The four family heads exchanged a glance, disbelief written on their faces. Lord Denno tried to persuade him. "That won't be easy. The Arcellius Family has disappeared for too long. It would be waste of effort to try to rebuild."
Lady Kensus nodded. "Besides, your family doesn't have many people left. You, Lord Freon, and Lady Nassandra… That is three people, which isn't nearly enough to create a lineage. It also begs the question of who the next family head should be. If you stay as the protector, then that leaves Lord Freon or Lady Nassandra. Lady Nassandra is too young, so that means Lord Freon, but can he really lead? He might invite more trouble than fortune."
Lady Alice was more accommodating, as she said, "Of course, it depends on what type of family you wish to create. A normal family isn't a problem, but an Engelsheft Family is a bit… more challenging. For example, there is the question of wealth, property, recognition, and so on. To build an Engelsheft Family from the ground up is essentially impossible."
"I don't understand. Why fixate on the Arcellius Family?" Lady Joanna frowned. "We're offering to accept you into any of our families, and our conditions are very simple. That is what you wanted, right? To regain your status as an Engelsheft? There is nothing for you to lose by joining us."
Protector Avin laughed. "I see. Everything you say does make sense. I will consider it. However, if I do decide to rebuild the Arcellius Family, can I count on your families' support? Our families were allies more than fifty years ago, after all."
"This… You're putting me in a tough spot, Protector Avin," Lady Joanna answered bitterly.
"Of course, I understand. You're too young to remember the Arcellius Family, but the others…"
"…I can support you in a personal capacity, but I cannot promise much," Lady Alice politely declined.
"My grandfather would have been eager to help. Alas, the Vensire Family has run into some problems as of late, so we can't afford to spread our resources too thin. I'm afraid we can't help you," Lord Kensus sighed.
"I became the Arkfell Family's patriarch recently, which means I don't have enough influence for a decision like that. I apologize," Lord Denno said.
"What a shame," Protector Avin replied with a smile, though it was anything, but friendly. He then unleashed his Martial Perception to focus on their reactions. "Then, can you tell me what you know about the Arcellius Family's downfall?"
Lady Joanna frowned again. "What else is there to know? Plenty of families collapse or disappear over time. The Arcellius Family isn't any different. Besides, you're their Protector, so you should be clearest about what happened."
"I wonder about that. At our height, we were the strongest Engelsheft Family, surpassing even the Lanark and Winhelm Families. We had a Sage, four people as Ten Dawns, three people as Ten Auroras, and had almost fifteen Half-Condensed Drop Arcanists. We had a rich treasury, a powerful Bloodline, and an extensive influence. We were invincible, yet… everything collapsed in a single night."
"There is no such thing as 'invincible', Protector Avin," Lord Kensus shook his head.
"The taller the tree, the harder the fall. Perhaps, it was meant to be," Lord Denno said coldly.
Lady Alice nodded. "It was something that happened over fifty years ago. You can't change anything at this point. It's healthier to forget and move on. Focus on the future instead."
"If our family fell of our own undoing, then I might have accepted that. However, what happened was no accident. We were assaulted, robbed, betrayed, kidnapped, and killed. It was a scheme to exterminate us!"
"Exterminate?" Lord Kensus chuckled. "You're being overly dramatic again. I heard about what happened from my grandfather. Yes, there were a series of unfortunate events, but nothing that could be construed as a 'scheme'."
Lord Denno snorted. "You're not insinuating that our families were behind it, are you? We invited you into our families in good faith, and you reply by accusing us of crimes. Our benevolence has a limit."
"I understand your anger, but I think you overstepped your bounds, Protector Avin. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Do you have any evidence to support your claim?" Lady Alice asked.
"Currently, I do not," he stated honestly.
"Then you should take your words back."
"Relax, I wasn't suggesting that your families were behind it. I wished to ask for your help in investigating the circumstances around the Arcellius Family's downfall. There are many things I cannot unearth alone. Of course, I will compensate you appropriately for your help."
"That… shouldn't a problem then."
Some time later, Protector Avin bid farewell and left to talk to other people. The four Engelsheft Family heads wore strained smiles, which promptly melted into ugly grimaces once he was out of view. They did not like what they heard. Fifty years ago, the Arcellius Family caused a storm. Tonight, it might be the start of a new storm. Or rather, the continuation of the last.
Lady Joanna hmphed. "That man is too arrogant! Was he always this rude?"
"That…" Lady Alice hesitated. "From what I remember, he rarely spoke, since he was Sage Serana's Protector. I didn't interact with him much."
"He thinks that because he's a Blue Depth Arcanist, he can speak to us on equal terms," Lord Denno crossed his arms unhappily. "He's simply a stray dog. What right does he have to snap at us? His power must have gotten to his head!"
Lord Kensus sighed. "Well, what did you expect? He's reached the mythical Blue Depth Core Level, something that nobody has managed to achieve before. Rumors of his deeds in the Xingyuu Empire show how powerful he's become. His power eclipses the entire Ten Dawns, and even the Conquestian. He's practically unrivaled in the whole world! He has the right to be arrogant."
Lord Denno sneered. "He might be powerful, but he's one person. He can't do everything. We have a thousand ways to deal with him. As for rebuilding the Arcellius Family? He'll rebuild it over my dead body!"
"Then, are we in agreement?" Lord Kensus asked the two ladies.
"There's no way I'll help him!" Lady Joanna snorted.
"I agree," Lady Alice declared.
"Good." Lord Denno gestured, and someone from his family quickly approached. "Tell the two Sages that we talked with Protector Avin, that he has rejected our invitations, that his main goals are to investigate the incident fifty years ago, and to rebuild the Arcellius Family."
"Right away."
On the other side, First Sage Pannark and Second Sage Alana were entertaining some guests, when Lord Denno's message arrived. Although they looked and behaved nonchalantly, as though the news was a trivial affair, raging emotions were boiling underneath the surface. They waited until their guests left before revealing furious expressions. Sage Alana gripped her wheelchair so tightly that her fists turned white. She would have hurled curses anywhere else. Likewise, Sage Pannark had a dangerous look in his eyes. He grinded his teeth back and forth. Neither of them spoke, but the tension in the air was almost tangible! They would never let Protector Avin do as he pleased!
The moon continued to rise, casting a white glow on the world below. Under the dim torchlight, the trees in the garden shimmered between red, orange, and green. It was incredibly beautiful and enchanting. Elizabeth and her friends chatted with more people from the Engelsheft Families, who were eager to know them. Thankfully, everyone was polite, unlike the previous Grand Nobility party Elizabeth and Benedict attended. Perhaps, it was because their status and fame had grown. Or perhaps, it was because they had grown accustomed to handling these parties. Regardless, Elizabeth and Benedict grew relaxed, and in due time, so did Shirley, Freon, and Nassandra.
The melodious tune of a harp played, turning heads. Lady Solis had switched into a long flowing golden dress, as she sat in a pagoda, elegantly strumming the instrument. Although she was young, her skill had clearly reached a profound level! Combined with her pretty looks, many people quickly grew infatuated. However, what pulled most people's attention was not her, but her partner. Lord Kel, the famous scion from the Lanark Family, was wearing a sharp black tunic, as he took out a flute. Placing it on his lips, he matched Lady Solis's pace with crisp and pleasant notes. His talent was equal, if not superior, to Lady Solis's! A dark and handsome gentleman, standing next to a bright and beautiful lady. The dichotomy produced the most incredible performance. When they finished, everyone applauded!