Chapter 197 Egh . . . So Many Houses!

I first read House Volmont. Since they were going to be my enemy, it was important to know any information about them that could make me understand their strength and weakness.

ǁ HOUSE VOLMONT ǁ

The Volmont family is a relatively new addition to the major noble houses of Rustin. The family's first patron was Almer Volmont, who served in the Royal Navy as a young cadet until taken captive by pirates near the Isles of Tartharos.

He grew to be a fearless and infamous pirate, amassing great wealth from raiding Tartharos traders. Meeting a beautiful refugee noblewoman named Inis, Almer fell in love and decided to give up piracy to help Inis reclaim her home close to Rustin Coastline.

Almer sailed to Rustin with his fleet, the Tartharos at his heels. Describing the Tartharos as threats to the kingdom, he struck a deal with the crown. At that time, the Kingdom of Rustin's coffers was depleted because of the war with the church, the demon realm, and finally with, the players and the new apocalyptic threat.

Almer generously donated to the kingdom's treasury and joined his fleet with the royal navy in return for land, title, and the eastern bay's fishing rights.

He then triumphed with Emir over the Tartharos armada in a monumental naval battle involving hundreds of ships.

Eventually, Almer settled on the coast with his crew and his families. He named the town Volmont's End to signify the call of the sea. He started his pearl fishing business and developed shipping yards and ports in every islet, island, and town he could, collecting toll fees and making a fortune with it.

As a famed and legendary pirate, rumors and gossip still abound about his treasures, said to be hidden somewhere in Rustin. False rumors say clues to the treasure's whereabouts have been in his house in Volmont Town.

The family's current head is Lord Daryl Volmont, an elderly businessman whose sole focus is building more wealth. Together with his only living brother, Lord Diego, he runs the house and tries to earn and get more favor from the royal family.

Lord Daryl had three sons, all of which were accomplished men in their own rights. The eldest Richard Volmont is currently busy with managing the business together with his father, training to take all their houses fortune in the future.

The second eldest is Iniego Volmont, who excelled in military tactics and combat and is the current head of the military force of house Volmont.

The third and youngest is Edward Volmont, who is the most handsome among Lord Daryl's sons. He is an excellent fighter, but being born last, he was often left alone to do his own thing.

These days, some people in Rustin are spreading gossip about Primrose, Lord Diego's only daughter, and the young lady's romantic involvement with Yorin Korgrath, Lord Olgo Korgrath's younger son.

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Hmm . . . Volmont's family line was few, but even so, a powerful family like this definitely had their own share of internal strife.

There was no way that Lord Diego would just calmly set aside his rights to the business if all of it was going to his nephew's hands.

Maybe I could create something here, like maybe weakening their power by taking over those island and islet that formed Tartharos in which he built the majority of his ports. And maybe strike a deal with Lord Diego in secret.

Who knows?

But right now, I needed a naval fleet of my own to even contend against them. And needed to wait for Jin's reports to see my options here.

I was curious about this House Korgrath that the Volmont-only princess was linked to, and much to my surprise . . . it was a Dwarven house.

ǁ HOUSE KORGRATH ǁ

The Korgrath family prides itself on a long lineage of dwarves who made their home in the northern part of the country for centuries. They served as master builders for the fortresses and border fort systems.

The family has always resided in the town named after their noble house. They are warriors, head to toe, and are expected to become master architects of fortifications.

Their family tradition is firm and strict, where all sons of Korgrath are to serve the crown and be the epitome of a dwarf. They had made their oath to the crown and will fulfill it to their last breath.

Lord Abinar Korgrath, the elder, is a venerable dwarf who has lost his belief in this world and is slowly withering away in his fort in the town of Korgrath.

His eldest son, Olgo, lived in Korgrath and took care of the town's actual leadership, aided by the expertise of Captain Ick Forge-n-hammer, the town's military officer and the Lord's private guard.

The younger Korgrath heir, son of Olgo, Yorin Korgrath, lives near the city of Volmont ad has been associated in rumors with Primrose Volmont, dreaming about escaping the kingdom to see other wondrous places and live through an adventure with his love.

ǁ E N D ǁ

Reading the houses, I got carried away and read the other large noble houses like Larachel, Asuka, and Lionheart.

I might as well since I had nothing better to do.

ǁ House Asuka ǁ

House Asuka is an ancient one whose banners have been flying in the kingdom since its very foundation. The current heads of the family, a middle-aged elf named Ravos and his elven wife, Serenia, are at the center of the capital's social scene.

They are charismatic and well-connected, liked by almost everyone in the realm, even the common folk, for the donations they raise for the city at their annual charity fundraising ball.

Centuries that the Asuka had lived, and throughout that years, they amassed knowledge of the arts and used it to teach their inhabitants.

The people of Asuka excelled in the arts of crafting and cultural pursuits like dancing, singing, playing music, and stage acting. They used their knowledge to amass tourists into their lands and boon their economy by doing so.

House Asuka is well known to constantly host a grand event where noble and common folk are invited as equals, and everyone can enjoy the hospitality of their noble hosts.