Chapter 248 - Celebrating a New, Brighter Future

"Our territory leader has found another territory that it would like to ally with. As part of his show of good intent, we've gained permission to relocate to Iron Territory, a distant place where we'll gain status equal to the leading nobles of Trighton," explained Hurman. "Within two moons, a teleporting formation will link the territories and we'll be able to travel there safe and sound."

"We'll get to use the teleporting formation?!" Pauller shouted, hung up on that small, outlying fact.

Cethlin blinked and noticed the big grin on her husband's face. Of course, Cethlin promptly slapped his shoulder. "You knew, and you didn't tell me?!"

"It was a secret!" shouted Jonon, acting as if that slap could lead to the end of the world. "These weren't guaranteed yet, and we had to wait for the leader's approval!"

"Cut him some slack, Cethlin," intervened Keldon. "He was following orders from the patriarch and the territory leader. This is a big deal, something that's never happened before."

"Yeah…" Jonon nodded, trying his best to get the frown off his wife's face.

"We'll still be the Practor Family and we'll still be the leading swordsmen of our territory. But we'll also become some of the leading instructors of Iron Academy, where Milo and Pauller will join the others for classes on cultivation," explained Hurman, gradually getting more and more nods from around the room. 

"There's another interesting fact about Iron Territory. It's recently become a trade center among its neighboring territories and is growing rapidly. Also, it's a territory where humans and beasts can live together in peace. We--"

"But is it safe?" questioned Sisslia. "There's rarely such a territory that doesn't end in the beasts either ruling, enslaving, or killing the humans…"

"I've already met a high-perennial representative of Iron Territory," Hurman replied, startling all three of his daughters-in-law. "I can assure you, all humans are treated equally to all beasts, and all beasts are treated equally to humans. The last thing we need to worry about is our safety."

"But why move? Aren't we doing fine here?"

Hurman nodded. "That's true, we're doing fine here. But what does Trighton have to offer the family in terms of growth? Our best option would be to become the territory's subordinates, but that's something I will always refuse."

Mertin blinked, glancing at Liz and then back at his father. "But… wouldn't we face the same situation in Iron Territory? And you've yet to mention why Lead Assistant Lizbeth is here. Unless you two have finally--"

"I've been relieved of my role as lead assistant and will be joining Iron Territory as an official citizen," Liz declared, leaving everyone even more shocked. "I'll be cutting all ties to Trighton and will become a leading figure in Iron Territory's governing council, which the Practor Family will be a part of."

"That's right. Iron Territory has a council despite having a territory leader," Hurman mentioned. "They took a different approach to governance, allowing its people to have a say in what happens while the territory leader has the final say on the most important matters, usually those involving other territories. As a patrician clan, we would be joining that council to have a say in what would happen in the entire territory."

"Patrician... clan? Clan as in bestial clan?" Mertin asked, pondering and taking in the information as it came.

Liz answered, "That's correct. The title 'patrician' is given to the important bestial tribes and clans that run the territory, like being a noble family."

"And upon my ascension, we would become a patrician clan with a perennial at the head." Hurman started to chuckle and lightly nodded to Mertin. "In retrospect, I wish to thank you, Mertin, for delaying my ascension until now."

"Father, don't say--"

"A major reason that I accepted the offer to join Iron Territory is this…" A scroll suddenly appeared in Hurman's hands, already unfurled for the entire table to see. "From first glance, what stands out to you about this cultivation technique?"

Mertin and the others said nothing as they scanned over the recently-written scroll. One by one, their eyes filled with wonder as they each noticed something they'd yet to see in other earth techniques.

"What is it? Tell me!"

"Pauller…" Leon spoke up, about to scold Pauller for not understanding, but then he realized the technique was far more intricate than anything Pauller had ever laid eyes on. That being the case, Leon took a moment to change his astonishment into an explanation, "If I understand correctly, that's an earth technique with a cutting nature. Right?"

"That's correct."

"REALLY?!" Pauller shouted with joy. "Can I use it?! PLEASE!"

"Every member of the Practor Family with earth affinity will gain access to this technique!" Hurman boldly proclaimed, causing excitement to well up in the hearts of those at the table. "And due to my delayed ascension, I'll become a perennial with this eath nature integrated into my own technique."

Mertin realized exactly what his father was getting at. "Then… your swordsmanship and earth arts will be far more effective."

"That's right. This changes everything for us! That's why tonight we celebrate!" shouted Hurman, raising his glass of fine wine. "We'll make sure to celebrate Oliver's victory when he's able to join us, but tonight we celebrate the bright future of the Practor Family!"

"To new heights!" Jonon cheered, matching his father.

"To new beginnings…" Liz mentioned as she swirled her wine.

Keldon laughed, "To the profits!"

"FINALLY!" Pauller cheered the loudest, lifting his glass to the sky and spilling his juice all over his unfinished meal.

With a jovial and cheerful atmosphere, the entire family was delighted to enjoy their night. Great food, returning family, better cultivation… Things were finally looking much better for the family's future, changing from a bleak, downward spiral to a speeding climb to the heavens. There were still some uncertainties to be cleared up, such as the general fear of beasts among humans, but there was already a dazzling bright side to the coming change in the lives of the Practor Family.