Chapter 197: with translation of chapter title

Swan Castle.

The arcane arts exchange conference concluded smoothly, the workload of government affairs also decreased significantly, and there was no need for the avatar and the main body to be busy together.

Taking advantage of the moment to catch his breath, Luosen held a small family banquet in the inner courtyard restaurant of Swan Castle.

Besides Luosen's family, the banquet was attended by the mentor, Count Robert and his wife, and Princess Alice.

Because the south is much wealthier than the north, Swan Castle is far more exquisite than Count Robert's Maple Leaf Castle, and the restaurant in the castle that receives guests displays an especially grand air.

After Luosen designated it as the duke's residence, he also underwent safety renovations of various new arcane arts achievements; currently it is even more splendid than Dawn Castle.

Because it is too splendid, it made Count Robert feel somewhat restrained.

During the meal, Luosen and Selena sat at the head seat; on the left were Mrs. Saxon and her sister Evelyn; on the right were Count Robert and his family.

This is a family banquet, so there are no strict rules; everyone chatted and laughed during the meal, the atmosphere was relaxed and lively.

Midway through the banquet, Count Robert asked: 'Duke, I heard you plan to divide the nobles' public and private properties?'

At this moment, Count Robert had completely lost his former reserve; facing Luosen, he appeared cautious and even quite humble.

Luosen was not surprised that the count was well-informed; after all, he is now under the watch of millions of eyes, and any stir becomes known throughout the city instantly.

He didn't hide it: 'That's right, but this has nothing to do with the northern nobles, because you already have clear public and private distinctions. It's mainly aimed at me, this duke.'

The count felt relieved, but also didn't understand: 'Duke, isn't your control over Weilan reasonable and legal? Which clueless fool actually brought this up?'

He had more to say but didn't voice it, because he didn't understand Luosen's approach even more.

Other kings and dukes all hate having too little power and scheme every way to gain power; this duke, however, actually limits his own power?

Luosen could naturally hear his implication; in fact, his wife Selena also didn't really understand, and she was even somewhat dissatisfied with Mage Rui Fa who brought this up, feeling that this person meddles too much.

Not to mention Selena, many people in Weilan's government and among the populace are also unhappy.

Government officials are unhappy because they realize that Mage Rui Fa will come to interfere with their interests, making their future days difficult.

The populace is unhappy, partly because government officials covertly guide them, and partly because it's just pure emotional venting.

They think this Mage Aaron is really meddlesome; the Weilan people like letting the duke manage them, but you Aaron people, instead of staying in Aaron, run to Weilan to point fingers at the duke, surely with ill intentions.

Luosen knows that this matter must have unified thinking; otherwise, Mage Rui Fa's supervisory work cannot be carried out at all.

The first step of unifying thought is to first unify the thoughts of his own family.

When the family is harmonious, everything prospers.

He took a sip of wine and said: 'Actually, I myself proposed it, with the purpose of adapting to the trend of the times.'

'I have governed Weilan for a little over a year, and I clearly feel that the populace has already generated many thoughts of limiting the king and duke's power, not only in Weilan but also gradually appearing in the Natural Alliance.'

'Of course, they are still a minority now, but their voices are gradually growing.'

'Since this trend exists, we shouldn't ignore it; otherwise, once the trend reaches a certain level, it will develop its own will, and we will naturally find ourselves opposed to it.'

The slightest signs already show wind; if we wait until a breeze turns into a storm before acting, that would be sheer foolishness.

'By then, we will either be forced to change or resist the tide of the times, and in the end, resisting the tide will leave Weilan in ruins.'

'I don't want that to happen, so I intend to personally guide this trend, thoroughly improve Weilan, and make our Weilan the most fair in the Natural Alliance system, with the most incorruptible officials and the most prosperous populace.'

Count Robert still didn't understand: 'Even if it really comes to that, it's not too late to change then.'

The countess had an excellent impression of Luosen and greatly admired him; upon hearing this, she said: 'Grant, don't use your shallow insight to advise the duke.'

Count Robert felt his self-esteem hurt, and with a look of grievance said: 'Madam, I am also concerned.'

Luosen waved his hand: 'Madam, the more you explain the clearer the reasoning becomes; it should be spoken openly, keeping it bottled up is not good.'

Upon hearing him say that, Selena also opened up and spoke.

'Dear, doing this will greatly lower the status of the Dawn Duke in Weilan.'

Luosen nodded: 'Indeed it will fall, but it is the way to truly preserve the eternal glory of the Adrian family.'

After a pause, he added: 'To be honest, I learned this move from Mother Nature.'

'Ah?' Selena was startled.

Luosen looked around at everyone: 'Over a thousand years ago, the Natural Alliance was a union of church and state; the Natural Temple in the mortal world also held great authority, and through divine edicts, the temple could easily depose and install kings.'

'The result was that kings and the temple frequently clashed, the two sides constantly fought, the alliance's development stagnated, and it seemed about to be crushed by the Radiant Empire.'

'After Mother Nature took office, she immediately changed this; the temple gradually withdrew from worldly power, and as a result, faith in the Natural God instead deepened among the people, enduring for a thousand years without decline, while the Natural Alliance also achieved substantial development.'

'Now, the nobility stands in the position once held by the Natural Temple, and it is time for them to withdraw from the historical stage.'

'If they do not withdraw, the tide of the times will violently purge them, and by then, not even a shred of honor will remain.'

Selena is a reasonable and understanding woman; she understood.

She sighed with a sense of loss: 'Well, it seems our children can only bear the empty title of Dawn Duke.'

Luosen smiled: 'Dear, they will never lack money to spend or a good house to live in; as long as they themselves are not extravagant, they will always enjoy high prestige among the people.'

'Moreover, if the children are capable, they can naturally obtain power easily relying on the prestige the duke enjoys; if they lack ability, then it's naturally better for them to remain honest and modest, right?'

Selena immediately thought of her brother, nodded in agreement, and her mood became much more open.

Seeing her let go, Luosen also felt relieved.

According to his system design, at least four or five generations will be fine; after that, the descendants will have their own blessings, and he won't bother to manage them further.

Then, in this process, what did Luosen himself gain?

What he gained is actually a lot.

The vast resources that forged the new era's high-level knowledge, the boundless power gained from guiding the tide of the times, and the wonderful taste of enjoying that boundless power.

Anyway, he will definitely be extraordinarily carefree in this lifetime.

At this moment, Princess Alice suddenly said: 'Duke, can I call you brother?' Luosen nodded: 'Of course.'

Facing this innocent, lovely young princess, he thought she was quite interesting.

'Luosen brother, I heard you want to build many, many food factories in Weilan?'

'That's right.'

Is there a food factory that produces special food?

Luosen shook his head: "No."

The government-run food factory exists to meet the daily food needs of Weilan citizens; as for higher taste pursuits, that's the domain of various private food factories.

If Alice has a need, she can apply to the Arcane Department for a transfer formation; just let the Instructor give it to you directly.

Instructor smiled: "Count, since you said that, I'll give you the best transfer formation."

Luosen laughed: "No problem, I still have that autonomy."

He knew the Instructor's words were meant for the Count's ears; in reality, of course he wouldn't give the truly best one, but the best for civilian use.

Alice's eyes lit up immediately; she turned to the Count and said: "Father, how about we open a meat processing factory? I've mastered over a dozen delicious meat recipes."

The Count felt it was truly remarkable; after going around in circles, he ended up opening a large-scale food factory.

The Robert family indeed needed more pillar industries; he also knew his daughter had great interest and considerable talent in extraordinary foodcraft, so he nodded: "Since you like it, go ahead and open it."

Alice instantly rejoiced, as if her whole person were glowing.

Compared to her liveliness, Luosen's sister Evelyn was much quieter—not that she was introverted, but she had become utterly obsessed with arcane arts, studying and studying until she turned herself into a Book Nerd Aura.

As for that, Luosen had nothing to say; he just tried hard to teach.

After the family banquet, Alice hadn't forgotten Luosen's promise in Ru'er County; she immediately said: "Luosen brother, don't forget, you still need to guide my magical cultivation."

The Count's lady immediately chided lightly: "Alice, the Count is very busy; don't bother him."

The little noble lady immediately pouted, unhappy: "But Luosen brother and I had agreed."

The Instructor immediately intervened: "Luosen, since you said it, you must do it; better to fulfill the promise now so Alice won't keep thinking about it."

Since that's the case, Luosen could only agree: "How about this, dear Instructor, and Alice as well—let's go together to my cultivation chamber."

"I've recently grasped some secret cultivation arts; perfect timing to guide you all together."

Under his diligent guidance, Selena and the Instructor's magical strength has already approached the Four-ring Peak.

Alice's magical strength has also reached the mid-to-late stage of the Second Ring.

He will tonight just try that secret art, helping the three women directly break through their current ring barrier.

Of course, the main goal is to break Selena and the Instructor through to the Fifth Ring, because he plans to go to Levinde for a trip, possibly needing to be away for one or two months.

Letting their strength break through to the Fifth Ring and equipping them with high-ring magical artifacts would greatly increase the two women's self-defense capability.

As a result, Selena shook her head and used Spiritual Whisper to tell Luosen: "Dear, you go ahead; my breasts are engorged, I need to feed the two little rascals."

The two little ones haven't been weaned yet, and Selena's milk supply is especially abundant; the two children can't finish it all, occasionally requiring Luosen, their father, to help.

Since that's the case, then the three of us will go.

As a result, after just a few steps, the Instructor was called out by Count Robert: "Sister, we haven't seen each other in ages; let's go to the lounge for a good chat, anyway the Duke won't be gone long."

Luosen startled, immediately used mental private talk to contact the Instructor: "Instructor, this isn't very convenient."

Alice is nearly 17, a grown young lady, her development is quite mature; being alone with herself in the chamber would ruin her reputation.

The Instructor obviously thought the same; she glanced at her older brother, who didn't care at all, then glanced at her older sister-in-law, who also seemed indifferent.

She immediately understood her brother and sister-in-law's intention, thus mentally messaged Luosen: "It seems my older brother intends to give his daughter to you as a lover."

Luosen was a bit dazed: "Instructor, personally I think this is not good."

The Instructor secretly spread her hands: "I feel the same, but since it's the older brother and sister-in-law's wish, I can't really interfere; it's up to you whether you accept or not."

Luosen glanced at Alice; the young lady still seemed clueless, then he glanced at the Instructor.

"Instructor, I understand the Count's idea; why don't you tell him about our relationship? He should then abandon this ridiculous notion."

The Instructor immediately gave Luosen a dark glare: "How could I possibly say that?!"

"Secretly absurd is her bottom line; how could this be made public?"

Luosen instantly felt a lot of pressure.

This is naturally a perk of power, but this perk is a bit over the top; even a gentleman like him can hardly bear it.

Alice, however, couldn't wait any longer, urging: "Come on, let's go, Luosen brother; I've been waiting for this day."

Finally, Luosen made a decision: "Instructor, I have some cultivation techniques that need your cooperation, so you can't leave."

Since that's the case, the Count, although secretly disappointed, had nothing to say.

Thus, Luosen, the Instructor, and Alice went together to the underground cultivation chamber.

Along the way, the Instructor quietly messaged Luosen: "I actually thought you also had designs on Alice."

Luosen replied via mental message: "Instructor, appreciating a beautiful maiden is natural for any man, but if Alice became my lover, how would we get along?"

The Instructor's cheeks flushed slightly: "Luosen, just pretend nothing happened; handle things as they come. You have plenty of maidens; you don't lack this one."

Luosen immediately said: "Instructor, you as an aunt are not doing your job; everyone hopes the niece lives a fulfilling life, yet you want the niece to be a lover to your lover."

The Instructor smiled: "I don't hope for that; I'm indifferent. After all, everyone has their own destiny; as long as it's not a path to destruction, this aunt of mine doesn't need to meddle."

Just as she finished speaking, a voice suddenly echoed from the underground corridor: "Auntie, are you and Luosen brother an item?"

(End of chapter)