Founder Of The Greatest Noble Family

In Wellington Estate

Count Wellington froze. For a long moment, he just sat there, dazed, unable to form words. Then, with a surge of qi bursting uncontrollably from his body, he bellowed,

"What the hell did you just say?"

The small shockwave that followed rattled the teacups on the table.

Erina, seated across from him, instinctively leaned back and muttered under her breath,

"For heaven's sake, Father, you're almost a century old so stop screaming like a child."

"Erina!" Count Wellington snapped, his eyes cold and sharp. "This isn't a joke. I've tolerated your antics for years, but this..this is going too far."

Erina's lips parted in disbelief. Her father rarely lost composure, and this time she could feel his anger, not just as a father—but as a seasoned warrior.

For a brief second, guilt flickered in her chest. She had teased him many times, but not about something like this.

"Lord Father," she said firmly, "do you truly think I'd make something like this up?"

Count Wellington sighed, rubbing his temples with slow, deliberate fingers.

"You said he had a breakthrough. But surely... it can't be a Transcendent Knight's awakening. "

"Are there any other breakthroughs that could create such a shock?"Erina asked

"No," Erina shook her head with conviction.

"Only that level can create that kind of atmospheric ripple."

Silence settled between them.

The Count leaned back, eyes drifting to the ceiling, memories surfacing of his youth, of his arrogance, of bitter failure.

He, too, had once been hailed a genius. The kind who stirred crowds with a glance, made knights bow without a fight. But genius alone wasn't enough.

Twice he'd tried to ascend and twice, he'd failed. The third attempt took his all.He'd poured his resources into recovery, into stabilizing what little strength remained.

That failure cost him his ambition and his future rank. He had chosen to remain a Count, never aiming for Dukedom again cause he knew he can't advance anymore.

"If what you say is true," he said at last, his voice steady but heavy, "then what do you intend to do?"

Erina hesitated.

She had thought of this long and hard. She was bold, yes, but also proud. Now, as her father spoke so directly, a faint blush crept across her cheeks.

She had always been strong, fierce, blunt—but Roland's presence had shaken her.

And learning he was younger than her didn't help at all.

Count Wellington narrowed his eyes, reading her silence.

"Erina... you may not meet such a man again—

not unless you're willing to go all the way to the Empire and test your luck there."

Erina glanced down, lips pursed."I understand. But can we take it slow? I'd rather not rush something like this."

"Of course we'll take it slow. Even if you agree, it still depends on Roland's answer. And before that, we must wait.."

"Wait for the Kingdom to stabilize."

Her brows furrowed."What do you mean? Is the situation getting worse?"

The Count let out a heavy sigh.

"The battle lines are shifting. The King has requested my assistance again."

"And?"

"I declined. I sent him a full report especially about those damned heretics spreading chaos in the territory."

"So… he'll send reinforcements to wipe them out?"Erina asked.

Count Wellington clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"No. He said it's a religious matter. That we shouldn't interfere that it should be handled by the Church."

Erina slammed her fist on the armrest.

"That's bullshit! People are suffering!"

"Do you think the King cares?" her father said coldly."If he did, he wouldn't have raised the taxes so outrageously."

That struck her speechless.

"Will the Kingdom survive like this?" she asked quietly. "What about the princes? Don't they have any stance on this?"

The Count looked out the window.

"Who knows?" he said.

And that silence returned again—darker, heavier than before.

---

In ApuVillage...The Orchid Courtyard

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long golden rays over the vibrant blooms of the orchid courtyard. The soft fragrance of the flowers filled the air, mingling with the joyful laughter of children echoing through the garden.

Roland strode in briskly, his boots crunching the gravel path as he approached. His mind still carried the numbers and budgets from the finance ledger he had been working on moments ago—but it all paused the moment he saw them.

Janet stood to the side, arms crossed with a faint smirk on her face, watching the little ones chase one another through the flowerbeds.

Publication courtesy of M|V|LE-MPYR.

The moment they noticed Roland, the shouts grew louder.

"Papa!"

"Father!"

Three small figures ran toward him like a mini-storm. Roland barely had time to brace himself before they collided with his legs, grabbing onto his trousers and hugging him tightly.

He chuckled, kneeling down with a soft smile. "So this is an emergency?"

Janet raised a brow. "Try saying no to them. I dare you."

One of the youngest,Helina a girl with wild brown curls and a missing front tooth, tugged on his coat. "You promised to teach me the sword move today! The swish one!"

"The 'swish one,' huh?" Roland's voice held a playful tone as he reached out, tickling her side. She squealed and ran behind her older brother for cover.

The eldest boy stood proudly, hands on hips. "I've been practicing, Father. I can do three swings without falling now."

Roland's gaze softened. He nodded, rising to his feet and drawing a stick from the training rack nearby. "Then show me. But remember—grip, footwork, balance. Strength comes last."

The children formed a circle. The children mimicked his father's stance, and Roland nodded approvingly.

For a few minutes, time slowed. Roland the baron,strategist and warrior, was just a father, gently correcting his son's form, tossing the youngest into the air to hear her laughter, and sparring clumsily with the middle child who insisted she could take him down with a single strike.

Even Janet had to hide a grin watching Roland pretending to fall dramatically when struck by a soft blow from a wooden stick. He lay sprawled on the grass, hand clutching his chest. "You've slain me… a great tragedy for the Kingdom!"

The kids giggled and piled over him.

After several rounds of this play, Roland finally rose, brushing grass from his coat, his tone returning to normal. "Alright now, time to rest. I need to speak with Janet."

The children pouted but obeyed, dragging their sticks and swords back to the rack.

Roland looked at Janet, brow raised. "Now… What's the real reason you called me here?"