Chapter 431 - Chapter 431: Chapter 408: The Demon of the East Coast and the Guardian of the Queen (1/2)

Chapter 431: Chapter 408: The Demon of the East Coast and the Guardian of the Queen

Time advanced unceasingly like a severed kite string, while Karl silently observed the changes around him.

“Decades ago, I couldn’t have imagined that Cyart, this country, would ultimately become my possession…”

“The Fischer family, you’ve done very well.”

In the five years following the civil war, Cyart embarked on a lengthy period of reform.

Many had maliciously anticipated a conflict between the Romann and Fischer families; however, Romann, under Aldrich’s control, chose to retreat gracefully, gradually withdrawing most of their edge and beginning to wholeheartedly assist the Fischer family.

In fact, Aldrich himself was a person of extremely stable emotions who disliked conflict.

One could tell this from his earlier decision not to become the family head; for Aldrich, securing stability seemed to be more important than anything.

If Byrne had not met Bast, in his old age, he might very well have developed a character more similar to that of Aldrich.

Over the five years, Darren and Christine, manipulating Queen Peggy, who was but a puppet, silently purged all kinds of opposing and dangerous voices from within the country.

Darren astutely avoided a direct massacre of the Extraordinary nobility but instead eliminated them one by one, constantly finding just and lawful reasons to deal with those who harbored dissent.

Furthermore, as he eliminated some, he would immediately reward and show favor to others, creating the illusion for the rest that they were “safe” and that “Duke Darren and I are on good terms.”

Plus, with the powerful influence of the Fischer and Romann families, the difficulty for the remaining Extraordinary nobility to revolt anew was immense, hence no new civil war erupted.

During those five years, Darren killed many people.

He made full use of the power of the Dawn Church to infiltrate and investigate, as well as to survey the internal situation of the country.

At times, a noble who merely voiced dissatisfaction at a family banquet would the next day be taken away by agents of the Dawn Church on suspicion of treason.

Whether they could return or not depended on the subsequent investigation.

Because the great families often held banquets, their members gradually became familiar with each other, so now and then members of the Fischer family would come to Darren to plead for mercy.

In such cases, he would reply with a mocking laugh:

“I have always been very clear that in the Fischer family, no one is more suited to be the ‘villain’ than I am. To step onto the Path of Shadow, I am the ‘evil presence’ ordained by the great Lord of the Lost!”

“So, what I’m doing now is exactly what the Lord wishes! Do you really have the right to stop me?”

“Listen well, unless the great Lord of the Lost issues a Divine Oracle, or someone overpowers me through a family council, the person I want to kill will die no matter what!”

Thus, in the simmering five years, although opposition erupted continuously, ultimately the major nobles did not manage to band together successfully and were instead successively suppressed and restrained by the Fischer family.

Even August Frosac, known as “Claws of Wasteland” from the Frosac family, fell victim; he was caught in secret contact with the Seven Stars and was publicly executed by Darren. Even the plea of Frosac, the “White Beast” Family Head, and Bishop Zane could not reverse the outcome.

Luckily, Zane and his uncle were never on great terms, and thus he did not hate the Fischer family for it, although he was quite displeased with Darren.

The eldest and most despondent Monarch Transcendent, the “White Beast,” filled with regret and unwillingness at the core because of the death of his most valued family member, did not live much longer.

Fueling negative emotions enabled a better grasp on the Path of Shadow… So Darren’s mastery over the Path of Shadow soared during those five years of silent dominance.

The name “Iron Mask Man” had become more fearsome than demons inside the Cyart Kingdom, a concept that could stop children’s cry!

Even at a noble banquet, a young noblewoman who stole a glance at Darren could be frightened enough to spill her wine just by one of his looks.

Darren walked up with a smile, nobly nodded to the trembling young noblewoman, handed her a handkerchief, and signaled that she need not fear.