The Prime Minister’s voice droned on, a dry recitation of clauses and sub-clauses that seemed designed to put the court to sleep.
However, no one slept. Every noble in the hall was listening with the intensity of a starving wolf, taking mental notes that would decide the fate of their houses.
I, too, listened. But while they heard regulations, I heard the mechanics of the coming war.
To summarize the old man’s long-winded speech, it basically came down to four crucial points that would define the next month of our lives.
First: The Mandate.
Every heir who had passed the age of 16 was required to attend. There were no exemptions for illness, cowardice, or political maneuvering.
Furthermore, those who had not yet undergone the Awakening ritual, mostly the younger siblings, would undergo it within the week.
The timing was impeccable, almost as if fate itself was trying to level the playing field. The Grand Awakening Ceremony was already scheduled to take place next week, not just in our Kingdom, but across the entire continent, or even the world.
It was a day when the aura density of the world naturally peaked, allowing those with individuals to resonate with the world and unlock their potential.
’This will be the turning point for Aurelia and Clara.’
I tapped my finger against the table, my gaze drifting toward my two younger sisters.
Until now, they had been fighting with one hand tied behind their backs, relying on pure intellect or physical conditioning while lacking the aura to reinforce it. But that would end next week.
This ceremony wouldn’t just be a formality for them; it would be the catalyst for their true growth. Once they awakened, the potential I knew they possessed would finally ignite, allowing them to truly stand on the same stage as the monsters of this era.
Second: The Timeline.
We had exactly one month to prepare.
A single month to gather resources, train our bodies, and steel our minds for the hell that awaited us.
The trial would officially commence at the beginning of summer. The official reasoning given was that the harsh northern winds would be milder by then, offering us a safer passage.
’Safer passage... what a joke.’
I scoffed internally, taking a sip of water to wash down the irony.
Anyone who knew the true nature of that place knew that the seasons of the outside world held no power there. The Hollowlands operated on its own twisted laws. Whether it was the height of summer or the dead of winter, that cursed land remained a frozen, gray purgatory. The sun could blaze overhead, and the Hollowlands would still bite with the chill of the grave.
Waiting for summer was just a comforting lie to keep the weak-willed from despairing before the journey even began.
Third: The Retinue.
This was the real game-changer.
We were allowed to bring as many followers as we wanted. There was no cap on numbers. The only conditions were that they had to be volunteers, no slaves or forced conscripts, and they had to be Awakened above Rank 2.
’And there it is.’
I took a bite of a macaron, the sweetness doing little to mask the bitter realization.
This rule transformed the trial from a test of individual merit into a full-scale proxy war.
It wasn’t about which Prince was the strongest anymore; it was about who had the deepest pockets, the strongest connections, and the most loyal private army.
It was a rule tailor-made for someone like Bane, who had the military backing of the Ironclad Legion, or Neron, with his shadowy networks.
Fourth: The Objective.
The goal was simple yet terrifyingly vague: "Secure the Future."
Essentially, we were tasked to identify the root cause of the phenomenon plaguing the Hollowlands. The mission was to either solve the problem directly at its source or find a viable solution and bring the news back to the Capital.
We were given exactly three months, the entirety of the summer season, to accomplish this.
And naturally, there were strict conditions attached. Any attempt to feign participation, desert the zone, or otherwise avoid the duty would be met with severe punishment.
"These are the laws set forth by the Crown," the Prime Minister finished, rolling up the scroll with a snap that signaled the end of the night’s peace. "May the Ancestors watch over the Royal Line."
As the hall dissolved into frantic whispering, I wiped my hands on a napkin.
"Your father... he is really ruthless, isn’t he?"
Joana muttered from the side, her gaze fixed on the empty throne where the King had sat just moments ago.
’He is.’
I agreed inwardly. The King was desperate, and desperate men made ruthless choices.
"I don’t know," I replied, keeping my voice light and shrugging my shoulders. "I think he has a reason to do this. He always does."
"Let’s hope so," she whispered, though her tone suggested she doubted it.
Suddenly, her gaze shifted to the side. She seemed to catch a sharp signal from across the room.
"Sorry," she turned to me, offering an apologetic smile. "My brother is calling me. I have to go."
"It is alright," I waved my hand cheerfully, my smile never faltering. "Say hi to him for me!"
Joana nodded and turned, her golden dress swishing as she made her way toward where Argus stood, looking impatient.
’I guess it is going to be about me.’
I chuckled inwardly as I watched her retreat.
It was obvious. They would discuss whether it was wise for the Crestfall family to support the Seventh Prince in this upcoming death march. Argus would undoubtedly disagree. He would push to support Bane instead and... find an early death in the process.
’Well, I only need the family and Joana’s support anyway.’
I swirled the remaining liquid in my glass.
’I could not care less if he sacrifices himself for my brother or gets eaten by that beast.’
However, a thought paused my hand.
’...Well, since he is somewhat my future brother-in-law, should I talk with Father-in-law about it?’
I considered it for a second before dismissing the idea.
’No. Let’s see what they will decide first.’
I downed the last of my sparkling water. Placing the empty glass on the table, I turned around.
While the rest of the hall was busy panic-planning for the summer, I quietly slipped away into the shadows of the corridor, leaving the chaos behind.