"Duke Landen? You certainly keep busy! I doubt there are many nobles across the Empire who can match you for dashing around everywhere!"
Inside the Forest Walker's palace, the God Emperor's avatar, Alexei Zhuoqin, stood beneath the statue at the far end of the hall. Beside him stood the statue's master: the Wood Elf Halcala.
"Do you know what the southern nobles are saying now? They're saying your war with the Beastmen last month was all a performance for the Empire, and that you've become as close as family with them!"
"Your Majesty, that's not quite accurate!" Alongside the Wood Elf sat a Big Cat, Katarina. She added with a laugh, "I practically live in Night-Kirin City now. How can you say we're like family? We are family."
Alexei couldn't help laughing at the Big Cat's words. "Oh dear, if the Grand Council heard Lady Katarina say that, you might lose your dukedom!"
"Your Majesty, this war brought the royal family two million Gold Coins in cash, and earned fifty titles for your descendants. Why don't you take some time to test the fighting strength of your High-Rank grandchildren? Few of them could beat her." Landen pointed at Katarina.
"Heh, my descendants..." The God Emperor knew the royal family had gained the most from the war. His earlier teasing had little weight behind it, so he hurriedly shifted the subject to his disappointing descendants. He looked like a founding emperor who had just witnessed the fall of his own dynasty.
"When I married Kailan Cui'er, I imagined our descendants would charge into battle and protect the Empire. But those grandsons of mine don't even have the grit of that little Muntjac Meng Qiya..."
"You should be grateful. At least your descendants are still around. Most of mine are gone!" Halcala