Collins Family

As Duke Marvin Collins continued his speech, Makai heard the cold voice of the system again.

At the same time, a system panel appeared before his eyes and the stream of green data on the blue screen quickly crossed, forming an organized row of standard information.

[Name: Makai Floyd Collins]

[Age: 15 < 100]

[Kingdom: Apprentice Knight (Progress < 30%)]

[First Path of the Knight: Swordsman (Mastery: Basic Sword < 99%)]

[Second Path of the Knight: ?]

[System Points: 0]

[Items: A Random Commander Summon Card, A Summon Card of x10 Random Troops, A Random Equipment Card, A Random Building Card]

Seeing this screen, Makai was in a trance, but very quickly he was lured by the Duke's next words and had to put that panel aside to explore its rewards later.

Duke Marvin had a sharp gaze as he looked at each of the people seated at the table. He knew that these people who hold the highest positions in his family, although they are the closest members like wives, children, brothers and nephews, almost all of them were blinded by power and status and had no concept of family love.

Except for one small young man who matured early and who has always been the most aloof and isolated of them all, his youngest son, Makai Collins.

The Duke couldn't help but sigh as he met Makai's eyes stunned as if he wasn't present and then looked again at the others who seemed to anticipate the outcome of their choice and he laughed coldly at this scene.

"What? You guys seem pretty anxious to see this old man retire and hand over his chair?"

Hearing his words and seeing that cold little smile, many members of the Collins family couldn't help but look away and lower their heads. They felt a strong pressure released by the Duke's vital energy and some were even sweating.

Some of the more intelligent family members realized that something was wrong and that the decision of who would be the Duke's heir would not be so simple.

At this large table of smooth black stone lit only by the candles of the silver candlesticks embedded in the ceiling of this dark hall, there were a total of 25 members of the Collins family present, including Makai himself.

On the left side of the table, closest to the duke, were his three wives, and in front of them were his three children. As soon as the duke had finished his last words, it was the moment Makai set the system panel aside and was about to look at the duke when he noticed that at the right end of the table, sitting in the chair on the Duke's left side, was his older brother, Ferdinand Collins, who, at this moment, was staring at him with a hostile gaze.

"Hehe. This big brother despises me so much that he can't even hide his hostility..."

Makai returned the look with a smile of sneer.

Ferdinand Collins had a very handsome face. His hair was long and dark red just like his mother's. He looked very noble in black gold clothes and a long red cloak covered his back. Seeing Makai's smile, he was slightly surprised.

"That bastard seems even more confident today. Does he already know what our father's decision is? So... What my mother told me must be true... It seems that the father still favors him..." Thinking about the matters his mother had told him, Ferdinand clenched his fists tightly and quickly looked at his father with unfamiliar thoughts.

Seeing how everyone was silent, and some even looked so frightened that they didn't even dare look his in the eye, the Duke became serious.

"Listen well. This old man is not even halfway through his life and I still have a few hundred years ahead of him. This implies that there is no hurry for me to decide on my heir. I can still have a few more kids..."

"After all, do you think this old man is powerless?"

"Hahaha..." Suddenly, there was a loud laugh breaking all the silence that followed after the duke's question.

Everyone at the table turned their heads simultaneously to look at who was the person who dared to laugh uncontrollably at a time like this.

In the last position on the right side of the table, facing Makai, was a beautiful young woman wearing black and red leather armor and she appeared to be in his early twenties. She had short blonde hair. Her blue eyes glistened through tears and her cherry lips curled up to reveal her white teeth. She had both hands holding her thin stomach as she laughed heartily.

Looking at this beautiful cousin who was laughing happily, Makai was affected too and tried not to laugh. From his memories, he knew this cousin who had become a fierce general and who is known as the Crimson Tigress. Her name is Sabrina Collins, and she earned that title after annihilating several bandit groups within the Crimson Duchy.

After laughing until there were no more tears, Sabrina finally realized that the atmosphere in the hall was heavy and awkward, so she controlled her laughter and quickly turned serious as she looked at the duke and said, "Sorry uncle, but you looked so funny when you asked that kind of question. I was taken by surprise and couldn't control myself."

Her voice was melody and pleasant to listen to and she still looked like she was trying very hard not to laugh.

"Elder brother, forgive my daughter's attitude, for she has always been mischievous and, I hope you are not offended by this." Next to Sabrina was her mother who appeared to be a copy of her, but who had a much larger pair of breasts and her charm was more mature and noble. She wore a long black silk dress.

"My aunt, Suelen Collins. What a beautiful mother-daughter pair..." Makai muttered to himself with eyes full of appreciation at the beauty of this mother-daughter pair. At the same time, his heart fluttered a little at the sight of the pair of white melons that were so big and firm they couldn't hide the embroidery of her black bra and were a fatal temptation for any man.

Looking at his younger sister and mischievous niece who he was very pleased with due to her great talent in the way of a Killer Knight and who had taken care of many flies in his territory, the duke seemed not to mind her actions when he said, "Alright. It doesn't matter. Let's continue..."

Soon, everyone turned serious and listened intently, but without them noticing, the solemn atmosphere from before had become much more relaxed.

Realizing this, Makai took one more look at his cousin who stood before him.

As if sensing Makai's gaze, Sabrina glanced at him, and seeing his staring with curious eyes, she winked at him mischievously and turned back to the duke.

Seeing this, Makai was taken aback. From his memoirs, his predecessor had never contacted Sabrina before and he began to suspect: "Did she laugh on purpose with the intention of making everyone feel more relaxed?"

"Well... Anyway... It doesn't matter anymore..."

Makai had to put his suspicions aside, for it seemed that the duke was about to make up his mind.

"As I was saying, it is still too early for me to decide... Although it is aristocratic tradition to decide the heir among the children of his first three wives and as I convened this Family Council today, everyone expects my heir to be chosen among Ferdinand Barth Collins, Jason Hills Collins, and Jennifer Goys Collins. However, don't forget, I have four children and not just three."

As he said his last words, although the duke hadn't raised his tone, still sounded like the roar of thunder in the ears of nearly everyone seated at the table.

This was certainly unexpected news. Soon, the entire hall began to fill with whispers as many looked at Makai in amazement.

They knew that those words spoken by the duke implied that he could also pass the title of hereditary duke to his bastard son, which was against all aristocratic logic.

"Since when could a son without a third surname inherit a noble title?" That's what everyone was wondering right now.

In the history of the entire Vita Continent, there has never been a case of a bastard son inheriting a noble title, even if it was as paltry as that of a Court Noble, otherwise known as Nobles of Rank who, unlike hereditary nobles, they only hold political positions in cities or when they are recommended by hereditary nobles to be lords of the castle in some cities.

In the Starfall Kingdom, court nobles can enjoy the nobles' special rights in law, but their status power lags far behind both hereditary and meritorious nobles, not to mention the current peaceful environment since the end of the War of Kings. They don't even have opportunities for promotion due to a lack of merit achievements.

Yet here is a bastard son who could get a title of Hereditary Duke? This clearly made many members of the Collins family who hold court noble positions uncomfortable.

"Silence!"

Duke Marvin knew what they all thought and quickly exerted some pressure with his powerful aura vital, by asking everyone to be silent.

Feeling this pressure coming down on their bodies, everyone who whispered closed their mouths and no one else dared even say a single word, but they still couldn't hide the dissatisfaction on their faces.

"You think I don't know your thoughts? For know that I don't care. Don't forget how this family came to be in the position they are in today within the realm. Yes, I obtained the title of hereditary duke through meritorious conquests after winning a hundred battles. Why should I pass on my title because of a single last name?"

"I value merits. Even if they are among my children, they must possess merits if they are to obtain anything. I also do not care what the hypocritical nobles of the Royal Court think. Even the King cannot influence my decisions within my family. Just as I obtained this title through merit, I will also pass it on to my heir who obtains the most merits."

"If you're not satisfied, I'm giving you a chance to speak up now."

Silence!

Feeling the pressure exhaled by the duke's aura and seeing how serious he looked as he said those words, no one doubted when he mentioned that not even the King could interfere in the family's affairs. Everyone was silent without daring to speak and they could only swallow their dissatisfactions.

110 years ago, when the flames of the War of Kings reached the northern borders of the realm, Marvin Collins was just a Baron at the time and he was at the peak of the Silver Knight Realm. After 5 years of war, he was still undefeated when a powerful enemy that was in the Golden Knight Realm fell on his hands. After this feat, everyone knew that the already promoted Viscount had entered the Kingdom of a Gold Knight.

However, after another 5 years, when the war between Starfall Realm and Gusman Realm had already lasted 10 years, a powerful enemy that had reached the Epic Knight Realm also fell into their hands and everyone came to know that the already promoted Count Marvin Collins had entered the Realm of an Epic Knight and had become one of the mainstays of the realm. Then he was conferred a Crimson Duke by the King and obtained a large territory in the southwest.

Now that 100 years have passed, which Kingdom of Knights had the Crimson Duke reached? No one knew the answer, as the kingdom entered a long period of peace and no one has ever dared to face the Duke and his Crimson Cavalry in the last 100 years.

Although everyone knew that war is the best stage for knight promotion, it has been 100 years after all and the duke of today is certainly even stronger than he was back then. Also, he had great generals as his loyal followers and his Crimson Cavalry is an elite among the kingdom's elites, so he had his own confidence not to fear saying that not even the King can influence his family's decisions.

"It seems that this my father is not a simple man..." Makai did not expect the direction of this family council's conversation to reach this point. Initially, he had no expectations for this title and was only participating casually. However, it seems his father had other plans and this was even implicating him.

At that moment, an arm was raised as a sign that the person wanted to speak out. This is a rule established within the Family Council, if someone has something to say, they must first raise their hand so that the dialogue is not chaotic.

Makai noted that the one who raised his arm was his second brother, Jason Hills Collins. He has an even more handsome face than his older brother. His hair is long silver, just like his mother's who is sitting in the chair opposite him, and his ears are long and pointy. He is clearly a half-elf and his mother is an Elf from the Kingdom of the Silver Moon located on the eastern border of the Kingdom Starfall.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

The Duke was indifferent, but his eyes were still curious to hear what his second son had to say. He had to admit he was surprised that among his children, the first to speak up was Jason and not Ferdinand as he had expected. As if he had thought of something, the duke frowned and glanced quickly at his first wife seated to his right.

At that moment, Vanessa Barth, the Duke's first wife seated in the first chair on the left side of the table and closest to him, seemed to have noticed her husband's gaze and her heart quickened a little, but she still didn't demonstrate and just gave a slight sweet smile which, by the way, was very pretty. She has long flaming hair and her eyes had a light ruby ​​tinge in them. Her large breasts and slim waist were well accentuated by her tight long red silk dress.

Although she tried not to sound nervous, the Duke with his strong Knight senses had still realized and was convinced of her suspicions when he became indifferent again and listened to his son Jason's words.

"I agree with Father's words and I think this method is the wisest. However, the Kingdom has been at peace for many years and even the bandits within our duchy have been exterminated by our cousin Sabrina. How can we earn merits if there are no wars? Father's intention is for us to be pioneer Knights?"

Hearing the words of his second son Jason, Duke Marvin nodded in satisfaction and was about to respond, but another arm at his side was raised and he said, "If you also have something to say, just speak up."

Makai watched his third sister with interest. Jennifer Goys Collins, the Cunning Sword, earned this title due to her great talent with the sword and because she mainly uses her intelligence to find the weak point of her opponents. She has long black hair tied in a ponytail and wears a set of silvery black leather armor.

Her age was similar to that of her cousin Sabrina. Her beauty also wouldn't lose at any moment when compared to her.

After wetting her cherry lips, Jennifer looked at her second sibling beside her and said, "The second brother's words are reasonable, however, there is no way we can be pioneer knights as the lands without owners on the Vita Continent have been almost all conquered. Only a few territories remain that are considered no-go areas. The father intends to start a war against the Gusman Kingdom?"

Hearing such words, Makai couldn't help but shake his head in disapproval. From his point of view, his sister appeared to be trying to make a good impression on his father while competing in arguments with the second brother. Makai wasn't sure about the Pioneer Knights, which are an expedition of nobles with their cavalry to conquer new lands, but he knew that it was nearly impossible for his father to start a war against the Gusman Kingdom at this point.

The Crimson Duke was about to reply, but he saw his eldest son raising his arm as well and couldn't help but chuckle slightly. He knew that his children had already begun to compete with each other, that was his intention, after all, there is only progress when there is competition.

"Ferdinand, you can speak."

Ferdinand had a slight smile as he said, "I'm not sure what the father's plans are, however, I've noticed that our younger brother shook his head in disapproval at the third sister's words and I believe he has a better opinion to share..."

Saying such words, Ferdinand looked at Makai on the other end and continued with an amused smile: "Am I right, fourth brother?"

At the same time, all the family members also looked at Makai, including the duke who now had a slight frown on his face. He didn't think Makai had anything to say and that was just his older son trying to put his younger son against a wall while provoking hostility between him and Jennifer.

As expected, Jennifer looked coldly at this younger brother of hers that she hardly cast a second glance at in their previous encounters inside the castle and waited for his response.

Makai didn't expect that just by slightly shaking his head in disapproval, his older brother would use it against him so eloquently.

"Hehe. It seems that the most likely to have poisoned me was this older brother of mine. He can't even disguise that he has something against me and even tries to turn me against my sister..."

"This cheap trick might work with my predecessor, but it won't work on me."

Ignoring the looks of curiosity and contempt directed at him, Makai glanced at his father, and seeing him agree, he said nonchalantly, "It's not that I disapprove of the Third Sister's opinion and I even think that start a war against a kingdom hostile as the Kingdom Gusman is the best way to earn merit..."

"However, it is almost impossible for the Starfall Kingdom to start a war against the Gusman Kingdom right now. Not to mention just us brothers, relying only on ourselves. After all, there's not just the impediment of a long distance from the Crimson Duchy which is located in the southwest to reach the north of the kingdom, as well, the Kingdom of Gusman is a vassal kingdom of the Avalon Empire which, in recent years, there have been rumors that they are preparing to conquer the two neighboring kingdoms that are on either side of the Gusman Kingdom..."

"This implies that they are prepared to wage a full-scale war against two kingdoms at the same time and this is the worst time for us to go to war against them. If we have to go to war, the best time would be when they are engaged in a war against the two kingdoms, until then, we can take advantage of that moment before they have any chance of success, for once they win, their forces will only expand further and soon it would be our turn to be annexed as vassal territories."

"Of course, the Avalon Empire and the Gusman Kingdom are no fools and will further strengthen their borders with our realm. However, there is a saying that goes: In a time of war, every hole is a trench."