From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

"Miss Fayer, I hope you can give birth to the child, after all, every child is an extremely important family member to the Fischer family, only there's one thing the Fischer family must impose on you."

"Darren is already engaged to the Oder family, and if the engagement is broken, the two families might become enemies, a matter of great significance, so the affair between you two absolutely must not be made public, and I will compensate you in other ways."

"Very well, we agree!"

Fayer nodded gently, her father's beaming smile indicated he knew this was most likely the outcome.

Byrne and Fayer signed an agreement, and afterward he assigned Theo's eldest daughter to the Fayer household to take care of Fayer and keep watch over the place.

Before leaving, he suddenly came to an understanding, staring at Fayer as he nodded gently.

"I wish you happiness."

On the way home in the carriage, Darren had thought he'd have to explain the matter of the grey-haired girl, but his father didn't ask him at all, only maintaining silence and contemplation.

The atmosphere became more oppressive, and Darren finally couldn't help but ask,

"Are you very disappointed in me?"

Byrne was silent for a while, then said calmly,

"I know this is how you are, from the moment you stepped onto the Path of Shadow, I had actually understood, as for disappointment..."

He paused, then said with a smile,

"I might also have some defect, for I always find it hard to get angry with my loved ones over their mistakes, and I prefer to find the fault in myself."

"The slightest kindness from friends and I think of giving back more, and I'm willing to believe in the importance of emotions, I've even suffered quite a few losses along the way."

Darren was slightly stunned, his father had never spoken to him in this tone, as if he too was a real adult.

Perhaps he really was an adult now, after all, he already had a child.

He suddenly felt a bit absurd, how had he inexplicably ended up with a child?

Byrne continued calmly, looking into his son's eyes.

"I just feel helpless, I have made some efforts all along but still neglected your growth, but you still have a chance, Darren..."

"The person I once was, was also a coward, even afraid to speak to others."

However, Darren interrupted him, his tone filled with incredulity, asking the doubts that had been hidden in the depths of his heart for a long time.

"Is that really true? The more I grow up, the harder it is to believe, Father, in the eyes of the common people you are virtually a legend, a great figure who rose rapidly like the protagonist of a story."

"Was your childhood really so terrible? I even think that it's something concocted by some people to slander you."

Byrne nodded gently, affirming very surely, "It's true, Darren, but anyone can grow and change."

Byrne had to say this to inspire his son, though in reality, most people don't change much.

And indeed, there were also people like Chris who were impressive from birth, they simply didn't need much personal growth in terms of character.

He had made a decision to send Darren to train in the Cyart Royal Army for a few years, as currently, in the Royal Army there were only connections like Savoie and Colonel Abel, it was indeed lacking a direct blood relative of the Fischer family.

As for whether Darren would encounter danger, Byrne had already come to understand one thing.

The Fischer family had never truly avoided danger in this vast and gloomy dark forest, so there was no need for them to flee from it.

Darren was lost in thought when he inadvertently saw his father's hair had become speckled with grey, and feelings of guilt surged in the depths of his heart.

A month later, under Byrne's arrangements, Darren left Nasir Town to report to Colonel Abel's infantry, starting from the very bottom as a soldier.

He was to serve for two years, after which he would return and marry the daughter of the Oder family.

Before leaving, Darren said farewell to his two girlfriends but didn't linger long at the grey-haired girl's place.

He kissed Fayer and said calmly, "Your plan has succeeded, Fayer."

Fayer smiled sweetly and nodded excitedly, "I don't have to leave you anymore, how wonderful! Darren, come back early!"

This matter was never an accident from the beginning.

Moreover, after a pause, Darren said, "I feel as if my father has sensed the truth, guessing that you were the mastermind, though he never said it outright."

Fayer looked a bit surprised and asked in confusion, "Then why is he still so kind to me?"

Darren didn't voice his thoughts, initially believing it was because of the child in Fayer's womb, but later felt that wasn't the case.

It was more likely because his father saw the deep love in Fayer's eyes.

A month later.

Shocking news from the East Coast reached the ears of the Fischer family.

The East Coast Governor, Earl Hovern, failed to surpass the Monarch and died beyond saving.

Just half a month earlier, two bishops from the Silver Moon Church and the Tempest Church had stepped forward, accusing the Hovern family of colluding with the heretical cult "Lost Cult." Now, the Hovern family was undergoing a strict investigation by the Church.

If the charges were proven true, their fate would be extremely tragic.

In reality, only three scenarios could lead to the seizure of land from the great nobles: extermination of the family line, treason, and collusion with heretics.

Others might not be fully aware, but the Fischer family knew for certain that the charge of the Hovern family colluding with the "Lost Cult" was a setup.

After all, their cult's name wasn't even "Lost Cult"!

"Why do I suddenly feel that everyone is starting to enjoy pretending that His followers exist somewhere and then blaming the evils on His believers, so that all the bad things are announced as 'our' responsibility..."

Byrne put down the newspaper and muttered to himself helplessly, while a terrifying realization finally dawned on him deep inside.

The gradual decline of the gods' influence would lead to a significant detriment: no longer would there be anyone to restrain the many powerful ones of the True Gods Church!

Once, even if the churches occasionally acted unjustly, they wouldn't dare to indulge in such egregious misconduct like framing others under the watchful eyes of the deities.

After all, those were the times when divine retribution truly existed.

But now, the churches, once aloof and above the fray as the Hand of God, were gradually transforming into several huge secular powers, and with it, their terrifying powers were being unleashed.

"After the gods have fallen silent, the churches have all been liberated, and even those powerful ones who were meant to be judges are driven by self-interest..."

The same night.

An unexpected person from the Fischer family returned to Nasir Town.