Nhiria's Chronicles: Realm of Regrets Chapter 75 – Family Matters

Hannah and Margiory sighed, agreeing to discuss hosting the foxes with Hilda.

After settling that, they delved into the detailed guidance Sokram would offer, with Sokram ensuring Lucille and Aya would also be present, not just the Matron and her ten accompanying masters.

Once all the specific arrangents were made, the conversation shifted into more casual waters, and seizing the opportunity, Sokram turned to Lucille, asking, “What happened to Luke?”

“He went to confront that boy, Timothy, and they got into a squabble.”

Lucille explained, a hint of amusent in her voice. “But Luke ca to report to because so of my girls wanted to kill your teammate.”

Then, a mischievous smile played on her lips, "I can still make it happen if you want."

“No need, they are harmless fools.” Sokram shook his head, but inwardly, a dark tide of ideas began to swirl in his mind about how to deal with Timothy and Kazzah during one of the upcoming hunts.

Yet, he wouldn't stoop to Kazzah's level.

Adopting a casual tone, Lucille spoke as if letting sothing slip absentmindedly: "He even demanded Luke reveal what happened during the barbecue, but don’t worry, Luke is well taught and fed him so fake info."

Her eyes t Sokram’s briefly. "What concerns is that Kazzah and Timothy were seen entering the Steelheart estate just before you arrived."

Sokram chuckled, a soft sound of predictable disdain.

“Haha, fools…”

Seeing that he remained unfazed, Lucille decided to drop the subject.

“Well, it’s ti for to take my leave,” Sokram said, offering a brief smile, satisfied that the day had been as productive as possible.

Standing, he looked at his two grandmothers, then fixed his gaze on Lucille. “The girls are waiting for back ho.”

He glanced back at Sayuri, giving her a brief, acknowledging nod.

“My house will be open to you all starting tomorrow after sunrise. Is that fine?”

“Yes, perfect,” Sayuri replied, her tone deliberately casual, yet no matter how she tried to conceal it, a palpable excitent shimred beneath her composed expression.

The Pavilion’s perfud air clung to his two grandmothers' clothes as they stepped into the warr, familiar scent of ho.

Sokram, struggling with the lingering scent of Lucille's perfu and the glimpses of an nonexistent past, imrsed himself once more in his cultivation, while also continuing to guide Amber, Savannah, and Lucy until late into the night.

After the girls finally returned to their own hos, Margiory requested to speak with the family.

They all gathered at the empty wooden dining table that started feeling smaller and smaller every ti they were all seated, fingers drumd on the polished wood, a nervous rhythm echoing the tension in the air.

The quiet hum of the magi lights buzzed in the pause, filling the space between unspoken worries.

The lights on the ceiling had been recently replaced, but the room still felt a little too cozy, almost cramped and filled with shadows.

Their family grew, and it beca as clear as day to Sokram that they would need a bigger house soon.

Seeing everyone present, Margiory began, “Last week, when I went back to Frozen River, I finally revealed your contribution to the family. They were all dazed and understood why I chose you as my successor.”

Brunhild, sitting beside Hannah, eyed Margiory with suspicion as Margiory continued, “So now you have most of the family’s support.”

Hilda looked questioningly at Margiory, who nodded, smiling warmly at her.

But Hannah noticed that Sokram’s face subtly turned somber the mont Margiory uttered the word most.

“Darling,” Hannah called, seeing his expression deepen in thought, “You don’t seem very happy with this news.”

Sokram t her gaze, forcing a smile.

“No, it’s not that. It’s good news, I’m just wondering about Adulwulf and my brothers…”

“No need to worry, they won’t be contesting my decision, ”Margiory clarified, her voice gaining a firr edge.

“Adulwulf, his wife, and your brothers will be going to the Western Continent and will stay there for the next few years, working on expanding our business.”

“I see,” Sokram’s expression beca thoughtful once more.

“They decided on that before or after I was announced as your successor?”

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“After.” Margiory's chair groaned as she shifted uncomfortably, a shadow of sadness dimming her expression.

Despite her attempt to mask it, the tremor in her voice was unmistakable for a mont.

“But they understand why I did it. Adulwulf himself said there is no surpassing a Chaos Energy Cultivation Technique.”

Yet, the sadness in her voice and the sorrow in her eyes made it clear that Adulwulf hadn’t accepted it as easily as her words suggested.

“But they will still learn it, hm?” Sokram sighed.

His father's hypocrisy was as tiring now as it had been in his previous tiline.

“Don’t worry. I made sure all those who learned about it signed a new blood contract, even the main family,” Margiory rushed to explain, which brought a visible wave of relief to the won around the table.

But Sokram’s eyes hardened, unreadable.

Not with anger, but with old, familiar disappointnt.

“I’m not afraid of them betraying the family’s interests, Nana. I don’t think it should be this hard to accept as part of the family. Especially since even our ancestors already accepted . Do they know this, too?”

“Yes,” Margiory nodded, the sadness deepening on her face. “It was an even more difficult conversation.”

A quiet sigh escaped Margiory, a sound heavy with unspoken regret.

But then her expression brightened as if recalling sothing that offered relief. “Well, at least your cousins, uncles, and aunties have co around this ti. Klaus even stood up to defend you.”

At that, Sokram’s eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise.

For one of his uncles to openly stand up to Adulwulf was a rarity, akin to seeing a unicorn.

“I see, that’s surprising, but a good thing nonetheless. Is the main family moving here with you?”

“Not for now. The Androny family is still bound to Frozen River. But since war is coming, our transition here will be smoother, especially since the King is happy with strengthening Norwinter’s forces near this side of our border.”

Finally, the somber tone in Margiory’s voice lifted. “So Frozen River’s City Lord isn’t making much of a fuss about it. Especially since our presence will remain there. Michael will assu the lead of our operations there with a quarter of our forces. Still, most of our primary and secondary families will stay there until we acquire a compound here.”

“And what about the warriors I will be teaching? When will they arrive?”

Sokram’s expression, too, beca lighter, his voice tinged with a quiet excitent at the prospect of strengthening Eversnow.

“Tomorrow, I hope you don’t mind having to work night shifts since your friends from the pavilion will be coming too.”

That comnt also drew the attention of the others present.

“Don’t worry,” Sokram flashed his usual confident grin.

“By the ti our warriors enter the Core Fusion stage, the foxes will be long gone.”

“And what about the main family?” Brunhild asked, and everyone at the table understood who she was referring to.

“I don’t have an issue teaching them. Will my father and brother have an issue learning from ?” Sokram shrugged, his questioning gaze shifting to Margiory.

“No, their desire for evolution is greater than their ignorance, but this will give you a chance to change their minds about you…” Margiory started, but Hilda raised a hand, stopping her mid-sentence.

“You don’t expect him to grovel at anyone’s feet for approval, do you?” Hilda’s frown and intense gaze, although perhaps uncalled for, were not unexpected.

“Of course not, dear, but…” Margiory inhaled deeply, trying to steady her emotions, “…Please ignore their misbehavior if it cos to it. Please.”

She lowered her head, almost bowing as she pleaded.

“For you, Nana.” Sokram nodded as he rose from his seat and approached her, placing his hands on her shoulders to gently straighten her posture. “You don’t have to lower your head to . Never. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for anyone here. Including you, Nana. But if any disrespect about my mothers, be it Hilda or Mira, cos out of their mouths…”

“I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen.” Margiory held his hands, her eyes filled with profound gratitude.

Sokram’s kiss on her forehead was warm. Yet Margiory's skin remained cold, betraying how truly anxious and stressed this family drama made her.

Still, the warmth of his presence was very comforting.

“Besides, I won’t be alone with them,” Sokram's gaze t Astrid’s, and they exchanged a knowing smile. “Right? Sis.”

“Of course, little bro. I’ll stand by your side forever.” Astrid grinned widely.

“Thank you, baby,” Margiory said softly, truly relieved that at least this side of the family was reasonable.

Sokram t her eyes with a gaze that implicitly asked for understanding.

“But they will have to delay their trip to the west. I can only teach so many people without compromising my own cultivation.”

“Sure, I’ll wait until your deal with the foxes is through. anwhile, I’ll acquire housing for our people.” Margiory, now more visibly relieved, recovered her usual calm deanor.

“Just a question,” Hannah began, her brow furrowing slightly.

“Is Chaos Cultivation that hard to learn that only Sokram can teach it?”

Hearing that, the others looked montarily embarrassed, but Sokram explained.

“If it were to teach soone who is starting, I believe they all would be able to. However, there are so complications when converting from one type of cultivation to the other. It’s sothing we noticed when I was teaching them, and I confird it now that I’m teaching the girls.”

“I see…” Hannah mused, as she, although she had studied the technique Sokram had written, had no practical knowledge of it.

“It’s just a matter of finding enough space for the formation of the extra cores. That’s also the main reason I can’t teach you, which differs from the other three simpler fusions.”

Gesturing toward Miralyn, he added, “Or Mom and Alain because your cores are too big and tendrilled within your hearts. It’s less risky to teach Mom's guards, but she forbade from doing so as they would be obligated to leak the technique to the Empire.”

Hannah nodded, trying to mask her disheartened feelings. Still, her nails tapped the table, tap-tap-tap, a restless dragon’s heartbeat betraying her efforts to hide her anxiety and eagerness.

Because, as soone threading the Path of Evolution, stagnation was a tornt.

Even though she cultivated Vital Magic as every dragon in Dracony did, she couldn’t feel satisfied with just that, nor could she hide her greed for power.

Sokram's gaze flickered between her and Miralyn. "And in both of your cases, it will be even more complicated, because there’s no reversing a Core fusion. Once Magi and Vitha beco Vital Magic, to transform that into Chaos…"

His face tightened with a hesitant, embarrassed grimace. "I still haven’t figured out how to do that."

But the real reason for his embarrassnt was that he was lying.

His gaze shifted between them again, his expression beca serious, and he once again promised them, “But I’ll find a way. More than that, I will even find a way to repay you for hiding us under your wings and for making you wait for so long.”

His words ward their hearts, and Miralyn reassured him, “Honey, I’m two thousand years old; waiting a few years is nothing for old hags like your grandma and , don’t worry.”

Hannah nodded, agreeing. “Yes, that’s true; focus on your own cultivation. I’m just anxious. I thought I would die in this world without ever reaching Ascension, but now that I saw a window for the future, I’m just struggling to calm my heart.”

She flashed him a teasing grin and winked. “Nana’s also a dragon; I can’t help but be greedy too.”