Ancient Empire Calendar, Year 1836
After the weddings of the Kislavein Dynasty's young ladies, it was time for Richard's Heir Ceremony.
Richard was being prepared for the ceremony in his room with the help of his servants.
"I'm so nervous, Mother."
Marilin watched her son from a corner of the room with a smiling face.
"I know that feeling, my son. Years ago, when Ricardo was declared Heir, we were all filled with great excitement."
"Mother, I have a question."
"Ask, my son."
"Grandfather Orsman IV—what was he like? Everyone I ask says he was very cruel, ruthless, and terrifying."
Marilin was silent for a moment, thinking.
"Well... they aren't entirely wrong. He was only kind to Ricardo. Apart from that, he was cruel to everyone. He would kill anyone who angered him or made the slightest mistake on the spot."
"Then, if he was only kind to Father, why did Father kill Grandfather?"
"The answer isn't very complicated. To ascend the throne."
"Only that? For the throne?"
"Yes. This is normal. When every son grows strong enough to surpass his father, he kills his predecessor and takes the throne. This has happened many times throughout Kislavein history. Your grandfather Orsman IV himself became Dynasty Lord at eighteen by killing his father, Ryas V, in front of everyone in the Throne Hall."
As Richard listened to his mother, the servants finished their final preparations and stepped aside.
"Our preparations are complete, Young Lord."
Marilin walked around her son Richard, examining every detail.
"You look magnificent, just like your father once did."
Richard headed towards the door.
"What happens now?"
Marilin replied.
"Now you will go to the Throne Hall, kneel before your father, and he will declare you Heir. After the ceremony, the marriage alliances will be discussed."
Richard asked with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"My marriage alliances? But I'm already married."
Marilin laughed.
"Hahaha! Richard, are you seriously asking this? Do you think you can remain monogamous? Even your father took wives and concubines after he turned thirty."
Richard objected.
"But Father did that to gain legitimacy in the lands he conquered."
Marilin adopted a serious expression.
"There's no need to prolong this conversation," she thought.
She knelt, took her son by the shoulders, and, with a serious but loving tone, explained to him.
"Richard, my beloved son. I know you love Aishe very much. I am sure your love for her is as deep as your father's love for me—perhaps even deeper. Throughout our ancestors, there have been many who, like you, wished to live monogamously. But you are the future ruler of the Five Lands. To keep the peoples and dynasties united, you will have to take many wives and concubines. Even if you postpone it today, someday you will be forced to."
Richard understood the gravity of the situation. This was far beyond a simple but serious matter like continuing the lineage. After grasping this seriousness, he stopped objecting.
"Very well, Mother. As you see fit."
Marilin kissed her son on the forehead and stood up.
"I will go ahead. You rest a little and then come to the Throne Hall. The last guests will arrive soon. Don't keep anyone waiting, especially your father. Even if he isn't as cruel as your grandfather, he has a ruthless side as well."
Those who overheard the warm conversation between mother and son reacted mockingly to Marilin's last words, but only inwardly. They weren't foolish enough to show such an attitude openly.
"Not as cruel as his grandfather, she said? Really? Who else killed a hundred million people?"
"That conversation was like a joke. Even Orsman IV didn't kill that many people."
When Marilin left the room, Richard shaped his Aura into two thin arrows.
"Did you two think I wouldn't notice just because you stood there expressionless?"
The two maids froze in terror.
"How did he know?"
Before the servants could even react, the two Aura arrows pierced them, and they both died. All of this happened in the blink of an eye.
"Guards!"
The two guards outside the door entered the room. They saw the lifeless bodies of the servants on the floor but didn't care. They knelt.
"COMMAND US, YOUNG LORD!"
Richard gave the order.
"Dispose of this trash."
The guards answered simultaneously.
"AS YOU COMMAND!"
Richard left his room, walked through the palace corridors, and stopped before the Throne Hall.
The guards standing by the door noticed Richard and immediately came to attention, saluting.
"We greet the Young Lord!"
After acknowledging their salutes, one of the guards asked him.
"Young Lord, are you ready?"
Richard took one final deep breath.
"I'm ready. Open the doors," he commanded.
The doors were opened wide. The Throne Hall was filled with lords and important members of many significant dynasties from the Five Lands.
Richard walked slowly through the center of the hall, focusing directly on his father. He stopped a few steps from the throne, knelt, and bowed his head.
Ricardo rose from his throne, descended the steps one by one, and stood before his son. He drew his sword and raised it high.
"OH, NOBLE PEOPLES OF THE FIVE LANDS! I, KRAEL II KISLAVEIN, THE 66TH DYNASTY LORD OF THE KISLAVEIN DYNASTY, DECLARE RICHARD KISLAVEIN, SON OF ORSMAN IV KISLAVEIN, AS THE HEIR TO MY THRONE AND THE NEXT DYNASTY LORD!"
The nobles in the Throne Hall began to cheer for Richard, their future Dynasty Lord.
"LONG LIVE RICHARD! LONG LIVE RICHARD! LONG LIVE RICHARD!"
Ricardo sheathed his sword and gave the command.
"LET THERE BE FESTIVITIES FOR SEVEN DAYS AND SEVEN NIGHTS! ANNOUNCE IT TO OUR PEOPLE! LET THEM KNOW WHO THEIR FUTURE DYNASTY LORD IS!"
The guards in the hall bowed their heads and responded.
"AS YOU COMMAND, DYNASTY LORD!"
The people of Kislathor learned who their future Dynasty Lord would be. Festivities and celebrations were held for seven days and seven nights.
These festivities were the last celebrations held in the city of Kislathor, where the Kislavein Dynasty had resided for over a thousand years.
After the festivities concluded, the Kislavein Dynasty moved to Ricardopolis, the city at the center of the Central Lands.