章 23: Ascendancy

The aftermath of Gerald's death left the Umbracrest family hall heavy with tension and silence. The once-proud Silver Knight lay in a pool of his own blood, his shattered ambitions now a stark warning to those who dared to challenge Edwin's rule.

As Edwin exited the hall, his mechanical knights flanking him like an unyielding fortress, murmurs erupted behind him. His relatives whispered among themselves, their voices laced with fear, admiration, and quiet desperation. Edwin, however, paid them no mind. His focus was already on the next steps to secure his position as the head of the Umbracrest family.

In the privacy of his workshop, Edwin stood before the core unit of his Gold Knight, its glowing energy crystal pulsing faintly in the dim light. He placed his hand on the machine's chest, feeling the faint hum of its internal mechanisms.

"Gerald was just the first," Edwin muttered. "There will be others—nobles, rivals, perhaps even the crown itself. I must be prepared."

The workshop was a testament to Edwin's genius. Rows of incomplete mechanical constructs lined the walls, their segmented limbs and exposed gears hinting at the power they would one day wield. Tools and blueprints cluttered the tables, the result of countless sleepless nights. On one large parchment was a schematic labeled "Titan-Class: Experimental." Its design was far more imposing than even the Gold Knight.

Edwin turned to a small automaton, its form resembling a slender metal servant. "Bring me the reports on our current resources," he ordered.

The automaton whirred to life, retrieving a stack of parchment from a nearby shelf. As Edwin reviewed the documents, he realized the truth: the Umbracrest family, once prosperous, was now barely holding on. Resources were limited, the treasury depleted, and their territories vulnerable.

It's not enough, Edwin thought. Even with my mechanical knights, I can't sustain the family's ambitions without rebuilding our foundation.

The next morning, Edwin summoned the key figures of the household to the main hall. The servants hurried to prepare the space, their hands trembling as they arranged the chairs and polished the floors. By midday, everyone had gathered: Lucas, the remaining relatives, and even the senior servants.

When Edwin entered, the air grew still. He sat at the head of the table, his demeanor calm but authoritative. The Gold Knight stood behind him, its presence an unspoken reminder of his ruthlessness.

"We cannot afford to linger in grief or hesitation," Edwin began, his voice steady and commanding. "The Umbracrest family has suffered great losses, but we are not defeated. From this moment forward, we will rebuild—stronger, smarter, and more united than ever."

Lucas, his second brother, hesitated before speaking. "And how do you propose we do that? Our coffers are nearly empty, and the neighboring lords are already circling like vultures."

Edwin's gaze pinned Lucas in place. "By leveraging what we have that no one else does: me." He gestured toward the mechanical knights stationed at the corners of the room. "These knights are a fraction of what I can create. With them, we will secure trade routes, reclaim lost territories, and ensure our dominance."

One of the aunts, her face lined with worry, spoke up. "But how will we explain their origin? Surely the other families will question where you've acquired such forces."

Edwin leaned forward, a faint smirk on his lips. "Let them wonder. Let rumors spread of a secret army trained in isolation. It's better to be feared and underestimated than understood."

The room fell silent. Despite their doubts, none could deny the strength Edwin had demonstrated. His decisive actions and mysterious knights had already shifted the balance of power within the family.

After the meeting, Edwin retired to his study with Lucas in tow. Despite their differences, Edwin saw potential in his older brother—a cunning mind that could be shaped into a valuable ally.

"You don't trust me," Edwin said bluntly, pouring two glasses of wine. "But you should understand this: I don't intend to rule through fear alone. If we work together, there's much to gain."

Lucas accepted the glass, his expression guarded. "And if I refuse?"

Edwin smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "Then you'll have to rely on your Bronze rank to survive. And we both know how that would end."

Lucas swallowed hard, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the glass. After a long pause, he nodded. "What do you need me to do?"

"For now, focus on intelligence," Edwin replied. "I need information on our neighboring lords, their weaknesses, and their alliances. Knowledge is as valuable as gold."

Later that evening, Edwin found himself staring at a map of the region. His eyes lingered on the borders where his family's lands met those of the Black Talon Brigade—the mercenary group responsible for his father's death.

"They'll pay," Edwin whispered, tracing the map with his finger. "But not yet. First, I'll ensure the family is untouchable. Then, I'll wipe them out."

He glanced at the Titan-Class schematic on his desk. When the time comes, they won't even see it coming.

Unbeknownst to Edwin, word of Gerald's death and Edwin's mysterious knights had already begun to spread. In the shadowy corners of the kingdom, whispers of the Umbracrest family's resurgence reached the ears of powerful figures. Some saw opportunity, others a threat.

Far away, in the capital, a hooded figure leaned over a desk cluttered with reports. "Interesting," they murmured. "Interesting. Let's see how far he gets."

The figure's gloved hand tapped a silver insignia—a symbol of the crown