Chapter 254: Branch Family Meeting
Darian lowered his head with the practiced patience of a man who had heard similar scoldings for decades.
"Yes, Lord Orvain."
Aurelian kept his expression steady, though it was not easy. There was something oddly comforting about seeing a senior branch commander scolded like a careless youngster.
Orvain’s tone eased after a moment.
"Still, seeing Aurelian is worth some excitement. He has brought great merit to the family and may become very important to this branch as well."
Darian looked between them, suddenly alert. "Important to the branch?"
"Call the Tier V commanders and senior administrators currently in residence," Orvain said. "Also notify Mirael and Soren if they are in the district. We need a branch council."
Darian blinked. "Now?"
"Now."
He looked like he wanted to ask more, especially with Aurelian standing there, but Orvain did not give him the chance.
"Go. Aurelian does not have time to run messages for you."
Darian’s mouth opened, closed, then he nodded quickly.
"I’ll send the notice immediately."
He left at once, moving far faster than his earlier casual walk suggested.
Aurelian waited until Darian was out of earshot before looking at Orvain.
"You planned this."
"I prepared for it."
Aurelian glanced toward Astra, who had remained silent throughout the exchange.
She looked calm, but he knew her well enough to see the faint trace of amusement in her eyes.
"You are enjoying this," he said.
"Not really, but it’s good to see these situations once in a while."
Orvain laughed softly and gestured for them to follow.
The branch council hall was located at the center of the compound. It was smaller than the Arcturus family’s main command chamber, but it had the same practical dignity.
Long tables curved around a central display platform, and the walls carried old campaign plaques, branch records, and names of commanders who had served under Orvain’s line over the past two centuries.
Aurelian had not paid much attention to this branch before, but now that he stood inside its hall, he saw its history more clearly.
This was not a weak branch.
It simply lacked a future strong enough to match its past.
Orvain took the central seat but had not yet activated the main display. He seemed content to wait while people arrived, and they did arrive quickly.
Within half an hour, the hall had filled with commanders, senior administrators, engineers, and branch officers.
Some looked young, while others looked middle-aged, but he is not sure whether that is their true age or just the appearance they prefer.
Several had shipgirls standing behind them, and more than a few looked at Astra with a look of curiosity, as she could be considered the weakest one in this room, but none of them said anything, as they knew that her being here must have a reason.
Aurelian stayed near Orvain rather than taking a seat of honor, which drew even more attention.
Whispers moved around the hall, quiet but impossible to miss.
Most of them knew he had reached Tier V.
Some clearly knew Astra had reached Tier V.
Almost none seemed to know why he had been brought here.
Before the meeting could begin, a sharp voice came from the side entrance.
"Brother, are we finally moving?"
The speaker was an older man with iron-gray hair and the build of someone who had spent too many years on warships to enjoy sitting in offices.
His uniform was neat but worn in a way that suggested he preferred field command over ceremony.
Orvain’s younger brother, Maeron Arcturus.
A Tier V commander with a reputation for being aggressive, loyal, and difficult to keep away from battle.
He entered the hall with clear excitement.
"Our fleets are repaired from the southern route, and the replacement hulls are ready. If there’s a fight, say the word, and I’ll have our people prepared before dinner."
Orvain’s expression cooled at once.
"Sit down, Maeron."
Maeron stopped.
The room quieted.
Orvain did not raise his voice, but the authority in it was enough.
"Wait until everyone is here before you start trying to launch a war."
Maeron blinked, then finally seemed to notice the atmosphere. His eyes shifted to Aurelian, then to Astra, and then back to Orvain.
"Oh."
"Yes," Orvain said. "Oh."
Maeron cleared his throat and went to his seat without another word.
Aurelian had to look down briefly to hide his smile.
Orvain noticed and gave him a look that seemed to say this was exactly why he had warned him not to judge the branch too quickly.
When the last of the senior members arrived, Orvain finally activated the central display.
Instead of showing the full Crownward March map, he brought up only a sealed family notice indicating that the branch was entering a restricted strategic discussion under the authority of the Arcturus family head and Orvain himself.
Orvain stood.
"I called you here because our branch has reached a turning point."
The hall became even quieter.
"For two centuries, we have held our position as a recognized direct branch of the Arcturus family. We have served on the outer fronts, contributed as commanders, maintained our industries, and protected the people under us. None of that is shameful."
Several people straightened slightly.
"But it is not enough."
No one argued.
Aurelian watched the room carefully. Some looked surprised, but most did not. That told him Orvain’s concerns were not new.
The branch knew its own problem, even if nobody usually said it so directly.
Orvain continued, "We lack a new pillar. We have Tier V commanders, good officers, good administrators, loyal families, and people worth protecting. But we do not have the next figure who can carry the branch to a higher place."
Maeron looked uncomfortable, but he did not interrupt.
Orvain turned slightly and gestured toward Aurelian.
"That future may now exist outside our branch."
This time, the room truly stirred.
Aurelian felt dozens of eyes turn toward him.
He kept his expression calm.
Orvain did not give the whispers time to grow.
"Aurelian Arcturus has established a frontier region beyond current Alliance space. The family head and the inner elders have inspected it and judged it worthy of support. Details remain restricted, but I will say this much. It is a real territory, with a habitable world, strategic infrastructure, hidden routes, and room to grow."
As Orvain spoke, the people around the room slowly started to pay attention as the more he talked, the more surprised and curious they were about what Orvain wanted to say.
