You were made to farm, and now you're the emperor of an empire?

Chapter 126 Ringing the Bell and Keeping Vigil
The Guardian family perished.

Iron Flower County was taken over by Prince Gael.

Half of the Moya family's vassals refused to pledge allegiance to the Prince of Gael, and were subsequently suppressed by the Prince of Gael and Markel, the eldest son of the Grand Duke of Rage.

War broke out in most of Tiehua County.

By the time this news reached Sige Town, the rebellion in Tiehua County had likely been completely wiped out.

After all, without a leader, the direct descendants of the Moya family were all killed, and the killers were the eldest sons of the two grand dukes.

"What is my Grand Duke father doing? Even a pig would be more useful if he rose to power!"

Roman wished he could punch the Grand Duke of Cracked Armor twice.

You old bastard, you're really out of your mind!

Tiehua County is located in a strategically important area, yet you actually did something so foolish as to collude with outsiders and dig your own grave!
Even Emperor Gaozong of Song's twelve gold medals weren't as outrageous as yours!

“Lord Roman, I’m afraid there’s something fishy going on.” Seth thought there were many suspicious points. Even if the Grand Duke was muddleheaded, he wasn’t muddleheaded enough to execute his vassals.

This matter has gone too far and will seriously damage the prestige of the Cracked Armor Duke.

Regardless of any conspiracies or schemes behind this, the extinction of the Guardian family is a fact.

The Moya family had built Tiehua County into an impregnable fortress, with its internal strength difficult to unleash and external enemies unstoppable. Yet now, they had been betrayed by one of their own loyalists.

If the Rift Armor Territory suffers a calamity, who will suppress it in the future? Who will deter it?
Without the suppression of force, who cares if you are a duke?

The Rift Armor Territory also has military forces, but compared to the other two Grand Dukes... it can only be described as terrible.

Grand Duke of Fury sealed off Sinnoh and the Papacy.

Grand Duke Oak confronts the Underworld Sea and the Demon Clan.

While the Grand Duke of Cracked Armor was indulging in pleasure in the fertile lands, the quality of his army was beyond description. If you're not the worst, who is?

The prestige of the Grand Duke of Cracked Armor had been declining year by year, and now it was too late to reverse the situation.

Internal conflicts can be suppressed to a certain extent.

But what about external conflicts?

Pirates are holding a pirate convention, while eastern barbarians are sharpening their knives.

Roman didn't care about the pirates and barbarians, and he always looked down on Gael and Markel.

What kind of eldest son is he? He's nothing but a parasite of the old era.

A bunch of bastards! What kind of skill is it to plot to kill a loyal minister? If you dare to come to Sige Town in three years, I'll beat your face until it's swollen and rip all your hair out!

Roman turned to Aaron and shouted, "Aaron, I'll take you there to fight our way to Iron Flower County and wipe those guys out! I promise you!"

He watched his knight leave without stopping or looking back, as if it were none of his business.

“Master, Aaron…” Seth was very knowledgeable; he remembered that the first Guardian Earl was named Aaron Moya.

He had thought the two shared the same name, or that Aaron's name came from the first Guardian, but now that Roman said this, he realized that was not the case.

Roman shook his head and said, "I don't know. Aaron never answers this question, but I think he has a connection with the Guardian family."

……

Aaron gradually moved away from Origin Manor.

He recalled the words he had just heard and found them somewhat jarring.

The family of the loyalists was guilty of betrayal, and the honor bestowed upon them by the Archduke of Rift Armor was taken back by his own hands. The banner, its heavy shields splattering with sparks, crashed down, along with the oath of protection that had resounded throughout the Crimson Dragon Castle.

Aaron knew there must be more to the story. He knew the Moya family had no intention of disloyalty; he had seen it, he was certain.

Looking back suddenly, he couldn't recall the original appearance of Tiehua County.

Memories are fading, scenes are blurring, like a yellowed painting. He only remembers living in a towering castle, where the iron-clad gate was mostly closed.

He climbed the clock tower, sometimes the tower, and stood beneath the fluttering flag, gazing into the distance.

The sky was azure, with sparse white clouds, and the pale orange sun shone brightly and brilliantly. From the highest point, he could see the distant mines and vast farmlands. The miners and farmers, who could not stand up straight, appeared as insignificant as ants in his view...

He remembered that he was full of anticipation at that time, always hoping to get out of that sturdy and tall castle, longing to transform into a crow or an eagle, fly over the city walls, and see the outside world.

As a child, he was mischievous and even touched the enormous brass bell, which weighed several tons and was big enough for him to live in.

He stood beneath the bell, pulling the rope with all his might. The unwavering bronze bell was struck, resonating with his very being, resulting in a grave mistake. His father, the city lord, was furious and rushed over, slapping him hard across the face, drawing blood from his mouth. Then, he tenderly embraced him.

He talked with him all night, about the family's honor and oaths, the foundation of their existence, and he swore an oath as well. As for when he fell asleep, he could no longer remember.

When he woke up the next day, he was lying in the cold embrace of the family knight, with a galloping horse beneath him. He only had time to glance back before the castle with its large iron gate suddenly disappeared from his sight, like an adult waking up from a child's dream.

From that time on, he no longer hoped to become an eagle or a crow, no longer longed to look down upon the earth. Instead, he wanted to become a dandelion, drifting on the wind above that big iron gate, drifting back into the body of that child with shining eyes, always excited and gazing into the distance, drifting back into those carefree and innocent years.

But that's just wishful thinking.

He made a grave mistake, lost his surname and his origins, and was left with only a small shield by his side.

He was promised that if he could make a name for himself and make his name resound throughout Dragon Castle, awakening the memories of the Grand Duke of Cracked Armor, he would be able to return home in glory.

The blood of the Guardian family flowed in his veins, but the imprint was not deep. He spent twice as much time in Dragon Castle as in Ironflower County, and his personality gradually became taciturn. He even mingled with the Grand Duke's illegitimate son, to the point of being content with the status quo.

He abandoned glory, abandoned the past, and abandoned the meaning that his surname represented, coming to this wild and remote place.

However, when Seth recounted Count Moya's dying roar, others thought he was calling for his father, but he knew he was calling for his child...

At that moment, he felt no grief, only an indescribable feeling.

He didn't know if it was because he was naturally cold-hearted, or if he truly didn't care at all.

Aaron knew that the past he had once abandoned... had caught up with him...

Just like the night he awoke with a start a month ago, just like the eve of their parting, during that all-night conversation, the family precepts flowing in his blood resounded once more—

"Ring the bell to keep watch!"

……

The destruction of the Guardian family was a major earthquake for the Grand Duchy, signifying a shift in the power structure.

But things in Sigge Town still have to go on as usual.

Some are raising pigs, some are building houses, and some are paving roads.

Roman is unsure which skill to improve.

After a moment's thought, he used the two blue crystals to improve Yaki's breeding skills and Vickery's hunting skills.

As for why Roman gave Vivich hunting skills instead of crafting skills, then we should ask why the hunting skills include crafting memories for various bows and crossbows.

Roman has also confirmed it.

Utilizing gem and crystal resources can certainly allow one to spread their knowledge as skills—through enlightening insights or preaching in dreams.

However, skill improvement is limited and depends on the quality of extraordinary resources.

An interruption occurred when Roman attempted to overlay more knowledge onto the Apostle interface.

As for how much one can absorb, that depends entirely on the latter's comprehension.

Of course, Roman didn't expect them to find new paths or innovate. He just wanted them to extract ideas from their minds and improve productivity.

If he teaches the [Forging] skill to someone who doesn't understand iron smelting, and that person doesn't go into the iron smelting industry, then they won't have a chance to use it.

(End of this chapter)