*In Re-Estize capital*
The grand hall of the royal palace was filled with the most influential figures in the Re-Estize Kingdom. Nobles, generals, and members of the royal family sat around a long, beautiful table. The air was thick with the scent of fine wine and the sound of clinking glasses.
The recent victory over the undead surge had lifted the spirits of the kingdom's elite, and the nobles were in high spirits, their laughter and chatter filling the room. King Ramposa III sat at the head of the long, ornate table, his expression relaxed but regal as he listened to the lively discussions around him.
To his right sat Prince Zanac and Princess Renner, their demeanor calm and measured, as Zanac engaged in polite conversation with a group of nobles, while his sister was silently watching like usual, her new Knight standing behind her.
To the King's left was Prince Barbro, the first prince, his voice loud and boisterous as he regaled a small crowd with tales of his own imagined heroics during the battle.
"I tell you," Barbro said, his tone brimming with self-importance, "if it weren't for my quick thinking, the undead would have overrun the eastern district. The soldiers were in disarray, but I rallied them and led the support charge myself!"
The nobles around him nodded and murmured their approval, though some exchanged subtle glances of skepticism.
Zanac, seated a few chairs away, rolled his eyes slightly but said nothing, choosing instead to sip his wine and listen to the more grounded discussions around him.
One of the nobles, a middle-aged man with a sharp face and a penchant for flattery, leaned toward the king. "Your Majesty, the kingdom is truly blessed to have such brave and capable leaders. The victory over the undead is a testament to the strength of the royal family."
Ramposa smiled politely, though his eyes betrayed a hint of weariness. "Thank you, Lord Grantham. But let us not forget the efforts of our soldiers and adventurers. It was their bravery that turned the tide."
Another noble, a portly man with a booming voice, chimed in. "Indeed, Your Majesty! And let us not overlook the contributions of Momon and that knight, Brain. Their actions were nothing short of heroic. Why, I heard Brain single-handedly defeated that madwoman, Clementine! A feat worthy of legend!"
The mention of Brain's name drew a few murmurs of agreement, though some nobles exchanged uneasy glances. The idea of a commoner rising to such prominence was still a sore point for many of them.
But under that innocent facade, those nobles were already thinking of ways to get Brain for themselves. Why did such a strong individual decide to leave a strong noble's services and work for the useless princess? They all had these kinds of questions.
Prince Zanac, ever the diplomat, smoothly redirected the conversation. "Their contributions are indeed remarkable. But let us not forget the broader implications of this victory. The undead surge was a wake-up call. We must strengthen our defenses and ensure such a threat never arises again."
The nobles nodded, their expressions turning serious as they considered his words. One of them, a younger noble with a keen interest in military strategy, leaned forward. "Your Highness is right. We must also consider the role of the Obsidian Chains in all of this. Their actions have been… beneficial, but their influence is growing at an alarming rate. We cannot ignore the potential threat they pose."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the topic settling over the gathering. King Ramposa's expression grew thoughtful, and he exchanged a glance with Zanac before speaking. "The Obsidian Chains are a complex matter. They have done much to stabilize the kingdom, but their power is undeniable. We must tread carefully."
Prince Barbro, never one to miss an opportunity to assert his opinion, scoffed loudly. "Tread carefully? They're nothing more than commoners playing at being powerful. We should crush them before they get any ideas above their station."
"Prince Barbro is absolutely right." A stout, mustached Noble barked, "If we do nothing, they will continue to grow stronger! What happens if they decide to turn on us?"
"We could make them our allies," another proposed. "Give their leader—this so-called Headmaster a title of nobility. That way, we can bring him under the Kingdom's control."
"Ridiculous!" a silver-haired Duke scoffed. "A commoner rising to nobility? Do you realize what an insult that would be to our bloodlines?"
A wave of murmurs swept through the room as more voices chimed in, all rejecting the idea.
The room erupted into arguments, and the nobles divided on how to handle the situation. Amid the chaos, Princess Renner sat quietly, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Her expression was calm, but her mind was racing. 'This is my chance.' She thought, her heart pounding with excitement. 'If I play this right, I can secure my position and show them all what I'm capable of.'
She raised her hand slightly, her soft voice cutting through the noise. "If I may—"
Before she could finish, one of the nobles interrupted her, his tone dismissive. "With all due respect, Your Highness, this is a matter for those with experience in politics and strategy. Perhaps it would be best if you remained silent."
Another scoffed. "Princess Renner, this is a matter of governance. Perhaps you should concern yourself with more suitable affairs."
Renner's blue eyes flickered, but her expression remained as pure and delicate as ever. It was not the first time she had been silenced.
'Pathetic.' She thought.
She could have obliterated their arguments in seconds, yet they treated her like a fragile ornament meant only for marriage arrangements.
But before she could let out the usual sigh and let them ignore her again
A voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"She was speaking." The firm, unwavering voice of Brain Unglaus filled the chamber.
The room fell silent.
The nobles turned to him, their expressions a mix of shock and outrage. One of them, a portly man with a sneer on his face, screamed. "How dare you speak to us like that! Just because you've been appointed as the princess's knight and have a few achievements under your belt doesn't mean you have the right to address us in such a manner!"
"Do not presume that your little achievement gives you the same status as us!" Another one barked.
"How dare you, commoner?!" Another Noble, red-faced, shot to his feet. "Just because you slew a mere assassin does not give you the right to speak above your station!"
Brain did not flinch.
Instead, he released it.
A wave of killing intent flooded the chamber.
The Nobles froze. Some even flinched in their seats.
Brain's eyes sharpened, his aura suffocating. "I am my lady's sword. If you will not respect her with words, then I will ensure you respect her through action."
Silence.
Even Gazef who was silently standing by the King was taken aback by the sheer ferocity in Brain's stance.
A long pause. Then the King finally exhaled and raised a hand. "…Let her speak."
A small, almost imperceptible smile touched Renner's lips.
This power, this feeling of commanding absolute authority was intoxicating.
But she kept her face serene, pure, untarnished.
She rose from her seat gracefully, her golden hair shimmering in the candlelight.
At first, she wanted to help, to propose solutions, but now, Brain's words reminded Renner who was backing her, dropped the weight of reality onto the chamber with a satisfied smile.
Renner stood, her smile as pure and innocent as ever, but her eyes gleamed with a hidden intensity. "Thank you, Brain, Father." She said, her voice soft but carrying a newfound confidence. "The Obsidian Chains are not simply an organization that exists in the shadows, They are a completely new legal business." She began. "And they are already under my control, alongside my partner."
A thick silence followed.
Many of the Nobles blinked. Some even leaned forward, as if they had misheard.
But Renner's expression did not change.
Not only did she control Obsidian Chains...
She continued, "Furthermore, I have also successfully recruited Blue Rose under my wings. The adamantite-rank adventurer team. Together, they will serve the kingdom and ensure its prosperity."
The entire room erupted.
"Lies!" One Noble slammed his hands on the table. "This is absurd! You—! How could—?!"
The shock in the chamber was absolute.
Renner, the weakest of the Royal Family. The fragile princess who had been seen as nothing more than a bargaining chip for noble marriages. Every one wanted to not believe it but... Why would she lie now?
She now held more power than anyone present.
Of course, she only said those things because Meliodas allowed her to...
King Ramposa was both surprised and impressed. 'Renner… when did she become so capable?' He felt a pang of guilt for underestimating her and a sense of pride. 'Perhaps she is more like her mother than I realized.'
Prince Zanac's mind was racing, his expression a mix of shock and calculation. 'This changes everything. If Renner has control over the Obsidian Chains and Blue Rose, she's no longer just a pawn. She's a player. And a dangerous one at that.'
Prince Barbro on the other hand, his face was red with anger, his fists clenched under the table. 'How dare she! A woman, no less, thinking she can wield such power? This is unacceptable!'
Her brothers, Zanac and Barbro, their dark gazes meeting. They had the same thoughts.
'This was dangerous.'
'A threat.'
And it showed in everyone's faces.
And it made Renner feel a rush of exhilaration, her heart pounding with excitement. 'This is power. This is what it feels like to be in control.' But she kept her mask intact, her smile pure and innocent. 'Let them fear me. Let them all see what I'm capable of.'
From this day, the royal family started slowly getting dismantled, a political and power struggle was taking place, and everyone's bond was slowly decaying.
The loser in all of this? The good person and bad king.
King Ramposa III was about to witness a cruel ending to his bloodline...
TO BE CONTINUED --->