Ancient Empire Calendar, Year 1836
Months had passed since the wedding of Richard and Aishe.
The lords who had participated in the war had gathered in Kislathor, the center of the Kislavein Dynasty.
Each of their greatest desires was to take a share of the conquered lands and establish their own dynasties.
In the throne room of the Kislavein Palace, countless lords and ladies had assembled.
Many of them were the children of lords who had been killed in the Second Great Lands War.
Ricardo rose from his throne and addressed his vassals in a booming voice.
"The five-year-long war has finally ended. Tens of millions of people lost their lives in these wars. Among them were our friends, whose places can never be filled. We remember each of them with respect and gratitude. Their sacrifices were never in vain. Now, the brave nobles, warriors, and mages who fought in this war—each of you will receive the reward for the sweat, blood, and tears you shed in these wars. Let those whose names I call step forward."
A great excitement gripped those in the hall. Each of them began to eagerly await the moment their name would be called.
Shortly after, Ricardo read the first name.
"Mathew Kislavein, step forward."
The first name called was Mathew, son of Marco Kislavein. Though he had joined the war towards its end, he would also inherit the legacy of his father's achievements.
Mathew emerged from the crowd, stepped forward, knelt before Ricardo's throne, and bowed his head.
"I present my respects to Krael II Kislavein, Dynasty Lord of the Kislavein Dynasty."
"Mathew, your father Marco was a very close friend of mine, my chief advisor, my regent. He led those who showed the greatest achievements in these wars. As his only son, you will inherit his legacy. But before I announce your reward, I will make an announcement to you all."
Those in the throne room pricked up their ears and listened attentively to Ricardo.
"Now that we rule the Five Lands, in order to govern them better, the new center of the Kislavein Dynasty will henceforth be the city that was once the center of the Ancient Empire, located at the exact central point of the Five Lands, equidistant from all regions."
Everyone was in shock. Voices and words came from every direction.
"Dynasty Lord, are we abandoning Kislathor, which has been the center of the Kislavein Dynasty for nearly a thousand years?"
"We knew he was obsessed with the Ancient Empire and its history, but I didn't expect this much."
"But on the other hand, it's a logical choice. Changing the Dynasty's center was necessary to govern the Five Lands."
As the gossip continued, Ricardo returned to announcing Mathew's reward.
"Now that the Kislavein Dynasty is moving to the Central Lands, the Western Lands need a new ruling dynasty."
Ricardo drew his sword and placed the blunt side on Mathew's left shoulder.
"Mathew Kislavein, I declare you Lord of Kislathor and..."
Ricardo moved his sword from Mathew's left shoulder to his right shoulder.
"...the Overlord of the Western Lands."
The people did not understand the new term "Overlord." Before they could ask, Ricardo sheathed his sword and began to explain the meaning of this new word.
"I'm sure you're all wondering what 'Overlord' means. From now on, Overlords will be the title of the Dynasty Lords who will govern the Western, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Lands in my name. All the Ancient Dynasties except the Kislavein Dynasty have ceased to exist. There are no more Ancient Dynasties. From now on, Overlords will take their place."
When Ricardo finished his explanation, he looked back at Mathew.
"Lord of Kislathor, Overlord Mathew. From now on, you will govern the Western Lands in my name. Share with us the name of your dynasty."
"As you command, Dynasty Lord. For months, I have thought about the name of the dynasty I would establish, and I decided on a name that would forever honor and keep alive my father's legacy and memory. My dynasty will be called the Marclavein Dynasty, and it will serve the Kislavein Dynasty and your lineage with loyalty forever."
The hall was deeply moved by Mathew's speech. Everyone showered Mathew with applause and cheered his name.
"You may withdraw, Lord of Kislathor, Overlord of the West, Mathew I Marclavein."
Mathew rose, offered his respects one last time, and withdrew. Then Ricardo called out a new name.
"Barmung Payrist VII, Dynasty Lord of Payrist, step forward."
Barmung stepped forward, knelt before Ricardo's throne, bowed his head, and offered his respects.
"I present my respects to Krael II Kislavein, Dynasty Lord of the Kislavein Dynasty."
"Barmung, your name comes from my maternal grandfather, the former Payrist Dynasty Lord Barmung VI, does it not?"
Barmung respectfully answered Ricardo's question.
"Yes, Dynasty Lord. My grandfather, the former Payrist Dynasty Lord Kervin I, held great gratitude and affection for your grandfather, the former Payrist Dynasty Lord Barmung VI. Although he was a distant relative, he adopted him and declared him his Heir. As a token of thanks, he named me Barmung."
After Barmung finished his explanation, Ricardo drew his sword and bestowed Barmung's new titles.
"Barmung Payrist VII, Dynasty Lord of Payrist, I declare you Lord of Ottukent and Overlord of the Northern Lands."
Barmung was shocked. He was already a City Lord; he had not expected to receive a reward.
"I am grateful, Dynasty Lord. I will serve you with loyalty until death."
"Listen, Barmung. Unlike me, you and your dynasty have no authority or legitimacy in the North. Therefore, we must grant you legitimacy."
"How will we do that, Dynasty Lord?" asked Barmung.
Ricardo replied.
"The last Turvig Dynasty Lord, Jarl Bayındır Han, has a daughter named Astrid. Marry this young lady to your son and Heir, Kervin. This will grant you and your dynasty the legitimacy you need in the Northern Lands, and the Payrist Dynasty will become the heir and continuation of the Turvig Dynasty."
Barmung accepted the plan offered to him.
"Understood, Dynasty Lord. I will do as you say. I will marry Lady Astrid to my son and Heir, Kervin."
Barmung had named his son after his grandfather, Kervin I.
"You may withdraw, Lord of Ottukent and Overlord of the North, Barmung Payrist VII."
Barmung rose, offered his respects one last time, and withdrew.
Throughout the day, Ricardo granted lands and titles to many people, and many new dynasties were established.
Arael, son of Krael Kislavein, became the lord of a city in the Northern Lands and established his own dynasty.
Arael named his dynasty Karel, in honor of his father's name.
Rogan Kislavein, son of Argilac Kislavein and grandson of Arrogan Kislavein, became the lord of a city in the Central Lands and established his own dynasty.
Rogan established the Arlac Dynasty, naming it after both his father and grandfather to honor them.
Edric Kislavein, son of Edwyn, grandson of Tyrel, great-grandson of Talonis, and great-great-grandson of Fraud Kislavein, became the lord of a city in the Southern Lands. He was young but well-educated, and like the others, chose to honor his ancestors.
He named his dynasty the Fatred Dynasty, creating the name by selecting one letter from the names of all his ancestors who had died in the wars.
Darwyn Kislavein, son of Terman and another son of Talonis, became the lord of a city in the Central Lands and established the Fatred Dynasty.
Pedro, son of Gustav, grandson of Geovric, and great-grandson of George, became the lord of a city in the Northern Lands and established the Geskorge Dynasty.
John, son of Javier and grandson of Julius Kislavein, received a city in the North and established the Julver Dynasty.
Desmond, son of Deon, grandson of Dornas (Julius's brother), received a city in the South and established the Dornon Dynasty.
The Julver and Dornon Dynasties, as brother dynasties, would support each other for centuries, their friendship enduring through marriages and alliances for long ages.
Brian Ashterah had become the lord of the city of Fengbrum in the Eastern Lands after the Sapharos Invasions, but he had not established his own dynasty.
Wei Ashterah, the young son of Rian Ashterah and grandson of Brian Ashterah, became the third lord of the city after his father's death and never considered changing his surname.
Yeonguk Ashterah, son of Qian, grandson of Hugochen (Brian's cousin), was granted the title of Lord by the Dynasty Lord and established the Qincheng Dynasty.
Jaxenguard, the Kislavein Dynasty's finest blacksmith, had spent his entire life forging weapons for the most important nobles of the Kislavein Dynasty, especially the Kislavein Dynasty Lords themselves.
For all his services, Ricardo granted Jaxenguard the title of Lord.
Jaxenguard did not spend much time thinking about the name of the dynasty he would establish; he chose the first name that came to mind: Quart. And thus, the Quart Dynasty was founded.
As long as this dynasty existed, it would forge immensely powerful, durable, and visually unparalleled weapons for the Overlords, the Great Dynasties, and especially the Kislavein Dynasty Lords.
With the weapons they forged, they would rise among the wealthiest dynasties in the Five Lands.
Harlonnen, son of Harloumen Kislavein (the Duel Master of the Blood Academy), became the lord of a city in the Southern Lands and established the Harmen Dynasty.
Karlmen, son of Kisrael Kislavein (the Head Master of the Blood Academy), established the Kisrael Dynasty, named directly after his father.
Jamie, son of Jacop (one of Ricardo's school friends who died in the war), established the Acmier Dynasty.
And so, the distribution of titles continued for hours until late at night.
From important commanders to warriors and mages who had shown success in battle, many people established new dynasties in the conquered lands.
The old dynasties that had governed their regions for hundreds of years disappeared, their places taken by new dynasties.