Chapter 331: The

Five hundred years ago, there was a woman named Grave Mage Dantes in the Empire's Shengcheng.

This unknown lady was born into a wealthy merchant family in the Shengcheng and married a prominent noble due to her beauty and wealthy family background.

The identity of this noble was very vague in the records of the Dantes family; the genealogy only recorded that the noble's name was Fernando, the surname was unknown, and his life was only recorded in a single line—missing on the route to the North Port of Quemubao, whereabouts unknown.

This matter was also recorded in the archives of the Imperial Port Authority, registered by his immediate family members.

As for whether the Port Authority five hundred years ago verified it, obviously they did not.

Even today, the Empire's Port Authority does not have the business of salvaging corpses from the depths of the vast ocean, and handling missing persons procedures is usually just to dispose of property; family members only need to publish missing information in the newspaper and wait for a certain period of time to complete the notarization.

Actually, smart people have already seen the problem here; the two diametrically opposed concepts of "prominent background" and "vague details" cannot appear on the same genealogy.

This Grave Mage obviously did not marry this imperial noble properly, otherwise her children would not have followed her surname.

As for "Fernando," it was also mostly an alias.

But this doesn't matter.

Just as this woman Grave Mage was insignificant in the history of the Empire, Fernando's story was even less worthy of a special entry in the history books.

However, the child of Grave Mage and "Fernando" was very promising, becoming a Baron through his own hard work and the opportunities of the Age of Discovery, named "Luo Luo Bote Dantes."

Although the title of Baron was not high, it was considered a member of the ruling class. And modifying history was something every ruling class would do; this high-spirited Baron naturally was no exception... he couldn't let his descendants think he popped out of a crack in a stone.

Therefore, the first thing Mr. Luo Luo Bote did after obtaining the title was to compile a long-standing genealogy for himself in a trendy way.

The name Fernando was likely given to his old father by himself, and even the experience of encountering a shipwreck might be a vicious curse.

As for the blank surname, of course, it was intentional; after all, he couldn't openly sponge off those prominent big families, right?

As for sponging off small families, that was meaningless... and it was easy to cause inheritance disputes.

In short, the blank in the genealogy was one of the legacies he left to his descendants—in case the Dantes family becomes prosperous in the future, you can take this genealogy and fill in the blanks!

A prosperous family never worries about allies, and when necessary, it can also be used to create claims to titles.

This was almost a loophole left by every imperial noble on the genealogy—and this often corresponded to the ambition that the genealogy writer failed to realize at the time.

It's just that unfortunately, Luo Luo Bote Dantes obviously didn't calculate that he was the ceiling of the Dantes family.

His family did not thrive, and his descendants lived off their past glory for generations.

By the generation of Edmond Dantes five hundred years later, he had even lost the title of Baron, reduced to only a virtual title of "Sir," and a farm named Dantes Estate.

Due to the high cost of labor near the Shengcheng, this Sir occasionally had to work in the fields himself, feeding cows and milking.

As for his leisure time, he would appear in various taverns as "Sir Dantes," order a glass of the most expensive ale he could afford, boast to a group of citizens about the prominence of the Dantes family, and reminisce about the afterglow of the old days amidst the cheers of the crowd.

Those citizens didn't lose out either; often when Sir Dantes drank too much, he would treat them to a drink as well.

And the story this Sir liked to tell most was the legend of "Fernando." As for the identity of this ancestor, it changed with his mood.

Sometimes he was a Baron, sometimes a Count... but more often he was a "Prince" with a noble status but vague fiefdom.

He often boasted about how his ancestor Fernando was trusted by the Emperor and possessed a large amount of land and wealth overseas.

As for why the Dantes family was so withered today, he brushed it off with a vague "shipwreck."

Because he made it up so vividly, he even believed it himself.

Moreover... he didn't lie completely; after all, this story was made up by his ancestor five hundred years ago, and he at most exerted some imagination when filling in the blanks.

Facts have proven that as long as you blow the cowhide loud enough, you will never worry about not having people who fawn over you.

Just like the cheap old father of his ancestor, Prince "Fernando Kelin," the unknown Edmond also ushered in his spring on a drunken night—a young girl who was inexperienced and ambitious took a fancy to his shining noble title.

This Miss Anna, just like his great-great-great... grandmother Grave Mage on his genealogy, fell in love with him quickly with the dream of marrying into a wealthy family and gave birth to a son.

And when this lady discovered that the "famous" Sir Dantes was actually a flower vase that was neither good-looking nor useful, that was already after she was pregnant with her second child.

Before she had time to flare up, a third little life was born.

By this point, even if she regretted it, it was too late.

Fortunately, Sir Dantes, who became a father, finally stood up a bit under the influence of his wife and children, and the family's life was not too bad. Especially since Sir Dantes quit drinking and used some savings left by his ancestors, he finally bought a decent house on No. 11 Loyalty Street and moved the family into the city...

Days passed like this, and Dantes, who hadn't boasted in the tavern for a long time, almost forgot the glory of his ancestors.

Until the respected "Imperial Griffin" General Hamorton heard a legend from five hundred years ago on the continent of Gana and decided to help the respected Prince Kelin find the roots of the Kelin family in the Empire. As a result, the officials of the Port Authority searched for several nights and really found it.

When the Port Authority official came to the door with the missing information from five hundred years ago with a face full of surprise, Dantes suddenly realized—

It turns out the ancestor "Fernando" he had been boasting about for half his life had the real surname Kelin! His name was Fernando Kelin!

Everything was rounded up!

As long as that Prince nods...

No. 11 Loyalty Street, dark clouds hung low, the sky was gloomy, just as gloomy and uncertain as the mood of the Dantes family.

Logically speaking, the respected Mr. Lumir should have come early in the morning; confirming the genealogy didn't take too long, and no matter how busy Mr. Kelin was, he wouldn't have forgotten such an important matter.

However, until dusk stretched the shadows of the street, the carriage with golden roses and scriptures still did not appear on the noisy Loyalty Street.

Obviously.

That adult had forgotten them!

Edmond Dantes paced back and forth in the living room restlessly, his thin, tall figure hunched, his face pale, and the sweat on his forehead slipped to the tip of his nose several times without him noticing.

He kept muttering to himself, glancing outside the door from time to time, as if he could see through the old wooden door and see the fate that was about to be brought.

"Sit down, Edmond," his wife Anna rubbed her hands hard, her voice sharp and anxious, "Pacing back and forth won't change the result!"

Her mood was abnormally irritable, and any rustling sound outside the door sounded like the harsh mockery of the neighbors in her ears.

She could even imagine how those people would discuss their family—

"Look at that family, actually delusional about being relatives of Prince Kelin! How could that noble Prince have such lowly relatives!"

"Little Margery, my dear baby, you must not play with Emily again. Their family are not normal people, especially Emily's mother, cackle, how embarrassing."

Looking at his wife whose face was getting worse, Edmond swallowed, squeezed out a smile to regain his self-esteem on his stiff face, and muttered.

"I'm just... a bit hot, want to walk around."

He just wanted to meet that gentleman.

He didn't want anything, just wanted to meet him; that was, after all, the regret of Mr. Fernando Kelin and Mrs. Grave Mage Dantes five hundred years ago.

And even more, his relative!

His wife was still muttering, complaining that he should have handled the relationship with the Port Authority earlier, so maybe they could have mixed into the team welcoming Prince Kelin... maybe they could have climbed up to the big figures of the Silphin family and solved the matter of Sophia entering the Imperial Royal Academy of Arts.

Edmond no longer had the strength to complain about his wife, nor did he want to do so, and could only coax her to let her vent her anger.

Why would solving Sophia's school problem need the relationship of the Silphin family? They didn't need to know anyone, they just needed Kelin to nod lightly, and others would automatically handle it for them.

Until today, he still remembered the politeness of that Port Authority official toward him... that kind of consideration and care of a servant toward a master was something he had only experienced when dining in a restaurant.

As for his eldest son, Lu Lu Xien, this usually unruly brat was sitting in the corner of the room at this moment, like a frosted eggplant.

His eyes were empty and confused, and the usual big talk seemed to be blown away by the wind in an instant, leaving only silent waiting.

Could it be that he really could only be a knight's squire?

He didn't want to feed horses all day until he was thirty, and then find some old noble who needed a knight to fill the facade and defect to him, cursing behind a goblin's butt every day, or staring at a windmill in the countryside, or flirting with village girls.

What's the difference between this and an adventurer?!

The Royal Knights are where he should be!

Sophia sat on the old sofa holding her young sister Emily, looking at the gray street scene outside the window with a melancholy expression.

Before Mr. Kelin came to this port, she had many fantasies, including meeting him by chance in the garden, including listening to him talk about his adventures on the continent of Gana, including playing the piano for him alone in the empty piano room...

However, now those romantic expectations had all turned into bubbles, disappearing into the melancholy evening wind.

Until the end, she didn't even get to say a word to him.

Seeing no one playing with her, little Emily, sitting in sister Sophia's arms, pouted and hummed a song for self-entertainment.

She wanted to go to the Mother School, where Mrs. Agnes would take them to sing, and Margery, who played well with her, would secretly bring her a piece of homemade nougat. However, Dad insisted that Mr. Kelin might come at any time, and the family had to be neatly dressed to welcome that gentleman, then introduce themselves in the rehearsed order, and then Mr. Kelin would give her endless candy...

She admitted it was tempting, but couldn't help but feel frustrated, thinking that if she were Mr. Kelin, she wouldn't come to such a troublesome place.

The only quiet one was the second son, Francois; this quiet boy was always with books, as if he had lost interest in the shallowness of humanity.

At this time, clear footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, and Edmond, who had just sat down, stood up reflexively, looking excitedly at his wife who had also stood up.

The footsteps stopped, and not long after, there was a knock on the door. Edmond moved to the door in an instant, making a standard smile while opening the door.

"Mr. Lumir! Welcome to—"

The words at his mouth were choked in his throat.

That calm and serious face made him subconsciously feel awe, as well as fear of the unpredictable fate.

The family couldn't help but hold their breath. Even the bookworm Francois quietly raised his head, and little Emily stopped humming.

She quietly glanced at her sister, only to see that beautiful face full of tension, her hands unconsciously clenching the skirt.

"Mr. Dantes," Lumir spoke slowly, still looking like a gentleman, but with a hint of imperceptible laughter in his eyes, "His Highness Prince Kelin has carefully reviewed your genealogy and family history, and I am here to inform you—"

"Wait! I, I suddenly remembered that there seems to be an album in the suburban house! I remember seeing it before; it's an oil painting drawn for Mrs. Grave Mage by her child! That... maybe it can prove something." Anna looked at Edmond in panic, winking at him.

Edmond's heartbeat seemed to be jumping out of his chest, and he stammered.

"Yes, right! I remembered too—there are a few relics there, and His Highness the Prince will definitely remember something when he sees them."

"I, I can go get them!" Lu Lu Xien stood up from the sofa with a swoosh, forgetting how far it was from here to the Dantes farm.

Watching the family who had lost their footing, Lumir couldn't help but find it funny, but thinking that this was the "relative" of the Demon King, he still coughed lightly and said in a gentle tone.

"Please calm down, Mr. Dantes, and Mrs. Dantes... His Highness Kelin has confirmed your identity. Undoubtedly, Fernando Kelin is indeed his great-great-great... grandfather. Although he used the alias Jeffrey after being lost in the wilderness, the things that happened and the genealogy of the Kelin family are basically consistent, so we believe they are the same person."

This sentence was like a thunderclap on the plain, exploding in the hearts of the Dantes family with a "pop."

Edmond was stunned for a long time, his lips trembling, and then his whole body radiated unprecedented brilliance at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Lumir couldn't help but be surprised.

He had only seen this situation when the Demon King upgraded the believers, but he didn't expect his own words to have such power.

As expected of the Demon King...

Simply powerful and unfathomable!

"Re... really?"

Anna Dantes was the same, her lips trembling slightly, the corners of her eyes quickly turning red, and her excited voice even carried a cry.

"St. Saint Xisi above..."

Maybe it was because her corset was too tight, she didn't catch her breath, and almost fainted with excitement. Fortunately, Edmond held her quickly, preventing her from falling.

Without looking at his embarrassing parents, Lu Lu Xien walked quickly to the door, looking at Lumir nervously, the seeds of ambition burning in his eyes.

"Then His Highness... will His Highness the Prince see us? I, I have always admired him... I want to shake his hand!"

He still remembered that sentence from sister Sophia—Mr. Silphin could send him into the reserve team of the Royal Knights with one word.

Of course.

With an uncle like Prince Kelin, the mere Royal Knights were no longer enough to excite him.

He had already decided that he would train in the Royal Boy Scouts for a year, then train in the Royal Knights for two years, and go to the continent of Gana to defect to Uncle Kelin in the fourth year, and return to the Shengcheng as a hero with the glory and legend of a lifetime at the latest by thirty, becoming a glorious Captain of the Knights.

The Dantes family will restore its past glory in his hands!

Sophia also wanted to shake hands with Prince Kelin, but she was too embarrassed to say it directly like her brother, just burying her head with a red face.

Looking at this ambitious young man, Lumir nodded with a smile.

"Of course, you will see him soon, but not tonight... Tonight there is a very important banquet at the Valencia family estate, which is a banquet held by the Prince Regent to welcome the return of the Prince of the continent of Gana."

Prince Regent!

Valencia family!

Another name that sounds like thunder!

Edmond almost forgot to breathe, his old face covered with excited tides, hurriedly holding his wife steady, and then said hurriedly.

"It's okay! It doesn't matter! Business is important! As long as he is willing to see us... we have time whenever!"

He wouldn't be stupid enough to ask the other party to take him along; he knew very well that if he went, he would only embarrass Mr. Kelin and even the Kelin family!

They are now sharing honor and disgrace!

Sophia nodded excitedly, her beautiful face full of approval, but little Emily's little face collapsed in frustration, and her mouth pouted.

Have time whenever?

Are they going to make them wait forever...

She didn't want to stay at home, she wanted to go to school!

Unfortunately.

Her wish was destined not to be realized.

Still young, she didn't know that her family would soon move out of Loyalty Street to a higher and bigger house to play a new identity.

She no longer needs to go to school; more professional and decent teachers will come directly to her home to teach her truths that the cattle and horses of the Empire will never touch in their lives. And when she gets older, her mother will take her to various salons to meet more children who fit the identity of the Dantes family until she enters university or gets married.

This is the rule of this era.

She will have endless candy.

But the nougat that little Margery secretly brought her will never be eaten again.

Lumir looked at Edmond and nodded with a smile.

"I am very happy you think so, and His Highness is also very happy to find his relatives in the Shengcheng and fulfill the regrets of his father's generation. At the beginning of next month, he plans to hold a funeral for his father, Prince Watching Nan Fu Kelin, at St. Clement's Cathedral, and hopes that you and your family can attend."

Edmond nodded hurriedly, his face first joy, but perhaps realizing something was wrong, he quickly squeezed out sadness and solemnity.

"Of course! I will definitely go!"

Not caring about his little movements, Lumir nodded and continued to talk about the most critical thing for the Dantes family.

"Besides this, Prince Kelin hopes you can help him manage some... properties in the Shengcheng. He is very optimistic about the development of this city and is considering coming here to retire in his later years, so he wants to purchase some real estate in advance. However, neither he nor I can stay here forever, and I can't rest assured handing it to outsiders, so I have to trouble you with this matter."

"He will provide you with a considerable salary, and this money is enough to cover your family's maintenance of noble decency. Additionally, as a collateral branch of the Kelin family, you will also be granted a more decent residence; as for the location, you can choose it yourself, the only requirement is not to disgrace the facade of the Kelin family."

Edmond's face was full of unspeakable ecstasy; he staggered back two steps, as if in a dream, unable to believe his ears.

This man who had been sinking for half his life lived in a dream for most of the time, and at this moment his dream became reality.

At this moment, his waist was truly straightened, and it was no longer the vanity of a fat man who slapped his face to fill his face, but truly became a father who stood upright, a man who could become the reliance of his wife and children!

If this dream would wake up tomorrow, he would rather stay in this day forever.

For Kelin—

He was even willing to die!

"Please leave it to me! I, Edmond Dantes, am willing to swear to St. Saint Xisi that if I dare to have any bit of sorry for Mr. Kelin, my soul will suffer eternal torment in hell!" Edmond made the most poisonous oath ever.

Although Lumir didn't think this was such a terrible thing, for the believers of St. Saint Xisi, this was indeed the most vicious oath.

At least Tichy wouldn't dare to swear like this.

Looking at his suddenly incomparably reliable father, Sophia's face flushed with rare redness, and her eyes shone brightly. The dreams she had hidden for a long time bloomed again at this moment.

Not just her, even little Emily in her arms clapped her hands excitedly, "Ooh ooh" calling.

Although she didn't know what happened, the dark clouds hanging over the family finally dispersed, and perhaps it wouldn't be long before she could return to her previous life.

The bookworm Francois, who hadn't spoken from beginning to end, also breathed a sigh of relief, looking at his ambitious brother, sincerely happy for him.

Not just his brother, his own university was also settled.

Although it wouldn't be difficult for him to get in by his own ability, but... who would refuse a higher starting point?

In the past, he had to squeeze the single-plank bridge with thousands of troops and horses, and then go to pick up the leftovers of the nobles, or go to the colonies to break through. But now, he can be at the table from the beginning, letting those unattainable opportunities line up in front of him waiting for him to pick.

This is two different lives.

Mrs. Anna Dantes, who finally woke up from the dizziness, muttered to herself, and finally spat out the thanks that had choked her ten minutes ago.

"St. Saint Xisi above..."

"Our family has finally turned over..."

Just when the Edmond family was happy about turning over to be the master, the carriage with the golden rose and scripture emblem stepped on the tail of the night and slowly drove into the Valencia family estate.

If the Dantes family and Baron Corsia were the pieces of the Demon King, then this was the real chessboard.

The carriages entering and leaving the estate were low-key yet luxurious, and the family crests carved on the walnut wood were all existences enough to shock the entire Empire, many of which were even included in the collection of the Demon King Academy library.

Luo Yan's gaze swept past outside the window carelessly, without any tension of being in an enemy country, his face only calm and composed.

The transparent Hearing You You leaned to his side and whispered.

"Incredible... there are at least six demigod-level powerhouses here!"

The entire Underworld only has eight demigods, and the Empire presumably won't exceed twelve.

In other words—

Half of the powerhouses in the human world are here.

"St. Saint Xisi" is slowly opening an eye to him!

However—

So what?

In the Supreme Council Hall of the Demon Capital Council Building, the Demon God opened two eyes to him, didn't he see nothing?

As long as you overcome the fear in your heart, your soul is invincible.

Sensing the prying gazes outside the carriage and the invisible pressure radiated, Luo Yan smiled faintly, responding calmly in his heart.

"That just shows we came to the right place."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 332 =====