The surroundings were silent, only the faint sound of the wind lightly pping the shore, stars dotting the ck night sky like distant diamonds scattered across an endless dark canopy.


    The breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soft sibnt sound, while a few birdcalls from afar sketched a tranquil and beautiful night scene.


    Viscount Zavier, a young man in appearance, stood by thekeside, gazing at the white-haired elder approaching, and began to speak:


    "I still remember the days we spent together at the military academy decades ago."


    Viscount Bastughed heartily and said:


    "Hey, hey, hey, you start with reminiscing? Must it be so cliché, Zavier? Although, we really are both old things now, heh."


    Viscount Zavier ignored him and continued:


    "Back then, the military academy held apetition every year, and we had prepared for a long time for the annual military simtion contest. Everyone thought our group would win, because no one could match you and me when we joined forces."


    "However, on the day of thepetition, one of our members fell seriously ill at thest minute, resulting in our group only taking second ce."


    Viscount Bast squinted and shook his head, saying:


    "Hehe, you still remember that? I had forgotten it long ago; too many years have passed."


    Viscount Zavier, expressionless, stared into Bast''s eyes and said coldly:


    "No, what I really remember is that you actually cried bitterly when the instructor was presenting the awards. Although the rest of us felt bad, we epted the reality. Only you were trembling and crying, eyes red, unable to ept the oue."


    Viscount Bast felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing this and muttered:


    "Ah, such an embarrassing matter, let''s not talk about it."


    Viscount Zavier, disinterested in the other''s various performances, simply continued calmly:


    "Since then, I haven''t seen you cry again, nor have I seen you lose again."


    Viscount Bastughed and said:


    "After all, the taste of defeat is unpleasant, and since you and I are both leaders of our families, we should understand one thing: if we lose once, it''s possible our families may never recover."


    "So we can''t afford to lose!"


    He paused for a moment, a certain light flickering in his eyes.


    "Let''s be clear, Lord Zavier, did youe to seek reconciliation?"


    However, Viscount Zavier shook his head very firmly and said:


    "Not reconciliation, but surrender. The Hovern family is about to fall, and everyone can see their demise. Thus, on behalf of the Eagle n, I formally surrender to the Lion n."


    Viscount Bast did not show any surprise, as if he had expected it all along, and after a long silence, he asked back:


    "Don''t you still have the support from the Sunrise n and the Donnerue n?"


    Viscount Zavier kept shaking his head, and objectively assessed the situation of the two families: "The crippled Donnerue n is of little use, and as for the Sunrise n, I have already discovered that they feigned allegiance to me under yourmand: in fact, the Sunrise n has still been passing information to you."


    Having his n of infiltrating the Sunrise n exposed, Viscount Bast burst intoughter: "Hahahaha! So, you''ve discovered it. As expected, that guy isn''t cut out for this kind of work."


    Viscount Zavier''s tone was very firm.


    "The Eagle n has the courage to fight to the death with you, but we do not wish to fight a civil war we''re sure to lose."


    "You surrender and yet speak so proudly?"


    Viscount Bast chuckled coldly, moving closer, and stated his demands.


    "Zavier, I have a few demands. First, your family''s remaining Forbidden rare artifact must be handed over. Then, your most important grandson is to marry one of my granddaughters, with the wedding scheduled for next week. Moreover, your family has to transfer all properties aside from Phelps Port to the Lion n for handling!"


    The Lion n gaped, voracious; Viscount Bast, devoid of any old-time sentimentality, chose to coldly devour the Eagle n, ensuring that they would be left without any room to recover.


    "I can ept all that."


    Zavier agreed without hesitation, having mentally prepared for everything beforeing to the negotiation.


    He then said calmly, "Bast, I also hope that you would co-invest with me in the development of something, a steamboat. It will surely bring significant change to the future of the East Coast. Without your participation, its development won''t be as rapid."


    "Steam engine technology? Hmm, I am indeed quite interested in that."


    Viscount Bast finally showed a smile of approval, his eyes filled with admiration, harboringplex feelings for his adversary and ally all this time.


    "Then, Zavier, starting today, our two families shall join forces to create a new East Coast Province!"


    Viscount Bast extended his hand, and then, Viscount Zavier calmly took it, holding it in silence for a long time, as if relieved at heart, having let go of many burdens.


    On the other side of Sunrise Lake, the zing Sun gradually rose.


    The trees in the distance were clearly outlined in the soft light and shadow, theke water shimmering with golden splendor under the morning light.


    ——


    Three dayster.


    Many nobles on the East Coast received a piece of extremely shocking news!


    For decades, the rival Lion n and the Eagle n have decided to form an alliance through marriage!


    Many couldn''t help but mock the Eagle n, as they were quick to surrender even before the Hovern family had truly fallen, a bunch of spineless buffoons who had lost all sense of noble honor.


    Within the Eagle n, there was vehement opposition to the marriage alliance, with no desire to fully submit to the Lion n, and they even brazenly questioned why Viscount Zavier would make such a choice!


    Even "ck Hawk" Zavier, who had once held great poprity and was worshipped by everyone in his n, could not escape the wrath of his own members.


    The Eagles'' surrender to the Lion n was indeed an unbearable humiliation!


    Many found such an ending intolerable, and within a few short days, there were those who quietly left the n, those who attempted to assassinate Zavier and were killed when they failed, and even a few n members whomitted suicide because they couldn''t ept Zavier''s decision.


    Zavier, who had anticipated everything, silently handled all matters, knowing this was the correct path for the Eagle n.


    "Even with some ''growing pains'', we must endure, we don''t have the strength to contend with the Lions right now," he said.


    Their power had never matched that of the Lion n, they were merely pieces lifted by Earl Hovern to counter Viscount Bast.


    Even after decades, when the Eagle n had truly risen, they saw no chance of victory against the Lion n, which had the backing of the powerful Romann family, following the fall of the Hovern family.


    "Our generation is unlikely to be the masters of the East Coast, let''s look again in a century," he mused.


    Standing at a conspicuous spot in the port, Zavier gazed at the shipyard, where the first steamship was about to be officiallyunched.


    He was aware that the next hundred years would bring dramatic changes to the whole world!


    "The master of the East Coast in a hundred years may not necessarily be the Lions," he contemted.


    ——


    At Viscount Bast''s estate.


    In the study, the old man with white hair calmly dismissed all the servants and summoned Byrne for a private audience.


    Viscount Bast looked at Byrne with grave seriousness and said, "Byrne, in an hour, a very important person whom we both know will be here."


    "Let me be clear with you in advance, that person is ''Sr Gold''."


    "What?"


    Byrne was shocked, then nervously asked, "Lord Bast, may I leave before he arrives? I really don''t want him to know my true identity."


    The people of the Alchemy Council were neither friends nor allies, just a group of schemers pursuing their own interests.


    Under normal circumstances within the Alchemy Council, the chairman''s authority kept everyone civil in their exchanges, but outside in the real world, all bets were off!


    Friend or foe was never certain, and Byrne knew all too well that "Sr Gold" was a Monarch Level powerhouse whom he stood no chance against, hence he was very reluctant to reveal his true identity.


    Lord Bast had never intended to let Byrne meet "Sr Gold."


    "Of course, you can. All you need to do is to stand in the ''View of Arnos'' ceremony Array holding this, and you''ll be able to see everything that happens here," he said.


    After speaking, the old man took out something that resembled a monocle and handed it to Byrne.


    "It''s a Mysterious rare artifact that can store ''visions seen by the eye,'' sufficient as evidence. If something happens to me, simply make all you''ve witnessed public."


    Byrne understood his role immediately, nodded quietly, and then hurried several kilometers away to an underground chamber.


    Indeed, there was already aplex and arcane eye-shaped Array drawn there, exuding a sense of mystery.


    Standing on it, Byrne could see everything happening in the study through a mark on Viscount Bast''s clothing.


    The monocle-like Mysterious rare artifact began recording the scene.


    Atst, a tall, blond middle-aged man dressed in a white robe with gold trim arrived in the study.


    He had a radiant appearance, resembling a benevolent father, more like the leader of thousands upon thousands, the very epitome of all Holy Knights.


    Viscount Bast smiled, bowed deeply with an exaggerated flourish, and loudly greeted, "Bishop of the Sun Church, I''m delighted to meet you!"


    Byrne was incredibly shocked; he knew "Sr Gold" was likely a Lorne citizen but hadn''t expected "Sr Gold" to also be a district bishop of the Sun Church!


    "Sr Gold" fell into a brief silence, then with his robust voiceughed and said, "Mr. Dragon Crystal, I need to collect my payment first."


    "Yes, no problem, Mr. ''Sr Gold'', I know what you desire," Viscount Bast replied, nodding slightly before retrieving a ck scroll.


    "This represents the Forbidden knowledge on how I signed contracts with demons, acquired twenty years ago from the Spirit Realm, which can be spread to a maximum of three people... And the Forbidden rare artifact I promised you is still with the target, which will naturally be yours in due course.


    As for that very important piece of intelligence, the thing you''re looking for is in the hands of the Meyer family!"


    Byrne, hearing the familiar name of the Meyer family, fell into contemtion, wondering what it could mean.


    "Sr Gold" smiled and nodded, indicating satisfaction before continuing: "Understood. Now state your specific request, Mr. Dragon Crystal, let''splete this transaction."


    Lord Bast calmly stated, "In a few days, a wedding will be held..."