Chapter 24: House of Darkan
As previously mentioned, House Darkan was the closest noble house to the Last Front.
In terms of the land they ruled over, their territory was vast, equivalent to that of a duchy. However, the Solaris Empire did not operate under feudal titles like ’duke’ or ’duchess.’
Instead, they used a system of suns.
Suns were rewards granted to citizens who had made remarkable contributions to the empire through academics, battle, technology, or other feats. The more suns accumulated, the greater the privileges and authority granted to the individual or family increased. It was like the empire was saying, anyone could have similar status to a noble, they just had to create influence.
Since pledging allegiance to the empire, House Darkan had earned two suns. And two suns earned one the right to rule over a landmass the size of a duchy.
As they entered Darkan territory, unique structures sprawled before them.
At regular intervals, towering black buildings loomed, while dragons of various sizes flew gracefully from tower to tower, then beneath came the cities. Various sizes of buildings with stalls and shops, with people moving about their business. The scene resembled something from a medieval painting, yet the old-world aesthetics was magic technology.
As they moved into the land, better looking buildings, better dressed people, and the lingering air of wealth. This was where the most-wealthy in the Darkan land were gathered, where most family executives and collateral line resided, and the capital of the whole darkan lands.
"Welcome to Drakos," Tasha said with a smile, turning to Baines, expecting a reaction. But he remained impassive.
Unbothered, she turned away and continued leading the way with her father deeper into the capital.
Soon, they reached the heart of Darkan’s domain, the main estate of the darkan family.