The throne room was quiet.
Montclair, once an immovable pillar, now stood by himself. His hands trembled, his breathing labored. He felt the sliding eyes of his nobles, their mistrust tightening around his neck, a noose that constricted by the minute.
Aric observed from the shadows, his task all but done.
And then the System reminded him.
[Montclair is on the verge of destruction.]
[ Want to drive him mad? ]
Aric's heart thudded.
[ New Ability Unlocked: Sovereign's Reckoning ]
[ An absolute, binding command. Any so marked will obey without question, their will broken forever. ]
His lips dropped in shock. This was not the same.
Sovereign's Brand guaranteed loyalty—but the victim's mind remained functional.
Sovereign's Reckoning destroyed that mind, leaving only an obedient shell.
[ Use Sovereign's Reckoning on Montclair? Y/N ]
Aric hesitated.
This was his foe. The man standing in his path.
And yet…
Would it be too easy?
Montclair's public destruction would serve him better than a mindless puppet.
He breathed slowly.
"Not yet."
The System buzzed in understanding, falling silent.
For now.
Montclair balled his fists. The nobles were slipping away from him.
He could sense their doubt, catch the fear in their eyes.
"I am still the master of this court," he snarled, voice shaking.
"And I will not be questioned."
Desperation consumed him.
He struck out, trying to gain control before it was too late.
He demanded loyalty.
He threatened.
He accused his enemies of treason.
But the more he fought, the weaker he seemed.
And Aric knew—this was the time to strike.
Aric advanced, allowing the nobles to see him.
He said not a word.
He did not have to.
The strength of his presence alone was sufficient to tip the balance.
"Lord Montclair," one of the nobles finally spoke, hesitantly but firmly. "Perhaps it would be wise… if you retired for a while. To clear your head."
Montclair bristled.
The room fell into a suffocating silence.
Aric waited, watching.
Would Montclair yield—or fight to the very end?
The reaction flashed back at him.
He bellowed.
A feral, savage cry, born of naked fury.
"You dare!???"
He sprang for his sword—willing to kill his own court if need be.
And in that instant, Aric stirred.
Now.
The System's voice reverberated in his mind, calling him forth.
And this time, Aric did not falter.
Sovereign's Brand—engaged.
The energy coursed through him. A soft command spoken into Montclair's being.
And suddenly—
The Duke stumbled.
His hands shook. His breath came in gasping fits.
His sword, once held with killing purpose, dropped to the ground.
His mind contorted.
And in the eyes of his court—they saw the instant he snapped.
A ruler who had once ruled with power and terror… now stood powerless.
Aric smiled.
"Checkmate."
The nobles saw.
They understood.
Montclair had lost.
One by one, they looked at Aric.
"What now?" their eyes asked.
And Aric replied.
With a simple, knowing glance—one that spoke of a new age dawning.
His age.