Chapter 328: Chapter 227: When False Becomes True, True Becomes False (Part 2)

I have to say, this Source Power ability was truly useful—a real superweapon.

Agatha, Matthew, and Dalia had been so dazzled by the golden light that they couldn’t open their eyes. Now, as they looked at Fang Zhen, their expressions held different kinds of shock.

"You really are a descendant of the Augustus bloodline! If you weren’t, it would be absolutely impossible to activate the Double-headed Eagle Badge," Agatha said excitedly.

At that moment, Agatha felt like a fan who, after many years of admiration, had finally met her idol in person.

Dalia and Matthew, however, were surprised in a different way.

The two blood-siblings exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock, surprise, and a hint of confusion.

Dalia and Matthew knew, or at least could guess, where Fang Zhen had gotten the Double-headed Eagle Badge. But they had never imagined he could actually activate it.

The Augustus Family used this badge as their sigil precisely because they were confident it couldn’t be activated by anyone outside their bloodline.

And now... Fang Zhen had activated it. What did that mean?

It meant that even if the badge was the one Matthew had lost, Fang Zhen truly possessed the blood of the Augustus Family!

At least, that was how it looked from Dalia and Matthew’s perspective.

The shock was simply too great.

After a few seconds of silence, Matthew was the first to act. He bowed deeply to Fang Zhen, a standard gesture of respect for a superior.

"Lord Fang Zhen—no, I should address you as Fang Zhen Augustus. Please allow me to offer you my respect and admiration."

"To think I have met and fought alongside a descendant of a legendary hero... what an honor. Please forgive my lack of courtesy when I was ignorant of your identity."

"My lord, you are worthy of the glory of the Augustus Clan, and just as worthy of the station of Duke."

Following Matthew’s lead, Agatha also solemnly knelt on one knee, performing the most formal salute prescribed in the Order Knight’s code of conduct.

Dalia also bowed respectfully, and the look she gave Fang Zhen shone with an extraordinary adoration.

Even though Dalia herself was descended from legendary nobility and had already resolved to be Fang Zhen’s woman, what woman wouldn’t want her man to possess an even more noble and legendary status?

By proving his ’bloodline,’ Fang Zhen had just shored up his greatest weakness: his lack of a known origin or family legacy. This was crucial in a world where the ruling hierarchy was built on lineage, and the upper class placed immense value on bloodline and inheritance.

He would still face difficulties, but he no longer had a fatal flaw holding him back.

In fact, his new identity and ’bloodline inheritance’ didn’t just fix his weakness; it overcompensated for it, giving him an advantage that could overwhelm almost everyone in this world, save for a select few. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"There’s no need to be so formal," Fang Zhen said.

Dalia, Agatha, and Matthew still completed the full formalities required when addressing high nobility before they rose.

"Let’s focus on the more practical matters at hand. First, we need to take command of Henry’s army," Fang Zhen said. "Once we have these troops, the plan to occupy Henry’s territory can proceed smoothly."

"As for my status," Fang Zhen continued, "even if the Kingdom’s laws exist, it’s not certain if they’ll be recognized in practice or if anyone will acknowledge them. Let’s not factor that in for now."

"My lord, while your status as a Duke has not yet been acknowledged, we can begin publicizing your identity now," Agatha said. "It may be somewhat improper for an Order Knight like myself, a servant of God, to say this, but I must remind you: in nearly every army in the Kingdom, your ancestor, Sword Saint Augustus, is a widely worshipped figure."

"His legendary deeds, immense personal power, adherence to the path of loyalty and honor, and his detached attitude of caring little for the station of Duke have all made him a Legend. Countless soldiers revere him. He’s even honored as the man closest to God, and he holds a status akin to that of a Martial God."

"Of course, ’Martial God’ is just a metaphor. Sword Saint Augustus still stands under the light of the God Tade."

"Therefore, even if you have not yet been officially granted the station of Duke by the Kingdom, simply confirming that you are of the Augustus Clan bloodline is enough to grant you an incredibly transcendent and revered status."

Fang Zhen was a little surprised to hear Agatha say this.

’If I had to make a comparison, Sword Saint Augustus’s status here would be equivalent to Lord Guan’s in the Xia Country.’

’Indeed. Just by announcing that lineage, my status would immediately become lofty and transcendent, naturally carrying its own influence and a powerful halo effect.’

’To put it in more esoteric terms, a figure like Augustus would probably have the potential to ascend to godhood in a higher-plane world.’

"Alright, I understand," Fang Zhen said with a slight nod.

"Knight Agatha, first, I need you to organize the soldiers here at Ashton Castle. Have them fall into formation, then you will accompany me to Henry’s military camp."

"As you command, Lord Fang Zhen," Agatha replied at once.

After she spoke, Agatha felt her attitude might have been a bit too eager and cooperative, so she added, "What I mean is, if you can take control of Count Henry’s soldiers and lands, it would be a better choice for both the church and the commoners."

"You will surely be a more benevolent Lord than Count Henry."

Fang Zhen smiled faintly.

’I can already feel the halo effect,’ he thought. Even an Order Knight like Agatha, who was by no means a low-ranking member, was unconsciously influenced by the legendary aura of the Augustus Clan.

Agatha accepted her orders and left to organize the troops, leaving only Fang Zhen, Dalia, and Matthew in the reception room.