Qualities of A Monarch

"Oh, the puppies have lost their bark" Edward anticipated but still disappointed.

Thinking that the Albert family, the true authority of the Terrene Kingdom would have higher quality personnel. 

Rhea nearing the point debilitation shrieks "Heir? You who lives worthlessly! Only reason you can claim that is because, Elder brother Jean died in the war against the Grotish. You have not been appointed heir and will never be!" she burst forgetting of the dying man

Edward raises his hand as to say silence. He has no intention to live a life as Edward Albert forever, so the current topic doesn't interest him. 

"Rhea, I will permit your other dogs to live if you leave now and tell me where Steward Pike is"

"Little degenerate, you will permit nothing I do as I please!"

Pointing at the almost corpse which has lost its voice from screaming and head trauma, Edward makes a clear threat 

Hands on their swords Rheas guards finally showing spirit, but Rhea raises her hand 

"Steward Pike is probably in the Western tower where all ministers work. If not I truly don't know where the weasel is."

Li Qiang now currently living as Edward Albert had one thought, taking the Alberts for all they are worth. To do so he would have to get the people with power in the estate to recognize his authority.

"Leave" Edward grunts cycling his Chi and holding himself completely still 

Rhea looking at the corpse of what was her best man, grits her teeth and turns away, her long flowy dress lifting and gliding across the slight wind from her abrupt movements. Knowing her brother now knows of her trespasses, thinking she would never be forgiven Rhea grips the Rose Gold lion encrusted fan given by her mother, cracking it into halves inside her palm. Her long strides causing clanking sounds that can be heard all across the garden, making haste in her fear Rhea makes a vow.

"This dept will be repaid the Northern way. The lion's way"

Edward remaining still not out of intimidation or malice, but from the pain in the souls gateway among the slight injuries from before which have worsened. Cycling his Chi he reinforces the most urgent wound in his chest to prevent his heart from corruption. Bending over to remove the ring from the dead guard, Edward had one thought

"Yes, this is it. This sensation of death and the pride of remaining true." Edward who had long been a recluse, chasing after the peak of existence was truly happy. There were many people who scorned the name Edward Li Qiang, he was the evilest spawn of man to many, more than Demonic. However, Edward had only ever remained true to himself, wanting freedom he killed all who oppressed, valuing a place to call his own he left his father's domain and carved an empire, wanting to stand alone at the top he challenged anyone who he saw had certain strength- and won. While it was afflictive he had come out on top. Knowing he is no longer the Master of Supreme peak; Edward finds these current circumstances fortuitous and entertaining. 

"Hm, the guard actually has grade 2 pills" taking a long inhale through the nose Edward smells all of the ingredients inside the pill

"Only a mind clearing remedy" dissatisfied he crushes the pill into green liquid and begins to focus. Summoning only the faintest amount of amber from his soul he feels his brain become hard like a rock, the damage is now physical. Blaze now dancing in his palm, the liquid of the mind clearing pill turns to vapor.

FOOOH 

Inhaling his benefit he does not cycle his Chi as he had done normally. Edward uncaring for his damaged body suppresses the signals his body is sending. Assuming the quarter lotus position, Edward intends to learn the divine art he is most in need of, and most familiar.

"While I can hit above my weight class, my opponents won't just let themselves be stuck. I also can't defend against much; I am a paper house burning and could be blown over any moment." 

Edward separating all he needed from the pill, had begun to cultivate his signature technique, right in the open of the garden alone and vulnerable. The technique which had saved his own life, and enabled the taking of many lives, the Divine Void Steps. It is a technique concentrated in the eyes, gazes into the void of space and allows him to stride in the vast nothingness, a single step in the void being a near instantaneous leap across the realm. A technique not of Edwards creation, but one that he mastered to its upper limit. When he burned away his flesh before his encounter with Hela, he regretted not realizing his body was a great weapon same as his soul.

Opening his eyes after hours of progress Edward sees a man tall, and stoic with his back towards him. Liam the head guard of the main Albert estate, seeing that this man having a middle core, he is a spirit forged expert. Edward immediately grins with devious intent.

"Sir Liam, were you standing guard for me."

The guard, descendant of a lineage who have always been Albert family guards puts his hands together as he turns to bow. His armor sliver with golden shoulders sunlight reflecting off the golden lion sigil on his chest, leggings which seemed to be made of the byproducts of multiple spirit beasts, and a sword that catches Edwards eyes. 

"Young master, congratulations" Spoke Liam with what seemed to be genuine praise 

"I came after hearing reports of a fight involving one of the household guards, to find Aarons corpse. And you meditating." 

"This guy" Thought Edward "He knows what has happened but is playing, to see what I will say, to explain this. I think I like this ant."

"You are intelligent Sir Liam. What do you do to rabid animals?" Edwards now on his feet hands crossed behind his back, eyes gazing low. "This is what I do to them." 

Sir Liam who was loyal to the Albert family, had no intention to question or interrogate a bearer of its name, however he was curious. Hearing the report all he could think was "How? How could the young master who had hardly gathered his Chi and compressed it into a core, how could he blitz an expert at the middle end of Chi compression." Those thoughts of how it was possible were washed away when he arrived at the scene. 

"The young master has bled in private to overcome his self. His energy from meditation was for sure tier 3, an improvement not small for the young master given his condition." Liam who spent his entire life in the Albert Family felt great pride

"Sir Liam?" 

"Apologies young master! I was lost in thought. Aaron was wholly at fault in this matter, I will handle the body and explain to his family personally."

"Good, however Sir Liam..." Edwards gaze intensifying as he speaks with authority

"The family compensates our fallen warriors families, correct?" 

"That is true, young master."

"This persons family does not qualify for monetary compensation." Proclaimed Edward while staring coldly at Aarons corpse 

"He was executed justly for treason. He did not fall for the good of my house, he fell because he lifted a hand at it."

Sweat now visible across Liams forehead, feeling hotter in his armor than he has in any skirmish, realizing he would be handling awkward situations soon. Liam swallowed his spit not knowing what to say, after all his master was correct. 

"I understand young master. I will burn the corpse and send letters to his widow." 

Edward disappointed that Liam does not realize his intentions takes a step forward, a step which changed the tone of the interaction. Activating the Divine Void Steps while looking towards the guard, Liam grew stiff at the action. While Edward was staring into the void and not at Liam, it served great purpose as Liam did not bow but kneeled. Liam who stared directly into the void, almost fainted. Wholly unfamiliar with such deep and unknown pressure. 

"I beg your forgiveness young master!" Liams forehead parallel on the ground had never even knelt before Warden Albert, yet he instinctively knew this was how he would survive. 

The purple aura now fading from Edwards eyes like smoke rising in the air

"Stand. You are forgiven but you have many things to do. Firstly, you will not burn the corpse, you will preserve it as is. Secondly, you will find this mans wife and children then bring them before me." 

"I understand young master, but-" Liam who knew why he wanted Aarons family but was remiss about the idea

"No buts. When you kill a father you give children and wives reason to disobey you. If that was not reason enough, it is custom that traitors families are executed all the same." 

Liam unable to refute stood with a worried look, sweat now pooling inside his Lion armor. "I will carry out my orders." he lets out while bowing 

Without saying a word and turning towards the west Edward walks away, leaving Liam to understand that Edward Albert, has the aura and disposition of a monarch. A fully matured ruler.