Chapter 30: Myrain Viscounty

With the ancient Dragon’s Calling Ceremony officially coming to a close, the tens of thousands of common folk and minor spectators slowly trickled out of the grand colosseum, their faces beaming with excitement.

They returned to their homes throughout the territory, reassured that the future of House Darkstar and the safety of the entire Rynchester Duchy remained blindingly bright.

The public return of the Seventh Young Master had fundamentally rewritten the political landscape.

With the absolute certification of his status as the Seventh Successor of the Darkstar Lineage, major administrative shifts were already underway.

A new Baron would soon be appointed under Craig’s direct recommendation to rule over the Lucerion Barony—the frontier land he had previously overseen.

In exchange for his monumental achievement, Craig was to be awarded a new viscounty, along with the noble title of Viscount.

Within the strict, centuries-old traditions of the Darkstar Family, only recognized Successors were granted official noble titles and territories to govern.

Their individual reign over these lands, their ability to generate wealth, maintain order, and command martial strength, would serve as the primary playing field during the coming Succession War to prove who was truly fit to inherit the Patriarch’s throne.

The vassal members of the family who bore the ’Van’ prefix—such as the Duke’s brothers and sisters—were instead granted high administrative and military positions.

And because Duke Oscar’s siblings had wisely chosen not to resist his coronation forty years ago, he had rewarded them with prestigious seats on his high council, keeping those he trusted most directly at his side.

Yet everyone knew the darker truth.

Had any of them dared to fight against him during his bloody succession, Oscar’s ruthlessness would have ensured every single one of them was executed without mercy.

Under Duke Oscar’s unyielding fist, the Rynchester Duchy had expanded into a massive feudal domain.

It currently boasted fifteen major counties, over thirty-five prosperous viscounties, and a hundred baronies stretching all the way to the wild, desolate northern outskirts of the Western Continent.

While the commoners dispersed into the city below, the high nobles, vassal lords, and honored foreign guests remained within the towering gates of the Crimson Castle for the lavish victory feast thrown by the Patriarch.

As the sun dipped below the jagged mountain horizon, painting the sky in deep shades of violet and blood orange, the grand ball began.

Inside the main palace, shimmering crystal chandeliers illuminated a majestic hall filled with hundreds of dignitaries, high commanders, and wealthy merchants drinking fine wine and exchanging quiet pleasantries.

Many saw the evening as a golden opportunity to forge political alliances with entities of higher status—especially the influential representatives who had traveled all the way from the four neighboring Duchies.

Three of the Seven Successors were present on the ballroom floor, surrounded by sycophants and vassal knights.

Many prominent Darkstarians mingled near the feast tables.

However, the star of the day was nowhere to be seen inside the hall.

Out on a high, secluded marble balcony overlooking the sprawling, torch-lit capital city stood Craig von Darkstar.

He swirled the deep red wine in his crystal glass, taking a slow, measured sip as a faint, cold smile touched his lips.

If this were his past life, he would have been right at the center of the ballroom—partying hard, wallowing in the fleeting high of his sudden success, and drowning in arrogant praise.

But he was no longer that naive youth.

He was a survivor returned from a dark, apocalyptic future.

He had seen the sky rend open; he had witnessed the impending doom that would burn this world to ash.

There was no time for hollow celebrations.

Every passing second had to be spent preparing.

His three dragons had already returned to the safe, volcanic reaches of the Temple of Dragons—particularly Soul-Dreamer, who had a precious clutch of eggs to tend to inside her deep cavern.

Thanks to the glowing draconic marks permanently etched into his forearm and neck during their soul-binding, Craig could summon all three at a moment’s notice.

Even if he stood at the far, frozen end of the world, a single mental command would bring them soaring through the sky to his side.

Craig inhaled the crisp, cool evening air, his posture relaxed and upright.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The crisp sound of armored boots against marble echoed down the secluded hallway.

"Greetings, my Lord," a deep, respectful voice called out.

Standing at the threshold of the balcony was Ser Hughway, the proud Guardian Knight assigned to the Seventh Successor.

He bowed impeccably, his hand resting on the pommel of his longsword.

Craig smirked, glancing back over his shoulder.

"What is it, Hughway?"

"I have officially confirmed the details regarding the viscounty granted to you by the Patriarch," Ser Hughway answered, stepping forward. "It is the Myrain Viscounty, located in the north-eastern territory of the Duchy.

It directly borders the rugged frontier of the Northern Continent, surrounded by four C-level danger zones and it has seven baronies under its direct jurisdiction."

Hughway paused slightly before adding, "Furthermore, by the Duke’s decree, the Lucerion Barony has now been officially absorbed into the Myrain Viscounty as your personal secondary domain, making it your eighth barony."

Craig nodded approvingly, taking another small sip of wine.

"And what of the Dragon’s Pit?"

"Construction has already begun as we speak, my Lord," Ser Hughway replied smoothly. "The ducal architects are designing it specifically to house more than ten fully grown, high-tier dragons.

There will be more than enough space for Chaosbringer, Soul Dreamer, and Dark Sister to dwell comfortably right beside your main estate—including her clutch of eggs, of course."

Ser Hughway adjusted his cloak. "The estimated cost is currently pegged at five hundred gold coins, and the architects assure me it will be fully completed in about a month."

"That is good," Craig murmured. "Naturally, wild dragon eggs legally belong to the Great House, but I will be keeping them safely under my direct care.

That was the only compromise that persuaded Soul Dreamer to eventually leave her nesting cave in the Temple of Dragons."

Craig let out a soft sigh before shifting his golden eyes back to his knight.

"What about the military organization?"

"Myrain’s scribes are currently finalizing the official paperwork," Ser Hughway explained.

"The primary headquarters will be built directly within the capital town of the Myrain Viscounty. We have set an initial budget of at least one thousand gold coins for the initial setup.

We plan to begin recruitment immediately, starting with a core force of thirty-five veteran soldiers and five landed knights."

"Excellent," Craig nodded, his mind calculating the logistical timeline. "Piece by piece, it comes together."

"And besides I want to also remind you that the Lord Duke has announced that you’ll receive two sacred sword art manuals that will exclusively be mastered by you alone"

"I totally forgot about that" Craig smiled, "What are they?" he asked.

"They are the Beast Blade Art and the Soaring Star Sword Art" Ser Hughway explained.

"I see" Craig inhaled deeply, "Secure the manuals well, I’ll be mastering them in the Viscounty"

"Yes my lord" Ser Hughway bowed his head.

"That aside, I need you to do something for me" Craig brought out a piece of paper from his pocket, "In this paper is a list of people I need you to find for me"

"Two are in the Eastern Continent and one is in the North, once you find them, bring them to the Viscounty especially the man named Damian Blacksun and make sure none of the successors learns of this" Craig handed the paper over to Ser Hughway.

Ser Hughway opened the paper, he saw three names written on it, and quickly closed it back.

"You can go now" Craig sighed, but Ser Hughway didn’t move an inch.

"There is one more matter, my Lord," Ser Hughway added, his tone taking on a more diplomatic weight..

"Before they take their leave from the Duchy tomorrow morning, the representatives from the four Great Duchies have requested a private audience to congratulate you on your victory.."

Ser Hughway offered a subtle smile.

"Especially Lady Alyse... the heiress of House Veraxes..."