From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

East Coast Province, Nasir Town.

The Fischer family was holding a new family council, and they were discussing a crucial issue.

That was that the Fischer family had not received a large sum of money, which was the final payment for this year's military supply to the Cyart Kingdom, which should have been paid out of the Cyart national treasury.

But this final payment had been delayed for three months now, and the higher-ups were still urging the production of new military supplies, leaving the Fischer family with no choice but to produce at a loss.

In the past, the Fischer family had truly grown rich from the spoils of naval wars; their confidence to expand Nasir Town unquestionably lay in the wealth brought by war. But now, the situation was such that the powerful Cyart King had delayed the final payment.

Dressed in white, Vanessa folded her arms across her chest and pondered for a while before looking at Byrne and saying,

"Since the beginning of this war, our factory has been operating at full capacity, never having a moment's rest. But the Cyart King has delayed a portion of the payment and has not yet disbursed it. What should we do?"

"If we do not stop production now, we are losing money every single day. Continuing like this, even the cash flow of the Fischer family cannot sustain it."

Lilian and Chris both looked towards Byrne. Nowadays, the major and minor affairs of the Fischer family were basically decided by the four of them.

Karno and Christine were still too young, not sufficiently mature to participate in the Fischer family council.

Although Vanessa was not a favored member, she had gained everyone's full recognition, which is why she has been allowed to attend the core meetings of the Fischer family in recent years.

Byrne nodded lightly, without hesitation, and said,

"We should keep the blood flowing."

"We can talk about the final payment later, but at least at this critical moment, we must contribute our efforts to Cyart."

"Because if the war on the front lines collapses, we won't fare any better at the rear, especially if the Rhea people really come over, then the location of East Coast Province will be the frontline."

"At that time, we will also need the support from all over Cyart to hold our ground."

Chris listened silently; he didn't like money and didn't care about these complicated affairs.

The family didn't want him to be distracted either; after all, Chris's ascent on the God Pantheon stairway meant he didn't need to be involved in too many worldly matters, as it would affect the speed at which he became stronger.

Even so, Chris felt that mastering the power of the 4th Rank seemed to be an indefinitely distant dream.

To fully master and assimilate the Power of Consecution of the 4th Rank might take even longer than the total time taken from the 1st Rank to the 4th Rank!

After some pondering and frowning, Lilian said, "But Father, what about the losses of the Fischer family? We also have significant expenses on the islands."

The establishment of the Fischer family's sea base was also passed by a vote through the Scales of Conviction.

At that time, Lilian and Chris both cast affirmative votes, while Vanessa cast a dissenting vote, and Byrne hesitated for a long time before finally voting in favor. Stay tuned for updates on m-v l|e'm,p y r

With limited land on the Ouden Continent, Cyart Kingdom no longer had the space for explosive development, whereas the vast sea was still an untapped land of opportunity, ideal for the Fischer family with its harbor to grow.

"Don't worry, the business of canned sunlight has completely taken off. Going forward, we will earn more and more profits from selling sunlight, which will definitely match the wealth earned during the war."

Byrne soothed Lilian, knowing that what he said was just a euphemism. The Fischer family was indeed losing out, but he also understood that it had to be this way.

Since the entire Cyart nation had decided to bleed you dry, it was only wise to be compliant. If you opposed the high and mighty Cyart king or bargained with him, ultimately affecting the entire war effort, it would be considered quite foolish.

"The Cyart king is a reasonable man; he will remember our contribution."

Byrne had never met the Cyart king, but he knew in his heart that the old man had a strong relationship with Duke Black Iron, and had always been able to make clear distinctions in rewards and punishment.

He believed that as long as they could endure until the war was won, the Cyart king would definitely compensate the Fischer family.

Well, if the war was lost, that was a completely different story.

Vanessa also nodded, smiling wryly, as she said,

"We are already strapped to the chariot of war. Let's just pray for a complete victory on the front lines. The worst-case scenario would be a total loss on the front lines, followed by the Cyart king being forced to default on the payment, or even the East Coast Province subsequently falling victim to an invasion by the Rhea people…"

Byrne took out the Scales of Conviction once more, looking at his daughter as he said,

"Since you have doubts in your mind, let's vote on it—whether or not we should continue providing military supplies."

Lilian nodded lightly.

In the end, the vote passed with four votes in favor; everyone in the family agreed with Byrne's idea. Lilian hadn't been persuaded so much as she also knew that now was the time to endure, even though she felt uncomfortable about it.

When the family council concluded, they had just left the basement when they quickly saw Theo, looking quite anxious, waiting outside.

The burly old man bowed and, gazing into Byrne's eyes, said,

"Your Excellency Bain, a severely injured messenger has returned from the front lines of Rhea. He claimed to have some urgent news to convey! Moreover, he refused to tell anyone else, insisting that he must see you before disclosing the intelligence!"

Byrne and the others were stunned for a moment but quickly made their way to the parlor where they saw the dying messenger, barely clinging to life.

The man was middle-aged and on the brink of death due to excessive blood loss, causing his complexion to turn pale with cold sweat all over his body, and his mind seemed to be in a haze.

Had it not been for the urgent care provided by the Fischer family, this middle-aged man likely would not have survived until now.

Although Byrne had arrived, the man had little response, muttering incoherently, unable to utter a complete sentence.

"Heal him, Lilian."

Before Byrne could finish speaking, Lilian was already harnessing rune power, and in the next instant, an aura of verdant vitality like that of springtime filled the room.

Powerful healing energy surged into the man, and injuries mended at a pace visible to the naked eye. The moment before when he seemed at death's door appeared like an illusion as he quickly regained consciousness, fully healed except for lingering pain that remained stubbornly affixed to his body and mind.

"Incredible, so powerful… What powerful strength…"

The middle-aged man was astounded and speechless for a moment before he then looked at Byrne with widened eyes.

"Excuse me, are you His Excellency Byrne Fischer, the father of Darren Fischer?"

Byrne was taken aback. Why such a question? Did this man have some relationship with Darren?

Did he have news of Darren?

With this thought, Byrne's expression turned solemn as he immediately nodded.

"Yes."

Upon hearing Byrne's response, the middle-aged man's demeanor brightened with excitement, and he stood up shakily, saying,

"I am a friend of Darren Fischer! I have very important intelligence to report. Your Excellency Byrne, may I speak here?"

"You are Darren's friend! Where is he now?"

Byrne was also extremely excited, unable to hide the joy in his eyes, while Lilian and the others couldn't help but show a curious look.

"We were separated when pursued by powerful enemies. We split up to traverse the jungle and escape back to Cyart. Here's what happened…"

The man was agitated, even somewhat incoherent, but with some difficulty, he managed to clearly recount the events of the recent years, concluding with the most critical piece of intelligence.

They had discovered that the Rhea People were amassing an army at the border!

The Fischer family members exchanged glances, their hearts buoyed by the news of Darren's survival, but at the same time, they were apprehensive about the gathering Rhea forces.

After deeply pondering for a moment, Byrne spoke with grave severity, "Theo, dispatch messengers to inform the Lion clan, the Romann family, and the Cyart King at once!"

"We cannot decide on this matter alone!"

"Yes, I understand."

Theo nodded earnestly, his expression solemn, fully grasping the gravity of the situation. If the East Coast Province fell, it could mean defeat for the whole of Cyart.

"Moreover, we must also prepare all four towns for both defensive battle and evacuation. The enemy's forces are vast. Hmm, I predict there may be several Monarch powerful experts."

With that, Byrne closed his eyes, silent for a long while.

He could sense that the man likely wasn't lying; and if what the man had said was entirely true, then the Rhea army was indeed ferocious and not something the Fischer family could withstand on their own.

"It's strange. The power of the Meyer faction within the Rhea People has already been stretched thin just countering the joint forces of Cyart and the Rhea king."

"Yet, how do they have the strength to attack the East Coast Province, unless there is some external support involved?"

Muttering to himself, Byrne suddenly recalled something Viscount Bast had mentioned.

The strife between the Cyart people and the Meyer clan was never merely a bilateral issue; the politics of the entire Eastern Four Kingdoms were interconnected.

A glimmer of understanding flashed through his mind, his brows furrowing deeply.

"Could it be that forces from Vallere or Carnia are involved?"