Besides Zain, Izark had many children, most of them illegitimate. He had two wives besides Vanessa: Ruby, a woman with fiery red hair and a spirited nature, who had borne him an 8-year-old son named Nyris, and Lily, a gentle and kind soul with golden locks, who had given him two daughters, Nancy and Maze, aged 6 and 5 respectively. The children were a lively bunch, their laughter often echoing through the grand halls of the palace.

  Morris provided updates on the children, "They've become rowdier since starting martial arts training. Young Master Nyris practices diligently, showing remarkable promise, while Lady Nancy and Maze, well, they seem to enjoy play more than training."

  Izark nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "That sounds about right. Nyris is quite determined, but the girls are still so naive."

  Morris continued, his tone becoming more serious. "My lord, the Emperor requests your presence in the Royal Court. It seems to be a matter of great importance."

  Izark waved a dismissive hand, a smirk crossing his face. "No, that glutton just wants to observe me, to see if I'm all bark or bite."

  Morris hesitated for a moment before asking, "And my lord, is this your child with Lady Vanessa?"

  "Yes, he is. Summon everyone important to the throne room. I have an announcement to make." Izark commanded.

  "Yes, my lord." Morris replied, bowing deeply before hurrying off to carry out his orders.

  Soon, the throne room filled with curious faces, all surprised to see the baby cradled in Izark's arms. Only a few trusted individuals knew about Zain’s existence—Morris, the eleven knights, and his two wives. They were the only ones he trusted completely.

  As the room fell silent, Izark’s children, Nyris, Nancy, and Maze, dashed to the front, their excitement palpable.

  "Daddy, where's the baby?" Nancy's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

  "Hush, Nancy! This is the courtroom, not your playroom." Nyris scolded, trying to maintain some semblance of decorum.

  But Maze, always the rebellious one, chimed in, "Don't worry, brother. Daddy's here. No one dares say a word."

  Izark couldn't help but chuckle at their antics. The three children were always dramatic, their personalities a constant source of both amusement and exasperation. They had learned about their new sibling from their mothers and had been eager to see him ever since.

  "So cute." Maze cooed, reaching out to touch the baby's tiny hand.

  Nancy, not to be outdone, declared, "He'll be handsomer than you, brother."

  Nyris, trying to maintain his composure, muttered, "Yeah... uh, I mean, no, he has good eyes, but he's still a child."

  Izark’s expression turned stern as he addressed his children. "You know the rules in public. You'll be punished for this lack of decorum. Let me think... ah yes, your allowance will be halved for a month."

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  Their excitement waned at his words, knowing better than to argue. Izark then stood from his throne, holding the baby high for all to see.

  "This is my legitimate son, Zain Gremory. His mother has passed, so he will stay here with us. Any objections?" His voice was commanding, leaving no room for dissent. "I thought not. Back to work."

  Though many had questions, they chose not to voice them. A few minutes later, only the children, Morris, Ruby, Lily, and his eleven followers remained. These were the only ones allowed to ask questions. They inspected the baby one by one, their expressions a mix of curiosity and admiration.

  Ruby and Lily had been given to Izark as part of political bargains after he had defeated the allied nobles. They had been innocent girls, used as pawns in a larger game. But meeting them had changed his perspective, and he had come to genuinely care for them, leading to their marriages. Their unions had also helped him overthrow two nobles and claim their lands. Despite the circumstances of their arrival, they lived happily within the Gremory family.

  Mesmerized by Zain's cuteness, both women were delighted to have another child to nurture, filling a void as their own children grew older. In the quiet of the hall, whispers arose among those gathered. Some wondered about Zain's future, others about Izark's plans, but they dared not voice their curiosity, knowing the consequences.

  Izark, meanwhile, basked in the attention, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the sight of his family together. His eleven followers, known as the 'Death Knights', stood silently but with an imposing presence. Each of these men had been by Izark’s side through countless battles and adventures, earning their reputations as some of the fiercest warriors in the realm. Among them, Raiser the Reaper was the most terrifying, his double-sided axe capable of cutting through even Sage beings. The others were equally formidable, each with their own unique strengths.

  Suddenly, Valtar, a mage known for his wisdom and power, wore a troubled expression. "Lord, what... this... I... can't... cough."

  All attention turned towards him as he coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground. It was alarming to see a Mythic being in such distress. Izark's heart raced as he knelt beside Valtar.

  "Valtar, what happened?" Izark demanded, his voice filled with concern.

  "Sorry, my Lord. I didn't expect the little fellow to be this strong. When I tried to use my energy to analyze his body, it backfired because of his energy attacking me." Valtar explained, his voice weak.

  "Hehehe..." The baby let out a small, innocent laugh, oblivious to the chaos he had caused.

  "Sl... ee.. pp." The hall fell silent as the infant spoke his first word, echoing his departed mother's last. It was astonishing that he could harm a Mythic being and then laugh. Zain quietly fell asleep, ignoring the shocked faces around him. Izark snapped out of his daze, his protective instincts kicking in.

  "What are you all staring at? Don't you have work to do? Zain is sleeping!" he barked, regaining his composure.

  "But... how could he just injure..." one of the knights began, only to be cut off by Valtar.

  "No, he didn't injure me. It was my mistake. When analyzing a foreign body, energy can backfire, especially against stronger powers. Hahaha... I didn't expect this kid to be so interesting." Valtar said, his laughter tinged with awe.

  As Valtar spoke, the full implications of Zain's power dawned on him. It wasn't merely the baby's energy that had caused the backfire but his powerful bloodline inherited from his mother, Vanessa. If she had fought seriously, even Izark would have struggled against her.

  Realizing Zain's potential, Izark cautioned the room. "This incident stays secret. Be careful, especially you three." he said, addressing his children. "Kids, you tend to disobey me. Ruby and Lily, take the kids and Zain to the room."

  Ruby left with the sleeping Zain in her arms, while Lily and the children followed, their footsteps echoing softly in the grand hall.

  Izark turned his attention back to the matters at hand. "Now, about Marquis Renis, he could be a significant problem. Raiser, take three others and a battalion. I want his lands under my control within four months."

  "Yes, my lord." Raiser replied, his voice deep and unwavering. Though daunting, the task was well within Raiser's capabilities. Feared even in the Mythic Realm, he would undoubtedly get the job done.

  Next, Izark addressed the stabilization of his rapidly growing territory. His swift expansion had brought many issues, some of which had been neglected due to continuous warfare. He needed capable managers to address these problems and maximize the benefits of his conquests.

  As the meeting continued, Izark delved into the intricate details of governance, outlining strategies for economic development, infrastructure improvement, and social welfare programs. Each decision was carefully weighed, considering the long-term implications for his realm and its inhabitants. Hours passed as Izark and his advisors deliberated, their discussions ranging from foreign policy to agricultural reform. Despite the gravity of the topics at hand, there was a sense of camaraderie among them, forged through years of shared triumphs and challenges.

  Outside the throne room, the bustling sounds of the castle echoed through the corridors, servants going about their duties with quiet efficiency. In the courtyard, knights sparred with one another, their swords flashing in the sunlight as they honed their skills for future battles. The clang of metal and the shouts of warriors created a rhythmic backdrop to the day's activities.

  Meanwhile, in the nursery, Ruby and Lily watched over the sleeping Zain, their hearts filled with love and protectiveness for their youngest charge. Despite the tumultuous world outside, within the confines of their care, Zain was safe and cherished, surrounded by warmth and affection. The soft glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting a serene light over the room.

  As the day wore on, Izark attended to his duties, his mind occasionally drifting to thoughts of Zain and the legacy he would leave behind.