Hatem Goodspring, the current head of the family, lacked the deep attachment to his offspring that defined the Iron-Blooded Lord. As a member of a Great Family, he fulfilled his role in eradicating the church, but it would be an exaggeration to call him as zealous as a Badniker.0

What of his political standing? He maintained strong ties with the imperial family and central nobles, but his motivations were pure—his only interest lay in keeping the Badnikers in check.0

So what did Hatem truly desire? What drove this man?0

The answer was simple: to surpass the Badnikers.0

Until just a few decades ago, the Badnikers had been regarded as a declining family, a setting sun or, in crude terms, a relic. In contrast, the Goodsprings' prestige rivaled that of the imperial family.0

Now, that was no longer the case.0

While it wouldn't be accurate to say the balance had completely shifted, no one in the empire regarded the Goodsprings as superior to the Badnikers anymore. In fact, some even claimed the Badnikers had eclipsed them.0

Was this simply the tide of time? The Goodsprings were still in a strong position, but would their decline soon follow?0

Hatem didn't think so. He knew exactly who had upended the balance—Delac C. Badniker, the Iron-Blooded Lord.6

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