CHAPTER 9

The castle courtyard was packed. A sea of people—commoners, merchants, and craftsmen—stood shoulder to shoulder, their eager faces illuminated by the early morning sun. Murmurs filled the air, a growing anticipation as they waited for their lord. The previous night had been a revelation. The streets, once dark and dangerous after sundown, had been transformed into glowing pathways. The people, awestruck by the sight, had taken to calling them "the stars of Gold."

Then, the great doors of the castle swung open.

Lord Lor stepped out onto the balcony, his presence alone commanding silence. The crowd erupted.

"LORD LOR! LORD LOR! GOLD! GOLD!"

The chants of his name and the territory's newfound glory shook the air. Lor raised a single hand, and the voices quieted almost instantly. His piercing gaze swept over his people—his responsibility.

"My people," Lor began, his voice carrying across the courtyard like rolling thunder. "What you witnessed last night was not magic. It was not the work of the stars, nor was it a fleeting miracle. It was light—true light, born from knowledge, crafted by our hands. And it shall no longer be limited to the streets."

A wave of whispers spread through the crowd.

Lor continued, "Soon, every home in our territory will be illuminated. No longer will you fear the dark, no longer will you waste precious oil for your lamps or struggle with torches against the night."

Excitement surged in the people's eyes, but one merchant hesitantly raised his voice, "My Lord… will this light be affordable for us all?"

Lor nodded. "I have ensured that it will be accessible. If you wish to have light in your home for an entire night, it will cost only 50 silver a month. But if you only need it for a few hours, it will be even less—10 to 20 silver."

A stunned silence followed. Then, the crowd erupted.

"GOLD! GOLD! GOLD!"

The territory's name was no longer just a title—it had become a movement. A promise of prosperity.

Lor lifted his hand again, silencing the cheers. "As you have seen, a great building is being constructed—Goldenova. That is where you will go to purchase your light. Workers will be assigned to install it in your homes."

The people whispered in awe. Goldenova. The very name sounded like the dawn of a new era.

Lor gave one final nod before turning back toward the castle. Behind him, his ever-loyal butler, Steward, followed.

As they walked, Steward spoke. "My Lord, the people are… exhilarated. They have never seen such hope before."

Lor hummed in response but said nothing. His mind was elsewhere.

"Where is Harry?" he finally asked.

Steward bowed slightly. "Young Master Harry is in your office."

Lor's steps quickened. When he entered his office, he found his son standing over a large map spread across the table. Harry's eyes were sharp, focused. He barely noticed Lor entering until his father was beside him.

Lor glanced at the map. It was a detailed drawing of their territory, marked with towns, villages, rivers, and mountains. His son's brow was furrowed in deep thought.

"What troubles you, Harry?" Lor asked.

Harry looked up, his emerald eyes filled with questions. "I don't understand… Our territory is massive. It looks more like a small nation than a mere noble's land. It will take years to bring light to all of it. But what I really don't understand is why we have so much land. Even the other Dukes seem to have similar territories. How is this possible?"

Lor leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile on his face. "Because, my son, this land was once a kingdom in its own right."

Harry's eyes widened. "What?"

Lor gestured at the map. "Long ago, before the empire, this land was divided into many kingdoms. But after a great war, only one empire remained. To manage the vast land, the ruling emperor created Dukes, each governing an entire region. However, our family was different."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "Because we were new."

Lor nodded. "Yes. We were a rising force—too strong to ignore, yet too young to be trusted. The other nobles felt threatened by our rapid growth, so they ensured we remained a Viscount family in name, even though our land and influence rivaled the Dukes themselves."

Harry tapped the map thoughtfully. "So, we're not just any nobles. We're outsiders who forced our way into power."

"Exactly." Lor's voice carried a hint of amusement. "And the politics of the empire reflect that. The noble class is divided into two factions." He held up two fingers. "First, the Imperial Faction, to which we belong. We serve the empire directly and uphold the Emperor's rule. Then, there is the Blood Nobility—those who believe that only the oldest, purest noble bloodlines should hold power."

Harry scoffed. "So they think we're not worthy just because we weren't born into power?"

Lor chuckled. "Precisely." He leaned forward, his expression growing serious. "In public, all nobles stand united before the commoners. But behind closed doors, we are two opposing forces, constantly maneuvering against each other."

Harry crossed his arms. "Then why doesn't the Emperor just crush the Blood Nobles and end this division?"

Lor smirked. "Because balance, my son, is the key to ruling."

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"The Emperor is a Transcendent Mage," Lor explained. "His power is beyond human. He also commands the greatest army, stationed in the Royal Capital. No noble would dare challenge him. But he does not destroy the Blood Nobles, because they serve a purpose."

"Which is?"

"To keep the Imperial Faction in check." Lor's smile turned sharp. "The Emperor allows the factions to exist because as long as we are focused on each other, we will never unite against him."

Harry let out a slow breath. "A monarchy… built on controlled opposition."

Lor nodded. "Exactly."

Harry looked down at the map once more, his fingers tracing over the territories. "If we push too hard, the Blood Nobles will retaliate. But if we move too slowly, the Imperial Faction may not support us."

Lor's smile widened. "Now you're thinking like a ruler."

A heavy silence filled the room as the weight of their reality settled upon them.

Harry finally spoke. "Then we have to be smart. We'll introduce technology slowly, starting with Goldenova. Once people rely on it, once they need it, no noble will be able to oppose us without angering the people."

Lor's expression darkened slightly. "You understand, then. This is not just about power, Harry. It's about revolution. And revolutions have enemies."

Harry met his father's gaze. His green eyes held no fear—only determination.