The Secret Behind Their Rise

"You are aware that around 300 years ago the Ruthergett House was just a Barony, yes?"

"Yes, My Lord. I heard that the one who brought the House to this height, Margrave Reginald, was an amazing man." Grant answered William's question.

They arrived in front of a door, which had two guards stationed on either side. The guards bowed towards their Lord and Grant, their superior. The two nodded towards them and headed inside the room behind the door.

It was a very wide room. It had scrolls neatly organized on top of a big desk in front of the front wall with a window over the desk. On the right and left wall were bookshelves filled to the brim with books. There was also a couch with a table in front of it, probably for visitors.

This was William's study.

William sat on the chair behind the desk, gestured to Grant to sit on the couch and stretched.

"Yes, he was a very capable man. However, he wasn't the real reason for the rise of the Ruthergett house." He sighed as he said.

"?" Grant raised an eyebrow.

"The real reason is this ring." William showed the ring he always wore on his left ring finger.

"...Is this not your wedding ring?" Grant confusedly asked.

"It's just a cover. This ring is actually an artifact." The Margrave revealed.

An artifact.

This was an item that was formed from mana, or was bathed in mana for a long period of time and acquired special abilities.

"It's an artifact which was given to us by the Goddess of Humanity, Izal." William continued.

"What?!"

Grant was shocked, understandably

An artifact bestowed personally by a god.

Every time this happened, it had massive consequences on the world.

The artifacts given by gods were just that powerful.

Of course, he believed William unquestionably. He had no reason to lie to him, anyways.

"Haha, that was also my reaction the first time I heard it." Grant's lord laughed.

"Anyways, what happened 300 years ago was that my grandfather received a message from the Goddess along with this artifact. The message stated that the Ruthergett House should strive to become as powerful as possible to deal with an enemy of humanity. If we do so, we will receive a reward from her." William recounted.

His loyal knight was listening intently to his story.

"The ring's function is to perceive the talent of people and supposedly determining said 'enemy of humanity'. With the help of this artifact and the Goddess' subordinates, my grandfather made numerous merits to the Empire and strengthened our House to the formidable state it is today." Ayla's father said as he stroked the ring on his finger.

Grant was speechless by the enormous secret hiding behind the Ruthergett's success.

"Ayla's vision is probably related to the one person the Goddess of Humanity was talking about."

"I see..." Grant tried to comprehend all the information given to him.

"Whether this is a blessing or a curse, who knows..." Melissa's husband muttered as he wryly smiled.

"What do you mean by tha-"

"There are things that are better left unsaid, Grant." William said as he cut him off.

"...Yes, My Lord." The knight was confused again.

"Anyways, the reason I gave Allen that much preferential treatment is because his talent is enormous. He will definitely become one of the most powerful people in the world, if he isn't killed. And since the artifact did not point him out as the Goddess' enemy, then we need to recruit him." William revealed.

"So that is the reason. He is very lucky." Grant said grumpily.

"This secret is ordinarily known only by the Lords of the House, but it's fine since you are going to be the future lord." Grant's lord stated nonchalantly.

"...What?!" Grant stood up as he yelled.

William smiled amusedly and Grant quickly composed himself and sat back down on the couch.

"My Lord, you shouldn't make jokes like this in such a serious moment." He said as he forced a smile on his face.

William laughed at his expression and said to him after a few moments.

"It is not a joke, young man."

"I am afraid that is not possible. Nobles' titles are hereditary, my Lord. Surely you know this. Lady Ayla will do a splendid job, I'm sure."

"Are you saying that with complete seriousness?" William asked him seriously.

"...Maybe not." Grant replied after a few moments trying to imagine Ayla as the Lord of a Noble House.

"But still, I cannot inherit your rank as I am not part of your bloodline. Maybe you intend to adopt me as your son, but I still don't think that would be a viable option. There will be too many voices of opposition to giving the Ruthergett House to an outsider, even if it is someone from my family who have been serving you for generations." He still rejected William's proposition.

"Yes, you are right. That's why you will marry Ayla." The Margrave declared.

"...What?"