Kjerag, known to outsiders as the Snowy Realm. Just like its name suggests, it is decorated with white snow all year round. However, due to geographical factors and some other external factors, Kjerag is one of the few places, besides Umbrella, that is not affected by natural disasters.
Kjerag can be said to be a conservative place, but the reason for this is the ancient culture that has been passed down.
What SilverAsh was troubled by at this moment were the other two families in Kjerag besides the Khazra Clan he represented.
The upper echelons of Kjerag are mainly composed of the Khazra Clan, represented by SilverAsh, and the other two families, also known as the Three-Family Council. There are several other large and small families, but the power in Kjerag is mainly in the hands of these three families.
According to the data in Arknights, SilverAsh's parents died in an accident when he was a youth, and the evidence at the scene pointed directly to the political enemies behind the Khazra Clan that SilverAsh represented, which were the other two families.
However, because the decline of the Khazra Clan was too rapid at that time, this matter was left unsettled.
The accident must have had a huge impact on the young SilverAsh, but SilverAsh was not a weak rich kid. He did not fall into self-pity but continued to raise his two younger sisters until they could take care of themselves.
Afterward, SilverAsh left Kjerag and went to Victoria to receive a modern education, leaving his political enemies to divide up the political heritage of the Khazra Clan.
The Kjerag Three-Family Council existed in name only.
This situation continued until SilverAsh returned to his country. After returning, SilverAsh once again took on the important task of revitalizing the family.
Afterward, Karlan Trade rose rapidly, monopolizing several modern industries that were originally prohibited from development in Kjerag. It exported a large amount of goods and raw materials to other countries and imported modern industrial products, accumulating huge capital in a short period. The Khazra Clan, because of the success of the enterprise, regained its position in the Three-Family Council.
It is also because of this that Fujino admires SilverAsh quite a bit. When Fujino was playing the game, she once jokingly said that this game should be called SilverAsh Arknights, as SilverAsh is the perfect protagonist template for a novel.
"Now, Miss Fujino, what is your decision?" SilverAsh in the projection asked, his eyes showing some urgency. Although his return successfully brought the family back to its original position, it also caused the other two families to identify him as a threat. Because of this opportunity, these two families united again, just like when they divided the Khazra Clan years ago. According to some information, these two families have already planned to take action against him and intend to use his sister as a threat.
Although, because of the need to revitalize the Khazra Clan, he left Kjerag after raising his two younger sisters until they could take care of themselves, abandoning his sisters—this was also a form of protection for his two sisters by SilverAsh at the time. Although it was a bit cruel to the two sisters, it was the best method SilverAsh could think of at the time. The separation at the beginning caused the relationship between the three of them to not be as harmonious as it used to be. The youngest sister, Encia, could still understand his past difficulties, but his relationship with the other sister, First Snow, was not that good. However, in the end, SilverAsh still loved his sisters, so he sought out Fujino and requested her assistance.
Actually, SilverAsh had one more choice to get rid of the predicament of the two families teaming up against him: let his sister, First Snow, participate in the upcoming Saintess selection. Kjerag is a place with ancient cultural heritage, and the Saintess there holds an extremely high status in Kjerag, with even the three families being under the status of the Saintess.
Once First Snow becomes the Saintess, the other two families will have no way to take action. The Saintess has a lofty status and is a presence supported by all the people of Kjerag. If First Snow becomes the Saintess, as First Snow who came out of the Khazra Clan, the Khazra Clan behind her will be labeled as being protected by the Saintess. In that case, those two families will not have the guts to take action against the Khazra Clan, otherwise, they will face resistance from everyone in Kjerag.
If possible, SilverAsh would absolutely want to use this method. He is already at odds with his sister, and if he forces First Snow to participate in the Saintess selection, then there might really be no room for reconciliation between the two of them.
This is a gamble, full of too many unstable factors. If First Snow does not become the Saintess, then SilverAsh will lose both family affection and the family itself.
That is why SilverAsh sought out Fujino. He had witnessed Umbrella's capabilities, and he also knew very clearly that Umbrella, which only appeared to be an arms dealer to outsiders, actually possessed terrifying power. The staff-sword in his hand, which was like a divine object, was the best proof.
He believed that Fujino had the ability to help him resolve this matter.
"I agree," Fujino said to SilverAsh. She still had quite a favorable impression of SilverAsh, and besides, she hadn't taken action much recently, so it was a good chance to stretch her body.
"Really?!" SilverAsh revealed an uncharacteristically flustered expression.
Fujino nodded with a smile and gave an answer that reassured SilverAsh once again: "Of course."
"Then, I, SilverAsh, thank Miss Fujino once again for your help," SilverAsh said solemnly. "In the future, we, Karlan Trade, will sell various materials to your company at the lowest price, and at the same time, we will become Umbrella's most loyal ally!"
Hearing this, Fujino smiled. "Then thank you, Boss SilverAsh. I will bring people to Kjerag tomorrow."
"Then..."
"No need to send anyone. After all, I have been there before and still remember the way. Just help us prepare a few rooms, Boss SilverAsh."
"Then I shall await Miss Fujino's arrival." SilverAsh smiled slightly and then turned off the projection.
With the projection turned off, the room dimmed slightly.
Fujino lay on the sofa, the softness of the sofa enveloping her body, and a mysterious smile hung on Fujino's face.
The reason for agreeing to SilverAsh, besides the fact that Fujino had a favorable impression of this capable agent who once helped her pass many levels in the game with a single True Silver Slash, was also SilverAsh's actions. As mentioned before, Fujino still admired SilverAsh quite a bit. To be able to make such a choice at such a young age—if it were her in the past, she would have been at a loss.
But most importantly, there was someone in Kjerag whom Fujino had long wanted to meet.
A life that had survived from the old era, a being called a "God" by the people of Kjerag!
"So-called God, I hope you can bring me some interest, otherwise I will have to be a god-slayer for a while."
Meanwhile, Saria, Ptilopsis, and Mayer, led by O11, were visiting one research project after another at Umbrella. The expressions of the three were identical in their shock.
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