I Don't Agree to the Terms-Chapter 1073 - 564: Sometimes It’s Easier to Play Along Than Get Hit Again

Ruben rubbed the back of his head, not knowing what heavy object had struck him just now, leaving his mind a bit dazed.

Fortunately, his consciousness quickly cleared, and he hurriedly got up.

Just now, he received a terrifying piece of news: his most respected father had passed away, leaving him in immense grief.

He did not covet his father's title and power like the other nobles, because he knew one thing: being the Earl of the Blood Orchid Flying Snake King was not an easy matter.

The danger came from other nobles and the church. Without sufficient means, he would inevitably become a puppet.

In terms of capability, Ruben didn't think he possessed talents and strength comparable to his father's. Once his father died, the surrounding nobles would certainly lose their fear.

Flying snakes that haven't grown wings and developed venomous fangs would hardly intimidate enemies.

After hurriedly arriving at the room, it was filled with sorrow.

Several of his younger siblings had long been waiting by the side, and his father's retainers from the territory were also gathered there.

Ruben knew that this time wouldn't be easy; his siblings were also coveting the position of Earl. They had already won over the retainers and might have even found outside support, only waiting for an opportunity.

Now, this opportunity had arrived.

He was seeking his own force, after all, he had made some preparations, but he found that the people present seemed to avoid his gaze, giving him a sense of foreboding.

"You're late, Young Master Ruben," Countess Philas looked down at him.

She was his stepmother, as his biological mother had long passed away. If his father were still alive, Philas wouldn't dare treat him this way and would respectfully call him young master, after all, he was the heir to the Earl and was deeply loved by his father.

But now, the situation was already under her control.

"You disappoint me. As the new Earl, you must pay attention to your appearance at any time, not look so disheveled." Her tone was very stern.

This made him look up incredulously at his stepmother, not expecting her to say that, assuming she would use this to embarrass him and strip away his inheritance rights.

"Did you think I would deliberately make things difficult for you, preventing you from inheriting the title?"

"In my eyes, you are the most outstanding heir, even now." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Philas' tone softened at the end: "The enemies you have to face are not me, but the nobles who are eyeing your father's, my husband's, death with malice."

"Your siblings, uncles, and elders are your support, not your enemies."

These words stunned Ruben, leaving him with a hint of guilt.

"I understand, mother." Ruben willingly called this out, at least without protecting his siblings.

"He wrote a will for you last night, asking me to give it to you." Philas took out a piece of parchment and handed it over to him.

The parchment was sealed tightly, without any signs of being opened, clearly meant for his eyes only.

Ruben, of course, accepted it without hesitation and immediately began to examine it.

'Magic Power tides, wizard, and the precious Bloodline Awakening Ceremony that no other nobles possess.'

At this moment, Ruben's worldview was heavily shaken.

When he learned the truth of the church, the source of noble bloodlines, and everything else, he found that the gods he respected were not so sacred after all.

"It seems you've had quite the revelation." Philas' tone seemed slightly more relaxed.

"Yes, mother. After father's burial, I will undergo a period of seclusion. Once completed, there's no need to worry about the nobles posing any threat to our Blood Orchid Flying Snake Territory," Ruben said calmly.

He certainly couldn't reveal the contents of the will; otherwise, it would cause a huge uproar, even becoming a means for other nobles to attack.

The will stated that all nobles knew the truth, yet as long as it was unspoken, they must pretend not to know, not leaking a bit. Even if you pursue the wizard's power, it must remain secret; otherwise, you would be breaking the rules.

He vividly remembered the happenings in the Thorny Lion Territory. Previously, he foolishly thought that it was the Prince of Thorny Lion colluding with demons. Now it seemed to be research on the wizard's power, revealing a bit, which led to the Expeditionary Army's crusade.

If all goes well, next month he might hear rumors of the Thorny Lions being stripped of noble status and entirely obliterated.

As for the Expeditionary Army failing? He had never considered that.

However, if they really fail, it would prove that the wizard's power exceeds both the nobles and the church, which naturally would be the best path for him.

"Seclusion? You don't need to trouble yourself with your father's affairs; you may proceed to your seclusion soon, just need to preside over the burial ceremony."

"After all, without your father, the entire territory has fallen into danger."

Philas never thought of harming Ruben; they're on the same boat now.

If the Blood Orchid Flying Snake Territory were to fall under the control of other nobles, their outcomes would be predictable.

Ruben might fare slightly better with his inherited title of Earl and role as a priest, the other nobles wouldn't bother him much, possibly allowing him to indulge in pleasures. But as for the others, they would likely lose their current favorable lifestyle, being hardly better than commoners.