Montclair had maintained his court in an iron grip. His court was a court of respect and awe, his authority never questioned. But even the strongest grip would loosen one day—if sufficient pressure was applied.
And pressure was building now.
The arrest of Baron Duthane had shocked the community of nobles.
Montclair had acted quickly, condemning his former friend without trial. He believed that he was demonstrating his strength—but he had demonstrated only his fear.
"If Duthane can be overthrown, then who is next?"
The rumors started.
"Montclair is desperate now."
"He does not trust anyone in the background."
"A leader who cannot trust his own men cannot remain in power."
Even his most devoted followers were already distancing themselves, observing him from afar instead of standing by him.
The supposedly unshakeable court was now crumbling beneath his feet.
Aric observed in the background, allowing the venom he had instilled to assert itself.
Now, however, it was time to move in.
Through Cedric and Revelle, he started subtly stirring Montclair's remaining loyalists.
Some were offered safeguarding—"Stand by me, and you will not suffer Duthane's demise."
Some were revealed a higher terror—"Montclair is troubled. If you do not get out of the way, it will be you next."
Others were threatened—\\\\"Swear fealty to me now, or be drowned by the coming tempest."
It was done one at a time.
Montclair was still solid, but his court was nobody else's anymore.
The last gambit was to induce Montclair to make a fatal error.
Aric initiated a public challenge at the next court gathering.
A lower noble, one of the few remaining supporters of Montclair, challenged his judgment.
"My lord, some of us believe that the recent arrests were… rash. Must we not wait to make sure that we are not being misled?"
A fair question.
But Montclair was no longer a reasonable man.
He lost it.
"You doubt me? You have the temerity to question my judgment?!"
Furious, he had the man arrested—in the middle of court.
Gasps filled the air. Eyes went wide.
And then the moment Aric had been waiting for.
Another noble stepped forward.
Then another.
And another.
A waterfall of rebellion.
"My lord, you are madness."
"We must reason with you, not paranoia."
"If you keep going down this road, you will be alone."
Montclair saw it.
Felt it.
The hold he had fought so desperately to keep was sliding from his fingers.
And for the first time, he was afraid.
It was a fleeting glimpse, but it was there.
At that moment, the System awoke.
[ Opportunity Recognized. ]
[ Target: Montclair is vulnerable. ]
[ Do you want to attack now? Y/N ]
Aric's lips twisted into a slow, triumphant smile.
"Not yet."
Because Montclair hadn't fallen far enough.
Not yet.