Earlier during the battle between Op and Pur, Op had revealed some information about 'Naimes' to capture Pur's attention.
However, there was one crucial piece of intelligence he hadn't spoken about.
Yet this information wasn't false—precisely because it was genuine, Op's expression and tone became relatively authentic when mentioning it.
After truly defecting to Naimes, Op immediately revealed this information—about Naimes's sister.
Yes, when Naimes discovered the truth eight years ago and angrily exposed these matters, he had no idea such a sister existed.
But during his merchant travels in Wavetail Town, Op discovered that the Dartmanley family had a 'sister' who gritted her teeth wanting to kill Naimes.
However, being nobility after all, Op didn't dare investigate too deeply at that time, only roughly confirming the matter's authenticity.
"Knowing or not knowing holds no meaning—what determines one's stance has never been bloodline, but willpower." Naimes knew this yet had no intention of getting entangled with Naimes's blood relations.
Even if true, she was only Naimes's sister.
Moreover, this sister might have been brainwashed by the Dartmanley family since childhood, her mind filled with beliefs about Naimes being wrong.
What use was such a blood relationship?
By comparison, even Jacques would be better.
Though Jacques was simple-minded and impulsive, that was because he lacked experience.
Throughout the series of events in Beiqi Village, Jacques actually grew significantly.
If it weren't for Naimes but rather Naimes himself, Jacques might have firmly stood on the same front as Naimes.
"Then I won't disturb Young Master Naimes any further." The butler maintained that smile devoid of genuine warmth, turning to leave without any further entanglement after speaking.
Later that evening, the northern district revealed hazy illumination under numerous oil lamps.
Unlike Beiqi Village where activity basically ceased once darkness fell, Wavetail Town still had considerable movement even late into the night.
The northern district engaged in entertainment while the southern district continued laboring.
"It seems Naimes remains unwilling to let go of his grievances." The head of the Dartmanley family sighed while seated in his inner chamber.
"Grandfather, there's no need to wait for that person anymore—I believe I won't lose to him either."
"In a couple years, I'll challenge him honorably, then kill him to avenge our parents!"
"That waste who squandered our parents' heartfelt efforts!" The speaker was a woman, different from typical noble young ladies.
Unlike those noble misses adorned like decorative flowers, her attire wasn't refined—she wore practical training clothes.
Even when attending banquets, she carried a slender sword at her waist.
Her overall appearance wasn't conventionally beautiful yet carried a heroic elegance.
Currently however, this heroic elegance was disrupted by the killing intent between her brows.
"Cici, he is still your brother after all." The family head immediately offered comfort, though actually continuing to stir the flames.
"Moreover, he has now become a Great Knight, overseeing Wavetail Town's patrols and security."
"If he holds grudges against the family and causes trouble—like arresting Xiao Hei this time—it becomes particularly troublesome." The family head couldn't stop sighing.
"I'll go find him!" Upon hearing this, the woman nicknamed Cici—actually named Xixi Marie—said through gritted teeth, her hand already gripping the sword hilt.
"Grandfather, don't worry—I won't fight him. How could a Great Knight bully a woman anyway!"
"Let's see if he still understands reason!"
"Ah, Cici, don't be... impulsive." Before he could finish "impulsive," the family head watched Xixi run out, his expression quickly becoming neutral.
Acting with this foolish woman was exhausting.
"But foolishness has its advantages—if only her talent could be somewhat better." Dartmanley thought this way.
As family patriarch, his name had been deliberately downplayed, simply referred to as Dartmanley.
Xixi Marie's innate talent, while decent, ultimately had some inherent deficiencies.
Relying on bloodline gifts and family resources, she might reach Steel Seed numerical value seventy, but advancing further was basically impossible.
This might be acceptable, but for the family, it wasn't particularly useful.
Throughout history, noble decline basically occurred due to breaks in Gold-level power.
Without Gold-level strength, no matter how many Steel Seeds one possessed, privileges would gradually diminish.
Currently, among Wavetail Town's nobility, aside from one or two families, most weren't particularly respected by Breathspring City's aristocracy.
The local bishop Rhine's family was one exception, the other being the Dartmanley family.
The Dartmanley family's problem lay in their founding Saint dying too early. For original chapters go to novel-fire.net
Too little legacy remained—aside from the Saint's grandson achieving Gold Seed status, others received insufficient support.
Though called Saint nobility, they could only be considered Gold aristocracy.
"The foundation of nobility is Gold. Throughout countless years, numerous noble houses emerged only to gradually vanish."
"So-called Gold means as below, so above; as above, so below."
"Separation, combination, transformation, reshaping."
"Only through this can alchemy succeed!"
"Gold alone is the absolute center dividing nobility from commonality." Dartmanley immersed himself in alchemy, not only practicing breathing techniques but also mastering certain alchemical arts.
"The Saint's blood must absolutely not fade away with me!"
Dartmanley had witnessed his family's peak period.
Back then, the family's Gold Seed remained, not yet departed.
Within the family, everyone enjoyed privileges and received resources from the church—those were the family's most glorious days.
Unfortunately...
After the Gold Seed passed, the family's heavy burden fell into his hands. He absolutely couldn't let the family decline under his watch.
"Since Naimes activated the Saint's essence, he must possess corresponding Holy Blood..."
"If he's willing to return to the family, our entire clan will help him become a Gold Seed—even if it costs this old man's life, it would be worthwhile."
"If he refuses to return to the family... then he leaves me no choice."
Under the flickering oil lamps, Dartmanley's gaze seemed equally unsteady, a glint of gold flashing within before extinguishing.
Meanwhile, Xixi gritted her teeth as she exited the tavern, summoned a horse, inquired about Naimes's location, then rode directly toward where Naimes was stationed.
"Lord Naimes, your evening meal." In the church district, within Naimes's assigned residence, Kru brought over some food.
The Oath God's church didn't advocate curfews, mainly requiring no wastefulness, so church provisions often had preserved leftovers rather than immediate disposal.
After half a day together, Kru had basically understood Naimes's habits.
If Naimes preferred luxury, he would purchase food from upscale taverns, inns, or private kitchens in the northern district.
But Naimes prioritized practicality, so he went directly to the church cafeteria for preserved food.
Just at that moment, the sound of horse hooves echoed from outside.