Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 86

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Temples were rare throughout the empire. They stood in the territories of the Four Great Houses—save House Cardian—and their subordinate families, as well as in the capital where the Imperial Capital was located.
In exchange for protecting the Purification District, the temples provided Side-Effect Suppressants to Ability Users. They periodically led Ability Users on expeditions to subjugate the areas near the Purification District.
The work of purifying regions tainted by darkness that seeped from monster corpses was confined strictly within the Purification District itself. Beyond that boundary, even catastrophe was met with indifference.
House Cardian, situated in the monster-infested Northern Region and only belatedly admitted into the Five Great Houses, received no protection from the temples. Yet the lives of its domain people were better than those outside the protected zone.
This was because House Cardian and the Magic Tower spared no support for their people.
Other regions, however, suffered conditions that were desperately poor.
Without temple protection and lacking elite Ability Users of noble birth, those territories fell under the watch of soldiers and mercenaries.
The Imperial Capital tried various measures to protect common folk beyond the Purification District, but ordinary soldiers—mere civilians—could muster little strength against the darkness.
Most mercenaries, too, came from commoner stock or minor nobility.
Though not all of them lacked Innate Abilities, those who possessed them were quickly conscripted as private soldiers for the nobility.
Thus, the regions outside the Purification District were lawless wastelands where no one could expect aid.
‘The problem is there are far more people outside the Purification District, and far more monsters.’
It was beyond the capacity of a handful of Ability Users to contend with such monsters.
Moreover, each encounter with monsters accumulated darkness within an Ability User’s body. The temples did provide Side-Effect Suppressants sporadically to mercenaries for the sake of their reputation, but…….
Occasionally, the temples controlled the distribution of Side-Effect Suppressants. They always offered public justifications, but in truth, it was when Balthasar wished to recruit mercenaries of his choosing.
When the imperial palace indirectly expressed displeasure, feigning ignorance, he would smile elegantly and reply thus:
“Providing suppressants to mercenaries is an act of pure goodwill on our part. It is only natural that we help one another. We cannot help but wish to bring talented individuals into our house.”
Even the Magic Tower’s attempts to help met with obstacles.
The Tower’s Side-Effect Suppressants had poor production yields.
Simply supporting the Northern Region with suppressants left them stretched thin.
When the Imperial Capital contacted the Magic Tower about aiding people outside the Purification District, the response came back unfavorable—they could not risk a rampage among the Northern Region’s Ability Users by diverting resources.
The Side-Effect Suppressants that Diena was distributing from the Magic Tower were themselves in short supply now. Liandro asked with a worried expression.
“This isn’t the first time, but is it him again?”
“No, this time it’s a Necromancer from the Southern Region. The Necromancer apparently refused Duke Rothwell’s demand to enter his service as a private soldier.”
“A Necromancer? I thought it was the Sword King.”
“Who knows what whim possesses him. This time it wasn’t the Sword King. Perhaps he means to recruit the Necromancer first, then resume tormenting that man afterward?”
The Sword King of the Southern Region was an Ability User who had appeared from nowhere. His origins remained unclear, but he was presumed to be an elite-tier Ability User.
That was why Duke Rothwell devoted considerable effort to recruiting the Sword King. Yet somehow, the Sword King had been enduring without accepting the temple’s Side-Effect Suppressants.
Ardin narrowed his eyes and murmured.
“Remarkable. Two elite-tier Ability Users of mercenary origin.”
“Indeed. Such a thing would have been unimaginable in the past.”
“I’ve even heard rumors among mercenaries that Ability Users requiring no Side-Effect Suppressants have begun appearing.”
“You mean the Sword King’s subordinates?”
“Yes, those who call themselves the Order of Knights.”
Ardin exhaled deeply.
“It’s only rumor, perhaps, but I hope the Necromancer is such an Ability User too. Even the thought of an elite-tier Ability User entering rampage is dreadful.”
Liandro spoke with an unconcerned expression.
“Well, they’ll likely send the suppressant even if it’s delayed until today. The Necromancer is one of the few elite-tier Ability Users, after all. Duke Rothwell has no intention of letting him die. They’ve never failed to send suppressants before a rampage occurred.”
“I hope so too.”
“Don’t worry so much about it.”
Ardin did not respond. He gazed down at the desk with narrowed eyes.
Liandro tilted his head in confusion. Then, as if remembering something, he asked.
“Oh, by the way, have you heard? Duke Rothwell is searching for a fiancé for Princess Diena. They say he’s pushing Cassian, but apparently he’s leaving room for other houses.”
“Leaving room?”
“Yes, because Princess Diena is sweeping up money with the Magic Tower’s Side-Effect Suppressants right now. Even House Cardian’s Merchant Company is profiting handsomely from it.”
…….
“Any house that becomes engaged to Princess Diena would gain the rights that House Cardian possesses.”
Especially after witnessing Duke Rothwell’s recent actions, not a few nobles felt wary. Many desired an engagement with Diena precisely to avoid being manipulated by him.
“Binding themselves through engagement to House Rothwell—for other houses, it’s an opportunity they cannot afford to miss.”
“Is that all? The elders of the Magic Tower apparently cherish Princess Diena greatly. And recently, Duke Castleton has also shown his favor toward her.”
“Why Duke Castleton?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but he’s been lavishing gifts on Princess Diena. Moreover, he’s recently begun arms trading with House Cardian’s Merchant Company. Everyone assumes the reason is Princess Diena. Even for a Non-Ability User, that is of considerable worth. That’s likely why so many are going to negotiate with Duke Rothwell.”
Worth even as a Non-Ability User—the highest compliment Ability Users could offer to one without their gifts. Liandro laughed quietly and said:
“But doesn’t it all point to an engagement with Cassian Volkov?”
“You think so?”
“Of course. House Volkov—what house surpasses it? Duke Rothwell will surely arrange the engagement between Diena and Cassian.”
“What if it’s otherwise?”
……?”
“A house of higher standing and greater distinction than House Volkov. One that would benefit Duke Rothwell far more through marriage.”
“Such a house exists?”
“The Imperial Prince.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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