Of the nobles who remained, there was hardly one who hadn't benefited from his actions.
He was not just a man of war—he possessed political savvy, leadership, and undeniable charisma.
Even the nobles, proud as they were, had no choice but to acknowledge him.
None would dare oppose Michael and Astrid—at least not openly.
Through the purges of the Northwest and the South, Michael had already proven his political prowess.
Those measures had enabled the kingdom's long-awaited reforms and reinforced trust in his leadership.
It also allowed the central government to solidify its power.
All obstacles had been cleared for Michael and Astrid to jointly seize control.
Duke Capone's face bloomed into a deeper smile.
"Perhaps the day they marry… will be the day we proclaim an empire."
Michael already ruled over Crasus, a portion of the Northwest Sector, the plains of Elonia, and the lands beyond the Argo Mountains.
In terms of territory, he did not fall behind any existing empire.
