In the period that followed, the Walt family held a series of grand feasts and celebrations, occurring almost consecutively with a new festival nearly every week. All of Dan's sons from the "first wave"—the elders who had surpassed the age of thirty-five and successfully applied the first stage of the Vitality Seal—were married within a short span of time. Sam, Leon, Felix, Kai, Norman, and the rest of the elder brothers each took a wife.
Some married daughters sent by Ayato from the noble families within his realm, while others wed beautiful orphan girls gathered specifically for this purpose. Every son was matched with a suitable bride. Consequently, the entire atmosphere of the family shifted; it became more vibrant and cheerful, filled with laughter and constant discussion. The new wives brought a fresh energy to the household.
Perhaps the happiest individuals regarding this change were the twelve mothers. As natural maternal figures, the marriage of their eldest sons had weighed heavily on them for years, causing constant anxiety and lingering questions: When will my son marry? When will I see my grandchildren? Now, that burden had vanished. The matter was resolved, and their sons were finally husbands. Permanent smiles graced the mothers' faces, reflecting a clear sense of peace.
The next significant development occurred when Dan assigned three of his sons to a new and distinct mission: Leon, the fierce warrior; Kai, the quiet son who loved nothing but solitary training; and Sato. He ordered them to head to the manor recently established by Ayato on the outskirts of the Sacred Dragon Forest and remain there as permanent guardians of the area—the frontier point between the family and the outside world.
However, the greater purpose of this mission was not merely guardianship. The true objective was for them to interact directly with the outside world—to see the cities, the people, the society, and life beyond their isolation. This was especially crucial for Sato, who was destined to succeed Dan in managing the family's affairs in the future. Sato needed to understand the external world thoroughly, gaining experience in dealing with ordinary humans and comprehending the nuances of politics, trade, and conflict. He could not lead the family while being completely sheltered and ignorant of the world's workings.
Thus, Dan granted them a relatively wide degree of freedom to move and explore. As long as they fulfilled their primary duties—guarding the border point, receiving the monthly resources from Ayato, and monitoring the region—they were free to visit nearby cities and wander as they pleased. However, there was one strict and unwavering condition: they were never to leave the territory ruled by Ayato. They were to remain within the borders and not expand further, for outside Ayato's realm, things were less controlled, more dangerous, and prone to exposure.
Furthermore, he commanded them to protect Ayato and his kin should they face a truly lethal threat, such as an assassination attempt, a coup, or an overwhelming invasion. In such cases, they were to intervene immediately to preserve their useful "front." However, if the conflicts were merely ordinary battles, minor wars, or standard political strife, they were strictly forbidden from interfering. Ayato was to handle such matters himself as part of his role; their involvement would only stir unwanted suspicion. Dan did, however, grant Sato an exception to this last rule, allowing him to intervene in state affairs as he saw fit, provided he maintained Ayato as the sitting King.
The initial lineup for this mission—Leon, Kai, and Sato—was carefully chosen by Dan. It was not a random selection but a calculated one. Leon, by nature, was somewhat impulsive and thrived on combat; he would go out often, explore, and interact with people, likely even finding himself in minor trouble. This was useful, as he would gain field experience and learn from his mistakes. Kai was his polar opposite; he detested trouble and preferred isolated training. Even if he harbored a hidden curiosity about the world, he was not one to take the initiative. He would likely remain at the manor, training and guarding in silence. This provided a necessary balance—a stable presence to maintain the base.
As for Sato, his presence was absolutely vital. He needed to see the world with his own eyes—the commerce, the populace, and the politics. He would observe and learn how the world functioned. It was invaluable practical training for the man who would one day manage the family.
Naturally, this assignment was not permanent for these specific individuals. Dan's sons would rotate through this guardianship mission in a systematic and organized fashion. Each team would be stationed at the border manor for exactly one month. Afterward, they would return to the main base deep within the forest to rest and continue their normal training, while a second team went out to replace them.
The second planned team consisted of three others: Sam, the eldest and most responsible son; Felix, a powerful and reliable son; and Norman. Norman was quiet and a keen analyst, though somewhat reclined; Dan assessed that in terms of overall strength, Norman would certainly be at the next level after Sam. They would depart for their monthly mission upon the first team's return. In this way, everyone would rotate through the task—one team departing as another returned in a continuous cycle.
This system ensured several critical things. First, no one would grow weary of the duty, as it lasted only a month. Second, everyone received an opportunity to venture out and gain experience. Furthermore, in the near future, when Dan's other elder sons reached the age of thirty-five and applied the first stage of the Vitality Seal, they too would join this rotation, participating in the periodic guardianship missions to learn and grow.
Dan wanted all of his children to have some form of contact with the outside world to gain real experience and understand how ordinary humans functioned. This was a necessity. The entire family could not remain completely isolated forever; there had to be hidden, controlled bridges to the world.
Very soon, his eldest son from the "second wave" would be able to join this system. His name was Yuta, the second son of Rin and Sam's younger brother by the same mother. He was now thirty-four years old, only three years younger than Sam. In a few months, he would reach thirty-five, apply the first Vitality Seal, and immediately join the rotation. Yuta was also next on the marriage list as the first of the second wave to wed; once his seal was successfully applied, a suitable marriage would be arranged for him.
At the small border manor, Leon stood on the balcony, gazing toward a distant city. His eyes gleamed with obvious excitement. Finally, out of the forest! Finally, seeing the world! Beside him sat Kai, meditating quietly, showing little enthusiasm. Inside, Sato was already reading a detailed report on the political situation of the realm. Three figures, identical in appearance, yet vastly different in character.
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