Chapter 6, Family
In the words of those who admire him, the experiences of Lord Gerdon are nothing short of legendary, and the legend continues to be written. However, apart from the Black Rose Castle, the absolute influence of the Marquis of Gerdon is limited to the territory he has established himself. Other members of the Ackermond family hardly heed his commands. Within the Ackermond clan, the title of patriarch resembles a mere honor, especially in the absence of the Black Rose Castle and Mount Yashan.
In such a chaotic and complex situation, it is not difficult for the Ackmond family, which boasts numerous talents, to produce a duke or even a founding grand duke. As long as they concentrate their resources on external expansion, acquire sufficient territory from foreign races, and firmly establish their hold, while building a complete civil, economic, and judicial system, and balancing the distribution of interests within the family, a duke can emerge within at most two generations. At least half of the dukes of the Holy Alliance were produced in this manner, which is why, in the eyes of nobles from other countries, the Holy Alliance Empire is seen as a stronghold of upstarts and bumpkins, with the emperor being the biggest upstart among them. However, once any situation reaches a certain level, it will undergo a qualitative change, and the rise of upstarts is no exception. The rise of the Holy Alliance royal family has exceeded the psychological threshold that people can bear, thus earning the respect and admiration of the vast majority of established nobles.
Family, for Richard, is an entirely new concept. In the past, he had a vague understanding of even the notion of a father, so how could he possibly comprehend what family means? However, from Modred's attitude, it is evident that this powerful knight places great importance on family. The concept of family here is much broader and more inclusive than in traditional texts; it encompasses not only direct and collateral bloodlines but also the minor nobles and knights who follow the main house, all of whom can be regarded as part of the family. Bloodlines serve as the bonds that connect families, yet their significance extends beyond mere kinship. Many special bloodlines possess unique abilities, and the combination of different bloodlines often results in the emergence of new powers. Some bloodline abilities are extraordinarily potent, powerful enough to drive individuals to pursue them at all costs. Thus, nobility and family acquire a new meaning in the world of Norland; marriages are not only for political alliances but often also aimed at producing powerful descendants.
The current patriarch of Ackmond, Marquis Gerdon, is a prime example of sudden rise. Fifteen years ago, when he first began his training, he was merely a level three novice warrior. He soon demonstrated his personal strength and talent in political and military affairs, and ten years ago, he successfully captured the Elven Royal Court in the Eternal Night Forest, shaking the entire Holy Alliance! Many have dared to invade Elven territories, but only Gerdon had the audacity to venture deep into the Eternal Night Forest with just fifty construct knights and over a thousand miscellaneous troops, and he succeeded!
However, she has never truly endured the test of war, as the previous masters of the castle did not favor defense. Even when their forces were at an absolute disadvantage, they preferred to choose boundless plains or deep mountains as their backdrop, employing mobile warfare to eliminate the enemy. Ultimately, they always achieved victory
No one is willing to fight with a madman, especially since there will always be one or even several geniuses emerging from this crazy family at some point. The greatest enemy of the Ackmond family, Duke Joseph of the Lennon Peninsula, once lamented that when madness and genius combine, the destruction they can cause is multiplicative rather than additive
The castle is a powerful tool for defense, and the Black Rose Castle has reached the pinnacle of design. Looking at the composite fortress architecture centered around the inner castle, one can see wooden shooting platforms that can extend from the walls or the tops of arrow towers at any time, and the city gates that resemble tunnels. Within a depth of ten meters, there are five incredibly sturdy gates, along with numerous arrangements that are not directly visible to the eye. Upon its completion, the Black Rose Castle claimed that it only required one thousand qualified soldiers to garrison it, making it nearly impregnable when supplied adequately. The city gates resemble tunnels, and within a depth of ten meters, there are five incredibly sturdy gates, along with numerous arrangements that are not directly visible to the eye. Upon its completion, the Black Rose Castle claimed that it only required one thousand qualified soldiers to garrison it, making it nearly impregnable when supplied adequately.
After several hundred years of development, the members of the Ackmond family now include two marquesses and seven earls, with viscounts and barons being numerous, if not countless, possessing a total territory exceeding 100,000 square kilometers. The history of the Ackmond family within the Holy Alliance is not particularly long, yet its strength is undeniably formidable, making it one of the significant powers. However, it is peculiar that while other families with such a multitude of landed nobility would have long since produced a duke or even a grand duke, the highest title held by the Ackmond family is merely that of a marquess. It is important to note that the Ackmond family is not lacking in martial strength and powerful individuals; they possess not only formidable wizards but also high-ranking warriors, along with a variety of unusual high-level professions, such as dragon vein sorcerers, hellish demon knights, and shadow priests, among others. The continent of Norland is in a state of unrest, with warfare being the norm; the territory occupied by humans is less than half of the continent, and they are engaged in battles against numerous races to secure living space.
It was only when Richard saw the mountains from a distance that he realized his father was a truly significant figure
The distance from Ruthland Village to Ashan is over 3,000 kilometers, and the journey took less than half a month. Along the way, Modred shared many stories about the Ackmond family with Richard, while also introducing some customs and the distribution of power across the continents. By the time they arrived in Ashan, Richard was already well-informed about many families.
At just thirty-three years of age, Gerdon has already become a marquis and has moved into the Black Rose Castle, having received the territory of Ashan, which was specifically prepared by Ackmond for the clan leader
Many travelers, each with their own agenda, have visited this city under various identities. Upon witnessing the monstrous fortress that dominates the city's high ground, they could not help but acknowledge the nearly mad self-praise of the designer of the Black Rose Castle. An unnamed noble military strategist was invited to the castle as a guest, and upon returning, he conducted a tabletop exercise based on the defensive structures he observed. His conclusion was that even with a fully equipped army of 50,000 and heavy siege machinery, capturing the castle would come at a tremendous cost.
The bellicosity of humanity may well rival that of demons. They not only engage in warfare with foreign races but also incessantly battle among themselves. The raging flames of war not only burn in Norland but also extend to the depths of the ocean and various planes of existence
In the city of Yashan, there is a small mountain upon which the world-renowned Black Rose Castle is built at its summit. This is a magnificent and grand architectural complex that can easily accommodate over 3,000 warriors. At the tops of the towering spires in every corner, permanent large catapults are even installed, overlooking the city below with a commanding presence. However, since the completion of the Black Rose Castle, these catapults have never been put to use. Although there have been enemies who advanced to the foot of Yashan, their steps barely reached the walls of the city before they were defeated.
This is not a rigorous discourse, and the scholar making the assertions cannot be considered knowledgeable, nor does he possess any notable reputation. In fact, if he cannot secure funding from any noble of the Ackermond family based on his own research achievements, he may even find himself destitute. If he truly had the capability, he would not be studying such an obscure family. Ultimately, the scholar's fate is indeed to end up on the streets, suffering from illness and dying. It is said that when his research findings were presented to the head of the Ackermond family at the time, the patriarch casually flipped through them and ordered that no member of the Ackermond family provide him with any form of support. Remarkably, the traditionally rebellious Ackermonds complied with the patriarch's orders this time.
When Richard stood before the gates of the Black Rose Castle, he should have had a profound understanding of Ackmond. However, young Richard felt even more confused; the chaotic information that Mordred had poured into his mind resembled shattered pieces of a puzzle, unable to form a complete picture.
Scholars specializing in heraldry and history of the Ackmond family lineage have concluded that the reason this family has never produced a duke lies in the independence and rebellion that flow through its bloodline. Each Ackmond is unwilling to submit to anyone, even if that person is their own father
Even within the entirety of the Holy Alliance, the madness of the Ackermond family is well known
The extent of Ackmond's outbreak is no less than others; however, its history is too brief. The fatal flaw of a short history lies in the insufficient accumulation of wealth and power. Moreover, their excessive madness has prevented them from earning respect
Situated on the Promontory of Yuanwang, Yashan boasts a population of over 100,000. The city is constructed in accordance with the shape of the peninsula, with the highest terrain in the northwest, extending southward in a curved shape towards the scattered islands of the Apennine Sea. The elongated, strip-like city lies quietly like a resting giant between the water and sky, with orderly houses and well-defined streets. A twenty-meter-high city wall meanders around, protecting the residents within. Outside the city, the vast plains are filled with fertile land, and the wide Rhine River flows through the city, emptying into the Apennine Sea, providing an inexhaustible water source for the endless fertile fields.
At the time this statement was made, Duke Joseph's main force of 20,000 had just been defeated by Ackmond's elite 10,000 in a long and brutal battle, with fewer than 2,000 returning. However, the combat strength under the Iron Son Joseph was by no means ordinary, ranking among the top tier across the entire continent
The true reason behind it all is singular: this piece is filled with ornate language, despite its chaotic logic, absurd examples, and a plethora of baseless conjectures; yet, the conclusion is infuriatingly correct