Chapter 526: Chapter 526: 524 Funeral_1

In the cemetery of Phoenix Butterfly Fort, a modest funeral was underway.

Franco Morrison lay peacefully in the opened crystal coffin, dressed neatly, his hands holding a sword on his chest, his body covered with irises and golden satin.

The scene was solemn, the members of the Morrison Family stood silently, paying their respects to this much-debated family member.

Even though Franco’s actions were controversial and contributed to the decline of the Morrison Family, no one doubted his motivations.

No one in this family understood the pain of the “Bloodline Curse” better, so they believed that if they were in Franco’s position, they would probably have made the same choices.

Colin watched all this coldly. Although he had little sympathy for someone like Franco, he wouldn’t behave rudely at such a time.

After all, the Morrison Family was now under his rule, and he knew how to win over people’s hearts.

As for the “Bloodline Curse,” which worried the Morrison clan, Colin knew it was nothing more than a hereditary disease.

The Morrison Family, in an almost obsessive desire to “purify” their bloodline, insisted on marrying noblewomen from the St. Hilde family, leading to closer and closer blood relations, essentially inbreeding. This would inevitably cause the prevalence of hereditary diseases in newborns to surge.

Colin had no plans to explain the principles of genetics to these people, because it probably wouldn’t make much sense even if he did.

Of course, now the Morrison Family had lost their count title, they probably wouldn’t marry a St. Hilde noblewoman, so the “Bloodline Curse” would gradually disappear.

When the Morrison Family noticed that their offspring were no longer born deformed, Colin planned to secretly spread the rumor that the “Blood Line Curse of Morrison Family disappeared miraculously after they pledged loyalty to Count Angler”.

Perhaps this could even earn him some prestige.

“May my lord forgive your sins and allow your soul to rest in His temple!”

After the Priest’s low prayer, Saken Morrison stepped forward, closed the coffin lid and, together with three other knights from the Morrison Family, put Franco’s remains in the grave.

As the dust fell and gradually buried the coffin, Saken couldn’t help but sob heavily.

Lady Grace’s eyes were red but she approached and grabbed Saken’s arm. Then, facing the mourning members of the Morrison Family, she said loudly:

“Franco Morrison has left us, he is about to embark on another journey in his life!

His soul will enter a new kingdom under the guidance of the benevolent Lord of Glory!

There, he will continue to defend alongside countless celebrated ancestors of the Morrison Family Knights!

But, I firmly believe, his faith and will will always accompany us, and we, too, will one day reunite with him in another world!

Now, the Morrison Family is at an unprecedented low, but at the same time, it has also welcomed an opportunity like never before!

The ancestors of the Morrison Family won nobility and honor through their swords in hand and faith in heart, bathing in hot blood and treading on the skulls of their enemies. Now, it’s your turn to live up to your vows and prove your courage!”

Saken wiped the tears from his face, drew his sword from his waist, and roared:

“Morrison, never retreat!”

At that moment, all the Morrison family knights in the cemetery drew their swords, pointing their sword tips towards the sky:

“Morrison, never retreat!”

“Morrison, never retreat!”

…

Early morning.

The deep sound of horns echoed over Floral City, squads of the Blood Knight Army spurred their war horses and set out on a new journey.

Alongside them on the road were the thirty thousand troops of the Morrison Family’s Phoenix Butterfly Army.

Twenty thousand iron cavalry and thirty thousand elite infantry were converging outside Floral City like a tide.

The sound of horse hooves thundered like rolling spring thunder, echoing across the vast wilderness. Fluttering banners in the air directed the marching direction of this gigantic army.

Colin, standing atop the city wall of Floral City, was filled with heroic emotions as he surveyed the scene outside the city.

This is my army!

Such a military force was not something that even an ordinary Count, let alone a general Marquis, would necessarily possess.

Given that the number of Blood Shadow Guards, made up of Blood Slaves, had increased to over seven hundred, Colin felt confident he could stand up to any Duke in the realm!

If you also consider the Half-Elf Kingdom he could control, and the significant influence he could wield in the North and East Territories, there would probably be very few in the entire Empire of Glory who dared to claim more power than him.

As the saying goes, ambition always matches power.

When he first fled quietly from Grey Castle, Colin simply wanted to find out who tried to assassinate him, but now, he couldn’t resist desiring a higher status and greater power.

Especially on this trip to the east, Colin attacked White Dew City twice and nearly ended the direct bloodline of the St. Prowse Family, despite their known weakness in the Empire of Glory, which made Colin think—

The Holy Knight Family, really not that special after all!

Lady Grace, standing next to Colin, looked at this spirited Guardian of the North with memories in her eyes as if she was thinking of a certain person.

“Count Angler, have you heard of the Chapman Family?”

Colin was taken aback and replied, “No. This doesn’t sound like a family from the North Territory, does it?”

“No, they’re a family from the Crimson Flame Territory and directly under the royal family.” Lady Grace’s voice was full of melancholy, “but unfortunately, not many people know about them nowadays.”

Colin quietly looked at Lady Grace, waiting for her to further explain.

“Count Angler, you might think this is just a small unknown family that disappeared in the long river of time, but in fact, it used to be a highly distinguished family whose patriarchs were appointed as the Imperial Guardians of the Empire.”

“Imperial Guardians?” Colin was slightly surprised.

As the Guardian of the North, he naturally knew the heavy responsibilities associated with this position.

In the North Territory, Colin’s power can be said to be second only to the Northern Duke, and he could even legally strip any lord in the territory of his nobility!

So, an Imperial Guardian, is definitely a figure only second to one person but above thousands in the Empire of Glory.

Strangely though, Colin had run through the memories of his predecessor, but found absolutely no clues about this Chapman Family.

And the position of the Imperial Guardian, in his memory, seemed to have been vacant for several centuries.

Lady Grace seemed to see through Colin’s confusion and added, “Yes, ever since this family lost their lineage, the position of Imperial Guardian has remained vacant.”

“How have I never heard of such a powerful family?” Colin couldn’t help asking.

“Because someone doesn’t want the citizens of the Empire to know about this family.”

“Who doesn’t want to?”

Lady Grace looked deeply at Colin and said:

“The Church.”