Chapter 996: Alternate Timeline: Morvain Wolf (2)

Despite being in the same rank as them, Morvain effortlessly defeated two grandelders and the former leader inside the compound of House Wolf and forcefully claimed the Lord seat.

No rebellion truly occurred afterward.

Back in the present moment, inside the Heaven Pavilion, silence continued hanging heavily in the air as Morvain took his seat.

The elders sat stiffly.

No one dared act carelessly before the House Lord.

His presence alone felt oppressive.

Not because he released killing intent.

Not because he shouted.

But because everyone present understood one simple truth.

This young man could destroy them all if he wished to.

Finally, Morvain Wolf shifted his gaze toward Hildegard Wolf, the former House Lord seated among the elders.

"What are you waiting for, Uncle? Tell them."

His tone sounded calm.

Too calm.

The former House Lord immediately rose to his feet without delay.

"Ah... yes."

Even though Hildegard Wolf had once stood at the peak of authority within House Wolf, at this moment, he resembled an ordinary elder receiving orders from above.

He unfolded a scroll carefully before reading its contents aloud.

It was an invitation letter from Heaven’s Gate for an annual summit. Heaven’s Gate is one of the strongest martial clans in the entire continent. Naturally, the importance is quite high, and everyone is quite alert as they listen to the message.

But unlike ordinary invitations, this one carried unusual emphasis.

Heaven’s Gate specifically demanded the attendance of all three Grand Elders alongside the House Lord himself.

Even more concerning...

The letter openly stated that powerful figures such as Viktor, the leader of Mr. Eiger’s Amber Clan, would also participate.

The moment those names were spoken aloud, several elders visibly stiffened.

Morvain Wolf noticed it immediately. His uncovered scarlet eye slowly swept across the pavilion.

"Uncle, what is the matter?"

Before Hildegard Wolf could answer, one of the Grand Elders spoke first.

It was Elder Leofric, an old man whose brows resembled snow-covered branches.

"I believe they intend to discuss the Seed of Fire. After all... The time of its birth is approaching."

"Seed of Fire?" Morvain Wolf frowned slightly.

Naturally, he knew about elemental seeds. Anyone knowledgeable about the world understood the legends surrounding such treasures. But this was the first time he heard that the Seed of Fire was about to appear.

Slowly, displeasure surfaced across his face.

"If that is true... Why was I not informed earlier?"

The moment those words left his mouth, the entire Heaven Pavilion seemed to freeze.

Several elders unconsciously held their breaths.

Nobody wished to answer him.

Nobody wished to draw attention to themselves.

Finally, Hildegard Wolf spoke carefully.

"Our House previously decided to avoid involvement in this matter. Legendary Realm experts from all over the world will compete for the Seed of Fire. If House Wolf becomes involved, we may invite destruction upon ourselves."

Even after hearing the explanation, Morvain Wolf’s expression remained cold.

"Even then... You should have informed me."

A simple sentence.

Yet Hildegard Wolf immediately felt pressure weighing upon his chest.

Before he could respond, a middle-aged woman suddenly rose from her seat. "

It was Camilla Wolf, Hildegard Wolf’s wife.

"If we informed you about every small decision made by the House, years would pass before anything gets accomplished. Lord Wolf did nothing wrong here."

The moment her words echoed across the pavilion, many elders secretly paled.

Some even lowered their eyes instantly.

Morvain Wolf slowly turned his head toward her.

His expression did not change.

His voice remained calm as he opened his mouth, "Aunt Camilla... Did I permit you to speak?"

That single sentence caused Camilla Wolf’s face to turn white.

Because everyone here knew that Morvain Wolf’s calmness was infinitely more frightening than anger.

Hildegard Wolf hurriedly intervened before this young man took any action. "She is your aunt, Lord Morvain. I hope you show mercy."

Then came Morvain Wolf’s reply in the form of a quiet scoff. "Just like how all of you showed mercy to my mother?"

Silence.

Heavy silence filled the area.

No one answered.

Because no one could.

Then slowly...

Morvain Wolf raised the eyepatch covering his left eye. The moment the glowing scarlet pupil beneath became visible, fear exploded across the pavilion like invisible frost.

"No... wait..."

Hildegard Wolf tried stopping him.

But it was too late.

*Kyaaaaa*

Camilla Wolf suddenly screamed.

Her hands clawed desperately at her own head as though something monstrous had entered her mind.

She collapsed onto her knees, trembling violently.

"Please stop..."

"Please..."

"I was wrong..."

Tears streamed across her face as she begged desperately for mercy from her nephew.

Nobody present understood what illusion she was experiencing.

But every elder remembered the night two Grand Elders and Hildegard Wolf himself had once screamed exactly the same way after they were defeated by Morvain.

Several elders instinctively lowered their heads.

Others clenched their fists helplessly.

Hatred burned within many hearts.

But fear burned brighter.

Finally, after several agonizing moments, Morvain Wolf calmly lowered the eyepatch once more.

The illusion vanished instantly, and Camilla Wolf collapsed onto the floor, gasping heavily.

Then Morvain Wolf spoke casually, as though nothing important had happened. "I do not care how this House functioned before I became House Lord, Aunt Camilla. But while I sit on this seat..."

"There will be no foolish games. And I expect complete obedience, understand?"

At that moment, the third Grand Elder finally opened her mouth.

Remia Wolf.

The only person inside House Wolf who truly feared nothing from Morvain Wolf was her, for she was the only one who sided with his mom.

"Calm yourself, Lord Morvain. Wasting time on meaningless anger is like using a warhorse to plow farmland. The horse grows tired while the field remains unimpressed."

Hearing her words, Morvain Wolf finally relaxed slightly and returned to the original topic.

"Very well. Speak your opinions then. Should we attend the summit or not?"

"The Seed of Fire does not interest me. But if I attend this gathering only to discover that fire seed politics were the main agenda..."

His scarlet eye slowly moved across the pavilion.

"Then those responsible for wasting my time will suffer consequences."

After that warning, not a single elder dared speak recklessly.

Even those who wished to attend remained silent.

The risk was too high.

Eventually, Morvain Wolf smiled faintly. "Since nobody objects... We shall follow the majority."

"House Wolf will not attend the summit. Tell them that we are busy handling internal House affairs."

"Next matter."

The Grand Elders inwardly frowned at his absurd method of governance.

Yet none voiced opposition.

Then Remia Wolf spoke once more. "There will be a firearms exhibition inside the Imperial City next Monday. We have not received an official invitation, but it appears the event is open to the public."

"Firearms exhibition?" Morvain Wolf tilted his head slightly.

This was the first time he had heard the word firearms.

Before he could ask further, another Grand Elder finally spoke.

"Lady Remia... The event belongs to Kiara. She is hostile toward Noble Houses, and the Crown Prince also detests her greatly."

"If House Wolf attends publicly, the Empress may not appreciate it. Even if she is your younger sister, she still wouldn’t forgive you."

The moment Kiara’s name was mentioned, something flickered within Morvain Wolf’s uncovered eye.

He remembered the person he had intended to visit previously, but never got the opportunity to meet.

Slowly leaning against the House Lord’s chair, Morvain Wolf rested his chin upon one hand.

"Kiara..."

Then he looked toward Remia Wolf.

"Grand Elder Remia, tell me more about this Kiara... And these firearms."