CH101 The Fury Way
***
The Fury family rules were, to Alexâs 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 simpleâyou 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.
"Thatâs why fighting with oneâs forces is forbidden. If you must challenge someone, it must be in a personal duel."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Isnât that a disadvantage for those who focus on growing their armies?"
"Thatâs intentional," Earl Drake replied firmly. "No Fury is allowed to rely solely on their forces. Their personal strength must always be significantâstrong enough to lead and control their followers.
"In the most extreme case, the winner of a duel can seize everything from the loserâtheir wealth, their subordinates, even their life."
Alexâs eyes narrowed. "Their families are protected, right?"
Earl Drake gave a dismissive wave. "Naturally. A Furyâs family members are not their possessions. They are also Furies and protected by the same traditions. Theyâre off-limits."
Alex let out a silent breath, feeling a little ashamed for having assumed the worst. He gave a wry smile.
Earl Drake didnât notice his sonâs 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 dutyâto sire as many children as possible and preserve the bloodline."
Alexâs 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, weâve upheld the tradition of intermarriage within the familyâeven between first cousins. It helps concentrate the bloodline. The purer the blood, the greater the potential for strength."
Alexâs expression twisted awkwardly.
While he understood the logicâbloodline concentration and eugenics being common themes in magical worldsâthe cultural norms of his past life made it a little... difficult to accept.
But Earl Drake wasnât 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. Thatâs 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."
Alexâs frown deepened. "And if I donât 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 âleaving behind your seedâ 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, youâll be free to marry whoever you want. Youâll just have an extra woman or two. Boys your age should be happy about that sort of thing."
"Weâve already established that Iâm not like other boys my age," Alex replied, still frowning.
"Well, you donât 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 isnât already married."
"She doesnât 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 wouldnât be in a position to refuse."
Alexâs frown deepened. The more he heard, the more unpleasant it sounded.
His father added, "Itâs 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, itâs their choice whether to grant or deny. Just as you could choose to accept or reject someone weaker than you.
"Iâve said this before, and Iâll say it againâours is a family where power reigns supreme. Not just by structure, but by nature. Itâs built into our blood."
Alex understood. But that didnât mean he accepted it.
"You donât need to worry about that for now," Earl Drake said firmly. "Youâre still far from being named my heir."
Alex nodded, falling silent for a long moment.
Then, he asked, "Shouldnât you at least declare who you want to be your heir?"
The Earl looked at him, eyes hard.
"Do you think that would stop whatâs 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 oppositionâmaybe even outright rebellionâfrom the faction that supported Kurt and his mother.
Yes, the Earl could easily crush that opposition. But doing so would violate the second family ruleâno internal conflict using oneâs forces. That alone would disqualify him from being an ideal Head... and it would stain Alexâs own future reign. Heâd be seen as a weak heir who only rose with his fatherâs backing.
On the other hand, if the Earl chose Kurt, the hardliners would never accept it. Everyone knew Kurt wasnât acting independentlyâhe 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 familyâs rules and stir unnecessary strife.
Noâthe 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 Alexâs failed awakening... by the Earlâs 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?"
**