Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

Grim sat across from Húwáng in his private study.

His body still ached from the previous day's battle, the wounds from Xùyán's claws having been treated but not fully healed.

The fox companion laod curled at his feet, having remained smaller since the fight ended.

"You look troubled," Húwáng observed as he poured tea. "Beyond the obvious physical damage."

"It's been a month," Grim said quietly, accepting the offered cup. "A full month since I left the Celestis Empire."

The Fox King was amused as he laughed and cracked a smile. "Time is a more flexible concept than most humans realize, Lord Ambrose."

"What do you mean?"

"Our connection to the spiritual planes creates distortions in how time passes relative to the mortal world."

Grim leaned forward with obvious interest. "You're saying time moves differently here?"

"Precisely," the king confirmed. "What feels like a month to you here is actually one week in the human realm."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" he asked.

"Because I wanted you to act normal."

"This means I can concentrate on training and preparation without worry," he said.

"Indeed," Húwáng agreed. "Which brings us to more immediate concerns. Your marriage to Ruxi has been approved by divine decree, but the ceremony itself requires significant preparation."

"What kind of preparation?"

"Marriage ceremonies are complex affairs that involve the entire community. As the first human to marry into our royal family, your wedding will set precedents that will influence our people for generations."

"No pressure," Grim muttered, though he felt genuine excitement about the prospect of marrying Ruxi.

"Quite a bit of pressure, actually," Húwáng said with dry amusement. "But also opportunity. A successful ceremony will cement your integration and provide a foundation for cooperation between our people."

As they discussed wedding preparations, Grim remembered the blood-covered book he had discovered at the battle site. He reached into his travel pack and withdrew the slim volume, its pages still stained with Xùyán's blood.

"I found this yesterday," he said, placing the book on the table between them. "It was in the ruins of the ritual circle, covered in blood."

Húwáng's expression changed immediately upon seeing the book. His casual demeanor vanished, replaced by sharp attention.

"Where exactly did you find this?" the king asked, leaning forward to examine the book without touching it.

"Near Xùyán's body," Grim replied. "It was sitting among the stones, like he had been carrying it."

"He was," Húwáng said grimly, his voice carrying tones of certainty and concern. "This is his personal cultivation journal."

"Cultivation journal?"

"Every serious practitioner keeps detailed records of their spiritual development, breakthrough techniques, and theoretical insights," the Fox King explained.

Húwáng reached for the book, then paused. "May I?"

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"Of course," Grim replied, curious about what the journal might contain.

The Fox King opened the blood-stained cover carefully, his eyes scanning the first few pages. As he read, his expression grew increasingly grave.

"This is worse than I feared," he murmured after several minutes of reading.

"What do you mean?"

"He was," Húwáng said grimly. "This is one of Elder Míngzhì's forbidden texts."

"Forbidden texts?"

"Ancient manuscripts describing rituals and techniques that have been banned by the council for centuries," the Fox King explained.

"Elder Míngzhì is our keeper of historical records, including knowledge too dangerous for general use."

As he read, his expression grew increasingly grave."This confirms what we suspected," he murmured after several minutes of reading.

"What do you mean?"

"Xùyán stole this from Elder Míngzhì's private collection," Húwáng said, looking up from the text. "The ritual he attempted yesterday was described in detail within these pages."

"He stole forbidden knowledge?"

"More than that," the Fox King replied, turning several pages to show Grim complex diagrams and symbols.

"According to this he atempted a forbidden ritual to harness the realm's powet at uts cire inside of himself."

Grim studied the pages, noting handwritten notes in what he assumed was Xùyán's script covering the margins and blank spaces.

"The theft itself is concerning," Húwáng continued, "but what's more troubling is how he gained access to Elder Míngzhì's private study. Those chambers are protected by multiple magical wards."

"Well Xùyán most likely stole it, but if it would be hard to get into Elder Míngzhì's study ti obtain the journal without the elder himself or another elder."

He closed the journal and set it aside.

"We need to investigate this thoroughly," the king continued. "If Xùyán had accomplices or information we don't know about, they could still pose a threat to your integration and our realm's security."

"What do you suggest?"

"Discretion, for now," Húwáng replied. "We'll examine the journal in detail and quietly investigate anyone who might have had access tothe journal. But we can't let this overshadow your wedding preparations or create unnecessary panic among the court."

"And if we find evidence of a larger conspiracy?"

"Then we'll deal with it appropriately," the Fox King said. "But first, we focus on your marriage. Everything else can wait until you're officially part of our family."

Grim nodded, understanding the political wisdom of the approach. The journal's revelations were concerning, but they didn't change the immediate priorities of cultivation training and wedding preparation.

"When do we begin the marriage preparations?" he asked.

"Immediately," Húwáng replied with obvious satisfaction. "Ruxi is already working with the court's ceremonial experts to plan a wedding that honors both fox spirit traditions and acknowledges your unique position."

"And my cultivation training?"

"Will be integrated into the wedding preparations," the king said with a slight smile. "Fox spirit marriage ceremonies require one's spiritual spild to be connected to another."

The blood-covered journal represented a potential threat, but it was one that could be investigated and addressed through proper channels.

For now, he could focus on the positive aspects of his integration while letting others handle the more subtle political complications.

"Thank you," he said as they prepared to leave the study. "For everything—the training, the support during yesterday's battle, and now this guidance about the future."

"You're family now," Húwáng replied simply. "Or close enough that the distinction doesn't matter. We protect our own, Lord Ambrose."

The fox companion stirred at his feet, reminding Grim that he now carried responsibilities and connections that went far beyond simple political alliance.

He was becoming part of something larger than himself, with all the benefits and obligations that entailed.

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Meanwhile, in the Celestis Empire, Julius Luminaris sat in his private study reviewing correspondence when a messenger arrived with urgent news.

His son Max lounged in a nearby chair, discussing trade routes that had been disrupted by recent political tensions.

"What is it?" Julius asked as he broke the seal on a particularly official-looking document.

"A report from our contacts in Yanyu Dominion," the messenger replied before departing quickly.

Julius's expression darkened as he read the contents. "Interesting developments in the rain kingdom."

"What kind of developments?" Max asked, noting his father's change in demeanor.

"Lady Lianna Levenhart has been captured by Yanyu Dominion guards," Julius said, setting the letter aside. "Apparently, she was caught posing as a merchant while investigating bandit activities in their territory."

Max laughed. "Lianna's been captured?"

"According to our intelligence network, yes," Julius confirmed. "She's being held for questioning about her unauthorized presence and use of fire magic within their borders."

"Grim's scandalous friend is in trouble." Max smirked.

"This presents an excellent opportunity for you to plead for her life." Julius said.

"What do you mean?"

"I want you to write a letter to Emperor Yanyu Du Shi Wang," Julius instructed. "Request the release of your lover. Make it clear that Lady Levenhart's presence in his kingdom was motivated by romantic pursuit rather than political espionage."

Max's eyes widened at the implications. "You want me to claim she was there because of me?"

"Precisely," Julius said with cold amusement. "A lovesick noble lady following her heart is far less threatening than an imperial agent conducting unauthorized intelligence operations."

"But that's not—"

"Truth is less important than perception. The Emperor won't let her go, and if anything unfortunate happens to her Grim will be heartbroken." Julius continued.

"Write the letter," Julius commanded. "Express appropriate concern for Lady Levenhart's wellbeing and request her immediate release into your custody."

Julius laughed. "This is an excellent turn of events. More ways to make the boy suffer. I should have ended his family when I had that chance. I won't let it go to waste again."