Chapter 64: Heroes of the humanity
“Now, let us turn to the Empire's greatest noble bloodlines.”
He steps across the platform.
“First are the Four Great Ducal Houses, each governing one major region of the Empire. These bloodlines are as old as the Empire itself—their founders fought side-by-side with First Emperor Sethgareus, playing pivotal roles in humanity’s survival.”
Mark taps the blackboard once more. A new sketch takes shape, depicting a towering giant of a man. Heavy furs cover his broad shoulders, and his head is crowned by a helmet crafted from a wild beast's gaping maw. Where Sethgareus’s gaze radiated absolute authority, this man’s eyes burn with unbridled ruthlessness, with a massive sword resting at his hip.
“This is the first Great Duke of the North, famously remembered as the Mad Bear of the North—Chieftain Thort lan Bassivier, founder of House Bassivier. He unified and led all the northern tribes before joining the First Emperor.”
With another quick tap of Mark's fingers, the giant's portrait vanishes, replaced by a chalk emblem of a massive bear standing on its hind legs, roaring viciously.
“House Bassivier stands as the Empire's sole Knight Ducal house. To this day, their primary duty is manning the great northern mountain range that walls off our realm from the beast-infested wastelands beyond. The current ducal house is headed by Barth lan Bassivier II—a Tier 6 Knight widely feared as Death's Gaze, due to rumors that his eyes are colder than the Northern wastes.”
The chalk portrait shifts once more.
This time, the drawing depicts a man with darker skin wearing loose, flowing robes. Unlike the raw fury of the northern chief, his features are sharp, anchored by a shrewd, deeply calculating gaze.
“This is the first Great Duke of the South: Rebahim ast Vastitas, founder of House Vastitas,” Mark says. “Before pledging his allegiance to Emperor Sethgareus, he ruled his own domain as the Desert Kingof the South.”
The man's likeness vanishes, replaced by a fine chalk insignia depicting sweeping sandy dunes beneath a burning sun.
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“House Vastitas governs the southern territory of our Realm—a region renowned for its rich mines of rare magical metals and home to some of the empire's greatest artisans. The current house is led by Jahiem ast Vastitas—a Tier 6 Mage and Tier 4 Artificer famously known as the Silken Artisian”
Mark taps the board again, and the portrait of a plainly dressed woman appears. She lacks the dramatic furs or desert robes of the previous rulers, yet her presence radiates an undeniable aura of deep calmness and knowledge.
“This is the first Great Duchess of the West: Riviere lat Blackthorne, founderofHouseBlackthorne,” Mark says. “She was the leader of the forest tribes within the Elderwood before choosing to follow Emperor Sethgareus, famously remembered as the Daughter of the Jungle.”
With another tap, the portrait vanishes, replaced by a chalk emblem of a thorned blackthorn vine wrapping tightly around itself.
“House Blackthorne is the most reclusive of the Great Ducal Houses, residing deep within the Elderwoods. They are renowned across the continent for their unmatched mastery of alchemy, producing many of the Realm's most miraculous potions and medicines. The current house is headed by Duchess Lithe lat Blackthorne—a Tier 6 Mage and Tier 4 Alchemist, famously known as the Silver Alchemist.”
With another tap on the board, a new portrait takes shape.
This drawing depicts an elderly, bearded man with uncombed white-and-black hair and a single blinded eye. Even his clothing looks ancient and worn, patched together in several places, yet his face carries a quiet, amusing smile. Despite his unrefined appearance, his entire presence radiates an unmistakable aura of profound wisdom and hard-won experience.
“This is the first Great Duke of the East: Vieux pat Matelot, founder of House Matelot,” Mark says. “Before pledging his loyalty to Emperor Sethgareus, he led the legendary seafarers of the eastern coasts, famously remembered as the Hawk of the East.”
With another quick tap, the old sailor's image vanishes, replaced by a chalk emblem of a solitary ship riding the crest of a towering ocean wave.
“House Matelot governs maritime trade across the Realm, serving as the commercial heartland for the empire's greatest merchant fleets. The current house is headed by Duke Marin pat Matelot—a Tier 6 Mage widely feared on the high seas as the Living Storm.”
Mark taps the board once more.
The individual insignia vanish, replaced by a massive, unified sketch displaying First Emperor Sethgareus flanked by all four original Great Dukes: Thort lan Bassivier, Rebahim ast Vastitas, Riviere lat Blackthorne, and Vieux pat Matelot.
Mark steps back, standing tall as his voice fills the quiet classroom with solemn, deep respect.
“These five figures are the supreme heroes of humankind,” Mark declares, his gaze sweeping over the spellbound students. “They sacrificed their present so that humanity could have a future.”