Custer Family

Custer Family (卡斯特家族), Shadow Empire's top business family, currently ruled by Celine.

## Members

* Sacramen
	+ Croz
		- First son (dead)
		- Dior
		- Falamo, married Marianne
		- Celine

## Business

They do business with Dark Moon's Princess Retail Store.

## History

The founder of the Custer Family was Sacramen Custer (萨克拉门·卡斯特).

Croz (克罗兹), the current patriarch, was also an amazing individual. During "royal wars" in the Dark Shadow Empire, he decisively chose Princess Catherine, who wasn't thought highly of at that time, and provided a lot of money and resources. Eventually, Catherine settled the rebellion and ascended the throne. The Custer Family who made "contribution" had a more stable position and had firmly occupied the position as the top business family.

Croz was seriously injured in his early years. Now, he was in his twilight years; he was frail and ill. So, he naturally had the idea of ​​handing over the family's responsibility to the next generation. Croz had three sons and a daughter. His eldest son died early during the civil war in the capital. His second son Dior became the eldest son. His third son was called Falamo (法拉莫). His youngest daughter was Celine.

According to age, Dior was the first-in-line, Falamo was the second and Celine was the third. Actually, Croz was dissatisfied with these children.

Dior was mediocre, obsessed over women and rash. In the past, he almost turned his back with his family for a political marriage. For many years, he had had a bad relationship with Anna, the financial minister's daughter.

Falamo was weak and had married Marianne, the sister of Dark Shadow's second general, Valen. Marianne was of the Asmodeus family of the Dark Shadow's empire, and she was superior to her husband.

In his older years, Croz only had the remaining young daughter, Celine. Although she was clever and lovable, she was not yet 20 years old, and she had too little experience to inherit the family business.

Dior traveled outside the city to sightsee under the reason of investigation. As a result, he disappeared for a few months. Croz had been worried. This time when Dior returned, there was indication that some plotted to assassinate Dior. Croz suspected Falamo the most because if Dior died, the biggest beneficiary would be Falamo.

Croz himself also went through a fierce family struggle. He didn't expect these children to love each other and live in peace. The Demon Realm advocated the survival of the fittest. It was just that Falamo had been controlled by his wife, Marianne and behind Marianne was the second general representing the royal family. If he really inherited the family, the huge family business would likely fall into the hands of "foreign relatives". Therefore, Croz had a thorn in his heart.

Old Gauss, who saw through all that, used pertinent measures to make Croz even more careful of Falamo. The balance gradually fell to Dior. Certainly, the pressure from General Valen was still too great to ignore.

The Custer Family started as a magic store. They were currently the official designated supplier of firearms and magic items. For many years, it had maintained a good relationship with the capital's Mechanics Association for mutual benefit. This mechanics contest was also hugely sponsored by the Custer Family.

Croz knew he didn't have much time left and he must be decisive about inheritance. In the end, he decided that each of the three children had to select one of the contesting mechanics as a supporter. Whoever's chosen mechanic had a better position in the contest would become the true first-in-line successor. If anyone won the ultimate victory in the contest, then he or she would occupy the position of true heir without any dispute!

This support was two-sided and the mechanic must agree personally. It was not only to test the heirs' ability to spot talents, but also the comprehensive abilities of strategies and schemes.

As soon as Croz's decision was announced, Dior and Falamo immediately began preparations in full swing. On the other hand, Celine, who was least likely to inherit the family business, seemed unhurried.

Old Gauss knew the importance of knowing oneself and one's opponents. Under his suggestion, Dior used the internal relationship in the Mechanics Association to obtain the first-hand information of the registered mechanics. After screening and evaluation, he finally narrowed the candidates to two.

One was a disciple of Master Leo (雷欧 leiou) from the capital's Mechanics Association; another was a rising genius mechanic, Savice (萨维切).

The other was a senior mechanic, the previous champion of mechanics contest, Robert, who was most likely to be promoted to master.

Certainly, this mechanics contest would also attract the mechanics from the Fallen Angel Empire and Bloody Empire. Other than these two, there were also great and possibly unknown individuals. However, as they could only select one supporter, they must choose the candidate who could get the best chance of winning. At the least, the rank must be at least over the other two competitors.

Old Gauss was optimistic for last year's champion, Robert (罗伯特). So, Gauss tried to fancy him and started a series of strategies to build rapport. Old Gauss, as Shea's most trusted aide for many years, did have considerably good measures. At that time, when it was almost successful, Old Gauss suddenly disappeared. After that incident, Robert suddenly changed his original plan and switched to Falamo's side. It could be seen that the biggest suspect who "vaporized" Old Gauss was Falamo.

Dior had sent several searches and sent people to track and monitor Falamo, but he found nothing at all.

At present, the mechanics contest was imminent. According to the original analysis of Old Gauss, Dior targeted Savice. Savice became famous when he was young, and he even had a senior master like Leo behind him. Therefore, he had always been arrogant and acted rashly. Dior tried many ways and finally got closer to Savice after much effort. He planned to set up a feast tonight in the alternative courtyard to entertain Savice and discuss the formal cooperation.

## Story

Kia was chatting with Chen Rui. When she saw Celine coming, she made an excuse and went to rest in the room. Celine had a sweet smile on her face which seemed like she didn't care about the loss today.

Chen Rui smiled, "I wonder what advice the third lady is giving for coming here?"

"I don't have any advice. I'm just a loser. Now, I've attracted my first and second brother's attention, and I can't even hide myself anymore." Celine sighed, "Initially, I thought that Horford can win confidently, but I didn't expect to encounter such an outstanding character like master. I can only say that I have really bad luck."

"Where is Master Horford?"

"As a dual-specialized master, logically speaking, he will be valued by all parties. Yet, he has been overshadowed by you now and he feels uninterested, so he left early." Celine said with a smile, "I'm surrendering myself to master now as a loser. You can do whatever you want, master..."

Chen Rui took a glance at the snow-white plumpness at the open neckline and said calmly, "Go straight to the point."

"I've got news. Someone found Old Gauss in a house in the southern suburbs. If master wants to look for him, I can lead the way." Celine's eyes rolled, "I heard that he seems to have eaten something that shouldn't be eaten, so he has been unconscious. That's probably why he disappeared."

"Really?" Chen Rui didn't expose her and went along her tone instead to ask, "Then, when he wakes up, there should be no other problems right?"

"I think there shouldn't be a problem. I've already found Old Gauss that master wants which is enough to prove my sincerity. Then, master's promise the night before... "

"You're ambitious and capable at the same time. You're more suitable to control the Custer Family than Dior and Falamo." Chen Rui's words brightened Celine's eyes, "However, ambition is a double-edged sword. I'm worried that this sword will harm myself."

Celine definitely deserved the evaluation that "don't judge a book by its cover". For benefit, she could pay all costs, including her own body. However, from another perspective, Celine had the courage, wisdom and means, which was far better than her two brothers. She should be the best candidate as the heir.

Even though Dior was pleasing Chen Rui now, he also had the thought of betraying after reaching his goal.

The Custer Family was the top business family. The controller must have flexible minds and means. Chen Rui needed a person who could truly manage and grow the Custer Family and be of use for him and the Dark Moon. If he used the God-Eating Mask, he had to stay here to control. Otherwise, if he left, relying on the puppet's mind alone wouldn't work.

"If Ms. Celine can save me from the worries of the future, I can help and support you to be the head of the family. You also know that with my current reputation and my position in the Mechanic Alliance even if you don't kill your two brothers, as long as I make a statement, your father is also likely to change his mind."

"Am I not trustworthy enough after I've become your wife?" Celine frowned.

"What do you think?" Chen Rui asked in return. Celine could kill her brother, then put the blame on another brother; she could secretly make Old Gauss disappear; she could send someone to assassinate Chen Rui on the street; or she could use her own body as the bargaining chip for the position as the head of the family. If it was a marriage based solely on interests, it was obviously unreliable.

"Let's do it this way. I'll visit Old Gauss first. Then, I'll discuss and solve the most critical trust issue in our cooperation."

Celine's smile returned to her face, "There are too many people visiting master now. Let's go out from the side door when it's darker."

### Celine's ascension

Initially, the patriarch of the Custer Family, Croz, had decided to have his eldest son, Dior to be the heir. However, the relationship between Master Arthur and Celine had changed Croz's mind. There was a faint trend of him preferring Celine and that sign undoubtedly caused Dior's strong dissatisfaction.

Master Arthur was attacked by assassins before the final. Falamo and Celine were the main suspects. Yet, at that time, Celine had Horford, a dual-specialized master which was a sure win. She didn't have to take that risk. Therefore, the Falamo couple was most suspicious.

Soon, the investigating officer serving under Empress Catherine brought some men to the Custer Family and took Dior, Falamo couple and Celine away in front of the patriarch, Croz.

Two days later, the four returned to the Custer family, Dior and Falamo couple looked bleak. Even for the second general's sister, Marianne, who had always been dominant was the same. It was only Celine who seemed calm and easy.

At the same time, a result of the interrogation was sent to the patriarch, Croz, which had the detailed plans by the Dior and Falamo against Master Arthur. Some of the terrifying conspiracies even targeted Croz which made him looked gloomier. The only thing that surprised him was Celine. Originally, this girl had already shown extraordinary strategies and vision in the mechanic contest. Yet, this time, she didn't have any special "flaws". Although some of her means were harsh, it was for the sake of the development of the entire Custer Family in overall.

Even if master returned safely, the two sons who had left a bad "impression" on the empress weren't suitable to be the heir of the Custer Family. Although Celine was a daughter and she was still young, her ingenuity and means were surprising. Coupled with her close relationship with the master and the results of this investigation, she was indeed a better heir as compared to Dior and Falamo. Therefore, Croz secretly made up his mind.

When the capital was searching up and down in panic for the whereabouts of "Arthur", the master was lying leisurely on a carriage. Beside him was a beautiful blue-haired girl who fed him fruit from time to time. She looked dedicated in serving him.

If someone who knew the blue-haired girl next to him saw that scene, he or she would definitely be surprised. When did this savage and fierce lady become a good girl?

Even if Chen Rui didn't use Camouflage to change his face a little bit, with his intimate and easy appearance with Fatilu, who would recognize that it was the "kidnapped" master?

Chen Rui's disappearance was obviously planned and the opportunity for Celine to ascend was only incidental. Besides, Empress Catherine could also use this missing incident to clean up part of Broc's side forces. The most important thing was clearly following Fatilu, who had become a puppet, to a place.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chapter 314 (Steambun)
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chapter 249
3. ↑ George rescued Dior (Chapter 246)
4. ↑ 知己知彼 from Sunzi's Art of War
5. ↑ Chapter 260 (Steambun)
6. ↑ Chapter 268 (Steambun)