Chapter 67: Chapter 67

Once they reached the Silverfang estate, Sokram noticed that many guests had already arrived.

The small gathering from the previous day paled in comparison to the festive ambiance now filling the expansive yard of the mansion.

The air was thick with the smoky aroma of charred boar ribs, the buttery sweetness of honey-glazed pastries, and the tang of spiced wine carried on the breeze.

Lanterns swayed gently from the trees, their golden light dancing across the courtyard and reflecting off the polished silverware.

The lively strains of a string quartet intertwined with the hum of laughter and clinking glasses, creating a symphony of celebration that enveloped the night.

Yet, as Sokram glanced at the Greyfurs and Goldenmanes, he couldn't help but observe that they weren't enjoying themselves or the food as much as Nirmal and Kayn had the night before.

Their expressions were reserved, their laughter forced, as if they were merely fulfilling an obligation rather than partaking in the celebration.

However, the Greyfurs and Goldenmanes weren't the only prominent families in attendance.

Kamal, with Margiory’s blessing, invited all the founding families to the gathering.

This decision was strategic; if it became known that only three of the founding families had been invited, it would reflect poorly on the Silverfangs.

The Steelhearts, however, were explicitly excluded and labeled as outsiders.

Margiory had also given clear instructions: the Dracnakrid and Androny families were to be treated as one.

To Amber's surprise, her family was seated among the Andronys, and her parents wore silver-engraved mantles, a symbol of their newfound status.

The intricate designs on their mantles shimmered in the lantern light, catching the eyes of many guests who whispered among themselves about not recognizing Amber's family.

Margiory had explained to Sokram earlier that, after testing Alyssa's bloodline, it revealed that her bloodline gifts were on the same level as his own, making her an invaluable asset to their family.

In fact, Margiory hinted that Alyssa might even be encouraged to take a second husband in the future, maybe even one of his cousins.

While this practice wasn't common, it wasn't taboo either as long as her husband agreed to it.

Bloodline gifts often granted individuals significant influence, allowing them luxuries, lovers, and riches, provided they played their cards right or were favored by Fate.

Amber's family, who had lived in the slums until the previous day, served as a stark reminder that talent alone wasn't enough.

Knowledge and wisdom were the strongest foundations in the Path of Evolution.

Living in fear and stagnation meant only death.

Had Alyssa been raised with a stronger mindset, she could have elevated her family's status much earlier.

But now, their fate had been rewritten, and they had become another cornerstone of the Androny bloodline.

Leaving Amber, along with Lucy and Savannah, behind as she wanted to stay and chat with her family, Sokram took the lead to go greet the hosts, the other family heads, and other more illustrious guests.

As the future head of two families and a succession candidate for a third, he walked confidently into the crowd, flanked by Margiory, Hannah, Brunhild, Hilda, and Miralyn, who trailed slightly behind him.

Their presence commanded attention.

Hilda, who had recently reached the middle tiers of the Reformed Existence level, looked more youthful and even more beautiful than before.

Margiory and Brunhild, at the low tiers of the Flawless Existence level, carried an air of maturity but still radiated beauty and youthfulness, rivaling their daughters.

As for Miralyn and Hannah, their beauty drew countless eyes, and every step Sokram took turned whispers into gossip.

Eyes darted between the women accompanying him and the three sigils emblazoned on his mantle, making him the center of attention at the party.

But those weren't the only reasons for the looks he was drawing. Eversnow was a modest military city, and the mere presence of powerhouses such as Hannah and Margiory instilled a sense of security in its residents, especially with war looming over Norwinter.

Seeing such influential figures parading Sokram as their heir made many want to approach him to curry favor or build a friendship.

While Brunhild and Hilda felt uneasy about exposing him so publicly, as they could easily see through the smoke and mirrors of fake smiles and pleasantries, Miralyn's presence and Margiory's promise to protect him eased their concerns, for now, at least.

To Sokram, however, the attention was a blessing. He could feel Fate's hand at work, guiding his plans toward success.

The very people he wanted to attract were all present at this gathering, and he intended to make the most of the opportunity and build as many bridges as he could.

The evening unfolded smoothly, with some guests indulging in fine food, lively music, and exquisite beverages, using the opportunity to extend their social networks.

Sokram also noticed there was no air of hostility between him and the members of the Silverfang family.

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Many of their succession candidates made their way to greet him, some even thanking him for the new opportunities he had created.

It was clear that his actions had shifted the balance of power, giving them a renewed chance to compete for the Alpha's favor.

Among them, one candidate stood out.

Her beauty was almost comparable to Savannah's, and how she carried herself made it clear she was a Shieldmaiden.

A voluptuous and toned body around 1.8 meters tall, with silvery grey eyes, long wavy black hair, and black-furred wolf ears and tail.

Her name was Kina vid Silverfang, a face Sokram remembered from his previous timeline.

Remembering not only her beauty, but also her bravery as she gave her life defending Eversnow before it fell.

Among the succession candidates, Sokram knew that she was the best, yet she wasn't counted among the favorites.

Still, he decided to give her a subtle push forward, showing favor and conversing with her the most, something Kamal's watchful gaze didn't miss.

Amidst pleasantries, Sokram observed Savannah growing increasingly nervous whenever Kazzah glanced her way.

It wasn't entirely clear where their relationship stood after recent events, but Sokram cared little for teenage drama. He merely hoped Kazzah wouldn't disrupt Savannah's progress.

Kazzah shifted uneasily, his eyes darting to Savannah whenever he thought no one was looking.

Each glance was a mix of longing and frustration, seemingly hoping she'd approach him first. Read complete versıon only at novel⚑fire.net

When she didn't, he mustered the courage to take the initiative, but just then, the music stopped abruptly.

The Silverfang Alpha, Kamal, raised his glass for a toast, his booming voice cutting through the chatter and drawing everyone's attention.

"Dear friends," Kamal began, his voice commanding the room. "Thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate with us."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle over the crowd.

Kazzah, caught off guard, retreated to his place, his opportunity to speak with Savannah slipping away.

Kamal waited until he was sure he had everyone's attention before continuing.

"I know many of you are wondering why the sudden invitation, while some of you already know."

He gestured toward Margiory, who raised her glass in acknowledgment.

"Today, we, the Silverfang, are celebrating the greatest alliance we have formed since the founding of our beloved city."

The crowd erupted into murmurs, but Kamal pressed on.

"The Androny family and the Silverfang family will, from today onward, join hands not only in business but also militarily. We are forming a mutual aid pact to strengthen our city's defenses and our businesses."

The announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd.

The Silverfangs controlled fifty percent of Norwinter's silver mines, and their influence extended far beyond that.

The Andronys, on the other hand, owned the largest transport group on the Northern Continent.

This alliance, especially in the face of war, brought a sense of security to most of the guests.

However, the Silverfang's rivals were far from pleased.

Kamal, sensing the crowd's reaction, declared, his voice resonating across the courtyard, "But that's not all. Lady Androny has given me the means to take a step I've been dreaming of since I assumed the position of Alpha one hundred years ago."

He paused, allowing the suspense to build.

"Thanks to her investment, the Silverfang will be entering the weapon market. We will not only supply our kingdom's military but also provide top-quality products at accessible prices for the people of Norwinter and other military cities like ours."

This time, the crowd's reaction was more subdued.

Many turned to gauge the reaction of Sahvus di Armfrost, the head of the Armfrost family and the most influential weapon supplier in Norwinter.

Sahvus, a Tier 10 Exalted Existence and Grand Magus, stood at an imposing 1.9 meters. His dark skin and gaunt, almost sickly appearance gave him a morbid air, and his aged body was covered by an overall he always wore below his mantle.

But even so, his presence still exuded immense strength.

Sokram, however, could sense the faint scent of the Nether emanating from him.

'One of her fanatics, hm? Sigh...' he thought, but he kept his observations to himself.

Ignoring his rival, Kamal concluded, "And since the Androny family will also establish roots here in Eversnow, expect this alliance to yield rewards not only for our families but for anyone wise enough to recognize the value of this opportunity."

The founding families understood the hidden message immediately.

The Greyfurs exchanged knowing nods, while the Goldenmanes’ elders whispered behind raised hands, their expressions a mix of approval and intrigue, yet their gazes kept shifting to the same person, Sokram.

Kamal motioned for Margiory to join him, and once she stood beside him, he wrapped up his speech.

"But I'll leave the final word to my friend and business partner. She has something equally important to share. Once again, thank you for celebrating with us! Cheers! To a brighter tomorrow for our beloved city!"

A collective cheer erupted as glasses clinked together, and all eyes turned to Margiory.

Used to being in the spotlight, Margiory captivated the audience effortlessly.

"Dear friends of Eversnow," Margiory began, her melodic voice carrying across the courtyard.

"Thank you for your warm welcome. But we can hardly treat each other as strangers, can we? The Androny family has been a constant presence in this city for centuries."

She continued, her tone shifting to one of nostalgia.

"As many of you know, my late father and Uncle Sodram, the former patriarch of the Dracnakrid family, were sworn brothers. Before their untimely deaths, Brunhild and I made a promise to unite our families."

Many nodded knowingly, familiar with the tale.

But Margiory unveiled a lesser-known detail: "What few realize is that after their passing, Brunhild and I became sworn sisters too. Though we rarely see eye to eye in most matters, haha."

Her lighthearted remark drew chuckles from the crowd.

"But one thing is clear: the Dracnakrid and Androny families will forever stand as one. And Fate seemed to agree, as Hilda and my eldest son found love in each other, blessing us with three beautiful grandchildren."

Her tone shifted, becoming somber and evoking sympathy from the audience.

"Yet, Fate often takes paths we cannot comprehend. Few remember Sodram's appearance, a direct descendant of the primordial Black Dragons. Those born with the awakened bloodline of the Black Dragons are born with dark skin, which also distinguishes them from those who only awaken their bloodline later in life."

Some gazes shifted toward Sokram, who, keeping his well-practiced theatrical expression, held his head high, meeting Margiory's eyes unwaveringly as she continued.

"Blinded by ignorance, my son dishonored the bond between our families by spreading rumors and false accusations against Hilda, claiming infidelity when Sokram, my grandson, was born."

The direction her speech took shocked Michael and Klaus, who exchanged wide-eyed glances as they realized where this announcement was headed.

They turned to their nephew, wondering what he had offered Margiory to gain that much favor.

Then their eyes turned to their sister.

Madalyn, however, watched with a knowing grin, her eyes gleaming as if she was watching a play in which she already knew the plot.

Margiory turned to Hilda and bowed deeply, her lips trembling slightly.

Whether genuine or theatrical, the shame on her face was unmistakable.

Hilda, caught off guard, rushed to stop her, but Margiory spoke before she could intervene.

“I sincerely apologize in the name of the Androny family. It’s too late and too little, but please forgive us.”

The crowd erupted into chatter, but Hilda, visibly flustered, managed to say, "Marg, you don't need to do this..."

Hilda protested, her voice trembling as she rushed forward to stop Margiory from bowing further.

Her heart raced, torn between gratitude and discomfort at the public display.

Brunhild stood frozen, her mind reeling as she processed the unexpected apology.

Her eyes flickered between Margiory and Hilda, a storm of emotions brewing beneath her stoic exterior.

Hannah, ever perceptive, saw through the performance and glanced at Sokram, stifling a giggle as he shamelessly crafted a perfectly solemn expression.

Yet, despite his composed facade, Sokram's thoughts were far from nefarious. 'There, Mom, the apology you never received in the past I erased.'