political marriage?
Kael stared at Lone Wolf, bemused. **"A political marriage?"**
"Exactly!" Lone Wolf seemed confident in his proposal. **"Lord, Lefay is now in its strongest position in decades. This is the critical trade route between the Guyi Empireand the Kingdom of Maider!"**
"And how does that relate to marriage?" Kael shrugged, feigning ignorance.
"The Guyi Empire dominates the Eastern Continent—its commerce is unmatched. If we secure their favor, merchants will flock here in droves. A marriage alliance would be the strongest proof of our ties!" Lone Wolf's voice carried a hint of excitement.
Kael understood perfectly but chuckled. **"So you're suggesting I marry some noblewoman from Guyi?"**
"Naturally! You're Lefay's lord, a Continental Count, an eighth-level powerhouse—young and limitless in potential. Even the Guyi Empire wouldn't refuse your friendship. While Princess Grace of the imperial family might be out of reach, many dukes and nobles would gladly accept…" Lone Wolf mused aloud.
Kael's face twisted into a wry smile. Grace is my junior sister! As for marriage—hell no.
"The Loki Family holds a hereditary dukedom and has unwed daughters. The Channing Family also seems suitable…" Lone Wolf began listing options with alarming seriousness.
"Lone Wolf, I have no intention of marrying for politics," Kael interrupted, shaking his head.
"Why, my lord?" Lone Wolf was baffled. To him, this was a flawless plan—mutually beneficial, possibly even landing Kael a beautiful bride. What was there to refuse?
"I won't let even this slip beyond my control. Damn it." Kael scowled. Arranged marriages? The very notion repulsed him.
"This discussion ends here." Kael's tone brooked no argument. As a transmigrator, he hadn't crossed worlds just to be shackled by archaic traditions. The benefits were obvious, but Kael refused to feign affection for some stranger.
Besides—he already had Amelia. In his heart, she was the only woman he could truly accept, the only one worth a lifetime. Other women? Duke's granddaughters, imperial princesses—what did it matter?
"Does the Count already have someone he favors?" Lone Wolf ventured cautiously.
"Indeed." Kael replied tersely. **"So let's drop this topic."** Seeing Lone Wolf's disappointed expression, Kael softened his tone to avoid discouraging him entirely. **"Your suggestion was sound—just not for me. Now, I'll introduce you to Lefay's inner circle and appoint you as the city's** Chief Steward."**
Chief Steward. The title stunned Lone Wolf. The role ranked among Lefay's top three positions, wielding substantial authority and granting a voice in critical decisions. Kael truly trusts me this much?
Then he remembered the master-servant contract and relaxed. With that ironclad safeguard, of course he's at ease.
With a self-deprecating chuckle, Lone Wolf followed Kael out of the dank, mildew-ridden dungeon. Sunlight bathed his face for the first time in days, and he exhaled in relief. Freedom never felt so sweet.
Kael led him to the City Lord's Manor's main hall, where Jett, Finn, Ella, and Amelia—Lefay's entire leadership—awaited.
A faint smile touched Kael's lips. My inner circle is finally taking shape.
He announced Lone Wolf's allegiance and his continued command over the Nomadic Bandits—though with key adjustments. All the bandits' resources—Frosthorn Steeds, Blazefire Horses, armor, and more—were reassigned to Lefay's garrison under Jett's control.
While the master-servant contract ensured loyalty, Kael had no intention of granting Lone Wolf unchecked power.
With Lone Wolf's administrative and military brilliance now at Lefay's disposal, balanced by Jett and Finn's oversight, Kael could finally embrace his role as a hands-off ruler.
And Amelia—burdened for months with Lefay's endless affairs—could at last step back. The relentless workload had stolen her cultivation time, stalling progress that might have otherwise pushed her toward the eighth level.
But now, with Lone Wolf around, Amelia was completely freed up.
After Kael finished announcing all the matters, Lone Wolf hurried off to deal with the issues surrounding the rogue bandit group. Handling the prisoners from the rogue bandit group would keep Lone Wolf busy for quite a while.
Lone Wolf's rogue bandit group was officially incorporated by Kael into the Second Legion, while the First Legion was undoubtedly the 'Tank Legion' composed of the unicorn rhino tribe. Jett, meanwhile, recruited soldiers, trained the garrison, and formed the Third Legion. Everything was progressing in an orderly manner.
With the threats in the Laffey Plains eliminated, many displaced people began settling in Laffey City, and the population gradually increased—an added piece of good news.
In short, everything was moving in a positive direction.
...
Days passed one after another, and to Kael's relief, the Laffey territory was changing almost daily. Just as Lone Wolf had said, it had entered a phase of rapid development.
During this time, Kael was finally able to leave matters to Lone Wolf, Jett, and Finn while he took Amelia and Ella to train in the Tower of Hope.
Ella had finally grasped fourth-level mana oscillation during this period, and her strength improved by leaps and bounds. Already at the peak of level eight, her breakthrough to level nine was imminent. Moreover, her frequent sparring sessions with Kael led to a dramatic surge in her abilities, much to the delight of the wandering mage, who grew even more determined to follow Kael.
"Amelia, how's your progress with mastering qi oscillation?" Kael asked, holding Amelia's hand at the top floor of the Tower of Hope.
From the tower's height, they could overlook the entire Laffey territory—no longer the lifeless place it once was, but now bustling and vibrant, truly brimming with hope.
"I've already mastered fourth-level qi oscillation," Amelia replied softly with a gentle smile.
Fourth-level qi oscillation!
Even knowing that Amelia was a prodigy, Kael couldn't help but feel astonished. She had managed to grasp fourth-level qi oscillation in such a short time—it was enough to make anyone feel inadequate. Ella had spent years groping in the dark without even touching the threshold.
It seemed someone had forgotten that his mana oscillation had long reached level five—and was at the peak of level five, no less. He was practically a freak of nature.
However, Amelia's breakthrough to fourth-level qi oscillation was of immense significance. Now at the peak of level seven, and with Kael possessing several top-tier Frostmourne Gems, her advancement to level eight was practically inevitable.
"Amelia, it looks like you'll need to go into seclusion for a while to break through to level eight," Kael said with a smile. Level eight was a major threshold, and of course, he wanted Amelia to reach it as soon as possible.
"Yes, I know. With Laffey City stable now, this is the perfect time for me to make the breakthrough," Amelia replied softly.
Kael nodded and handed her the Frostmourne Gems. Amelia nestled close to him, resting her head on his shoulder, savoring this rare moment of tranquility.
Kael smiled in agreement, but Amelia suddenly pulled away slightly from his embrace. Her clear, piercing eyes fixed on him as she said, "I heard Lone Wolf suggested you consider a political marriage?"
Kael stiffened, unsure where Amelia had heard this. Before he could respond, she continued, "A political marriage isn't a bad idea, especially given the situation with the Ancient Yi Empire—"
But before she could finish, Kael grasped her hand firmly and cut her off decisively. "Amelia, let's not discuss this further. You know how I feel, don't you?"
"How you feel?" Amelia suddenly laughed. Her smile was like a stone dropped into a still lake, sending ripples across its surface—radiantly beautiful, as if it had brightened the entire Tower of Hope.
"Of course!" Under the gaze of those star-like eyes, Kael actually felt… nervous!
Yes, nervous!
Kael had never felt nervous before—not when facing someone as formidable as Scarlett, nor when standing before the Great Speaker, one of the most powerful figures of their time. Yet now, with Amelia, he truly felt a flicker of tension.
Not out of guilt, but because his original plan had always been to propose to Amelia.
That's right—propose!