Chapter 109
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Chapter 109: Conditions
Fina spoke casually, yet her words had effortlessly turned the tables.
Golien had merely been provoking, yet Midi had nearly ended his life. Now the incident became framed as a guardian knight’s unwavering dedication to his oath, while the wounded Golien was cast as the dishonorable attacker.
Golien nearly choked on his rage, taking several moments to grit out: "This shoulder wound means nothing. I request to remain in this meeting. I won’t be a burden."
He couldn’t possibly leave to treat his injury – that would mean voluntary exclusion from family affairs. Biting through the pain, he endured a hasty bandaging from servants, clinging to his seat with that single "request".
The six other branch leaders watched Golien’s bloodstained figure with new wariness. His ashen face and slumped posture silenced any remaining complacency.
They’d underestimated these youths.
An eighteen-year-old girl and her knight, both below level 40, stripped of their Iron-Blood Duke’s protection – who would’ve thought such children could dominate a family council? Yet Fina’s opening move had nearly claimed a branch leader’s life through sheer audacity, leaving no room for counterargument.
The young were terrifying indeed.
As the leaders exchanged weighted glances, Midi noted their shifting stances. The initial shock tactics had worked, but true challenges lay ahead. An obvious blade could be dodged, but hidden arrows? Those demanded constant vigilance. This first victory merely marked the starting line in reshaping the Hamilton family.
"As acting family head, I’ll address the obvious." Fina cut through the tension. "My grandfather isn’t in seclusion but gravely ill. With monsters overrunning our duchy and bandits running unchecked, we face collapse. The family must unite completely to survive this crisis."
"And what does our acting head propose?" The white-bearded leader of the Golden Touch branch prompted gently. This contemporary of the Iron-Blood Duke had always doted on the fiery-haired "little princess".
Fina steadied herself at this show of support. "We need centralized control over troop deployments, high-level practitioners, alchemical production, magical resources, agricultural output, and transportation networks. All must be coordinated with the Hawk Brigade’s movements."
"For centuries, our seven branches governed independently." The Scroll branch’s bespectacled leader adjusted his robe with academic disdain. "You presume to command domains you can’t possibly comprehend at your age?"
His challenge opened the floodgates.
These powerful figures would tolerate commands from an Awakened Expert like the Iron-Blood Duke, but not from some level 40 girl. Midi’s combat prowess impressed them, but ruling required more than personal strength – it demanded institutional knowledge and political leverage they were sure these youths lacked.
Their collective message was clear: maintain the status quo.
They’d abandon overt challenges to Fina’s authority, provided she didn’t encroach on their territories. Let the main house handle ceremonies while the branches kept real power. This unspoken compromise normally made sense – with the Golden Branch Legion and Rose Mountain City, Fina could gradually consolidate control over years.
But these weren’t normal times.
Civil war loomed. Half-measures would see the Hamilton family shattered when conflict erupted. Only through complete unification could they weather the coming storm. Yet the branch leaders clung to tradition, willfully blind to the hurricane approaching their gilded towers.
However, with personal interests at stake, no one was willing to sacrifice for the greater good, leaving the dispute deadlocked.
This was human nature.
Midi and Fina exchanged knowing glances.
The time had come to cast their bait.
"You all misunderstand. My interest in branch affairs lies mainly in talent evaluation," Fina declared, sipping her black tea leisurely. "Following branch consolidation, I plan to conditionally reopen awakening opportunities."
The meeting hall instantly fell into heavy silence.
The branch leaders maintained their composure through years of experience, but their collective muteness spoke volumes.
Awakening access was every branch’s ultimate desire.
For centuries, the Hamilton family’s main branch had exclusively controlled Lake Light Hall. Only their elites and most loyal guards could attempt awakening there, despite its notorious risks – fatal side effects and countless deaths. Yet the promise of breaking through the level 50 ceiling overshadowed all dangers.
Many present leaders had themselves reached level 50, understanding better than most what awakening truly meant.
"Opening Lake Light Hall seems unwise. Our family’s greatest secret shouldn’t be carelessly exposed," coldly countered the Scroll branch leader, a robed middle-aged man.
This tactical retreat aimed to disrupt Fina’s momentum.
Seasoned leaders knew better than to dance to a young girl’s tune. Showing indifference might break her strategy.
But Fina denied him this chance.
"Not Lake Light Hall," the red-haired girl corrected dismissively. "I meant Eagle’s Nest. Our current awakening process is flawed – we can’t afford to lose level 50 experts to side effects. They’re our future pillars."
Eagle’s Nest?
Awakening in that backwater of the Asreks family?
Impossible!
This revelation shattered the leaders’ composure, shock flashing across their faces.
The truth was simple – Eagle’s Nest possessed no awakening environment. Midi and Fina knew this perfectly well.
But after studying Lake Light Hall, Midi believed they could build something better. With Mist Sorceress Alice’s knowledge, Norton the alchemy master’s skills, and his own second awakening experience from a past life, creating superior conditions seemed achievable.
Moreover, Midi knew what others didn’t – come Year 986 of the Arad Calendar, Sky City’s emergence at Faero Bay would enable natural awakenings. The Hamilton family’s precious hall would become obsolete when adventurers spread this knowledge, breaking noble monopolies.
Natural awakenings at proper times and locations could even achieve perfect awakening, akin to perfect transmutation.
Thus Midi happily dangled their "awakening environment" as bait – soon-to-be outdated technology was best exploited during this information gap. This foresight was the reincarnator’s ultimate advantage.
Watching the thoughtful leaders, Midi allowed himself a faint smile.
