Fessen didn't respond immediately to his father's question but lifted his glass and took a sip of berry juice.
"Before that, shouldn't you explain the reason for your visit? I imagine you're not here just to see me, are you?"
"I…"
Baron Cass swallowed the bluntness of Fessen's words. Since things had already been laid bare, he took a deep breath and said directly:
"I came, of course, for the Pokémon League Conference."
"And… I want you to help House Cass. I hope our family can gain more benefits in this year's League meeting. After all… the Cass family is where you were born and raised."
After speaking, he anxiously observed Fessen's expression.
But the next moment left him greatly surprised—Fessen agreed instantly, without the slightest hesitation.
"Very well. I will help House Cass."
Hearing such a direct answer, Baron Cass felt a wave of relief wash over him.
He continued, "State your conditions. If it's within my ability, I will do my best to fulfill them."
Fessen didn't bother with niceties.
"It's simple. My mother and I must have our identities formally acknowledged."
"Of course, that is no issue at all. You are the pride of House Cass. I will have the elders witness it personally and write you and your mother into the family genealogy."
He agreed without hesitation. Even if Fessen hadn't brought it up, he would have done so himself—Fessen's existence was no longer a burden, but an enormous honor.
"Good. Remember your promise," Fessen said with a nod.
"In return, I will naturally grant Casston Town significant favor."
"I will personally oversee the construction of the Pokémon Breeding Zone and the Pokémon Breeding House. I will ensure that Casston Town develops rapidly in a short period of time."
This was precisely why Baron Cass had arrived early with his sons—his smile grew wide with satisfaction.
"Additionally, I can help Casston Town establish a Pokémon food-processing plant and a fertilizer plant. In the future, Casston Town will not only produce for itself but also supply the entire northern domains."
At this, the smiles on the faces of the Cass brothers broadened even further. They could already imagine how quickly Casston Town would rise with these two factories.
However, Baron Cass's smile began to fade.
He understood very clearly just how valuable these factories were.
Could the Pokémon Domain really build them in Casston Town?
And then—
"Lastly," Fessen continued, "I will persuade His Highness Aven to establish a Pokémon League branch headquarters in Casston."
"If that happens, Casston Town will become the future center of the northern domains. The presence of a League branch will cement its status completely."
Fessen's tone was firm, so firm that the Cass brothers shot to their feet in excitement, their faces glowing as though they could already see Casston Town's glorious future.
"Sit."
At that moment, Baron Cass's deep, heavy voice cut through the air.
The brothers flinched, turning to look at their father and what they saw was a face darkened with gloom.
Confusion filled their minds. Shouldn't all of this be a good thing?
"Father, do you have objections?" Fessen raised an eyebrow.
Baron Cass's expression remained severe.
"Fessen, what exactly are you trying to do?"
The Cass brothers were stunned. From their perspective, everything sounded overwhelmingly beneficial.
"Father, I don't see any problem…"
"I said I would help Casston Town develop. And I am fulfilling that promise."
Fessen took another small sip of juice, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.
"Fessen… don't tell me you truly don't understand?"
"If the Pokémon League branch is built in Casston Town… then who will Casston Town answer to?"
Baron Cass practically growled the question.
The Cass brothers froze—then their faces turned pale.
It didn't take much thought.
Once the branch was established, the Pokémon Domain would naturally occupy it.
Given the Lord Aven's current power, even if Casston Town remained under the Cass family in name… would they truly be in control?
Most likely, the moment the branch was built, the Cass family would be completely sidelined. Everyone would answer to the Pokémon League instead.
And with the food factory and fertilizer factory also controlled by the Pokémon Domain, even the commoners would fall under their influence.
Casston Town would simply become a vassal of the Pokémon Domain.
"Who will Casston Town listen to?" Fessen repeated with an amused smile.
"Naturally, it will listen to House Cass."
Baron Cass did not believe that for a second.
"You intend to make me the branch president?" he asked sarcastically.
Fessen scoffed.
"You? The president of a Pokémon League branch? Do you think you have the qualifications?"
Baron Cass's face flushed red with humiliation. He knew his own limitations, but hearing such unapologetic mockery from Fessen still stung bitterly.
"Relax. You may not be fit to be the branch president—but I am."
"And aren't I also a member of House Cass? So of course, the branch would listen to House Cass."
The study fell silent.
They all stared at Fessen, momentarily speechless.
"So… Casston Town would also answer to you?" Baron Cass asked coldly.
"Yes."
Fessen's voice was firm and absolute.
"And to make my governance fully legitimate, Father, I want you to pass the barony to me."
"You—!"
Baron Cass and his two heirs shot to their feet at the same time.
They had never imagined that Fessen's true goal… was the entire Cass Territory.
"Impossible!"
Before the baron could speak, the eldest son, Gerrod, shouted angrily.
The barony had always been his future inheritance. Now Fessen wanted to snatch it?
"Impossible? Why not?" Fessen replied calmly.
"Since Father has acknowledged my identity, that makes me the legitimate eldest son of House Cass."
"By inheritance law, I am the rightful successor to the barony and its lands."
Fessen stood as well, his gaze locking onto the three men. A natural, commanding pressure radiated from him.
Gerrod opened his mouth but was forced to swallow his words under that overwhelming aura.
"Father," Fessen continued, "you know very well—I am the most qualified person to inherit the title."
"I am the steward of the Pokémon Domain, and soon I will become a key figure in the Pokémon League. Only I can push House Cass even further."
"If you truly care about the honor of our family, you will not reject my request."
"Of course, if the only thing in your heart is yourself… then perhaps House Cass has no reason to exist at all. I can simply establish a new Cass family."
His eyes grew colder.
"Do not doubt my ability. As long as I show even the slightest hostility toward House Cass, Casston Town will never stand in the Pokémon League."
"You understand better than anyone—without my support, Casston's downfall is inevitable. All I need to do is wait for the right time to take over."
It was naked, blatant coercion.
Baron Cass trembled violently, pointing a shaking finger at Fessen, yet unable to utter a single rebuttal.
"Father, you must not agree!"
"If the family is handed over to him, then House Cass will no longer be House Cass!"
"We'll become vassals of the Pokémon Domain!" Gerrod protested desperately.
"Hmph. And what is wrong with being a vassal of the Pokémon Domain?" Fessen countered.
"His Highness Aven has already been acknowledged by Lord Azelf and possesses the qualifications of the King's Chosen."
"Now is the moment House Cass must pick a side. Only by following His Highness Aven can our family prosper."
The name struck Baron Cass like a mountain crushing his chest.
He opened his mouth, but no argument came out.
Because he knew Fessen was right.
"Father," Fessen said softly,
"I trust you won't disappoint me."
"The fate of House Cass is in your hands. You have no other choice, do you?"
His final words shattered the last of the baron's resistance.
Baron Cass slowly closed his eyes, anguish twisting his features. Countless thoughts surged through his mind—yet in the end, only despair remained.
House Cass truly had no other path.
"Do not worry," Fessen said, his voice easing,
"Even if you are no longer the Baron, for appearances' sake, we will maintain the illusion of a harmonious father-son relationship. Your quality of life will be guaranteed. And with a son like me, no one would dare look down on you."
"…I understand."
Baron Cass's voice suddenly sounded much older—exhausted, defeated.
He had never imagined that his barony would end in Fessen's hands.
Looking at his eldest son—the one he had once neglected—he felt only bitter regret.
If he had known Fessen would one day rise to such heights, he would have treated him very differently.
But now, it was too late.
House Cass was already on the verge of collapse.
He had no choice but to surrender everything, or the consequences would be unbearable.
(End of Chapter)