Divine Beast Ascension

574 Trial By Combat

Kuldar gave Oli a cheeky smile and pointed toward one of the open cushions. “Please, make yourself comfortable.

“And yes. You and the others in the task force will be handling special operations for us. It’s also why you’ll all be handsomely rewarded with a portion of the loot we claim from the invasion. In the case of some of you, you’ll even be given an estate to claim and run under the Iron Territory banner. I think that’s a fair reward for your services.”

Oli nodded, noting the eager expressions on the face of every human in the task force. Thanks to Kuldar, Oli finally knew the true reason why even Lambier’s and Marsel’s wives had joined the invasion effort.

“That works great for me,” Oli replied. “But I don’t need land or an estate. I’ll just take more gold or treasures.”

Kuldar didn’t need to agree. All terms of the task force had been negotiated by Vloz and Iron Territory, so Kuldar was only a middleman at most.

Waving to Hurman, Kulder said, “Well, since you’ve finally arrived, it’s time to call everyone else back in.”

Hurman was already walking over to a sliding door. He quickly stepped out of the room before returning only seconds later. Then, a line of people emerged and joined the task force in finding seats.

Kuldar introduced the new faces, “This is Tranton Forell, Leader of Forell Territory and Vassal of Iron Territory. And those with him belong to his family: Trantor Forell, Heir to the Forell Territory and Rot Region Mortal Candidate; his wife Freele Forell, formerly of the Whizek Family; and Trenk Forell, now an official member of the Practor Family of Iron Territory.”

The introductions weren’t supposed to be shocking, yet every young member of the Practor Family was stunned by that final introduction.

.....

Hurman added, “That’s right. As per a deal made between Iron Territory, Forell Territory, and the Practor Clan, Trenk has renounced his status within the Forell Family and will be a part of our family from this day forward.

“Also, as decided by myself, Mertin, and Melida, Trenk is officially betrothed to Melinda.”

“WHAT!”

“What??”

Both Melinda and Trenk shouted in unison, though Melinda was far more impassioned while Trenk was utterly confused.

Hurman smiled at Melinda and continued, “As was suggested by your mother, Melida, your father and I agree that it was about time to find you a suitor.”

“But I don’t consent! I never agreed to this and none of you even mentioned this–”

“Calm down, sweetheart. Let the patriarch finish explaining before you argue over our decision,” Mertin stated, bowing his head to her.

Hmph! Melinda agreed to hear them out, loudly groaning in discontent.

Yet Hurman continued without a single hiccup or fluctuation of tone, “Melinda, this is a betrothal. Not a wedding. Also, no wedding dates will be selected by anyone other than the joint decision of you and Trenk in the future to come. This is a means of bringing Trenk into our family and cementing his reputation as a direct subordinate of Iron Territory. Trenk will even be surrendering his family name, becoming Trenk Practor, regardless of whether you decide to marry or part ways in the future.

“Also, neither you nor Trenk may decline this betrothal until a year has passed. Then, both of you may approach the Practor Patriarch about the matter.”

The entire room was engulfed with silence.

Melinda looked to Trenk with blushing cheeks. Trenk looked at Melinda with an even redder face. Though Melinda didn’t feel anything for Trenk, she at least remembered how strong Trenk was, and that he had been prioritized over his older brother to be the family heir due to his crazy high potential as a cultivator.

Trenk, on the other hand, did have feelings for Melinda, though they were still shallow and superficial due to never getting to spend time with her or get to know her in the past. But Melinda’s determination to compete in the city exhibition years ago and her skill with the sword had already planted the seed of infatuation inside of him. So he was even more nervous than her.

Beside Trenk, Freele had to contain her giggle. She already understood what the relationship was like between the newly-betrothed couple and was hopeful to see where it would lead Trenk and Melinda.

However, Trantor and Tranton were both radiating gloom. That official declaration had hurt a lot. They knew it was coming. They even knew about the betrothal since Tranon and his wife had played a part in it as well. But knowing it would occur wouldn’t change the impact of the situation, or lessen their guilt for being too weak to run the territory on their own. If the Forell Family had been stronger, then they could’ve proposed an alliance between Iron and Forell Territories instead, brokering the deal by bringing Melinda into the Forell Family and not the other way around.

With that matter announced, a few more people entered the room from the sliding door.

Kuldar introduced them as well, “This is my son and heir, Fulkar Libarn. Though he will not be joining the invasion, Fulkar will soon inherit the family. So he will stay behind to handle the logistics supporting our invasion and preparing for the moment we capture the city and territory.”

Fulkar bowed to the room, showing his professionalism and confident demeanor. “I’ll make sure you have all the supplies you need, and keep track of our information networks as well.”

“DAD!”

Another voice cried out but not from the side door.

The conference room’s main entrance was thrown open as a man looking to be around thirty years old marched into the room, ignoring everyone apart from Kuldar. “What’s the meaning of this?!”

“The meaning of what, Walder?” Kuldar asked politely despite knowing exactly what his son was talking about.

“This! All of this! I’m the eldest and the heir!” barked Walder. “I’ve been a peak-elder for more than half a decade, yet I’m not considered the heir? Clearly, I’ll be the first to ascend and form my divine core, passing the family to me. Yet my idiot younger brother dares to snatch my birthright out of my hands?!”

Shaking his head, Fulkar sharpened his gaze, “You know how this family works. There is no such thing as birthright here, only profits and losses. And your brother has learned from each of his losses in order to turn over a majority profit. Yet, as of recent years, Walder, you’ve only been the source of losses for our family.”

“But I’m the eldest! I’m stronger, smarter, faster–”

Hurt to see his son’s continued ignorance, Kuldar scoffed, “Are you? Then we’ll test that right here and now.”

CLAP!

With a touch of essence, Kuldar made sure to be extra loud to keep his son from shouting and rebutting whatever Kuldar wanted to say or order.

“Go. It’s time you settled things with your brother.” Turning to Fulkar, Kuldar bowed his head before continuing, “Walder Libarn, as you’ve declared time and time again how great you are, it’s time to test the veracity of your claims. Which shall it be? A statement of profits and losses of the last decade on your behalf, or combat?”

“Combat!” Walder shouted without a second thought, knowing all too well that he was at a loss to Fulkar in terms of running the family business.

With a heavy heart, Kuldar waved his hand. “Very well… Then you shall be tried by combat. As you’ve endlessly claimed superiority over your younger brother, I hope you can back that claim.

“Win, and your position in the family, including your inheritance, will be re-evaluated. Lose to your brother ten years your junior, and you’ll be stricken from family records going forward. Make your decision. Do you accept your trial, or do you step down, forfeiting all future opportunities to deny the patriarchy to your brother?”

Walder’s mouth was open wide and his emotions were flaring up. But he choked on his words the moment the Kuldar announced the consequences of Walder’s loss.

“... Father, isn’t that too harsh a punishment?”

“And why is that the case, Walder?” questioned Kuldar. “Yes, you’ve been an elder for eight years. But doesn’t that also mean you’ve spent eight years on your ass, schmoozing and boozing, enjoying the fruits of my labor instead of pushing to ascend or even attempting to offer the family any profit to counter your losses? I know there are some special cases where that’s difficult, but you’ve had a perennial technique since the moment you formed your mortal core.

“Yet your brother, a decade younger than you, has gone further in the Mortal Championship than you ever did, honored the family in front of multiple kings and dignitaries, opened up discussions of alliance with the Permafrost Region’s king, and more than doubled the family business. Tell me, Walder, if I were to make you the family heir, the laziest of all my sons with no profits to his name, then what should I award Fulkar for everything he’s providing and earning for our family?

“Name a proper reward by comparison, one I’m capable of giving, and I’ll name you the family heir here and now with no need to fight.”