A Father and Son on the Front Lines

A new king's ascent was bound to be a long, chaotic affair. Rebels had to be purged, loyalists promoted, and power transferred through bloodshed and turmoil. Worse, the new king was a madman who had killed half the Chopra Family as soon as he took power!

At least he was a tolerant, merciful madman.

He left everyone who had never crossed him alone. He even handed out the authority the Chopra Family had always held in an iron grip, elevating large numbers of outsiders.

Everyone could see he was short of people to use... but if he really wanted people, there were plenty to be had.

Even the most extraordinary talent needed a position and power. Put someone to use and they became a dragon; leave them idle and they were a worm. Grant power, receive loyalty. That was the bargain.

And so, amid unprecedented pain, all of Elephant Isle found itself facing a sweet dilemma: the family head was handing out favors without limit.

Once you swore an oath before my Family Fire, we were family. Brothers could be found everywhere, and anyone could become a Chopra! As for the price, best not to ask.

Elephant Isle was prosperous by the standards of the Thousand Isles, but it was still small compared with the central cities of the Federation and the Empire—roughly the size of one or two wealthy, independent urban districts. A small ship was easy to turn, and the transfer of power went far more smoothly than expected. Winning people's hearts, though, would take more than a day or two.

The Family Fire's oaths and the Family God's surveillance were convenient, but they were no cure-all. They could not solve every problem; that would take time. When Ji Jue saw Minkler again in the family head's mansion,