Reborn as the Last van Ambrose
Chapter 259: Good News and Bad News

Chapter 259: Good News and Bad News

"Were tools employed against enemies who showed no mercy to his family," Húxiān said firmly.

"Lord Ambrose fights fire with fire because he understands that sometimes overwhelming force is the only language that evil comprehends."

"Elder Míngzhì, how would you feel if you were born into a world you didn’t ask for, and than come to find out your mother died because of your birth. Come to find out every person in your family was hunted down and executed because someone destroyed your family."

Elder Míngzhì started to speak. "Divine One, I... I..."

"Thats the world he lives in, when you grow up in an environment that wants to kill you, you change and have to adapt to what will help you survive." Húxiān said.

The chamber fell silent as the elders processed this reframing of the evidence. Actions that had seemed inexcusably brutal now appeared as justified responses to previous atrocities.

"I have taken Lord Ambrose under my personal guidance," Húxiān announced, her words carrying the weight of divine decree. "He has accepted training to control the dark influences that concern you, and he has proven himself worthy of the trust I place in him."

"Divine One," Elder Tiānkōng said carefully, "are you advocating for his integration?"

"I am declaring it," Húxiān replied with finality. "Lord Ambrose will marry Princess Ruxi with my blessing, and he will be granted full status within our realm. This is not a request—it is my will."

The pronouncement left no room for debate. When a patron deity made such declarations, councils had no choice but to comply.

"Of course, Divine One," Húwáng said, speaking for the entire council. "Your will shall be done."

Elder Míngzhì looked stricken, his carefully prepared case rendered irrelevant by divine intervention. "But the evidence—"

"Will be reconsidered in light of proper context," Húxiān said, her tone carrying gentle but unmistakable warning. "I trust the council will reach appropriate conclusions."

"Indeed," Húwáng agreed. "The council recognizes Lord Ambrose’s petition as approved unanimously."

"Excellent," Húxiān said with obvious satisfaction. "The wedding preparations may begin immediately. I look forward to celebrating the union of two souls whose destinies are intertwined with our realm’s future."

As quickly as she had appeared, Húxiān began to fade from the chamber, her divine presence gradually diminishing until only the lingering scent of cherry blossoms remained.

"The session is concluded," Húwáng announced into the stunned silence. "All necessary approvals have been granted."

The elders began to disperse, their previous debates rendered moot by divine intervention. Elder Míngzhì remained seated, staring at his now-worthless documents with obvious defeat.

"Elder Míngzhì," Húwáng said quietly as the others departed, "I trust you understand that opposition to divinely approved decisions would be unwise."

"I understand, Your Majesty," Míngzhì replied, though his tone suggested the understanding was bitter. "Lord Ambrose has protection beyond mortal authority."

"Indeed he does," the king confirmed. "Which means our realm’s future is now tied to his success. I suggest we comply."

Húwáng stayed as everyone left the chamber.

Grim’s integration was no longer a matter of council debate—it was divine will, backed by power that transcended mortal opposition.

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"You’re certain?" Ruxi asked, her voice barely containing her excitement as they sat in Húwáng’s private study. "The council approved unanimously?"

"More than approved," Húwáng replied with obvious amusement. "Húxiān herself appeared during Elder Míngzhì’s final challenge and declared your union divinely ordained."

Grim felt a mixture of relief and unease. The approval solved their immediate problems, but divine intervention always came with complications. "What was Elder Míngzhì’s challenge?" Grim asked.

"Evidence about your methods against House Luminaris," the king explained. "Torture, assassination, intimidation—all documented through his investigation."

"And Húxiān’s response?" Grim asked.

"That such methods were justified given what your family suffered," Húwáng said. "She reframed your actions as justice rather than brutality."

Ruxi reached for Grim’s hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "The important thing is that we can move forward without political obstacles." Ruxi said.

"Wedding preparations can begin immediately," Húwáng confirmed. "Though I suspect the real challenges lie ahead rather than behind us."

"Tell me, how does she know about my past. Did you do research on me before coming to the Celetis Empire."

"Grim you have to understand." Húwáng said. "Your great grandfather was watched by everyone. Your family history is well known to those in power. The elders dont know as much, but those who watched Caius know about him and his family."

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Elder Míngzhì paced furiously in his private chambers while Xùyán listened with growing agitation.

"Careful investigation," Míngzhì said, his voice tight with frustration. "Documentation, testimonies, irrefutable evidence—all rendered meaningless by a single divine appearance."

"She actually defended his brutality?" Xùyán asked, his voice carrying dangerous undertones.

"Justified it," Míngzhì corrected bitterly. "Called his methods necessary responses to family persecution. The entire council accepted her reframing without question."

Xùyán’s hands clenched into a fist. "So we’re expected to welcome a torturer and murderer because a deity finds him useful?"

"Apparently so," the elder replied. "Húxiān declared the marriage divinely ordained. Opposition would be considered blasphemy."

"Divine protection or not," Xùyán said, his voice growing colder, "some principles are worth defending. Our realm’s purity shouldn’t be sacrificed for political convenience."

The younger fox spirit’s dedication was concerning Míngzhì.

Official opposition was no longer possible, but private resistance might still find dangerous expression.

"What are you thinking?" Míngzhì asked carefully, recognizing the dangerous gleam in Xùyán’s eyes.

"I’m thinking that even divine favorites aren’t invincible," Xùyán replied, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "Training accidents happen. Foreign threats sometimes target those they perceive as weaknesses."

"You’re talking about murder," Míngzhì said, alarmed by his protégé’s direction.

"I’m talking about natural consequences," Xùyán corrected, his expression growing calculating.

"Divine will protects him from official action, but personal vengeance? Ancient customs of honor? Those operate under different rules.

"The risk—""Is worth taking," Xùyán interrupted with fanatical certainty. "Our ancestors didn’t build this realm so we could hand it over to human corruption. Sometimes preservation requires sacrifice."

Míngzhì felt a chill at the younger fox spirit’s conviction. Opposition had transformed into something far more dangerous.

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As Grim walked through the forest toward his training session with Húxiān, Caius stirred in his consciousness.

[Interesting developments today,] the ancient spirit observed. [Divine intervention in politics.]

"Were there ever deities or gods that took interest in you when you were alive?" Grim asked silently.

[Many watched me over the years,] Caius replied with characteristic vagueness. [Power of my level attracts attention from divine beings.]

"Any I should be concerned about?" Grim asked.

[Most were neutral. Though that sea deity you know about might prove troublesome if they ever locate us.]

"What’s the history between you two?"

[That’s... complicated. Perhaps when you have more mana hearts, you’ll be ready to understand the full scope of what we’re dealing with. You’ll most likely have to travel to Yanyu Dominion and make an offering first if she knows you’re related to me.]

"Caius, did you sleep with this deity?"

[Emmhh....] It sounded like he was trying to clear his throat even though he was just another spirit. [We had some differences and didn’t see eye to eye on everything. But, she helped our family out greatly.]