It was the first morning in sunlight, and the great Ashbourne Duke Manor was bathed in it.
The estate was a verdant 40 acres, which looked like a miniature city.
The grounds were full of elegant courtyards, training grounds, libraries, alchemy halls, and sword pavilions.
As a new day dawned, thousands of guards and servants walked about.
The Sword Pavilion was the center of the estate and was off-limits to anyone but the Duke and his direct descendants of House Ashbourne.
The interior of Duke Arthur Ashbourne was graced with an aged stone monument.
His eyes were closed, and many strands of sword intent swirled around him.
He opened his eyes slowly with a slow breath.
One look was sufficient to cut the air in two.
Over two decades ago, he had ascended to the demi-god realm.
But he was simply known to the outside world as a semi-divine realm swordsman.
“Your Grace.”
Behind him appeared a shadow and knelt down.
“The scouts have returned.”
Arthur remained silent.
An increase in troops on the western border by the White Tiger Empire.
Marriage envoys are from the Crimson Phoenix Empire.
“And spies from the Black Tortoise Empire have made it to the capital.”
Arthur merely nodded.
What is the Forbidden Battlefield?
“It’s a time of increased demonic activity.”
It was the first time that Arthur frowned.
“It is becoming weak, the seal is…”
The shadow was silent for a while.
There’s something else.
Young masters have started to rally support among old ones.
Arthur sighed.
So, “they” weren’t able to wait.
He had been delaying for years on whom to bestow the title of Duke.
He desired to see his children raised together.
Instead, it was ambition that had slowly parted them.
A single branch was still joined.
The children of his second wife, Lady Elena Moonveil.
Andrew…
Leon…
Sophia…
And little Evelyn.
Arthur smiled faintly.
“If anything, the family was well brought up by Elena.”
The shadow suddenly said,
Your Grace…
about Young Master Andrew?
Arthur’s expression softened.
“Andrew has suffered enough.”
I will not have him used by anyone as a pawn in politics.
Both of them didn’t see the small sparrow on the roof.
It had golden eyes, and it watched silently all around.
In his courtyard far away…
Andrew smiled.
His clone had perfectly completed its mission.
That evening…
One of the oldest elders of the manor privately went to the home of the First Madam.
“Lady Isabella.”
“And now the Duke is about to declare his intentions to pick the heir.”
The first madam calmly placed her teacup down.
So, it’s now happening…
Her face sported a cold smile.
My son has been ready for this since he was a little boy.
There is no one to oppose him if he wills…
“They’ll disappear.”
Beneath the shadows, two quiet golden eyes watched without saying anything, outside the room.
Andrew’s second clone has heard all words.
The game had begun.