Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

  In the Duchy of Thunder, the movement of civilians choosing their surnames was first started in Keane Hill. After the newly-appointed baron, Louis Keane, took over the scepter of power from his mother, Anna Keane, the first decree he issued was to fully implement the movement of civilians choosing their surnames.

  Undoubtedly, this was something that Anna had deliberately left to her son’s benefit. Given her level of prestige, she would have been able to follow in the Republic of Northwest’s stead and start this movement right at the beginning. However, she had put it off for more than a year. During this period, she repeatedly dropped hints on several occasions, but ultimately, the movement was never really implemented. She only allowed enough progress to sate the citizen’s appetite.

  In the end, she left this matter to her son, who was thus able to win the favor and support of the citizens as soon as he took office.

  In fact, this was something Crick had taught her. Previously, when Crick saw that his end was near, he crammed a whole lot of information into her. He taught her all the methods he knew about statecraft and intrigues. He taught his sister every piece of knowledge he had and even wrote a textbook of materials specifically for her.

  Now, the book was naturally passed on to Louis. While Anna had practically taught Louis everything that was found in that book, its value was still of utmost importance. Earlier on, Crick passed this book to Anna. Now Anna had passed this book to Louis. This made it seem like a secret inheritance of the Keane family.

  While the citizens were cheering over the order issued for them to choose their surnames, Louis was reading in the study of the lord’s mansion.

  The book that he was reading was the Guide to the Keane Family Politics that Crick had left behind.

  Though he had heard and learned most of the things found in this book from his mother, he always felt something different when he read the words handwritten by his uncle.

  This was just like how the line, “You need to study hard,” would sound different coming from different parties. Hearing this from their parents, many people would simply think of their parents as verbose nags. But coming from their idols, then they would most probably feel motivated.

  \r \r \r

  The effect of the same line would be entirely different when spoken by different people.

  Another example could be taken from a famous saying in China’s diplomacy. It was, “Don’t say you have not been warned.” If this came from the mouth of some military expert, then it would not be a big deal. But coming from the headlines of the People’s Daily…… that would really be earthshaking.

  This was because, in the past, whenever the front-page headlines of the People’s Daily gave mention to this, the next thing to happen would always be a war.

  Louis looked very carefully, nodding his head thoughtfully from time to time.

  “Mm…… This is true indeed, if I were to think about it carefully! I’ve taken this too lightly in the past.”

  “Ah! Mother never told me about this before! So it turns out I can actually do this……”

  “This isn’t too bad either. I can give this a shot. There’s nothing to lose anyway……”

  Not far behind him, the invisible Sui Xiong was watching him with a smile.

  Seems like Louis is more outstanding and reliable than I expected. I came all the way here, thinking that I should provide him some backing…… but seems like my efforts are in vain.

  He did not intend to show himself before the people, so he left right away.

  But he was in no rush to get back either. Instead, he made a trip to Samat Viscount Hill.

  Viscount Toon Samat, who was formerly a wanderer by the name of Ray Shark, was just discussing the education of his oldest son with his men.

  “My lord, you’re thinking far too much……” said the consultant mage of his Viscount Hill. This mage, who was almost considered to be his chief of staff, said with a bitter smile, “Your son is only seven months old, and you are already thinking about whether he should learn magic or martial arts? Isn’t that a little too early?”

  “I remember there’s such a saying that the key to why the aristocrats can be more powerful than the civilians lies in the fact that the aristocrats win at the starting line,” said Viscount Samat. Ray Shark had long adapted to his new identity. The way he spoke and acted seemed exactly like the original Toon Samat.

  Or rather, the people of Samat Viscount Hill had long adapted to the differences between him and Toon Samat and had completely come to regard him as the true Toon Samat. Now, even if that unlucky Toon were to return, they would only find it hard to adjust to the sudden change in the viscount’s style of speaking and acting.

  The oldest son of Ray Shark was of course, born to the viscountess. He was not a lecherous rogue like Toon, and he took matters like relationships very seriously. After securing his seat, the first thing he did was to dismiss all the “maidservants” that Toon used for his pleasure. Then, he formally proposed to the daughter of a nearby earl.

  The daughter of the earl was not pretty, but she was honest and had a good upbringing. Though she was not particularly gifted, she did pick up some physician knowledge—after the God of Medicine, Arcaian Pasteur, advocated Physician Education, many of the less talented aristocrats had chosen to study medicine. For one thing, a physician could never earn enough, and for another, they could avoid a lot of trouble if they had medical skills.

  The most direct benefit would be that it was not easy trying to poison a medical student.

  The daughter of the earl was not highly-skilled in her medical practice, but it was better than not being good in anything at all. At least she knew how to treat common headaches and fevers. She could also identify and differentiate between 20 to 30 kinds of common medicinal materials, and she even knew a lot about hygiene and health. All of these things put together was more than enough to support the family of an aristocrat.

  Anyway…… no one would want to poison Toon Samat.

  The Thunder Lord was getting on in his years, and his energy level was on the decline. His oldest son was currently in an advantageous position in the battle for inheritance rights, while his second son was practically sidelined. If there was no accident, with the lord’s passing in a few years’ time, his oldest son would most likely be the one succeeding his seat.

  Toon Samat was originally the second’s son best friend. But Ray Shark was not. After he took the place of the Viscount Samat, he had been very focused on maintaining a good relationship with the future Thunder Lord. At the same time, he intentionally maintained his distance from the former top dog, who was now left in the cold.

  This was, in fact, quite a shameless thing to speak of. But in the aristocratic world, it was not considered a rare sight. On the contrary, there were many people who felt that “Ah, this stubborn mule, Samat, is finally learning how to use his brain. Now, it is possible to communicate with him well.”

  For this reason, Samat Viscount Hill had managed to maintain good relationships with the surrounding territories these two years. For one thing, Ray Shark was himself an amiable man, so it was easy to talk to him. And for another, he had no intention of fighting over every trifle.

  From his point of view, so long as he could steadily guard his place as a viscount till death, and safely pass it down to his children, he would have fulfilled his historical mission. As for the remaining matters, it did not really matter if he could or could not bring them to completion.

  So when Sui Xiong appeared before him and asked him, “How have you been all these years,” other than expressing his gratitude, he could not help feeling a little uneasy.

  Ever since His Majesty, the Void Mask, had helped him become the viscount, he had not made an appearance. It was quite worrying to see him appearing out of the blue, and even with such politeness.

  Could it be that…… the great Void Mask has suddenly encountered a difficult situation, or perhaps, he has thought of something major and has some tasks that he needed to entrust him with?