Chapter 21: "Populace, Oracle, and Problems Arise"

After completing the small frontier settlement and contacting the priest for blessings in the first week of August 2024, on a Saturday morning, the arrival of the Imperial of the Crown Representative was imminent. One of the defenders of the settlement had spotted a knightly order bearing the symbol of the Imperial Crown. Rowan, Elira, and their summoned characters were prepared to greet the arriving delegation.

Several minutes later, the Knightly Order who is escorting one of the representatives of the Imperial of the Crown has arrived, the person who is assessing the completion of the task is none other than, Marquis Mira Valenwood. Marquis Mira Valenwood is Elira's 1st Auntie and one of the people who is supporting the Second Princess Fraction.

Everyone bowed their heads as she addressed them. "That is enough. Rowan, you know that you are the successor of the Ashbourne Family. However, we received your message through online mail, and your father is very furious about your actions. He stated that you would step down as the successor and pass the position to your second brother. Because of your completion of the Imperial of the Crown, you have been given the title of Populace of the Lower Rank, Rowan Ashbourne. Additionally, your father has been promoted from Baron of the Upper Rank to Viscount of the Lower Rank."

The news of his father's promotion was unexpected, but Rowan had anticipated that his father would be angry about the succession issue. "Marquis Mira, did my father say anything else?" he asked. Marquis Mira nodded and replied, "Yes, your father mentioned that you will become an independent nobleman. However, do not forget that you are still part of the Ashbourne Household. As for you, my dear niece Elira, let's talk somewhere private."

With that, Marquis Mira and Elira went to a private room to discuss certain matters. Meanwhile, one of the defenders spotted a logo coming from the church. What happened next took him and everyone else by surprise: a massive army filled with holy knights, paladins, bishops, and cardinals was heading towards the small frontier settlement.

Rowan entered the private room and informed Marquis Mira and Elira about the situation as they hurried toward the small frontier walls. Marquis Mira was the most reactive, mumbling, "That's impossible! Why are they here, including the Oracle?!"

Rowan and Elira had heard about the Oracle, one of the highest-level beings currently in our world. Her level is over 6000, making her one of the representatives from her realm. Levels exceeding 1000 are not uncommon, and those reaching 5000 or higher are often seen when beings from other worlds or realms arrive in our world. Upon arrival, they can attain levels of 10,000, 50,000, or even 100,000 and beyond.

After a few more minutes, the envoy from the Sanctuary of Eternity arrived. When visiting the church, people typically adopt a worship posture, but the visitors prefer something more customary, like bowing or offering formal greetings. The conversation quickly turned to the matter at hand, which surprised Rowan. The Oracle of the Sanctuary of Eternity invited him to join them, explaining that, according to her foresight, Rowan Ashbourne would be someone capable of stopping or resisting the Void in the future. 

To the shock of the Oracle and the church members, Rowan immediately responded, "I thank you for coming all the way here to discuss this, but I must decline. The reason is no comment…" 

They remained silent for several seconds before reacting. One of the Cardinals got mad at Rowan, "How dare you, human. Declining our invitation and protection!" But, the Oracle immediately stopped him and punished him because of his actions, in the end despite having faith and goodness, they have still their arrogance due to the power and authority they hold. The Oracle just smiled as if she was expecting this kind of answer coming from Rowan, the Oracle ordered everyone to go back as the Oracle smiled and gave him a communication device for other purposes if she wanted to send a message or say something very important.

In the afternoon, everyone left including the Marquis who fainted when the Oracle left the small frontier settlement, the knightly order escorted her back and tell about the events that happened today, as for Rowan and Elira it was their time to go back to the Everglow Academy, since they can't stay here long. Rowan summoned 100 characters to stay and guard this settlement and also summoned at least 50 to maintain the resources, shelters, management, and many more.

And with that, Rowan and Elira bead farewell as they left in their magical carriage with their companions, Commander Selene, and Commander Lyriana. It took 2 days to go back to the Everglow Academy and what awaited him was punishment and, the unexpected arrival of his parents as they grabbed his ear to pull him to the guest room regarding the Successor Issue and the Populace of the Lower Rank.

The long discussion took the entire day on how should we deal with the issue as Rowan's parents accepted the 2nd Son to take the role of the next head of the Ashbourne Household, while Rowan will take his independent household together with his fiancee, Elira Valenwood. Since Elira is not part of the successor, there is no issue other than that, but there was another issue that caused an uproar about Rowan.

According to Marquis Mira Valenwood, she explained and properly told about the events happening on the small frontier settlement, but there was a rumor or different sources that was not completely saying, "Rowan Ashbourne was so rude to the Oracle that he did that and that." Making Rowan that it was his fault and spreading bad rumors, well the rumors died down when that Cardinal was executed with the "Divine Judgement, but Rowan becomes the center of attention, on why a lowly person like Rowan was invited by the Sanctuary of Eternity.

Rowan didn't care about that and he wanted an apology directed to the Oracle, because of this he, his partner, his friends, and his loved ones are now in danger because of becoming the center of attention. Though asking a high-rank being for an apology is kind of unacceptable, because of various problems, on Sunday

Afternoon something very unbelievable happened and it was truly shocking to the whole world, Rowan didn't want to be attention, but it became a very big issue because the Apostle of Eternity had come personally to apologize for the trouble and would give everyone of Rowan's close partners, friends, and loved ones 5-year protection.

Nobody knows why, but a secret letter came to Rowan that it was one of his class jobs, the Mythical-Grade Gacha Class that made them apologize. Rowan has some deep thought about his Gacha Class Job and a somewhat memory that he couldn't remember. And on the second week of August 2024, two female paladins that has a same level of Commander Selene and Commander Lyriana, but has difference due to their experience, skills, and abilities are assigned to guard Rowan and Elira, now things just got annoying and busier for Rowan...

(End of Chapter 21)