Chapter 131: Frost Rose
Originally, it was believed that the five great merchant houses would reach a truce tonight, and afterward, Hope Lane could return to peace. The citizens of the city relaxed slightly.
As the firelight flickered, the crowd and the troops marched through the night, breaking the temporary tranquility once again. Then came the shocking battle by the coast, which shook the earth, causing the residents to cautiously peer out of their homes.
When the towering golem was shattered, it seemed like a myth had collapsed, striking fear into the hearts of the city’s residents. The sounds of combat within the city gradually diminished.
Occasional cannonfire echoed from the fleet outside the harbor, but it was much less than before. As one group after another of purple-clad armed personnel took control of the city, no more cannonfire was heard as dawn approached.
The Nisos family, due to the death of its main heir, Fenleton, and the aging and dementia of the head patriarch, quickly fell under the assault of Karithes’ armed forces and lost control of their headquarters.
After the Tisiphone family’s defeat, the head patriarch drank poison and committed suicide, but their legitimate son, Abel, disappeared. Only a few managed to escape the city, while the rest surrendered.
The Anyemyi family attempted to break out but were blocked by a small group of Helius family troops. Then, Karithes’ main force arrived, forcing them to retreat to the merchants’ guild headquarters.
By noon, several gates and the southern port of Hope Lane were under the control of Karithes’ purple-clad troops, and the city began to impose a lockdown, suspending all entries and exits.
On the morning of the next day, Miss Lacy of the Karithes family led a group into the Helius family headquarters.
At the Helius family banquet at noon, the former head patriarch, Hoss, announced that he and his son, Bell, would permanently renounce their rights to inheritance. The position of head of the family would continue to be held by his eldest daughter, Mereu, who would decide on any future transfers or inheritances.
The relatives of the Helius family and Head Patriarch Hoss would relocate to the spice estate in the Southern Islands, where the climate was suitable for retirement. The former head of the personal guards, Jerald, was relieved of his duties and transferred to the fleet to explore distant Eastern routes.
On the third day, outside the Anyemyi family headquarters.
The Helius and Karithes family troops surrounded the building, maintaining a strict guard, but did not attack.
In the past two days, the Karithes family had been busy controlling the entire city, arresting members of the Nisos and Tisiphone families. It was only today that they finally had enough manpower.
Lolan Hill and Mereu sat in a carriage, watching the Anyemyi family’s gate not far away. The autumn wind was chilly, and many trees in the courtyard extended beyond the walls, with yellow leaves swirling in the breeze.
“Do you want to plead for mercy for the Anyemyi family?” Lolan Hill held a cup of warm tea in her hands, her silver hair casually draped over her shoulders. She wore a simple white dress, leaning back against the sofa.
“Yes.” Mereu nodded, looking at the clear greenish water in her cup, seemingly nostalgic.
“I’m about the same age as Fengnai. We grew up together.”
“When I was young, I didn’t like going out much. She often came to find me to play, sometimes inviting me to their house.”
“The Anyemyi family has many flowers and plants, blooming in every season. The trees in the courtyard are lush, forming a canopy.”
Mereu looked out the window at the forest, continuing:
“At that time, I really enjoyed playing at her house because it was close to a hillside. There were some peculiar rocks under the trees, and it was very quiet there, undisturbed by other relatives’ children. I would sit on the stones reading, engrossed in the stories and illustrations in the books. Fengnai would run around the courtyard, sometimes fishing, sometimes catching butterflies, and then showing them to me.”
“Uncle Noeis would sometimes come back, bringing fun trinkets and little objects, not just for Fengnai, but also for me.”
“Besides my father, he was the kindest elder to me.”
“Now, even though we are estranged and opposed, I still want to plead for mercy.”
After saying this, Mereu seemed to have let something go, lifting her teacup to take a sip.
“Fengnai, although she is the daughter of the Anyemyi family, she basically doesn’t interfere with matters and wasn’t involved in any plots. Letting her off is not inappropriate.”
“But Noeis is different. He not only participated throughout but personally led the attack on the Helius family. You wouldn’t forget that, right?”
Lolan Hill paused for a moment but still stated this unbreachable line.
Many things, once they happen, require someone to bear the consequences. Noeis, as the head patriarch, bears undeniable responsibility.
“I understand, but at least Fengnai can be spared,” Mereu whispered softly.
Inside the Anyemyi family’s residence, Fengnai, looking out the window at the standoff, angrily pulled the curtains shut.
“Alright, miss, don’t get upset,” Penny, her maid, comforted her and walked over.
“But I can’t calm down,” Fengnai said, sitting at the table, feeling uneasy.
“My father has locked himself in the study for two whole days, not letting anyone in.”
“The outside is guarded day and night by Karithes and Helius families, ready to attack at any moment.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she turned to hug the maid, burying her head in the white apron at her waist, her voice muffled.
“Will we be killed, Penny?”
The maid stroked her mistress’s hair gently.
“No, miss will survive because your hands are clean.”
“What about Father? What will happen to him?”
“Lord Noeis will make his own decisions.”
“Will Father die?” Fengnai asked in a low, hoarse voice.
“I don’t know, miss,” Penny placed her hand on Fengnai’s back, gently caressing her.
“And you, Penny, will you stay with me forever?”
“I…” Penny was a bit surprised, answering after a moment.
“Yes, I will always be with you.”
“Forever?”
“Yes, forever.”
At this moment, shouts came from outside the window, followed by a loud crash as the iron gates of the guild were pushed down, falling heavily to the ground, stirring up dust and scattering fallen leaves.
Groups of armed personnel began entering the courtyard of the guild, footsteps, cries, and the sounds of fighting started, signaling the beginning of the attack.
On this overcast autumn day, the sea breeze carried a chill. Just as both sides thought the conflict would soon be resolved, a series of rumbling sounds came from the distant horizon.
The propellers spun like shadows, dispersing the air and creating a continuous roar. One gray iron airship after another emerged from the clouds, leaving trails of vapor behind, as if heralding the rise of a new power on the continent.
About twelve huge airships hovered above the city. At the bottom of each ship, doors opened, and lights began charging.
These airships bore the emblem of a blue frost rose and the scales of the Vergha merchant alliance, side by side, symbolizing the emergence of a new power.
Frost Rose, seven petals blooming, merging as one.
Sleeping now~
