In contrast to Sui Yun-Mars's fall from grace, Isabella Pride's fame grew even more prominent after that battle.
Tempered by the fires of war and blessed with her naturally exceptional talent, she managed to break through once again in just a few short months, entering the Saint Rank and becoming a true pillar of the state.
Faced with such a massive disparity, coupled with the death of Count Pride and other external factors, the House of Pride gradually began to harbor feelings of resentment toward the marriage alliance.
At the time, Isabella had tried to resist. However, as a woman who could not inherit her grandfather’s title and whose own foundation was not yet secure, she had no choice but to temporarily compromise under the pressure of her family.
Even so, the Royal Family naturally had no intention of abandoning their long-premeditated plan.
Thus, through the mediation of various parties, the engagement that originally belonged to Sui Yun-Mars was eventually transferred to the youngest son of the House of Mars—Po Kong-Mars, who was only six years old at the time.
Similarly, due to his age, the fulfillment of this marriage contract was postponed until Po Kong-Mars reached adulthood.
At that time, Po Kong-Mars had no idea what this marriage contract meant. In his young eyes, Isabella was not only his elder brother’s lover but also a member of his own family.
As time passed, after Sui Yun-Mars realized he had no possibility of further progress, his original willpower gradually faded. Ultimately, he took the initiative to apply to the family to leave the Royal Capital and join the logistics unit of the War God Legion.
Since the House of Mars did not possess a large fief like other Dukes, how did they maintain the daily consumption of a powerful army that was unrivaled on the continent? The answer was simple—business.
The so-called logistics unit of the War God Legion was actually a large-scale merchant group that gathered all sorts of specialized talents and intelligence agencies. They not only used the War God Legion’s rotations across various regions to trade with local territories but also integrated and sold the spoils and intelligence gained from battles with non-human races to the major city-states.
It was precisely because of the support of this team that the War God Legion could endure for so long and maintain its peak combat strength.
Upon entering the logistics unit, Sui Yun-Mars, as a direct descendant of the House of Mars, was not only entrusted with heavy responsibilities but also displayed an extraordinary business mind during his tenure.
Under his leadership, the House of Mars's merchant group abandoned its previous habit of wandering everywhere and quickly established a firm foothold in the prime location of the Crimson City-State.
While it still could not compare in scale to a titan like “Crimson Smoke,” it was already enough to be astonishing.
However, on this continent where the strong were revered, being good at business only meant you had a flexible mind. True respect and status had to be earned through strength.
Therefore, even though Sui Yun-Mars’s efforts caused the merchant group to grow stronger step by step, the way outsiders viewed him never changed.
“A cripple, no matter how much money he has, is still just a cripple.”
It wasn't until he grew older that Po Kong-Mars finally understood the true meaning of that marriage contract. Naturally, he felt the injustice done to his elder brother.
As a warrior family, the elders and powerhouses of the House of Mars spent the vast majority of their lives on campaign.
Consequently, the person who had spent the most time with Po Kong-Mars since childhood was actually his elder brother, Sui Yun-Mars. It would not be an exaggeration to describe their relationship with the phrase “an elder brother is like a father.”
Regarding the unfair treatment his brother received, the young Po Kong-Mars had always harbored a sense of indignation. He had raised objections to this marriage contract to his grandfather multiple times, attempting to win the respect his brother deserved.
But how could a child influence the decisions of his elders? Even if he had displayed an extraordinary talent no less than his brother’s since childhood and was beloved in the family, he could not change the established reality.
Thus, at the age of sixteen, Po Kong-Mars secretly slipped away from the Royal Capital alone.
He had two goals: first, to escape that impending political marriage that never belonged to him in the first place; and second, to leave the protection of his family and truly make a name for himself outside. That way, even if he were caught and brought back by the family, he would have chips for negotiation.
It was precisely because of this decision that Starlight and Po Kong-Mars later met in the Violet City-State.
“Sigh... that’s roughly how things went.” Sui Yun-Mars sighed deeply once again, a bitter smile appearing on his face.
“I’m truly sorry. It’s all because of a cripple like me that my little brother has to endure pain he shouldn't have to.”
“No! I’ve said it many times, this isn't your fault, Brother!”
Po Kong-Mars, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly shouted. His voice was laced with long-suppressed emotions, startling everyone who had been listening to the story.
“So, is this why you’ve been acting a bit off lately?” Xia Duo suddenly looked up, staring straight into Po Kong-Mars’s face. Her sharp gaze was like a knife, as if she wanted to pierce through him.
Po Kong-Mars, who had been somewhat agitated, felt his heart skip a beat under her stare, and he froze in place.
Just as he thought he was definitely going to be scolded, Xia Duo quickly sat down beside him. Before he could react, she buried her head in his chest.
“You idiot! You big dummy! If Big Brother Sui Yun hadn't said anything, how much longer were you going to keep this from us?” Xia Duo shouted, her fists thudding against Po Kong-Mars’s solid chest with muffled thumps.
“Little Shadow... like I said, I didn't mean to... I'm sorry...” Po Kong-Mars looked down at Xia Duo in his arms, his face full of guilt.
Just as he was about to say something more, he was fiercely interrupted by Xia Duo.
“I’m not the kind of shallow woman who would scream and cry over something like this! What I want to know is, what exactly do you take us for? Why didn't you tell us such an important thing beforehand!”
“Because I was afraid... I can't imagine... if I were to lose you, just like my brother did... what would become of me.”
“So Senior Noah was right, you really are a complete fool!”
Under the astonished gazes of the group, Xia Duo grabbed Po Kong-Mars by the collar, tilted her head up, and pressed her red lips against his.
Po Kong-Mars was caught off guard by this sudden move. He responded clumsily to Xia Duo while casting a pleading look toward Starlight and his brother, Sui Yun-Mars.
To his surprise, upon seeing this, Sui Yun-Mars had no intention of stopping them. Instead, he gave a soft whistle, his expression saying, “So that’s how it is.”
Starlight shook his head with a smile and silently mouthed to him: “It’s not like it’s your first time anyway, what are you afraid of?”
Beside them, Moen quickly reached out a hand to cover Little Goldie’s curious eyes, whispering a reminder: “Little Goldie, close your eyes! No looking!”
It was unclear whether this reminder was of any use to a dragon, but Little Goldie turned his head away dismissively and muttered, “Hmph! What’s so great about two people mashing their teeth and tongues together? It’s not like they can eat each other.”
Little Goldie’s comment seemed to snap Xia Duo out of it. She paused for a moment before immediately letting go of Po Kong-Mars and shrinking into the corner of the carriage like a startled rabbit.
When the others turned their gazes toward Xia Duo, her beautiful face was already flushed with an alluring crimson. Even her long ears had turned completely red and were trembling slightly.
Seeing her sister looking like she wanted to find a hole to crawl into, a mischievous smile appeared on Moen’s face as she teased, “So you can be this proactive too, Sister~ This is quite a surprise!”
“Moen! You’re still talking!...” Seeing her sister teasing her, Xia Duo was even more embarrassed. She could only instinctively cover her face with both hands to hide the blush.
“Hahahaha!” Finally, Sui Yun-Mars was the first to laugh. His laughter dispelled the gloom brought by that imperfect story. At this moment, he was truly happy for his brother from the bottom of his heart.
Even so, Po Kong-Mars still had to face the problem that was soon to arrive—unless he could gain enough power before that moment came. However, now was not the time to discourage him...
“Until then, I will be the one to clear the path ahead for you...” Sui Yun-Mars looked at his brother and thought silently.
At that moment, the carriage beneath them finished its long journey home. With a slight vibration, it slowly came to a halt.
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