At the very heart of the capital city stood the grand central palace of the Azure Flame Kingdom, flanked by four smaller palaces that shimmered like gems beneath the fading sun.
While the main palace usually basked in the spotlight, today, all eyes had shifted—to the estate of Prince Orion.
He had thrown a lavish banquet, summoning nobles from every corner of the kingdom.
Just a day prior, the mighty Exorcism Sect had been wiped out, and Orion's open support for their downfall had stirred waves across the nobility.
His bold stance sent shockwaves through the court. Many aristocrats who had once stood beside him now hesitated, unsure whether to remain loyal or quietly step back.
After all, in the ruthless race for the throne, sheer strength meant little.
What truly mattered were political alliances, influence, and the power of one's backers.
