Foreign Kingdoms Take Notice
News of Solis Vermillion's brutal reforms spread far beyond the Clover Kingdom's borders.
The Diamond Kingdom, the Spade Kingdom, and the Heart Kingdom all received reports of the young king's execution of nobles, centralization of trade, and restructuring of power.
In the Diamond Kingdom, a group of military generals sat around a long table.
One of them, General Lotus Whomalt, tapped his fingers on the desk.
"This boy… He's dangerous."
A younger general scoffed.
"So what? He's just a kid playing king. He'll burn himself out."
Lotus shook his head.
"No… he's too smart for that. A king who isn't controlled by nobles is a king who is hard to manipulate. If Clover Kingdom stabilizes under him, it could become even stronger than before."
The room fell silent.
For years, the Diamond Kingdom had exploited Clover Kingdom's corruption to their advantage. But if Solis wiped out the noble class and united the people under his rule… that could spell trouble.
"We need to watch him closely," Lotus murmured.
Spade Kingdom's Interest
Meanwhile, deep within the Spade Kingdom, a shadowy figure read the report with an amused smile.
"A tyrant, huh? Interesting."
A woman with piercing red eyes knelt before him.
"Shall we interfere, my lord?"
The figure chuckled.
"Not yet. Let's see how much destruction he causes first. If he breaks the Clover Kingdom from the inside, we won't even have to invade."
The woman nodded and disappeared into the darkness.
Noble Conspiracy in Clover Kingdom
Back in the Clover Kingdom, not all nobles were willing to accept their fate.
In a secret chamber within a high-ranking noble's estate, a group of furious aristocrats gathered.
Duke Reinhold Faust, one of the few surviving noble leaders, slammed his fist against the table.
"That boy dares to execute our kind and seize control?!"
Beside him, Marquis Edmund Silva, a distant relative of the Silva family, sneered.
"This so-called 'Tyrant King' must be dealt with before he solidifies his rule."
A third noble, Viscount Laurent, leaned forward.
"Then it's decided. We'll contact foreign assassins and dispose of him before it's too late."
The room filled with murmurs of agreement.
Their plan was set.
The Assassination Attempt
Late at night, within the royal palace, Solis sat in his study, writing out plans for further reforms.
The candlelight flickered as he focused on his documents.
Then, suddenly—
THUMP.
A silent figure landed on the balcony.
Solis's golden eyes snapped up.
The assassin moved with unnatural speed, dashing toward him with a dagger aimed at his throat.
Solis barely had time to react. He dodged, but the blade grazed his cheek, drawing blood.
His eyes narrowed.
"An assassin…?"
The figure lunged again, but this time, Solis was ready.
With pure instinct, he grabbed a nearby sword and blocked the strike. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal.
His body was strong, but he still lacked a grimoire. This fight wouldn't be easy.
The assassin sneered.
"You're not as strong as they say, 'Tyrant King.' This will be quick."
Solis smirked.
"You think I need magic to handle a coward in the shadows?"
The fight intensified, but before the assassin could land another fatal strike—
CRASH!
The doors to Solis's chamber burst open.
Several Royal Knights stormed in, led by Fuegoleon Vermillion.
"Your Highness!" Fuegoleon roared.
The assassin cursed and attempted to flee, but Solis wasn't about to let him go.
Gripping his sword, he hurled it like a spear, piercing the assassin's leg.
The man screamed as he collapsed.
The knights restrained him, and Fuegoleon turned to Solis with a grave expression.
"Are you injured?"
Solis wiped the blood from his cheek, smirking.
"I'm fine. But I think it's time we start hunting down the rest of the traitors."
Fuegoleon nodded.
"I agree. The nobility won't stop until you break them completely."
Solis's eyes gleamed.
"Then we'll just have to do exactly that."
End of Chapter 24