a kind of Tough Skin. Beyond the basic enhancements of quicker clotting and healing, this ability allowed Aches to disperse impact force through his skin when struck, thus reducing damage. In some cases, it even rebounded part of the force to counterattack the assailant.

Robin, who resided in the Demonic Sword, called this effect Rebound Damage.

However, this rebound effect only worked against blunt force trauma. It had no effect against cutting, slashing, or piercing attacks from sharp weapons.

In Robin’s opinion, Aches was clearly more suited to train in Punching Battle Arts.

Yet, after awakening his bloodline ability, Aches remained focused on his swordsmanship. His approach was unchanged: he primarily practiced combat techniques with the Single-handed Sword while also deepening his skills with the Two-Handed Sword. Now that his physical capabilities and recovery had improved post-awakening, he developed a new set of training techniques for himself.

For instance, wielding a sword with both hands, using sword and shield tactics, and training in unarmed combat to avoid being helpless without a weapon.

Ever since separating from the girl he liked, Aches had poured all his energy and time into training his combat skills. Now that his bloodline had awakened and he was qualified to practice Battle Arts, he spent nearly eighteen hours a day immersed in the Training Grounds.

This routine continued for two whole months.

He only stopped because the convoy arranged by Monica Kasein, the Marquess of Red Eagle Territory, had finally arrived at White Mountain City.

...

Lily Bole, Yam Soderbell, and Aches Soderbell did not go out to greet them outside the city.

Because sending Angelina to the White Mountain Territory was not exactly a moment of glory for the Kasein Family. Monica had even used the excuse of escorting a shipment of supplies to send Angelina Kasein over.

The so-called supplies were actually the 200,000 Tyrella Gold Coins that Marquis Visen had promised Yam.

These coins filled twenty chests, transported in five ox carts.

There were also various clothes, books, jewelry, and Magical Beast Materials, but these paled in comparison to the value of those 200,000 coins.

However, Yam understood that these supplies were, in fact, Angelina Kasein’s dowry—not just the goods, but also a full staff arranged by Monica: chefs, First-Class Maids, Third-Class Servants, stablehands, totaling sixty people, along with a hundred-member Kasein Family Guard.

This nearly two-hundred-person convoy was quite an imposing procession.

The person in charge of protecting Angelina and overseeing the delivery of these goods was an old acquaintance of Yam’s: Knight Commander Dean Seia of the Kasein Family.

Yam didn’t know Marquis Visen’s true feelings about his great-granddaughter, but judging by the substantial dowry he prepared for her, his official stance was clear—he highly valued this great-granddaughter. Through this gesture, he also conveyed to the Soderbell Family that the Kasein Family valued Aches Soderbell and this marriage alliance immensely.

With such an overt display of goodwill from the Kasein Family, Yam naturally had to respond in kind.

The Soderbell Family’s rise was only a matter of time, but until this potential had been fully realized, the cautious Yam would not do anything reckless or irrational.

Under Yam’s instruction, Lily hosted Dean the Knight Commander and Angelina Kasein with the highest level of hospitality the City Lord’s Manor could offer. Regardless of her previous status among the younger generation of the Kasein Family, the moment she was chosen to be the first to form a marriage alliance with the Soderbell Family, she became the beloved jewel of the Kasein Family.

Yam naturally understood this.

At the very least, until Monica had a daughter of her own, this exceptional position would likely remain unchanged for quite some time.

In fact, if Monica’s first child turned out not to be a girl, then Angelina might truly become the Kasein Family’s shining jewel among the next generation. By the time Monica had her second child, Angelina would likely be almost thirteen years old. If Monica’s daughter were to marry Liam, Angelina’s child would already be several years old.

The Soderbell Family couldn’t keep Burton Kasein’s True Blood hidden forever. If things unfolded this way, it would most likely be used on the child of Aches and Angelina.

A prodigy who inherited the Berserk Ape Bloodline from the Kasein Family and steadily advanced to the Sixth-Tier Bloodline User—could the Kasein Family really deny such a child? That child’s mother would be a Kasein, and the father the Lord of Red Soil Territory. In other words, the child would also inherit the rights to Red Soil Territory. If by then the Kasein Family still lacked a potential Sixth-Tier heir, who would control the Red Eagle Territory?

It wouldn’t even be a question.

Similarly,

If Monica’s first child were a girl, then her grandson would become the savior of the Kasein Family—based on Yam’s understanding of Monica, if the Kasein Family still lacked a proper heir by then, she would surely compromise with the Soderbell Family for the family’s future, allowing that child to inherit the Marquisate of Red Eagle.

In a way, Anna’s ambition to swap families with Monica might still have a chance to come true.

However, only Ion, Yam, and Akar were aware of this possibility—Akar had only realized it after Ion pointed it out.

Aches, meanwhile, lacked any such sharp political instincts.

For him, the engagement with Angelina was primarily a demonstration of loyalty to the Soderbell Family. In the darkest times of his and his mother’s lives, it was Akar who brought them back into the family. It was the surname “Soderbell” that gave him the right to dream of a future. Moreover, having seen his most admired Third Uncle Akar willing to “sell” even his own son, Aches was able to convince himself.

Since he had received the protection and benefits of the family, it was only right to sacrifice for the family in return.

Therefore, he had already made up his mind: even if Angelina was blind, lame, deaf, mute, or even had various flaws and a bad temper, he would still accept her!

Then.

Aches froze, his face turning as red as if it had been soaked in scalding magma.

“Hello, I am Angelina, Angelina Kasein.”

The ten-year-old Angelina, supported by several personal maids, carefully stepped down from the carriage. She gently lifted both sides of her skirt with her hands and gave a slight curtsy. Her fair little face was flushed, whether from shyness or some other reason, looking as red as a fully ripe apple.

She stood in front of Aches, only reaching up to his abdomen. After curtsying, she had to lift her head to look at Aches.

But when she saw Aches staring at her in a daze, Angelina immediately felt a wave of heat and quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at Aches at all. Her neck and ears also began to flush red rapidly. At this point, she no longer looked like a ripe apple, but more like a shrimp being quickly boiled.

It was Jinna, who couldn't bear to watch any longer, who gave her son a push. Aches suddenly snapped back to reality and spoke up: “You... hello. I, I am Aches Arsen Soderbell. …You can call me Aches.”

“Aches, hello.”

Angelina spoke cautiously.

Then her face turned even redder, as if it were about to bleed.

Standing next to Yam, Dean chuckled and said, “This is the second time Miss Angelina has traveled far. …The first time was from Eaglehead Territory to Red River Territory. Before that, when she was still in Eaglehead Territory, Miss Angelina had almost no contact with others. She only has three siblings; she is the second child. Below her are a younger brother and sister who are only five and three years old.”

Cindy and Yam understood that Dean was explaining some basic information about Angelina Kasein.

After all, this was their first time meeting this child of the Kasein Family, and they had never heard of her before—which was not unusual. Noble children typically begin receiving simple and basic family education in castles or the lord’s manor from age four to eight. Some high-ranking nobles continue this education until age nine or even ten, after which they arrange for more advanced tutoring.

Such as castle studies, court studies, and so on.

The former involved standard family etiquette, such as how to properly present oneself at family gatherings, and the appropriate manners to display before guests of different social ranks.

The latter entailed true noble etiquette, including the protocols for audience with high nobles, proper walking posture, attire coordination, and matters of decorum in the lord’s court.

These etiquette courses usually continued until the age of fourteen, after which further specialized education was provided based on gender, status, and other factors—covering swordsmanship, horsemanship, spear techniques, archery, military science, economics, and a series of martial and literary disciplines. This educational process would continue until bloodline awakening. If the awakening was successful, it would naturally lead to a new path of learning; if not, there would still be alternate content prepared.

Children like Angelina were originally supposed to remain in Eaglehead Territory to receive such training in etiquette and literature until age fifteen, after which their aptitude would be tested and the curriculum adjusted accordingly.

But now, due to the decision of Marquis Visen, she was sent to White Mountain Territory at the age of ten—she would reside in White Mountain Territory until she turned fifteen and then return for aptitude testing. However, since she was from the branch of Marquis Visen’s second son, the Kasein Family did not actually expect much from her potential aptitude. Otherwise, they would not have arranged for her to become Aches’s fiancée.

At present, while her aptitude remained unknown, her upbringing, personality, and appearance were clearly enough to satisfy anyone.

This was evident from how broadly Jinna was smiling—unlike her previous demeanor toward that other girl Aches had once known, whom she never treated kindly.

In truth, Jinna’s character did lean toward being a bit snobbish.

But that was a habit formed from years of hardship raising Aches, so it couldn’t really be called a flaw in her character. At the very least, even when separated from Arsen for years and during the wartime chaos in Red River Territory, Jinna endured it all and stubbornly raised Aches by herself. This was something both Yam and Akar deeply respected.

So Yam and Akar could understand Jinna’s desire for her son to marry well and rise in status, rather than throwing away his future for a common girl. After all, Jinna didn’t know that the Soderbell Family possessed a Demonic Sword. Thus, even if Aches did marry a commoner, their offspring would still be anything but ordinary.

She wanted Aches to marry someone who could support him and help him climb the social ladder—there was nothing wrong with that. In Jinna’s eyes, Yam and Akar were the best examples.

Unlike the lively commotion on the first floor of the lord’s manor, Ion and little Cindy were in a room on the third floor, looking down at the excitement by the gates.

Regarding Angelina, Ion couldn’t help but admire Marquis Visen’s boldness.

This little girl might not grow up to reach the same heights as Anna and become the dazzling jewel of the Southern Region, but judging by her current appearance, she would definitely become a great beauty. Even little Cindy might not compare to her—if Anna was a naturally stunning beauty and Cindy had a wild charm, then the impression Angelina gave was a gentle beauty blending intellect and grace.

Especially her timid, fawn-like demeanor, which instantly stirred a protective instinct in most men.

Ion glanced at his granddaughter.

Cindy was the complete opposite type compared to Angelina.

When she put on a cold face, she naturally radiated a stern aura that kept others at bay. Especially as her connection to the Demonic Sword deepened, due to the bloodline of the Bloodthirsty Beast, the aura of blood around her became even stronger. Now, even many adults dared not meet Cindy’s gaze.

“What do you think of Angelina?”

“That sister is so pretty.” Cindy stood on a chair, leaning on the windowsill, gazing at Angelina. “Is she going to be Aches’s wife in the future?”

“Mm.” Ion nodded. “She’ll be staying with us for five years. …Originally, we planned to house her in the lord’s manor, but since she brought so many people, we’ll likely have to prepare a new residence for her.”

“I think she’d probably prefer staying here,” Cindy shook her head. “She looks very lonely.”

Ion froze for a moment, clearly not expecting Cindy to say such a thing.

At that moment, downstairs, someone said something, and soon everyone entered the lord’s manor. The servants began unloading the luggage, while the guards were directed to their designated resting quarters—Dean had already sent a messenger ahead, so Cynthia had long prepared a camp as the barracks for these guards.

This group of soldiers were the Kasein Family’s private guards, but since they were assigned to Angelina, they now became her private soldiers. In the future, once Angelina married Aches, these soldiers would naturally become part of Aches’s personal property.

“Cindy, since you can communicate with the Demonic Sword, what do you think of Angelina’s bloodline aptitude?”

“About the same as Aunt Annie.” Cindy replied without hesitation. “Maybe a little better.”

“How does she compare to Liam?” Ion asked.

“A bit worse, but… probably about the same?”

Among all those Cindy had sensed through the Demonic Sword, her own bloodline aptitude was undoubtedly the strongest. Even without the Demonic Sword’s Purification effect, she could easily reach the Fourth-Tier and might even aim for the Sixth-Tier, making her one of the core pillars of the Soderbell Family’s future.

Next was Cynthia—reaching the Third-Tier was no issue, but the Fourth-Tier was out of reach.

Then came Aches, Yam, and Akar. Without the Purification effect of the Demonic Sword, they were at best at the level of Second-Tier trying to reach Third-Tier, and the Fourth-Tier was unattainable.

Liam’s aptitude was even lower. Without Purification, the Second-Tier was his limit.

As for Annie’s aptitude, it was even lower still—she struggled even to break into the Second-Tier.

At present, Angelina's bloodline aptitude was only slightly better than Annie's, but inferior to Liam's, which meant she was, at best, at the level of a Second-Tier.

Having understood this, Ion’s heart also settled.

“All right, go play by yourself for now.”

“Okay.” Cindy jumped down from the chair, then waddled away on her short legs, ready to run off.

But Ion’s voice rang out once more: “Put down the Demonic Sword.”

“Uh…” Cindy froze in place, then helplessly placed the Demonic Sword flat on the ground. “No choice. It's not that I don't want to take you out for a walk, it's just that Grandfather won’t let me. …When I grow up, I’ll come take you out!”

Ion was no longer surprised by scenes like this where Cindy mumbled to the Demonic Sword.

Recently, Cindy’s frequency of communication with the Demonic Sword had clearly increased. She almost came to the small study every day to chat with it. He had secretly spied on her several times, but each time he only saw Cindy talking to herself, never once witnessing any response from the Demonic Sword. Eventually, he felt reassured and merely assumed it was just another flight of Cindy’s imagination.

But when he saw Cindy leaning on the window looking at Angelina and saying she seemed lonely, Ion suddenly realized—had they perhaps been neglecting Cindy emotionally?

All this time, because of Cindy’s maturity and intelligence, they often subconsciously overlooked the fact that she was only six years old. Apart from teaching her the most basic knowledge, much of what she knew was actually self-learned. Her sources of learning and imitation were not limited to Cynthia, Yam, and others—nearly everyone in the lord’s manor became her role models and study objects.

This led them all to share a misconception: Cindy’s growth rate was astonishing, as if she were learning and evolving every single day.

But in reality, she was still just a child about to turn seven.

And because she and her younger brother Liam were often separated in different territories, both of them severely lacked childhood companions. It was precisely this absence of playmates that left Cindy completely unaware of what childhood was, or what children were supposed to do during their childhood.

“Perhaps.”

Ion sighed softly. “Angelina’s arrival is truly a good thing.”