The window was half open, letting a pale gray light slip into Ken's chamber.The air was cold, the quiet heavy… broken only by the soft rustling of papers arranged neatly on the table.
Ken sat there, eyes moving over the remaining reports from yesterday, when a soft knock echoed.
Marvin entered first… carrying a file heavier than any before it. Behind him was Gray, silent—like the shadow of a blade.
Marvin placed the file on the table without a word.Ken's eyes widened slightly.
Marvin spoke in a calm voice, yet heavier than lead:
"Your Highness… this is the first full report on the network."
Ken motioned for him to sit.
Marvin sat, opened the first page, then looked straight into Ken's eyes.
Marvin:"Before I explain the results… let me start with one point."
Ken:"Go ahead."
Marvin:
"What you did yesterday… when you questioned the Sixteen Families in front of the king."
Marvin's tone was steady… but held a faint tremble. Ken couldn't tell if it was fear of the truth… or of what would follow.
***
The hall was suffocating.The smell of dry ink, the rustling of heavy documents, anxious footsteps… all blending into the king's silent, watchful gaze.
Marvin stood before the Royal Council, presenting evidence with his usual patience:
"…and after reviewing the documents of the fourth crisis, we found unregistered transac—"
Suddenly… Ken stood up.
Everyone froze.The ministers stopped breathing.Even the king lifted his head, his gaze sharp as a drawn blade.
Ken spoke in a firm, unwavering tone:
"The Sixteen Families... Some may be involved. Or at the very least... they turned a blind eye."
Shock spread silently across the chamber.
The Minister of Finance wiped his forehead quickly.The Justice Advisor began to sweat.The elder minister shifted in his seat as if the floor beneath him were burning.
And the king… did not grow angry.
But something in his posture changed—as if he had taken a blow to the chest.
That statement wasn't just bold.It was the smashing of a boundary no one had touched in centuries.
— Back to the Present
Marvin closed the page and said:
"That single moment, Your Highness… turned the entire meeting upside down."
Ken read through the report quietly.His eyes stopped on a page bearing three great names:
Milfelour — Veridian — Lumindrim
Ken:"Three suspicious families."
Marvin:"No decisive evidence. The connections exist… but we're not ready to accuse them."
Gray placed a hand on his hip."Any move now… and they'll erase every shred of proof."
Ken closed the report.
"And if we wait… they'll be prepared."
Marvin tapped the table lightly, impatient.
"Your head is stone, Ken! Stone!"
Gray chuckled softly.
But Marvin continued, this time with a heavy seriousness:
"Investigating these families isn't like interrogating the previous collaborators. If we touch them now… we'll spark a political war."
Ken:"The war has already begun."
Marvin didn't argue further.He released a long breath.
Meanwhile, in his chamber… Prince Leon sat on his bed, removing his boots after a grueling field trip.
His aide entered, carrying one file stacked atop another.
Leon spoke lazily:"What is it? Don't bring me anything that ruins my mood."
The aide hesitated… then finally said:
"Your Highness… it's something big."
Leon raised an eyebrow."Speak."
Aide:"Prince Darius… is accused of political and economic treason.And Prince Ken… is the one who exposed him."
Leon froze for half a second.
Then exploded:
"Ken?!!That kid hasn't been back for a week!Since when did he become the hero while we're sleeping?!"
Aide:"Savina's delegation left extremely upset, Your Highness. And the kingdom… is on the brink."
Leon ran his hand through his hair."All this… in two weeks?"
Aide:"Yes, Your Hi—"
Leon waved him off."Enough. I'll handle it tomorrow. Let me sleep."
And he slept.
As if the kingdom weren't about to devour itself.
Ken rose from his chair and approached the window.
The city below the palace looked calm… but behind that stillness, a hidden fire smoldered.
He spoke without turning:
"Marvin… we'll face them. One by one."
Marvin:"Even if it's not time yet?"
Ken:"Time… is over."
Gray:"Then let's start."
The two left, leaving Ken alone at the window…the morning light striking half of his shadowed face.
Savina's Delegation Leaves the Capital
On the stone road outside Orvallis's gates, the carriage of the King of Savina rattled as burning anger echoed inside it.
The king slammed his hand against the carriage handle:
"That boy… how dare he speak to me like that in front of everyone?!"
In his mind replayed Ken's words:
"…watch your tongue, Your Majesty."
His fist tightened."I'll make him pay. No matter how long it takes."
In the other corner of the carriage…Prince Rein sat with his head lowered, murmuring sadly:
"I was… so close to marriage."
Kyle looked distant, staring out the window.
He spoke softly—too softly for anyone to hear:
"That man… Ken…His aura wasn't normal.It felt… like Prince Adrian."
The carriage swallowed the rest of their voices as it rolled away from the kingdom—carrying anger, curiosity… and a threat not yet given shape.
And in the palace…
Ken closed the window, sank into a moment of silence, then muttered:
"The next step… gods, what a headache."
And with that…a new phase of the war began.
End of Chapter.