The Fury family rules were, to Alex’s surprise, quite intuitive and easy to understand. Still, Earl Drake made sure to explain each in full, to prevent Alex from ever violating them by accident.
"The Ancestral Grounds are the most important location for the future of our family," Earl Drake began. "Securing it means securing the next generation of Furies.
"Of course, unlike in any other family, such a task would be considered thankless. No Fury would willingly shoulder such a burden... unless it came with suitable rewards.
"So, our forebears made it simple—you can only be accepted as Head of the Fury Family if you are the one who guards the Ancestral Grounds. This way, the role comes with real, tangible benefits... and the authority tied to safeguarding our legacy."
Alex nodded. That part made perfect sense.
"We Furies are warlike and battle-thirsty," the Earl continued. "If we have no external enemies to fight, we tend to turn our blades on each other. That kind of infighting would only weaken us in the long run.
"That’s why fighting with one’s forces is forbidden. If you must challenge someone, it must be in a personal duel."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Isn’t that a disadvantage for those who focus on growing their armies?"
"That’s intentional," Earl Drake replied firmly. "No Fury is allowed to rely solely on their forces. Their personal strength must always be significant—strong enough to lead and control their followers.
"In the most extreme case, the winner of a duel can seize everything from the loser—their wealth, their subordinates, even their life."
Alex’s eyes narrowed. "Their families are protected, right?"
Earl Drake gave a dismissive wave. "Naturally. A Fury’s family members are not their possessions. They are also Furies and protected by the same traditions. They’re off-limits."
Alex let out a silent breath, feeling a little ashamed for having assumed the worst. He gave a wry smile.
Earl Drake didn’t notice his son’s inner thoughts. He simply pressed on.
"Our Furor Bloodline," he said, voice low, "is mysterious in origin, ancient in age, and known for the wide array of unique talents, traits, and battle potential it grants. Because of this, every member of the family has a duty—to sire as many children as possible and preserve the bloodline."
Alex’s brows rose slightly.
"Most males of the family, especially those of purer blood or higher strength, are expected to take more than one wife. We need to spread the bloodline. Keep it strong."
He paused before adding, "For that same reason, we’ve upheld the tradition of intermarriage within the family—even between first cousins. It helps concentrate the bloodline. The purer the blood, the greater the potential for strength."
Alex’s expression twisted awkwardly.
While he understood the logic—bloodline concentration and eugenics being common themes in magical worlds—the cultural norms of his past life made it a little... difficult to accept.
But Earl Drake wasn’t finished.
"Every male Fury who receives family resources is expected to take multiple wives," he said bluntly. "At least one of them must be from within the family. That’s tradition.
"In many cases, the choice of wife is made by the Head of the Family... or another senior member. The weaker the member, the less say they have in the matter."
Alex’s frown deepened. "And if I don’t want my marriage decided for me... how long do I have?"
Earl Drake met his gaze squarely.
"Not long," he said. "The family will start making noise about you ’leaving behind your seed’ before heading off to conquer any plane.
"However," a hint of amusement crept into his voice, "you can shut the old men up by accomplishing something major before then."
The Earl smiled faintly.
"Either way, you’ll be free to marry whoever you want. You’ll just have an extra woman or two. Boys your age should be happy about that sort of thing."
"We’ve already established that I’m not like other boys my age," Alex replied, still frowning.
"Well, you don’t have much say in the matter," Earl Drake said bluntly.
"What if I become the clear heir to your line?" Alex asked.
The Earl studied him quietly for a moment before replying.
"That would help... but not much. If anything, the old fogeys will only become more determined to ensure you leave behind an heir. That said, you would gain the right to choose any Fury woman as your partner, provided she isn’t already married."
"She doesn’t get a say?"
Earl Drake shook his head.
"The number of women within the family who hold a status equivalent to that of my heir can be counted on one hand. So no, most wouldn’t be in a position to refuse."
Alex’s frown deepened. The more he heard, the more unpleasant it sounded.
His father added, "It’s a game of power, boy. If you have the higher status, you can impose your will. If you demand someone with greater status than you, it’s their choice whether to grant or deny. Just as you could choose to accept or reject someone weaker than you.
"I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again—ours is a family where power reigns supreme. Not just by structure, but by nature. It’s built into our blood."
Alex understood. But that didn’t mean he accepted it.
"You don’t need to worry about that for now," Earl Drake said firmly. "You’re still far from being named my heir."
Alex nodded, falling silent for a long moment.
Then, he asked, "Shouldn’t you at least declare who you want to be your heir?"
The Earl looked at him, eyes hard.
"Do you think that would stop what’s already in motion?"
Alex exhaled. He understood.
Even without a formal declaration, everyone knew Alex was the heir-apparent. As long as he continued to display even a modicum of talent, the hardliners in the family would throw their support behind him.
But if Earl Drake officially declared him heir, it would undoubtedly spark opposition—maybe even outright rebellion—from the faction that supported Kurt and his mother.
Yes, the Earl could easily crush that opposition. But doing so would violate the second family rule—no internal conflict using one’s forces. That alone would disqualify him from being an ideal Head... and it would stain Alex’s own future reign. He’d be seen as a weak heir who only rose with his father’s backing.
On the other hand, if the Earl chose Kurt, the hardliners would never accept it. Everyone knew Kurt wasn’t acting independently—he was little more than a puppet of his mother, who in turn danced to the strings of her birth family.
It was an old play. One of the oldest: infiltrating and overtaking a noble house through strategic marriage.
In short, any declaration from the Earl would violate the family’s rules and stir unnecessary strife.
No—the best solution was for the candidates to settle the matter themselves. It would be the most honourable and most acceptable outcome to the family at large.
The path had already been set: by Alex’s failed awakening... by the Earl’s strategic marriage to the manipulator wife.
The decision could only be made by those directly involved.
Accepting this truth, Alex shifted his line of questioning.
"Do you still need the support of the Holt Marquisdom?"