CHAPTER 31
In the land between the Kingdom of Kaelthor and the Desert of Spines, a city flourished amidst spreading flora and fauna. It curved in a crescent shape, bustling with activity as preparations climaxed to receive the five colossal powers of Rhazekar.
Five polished carriages, each with their retinue trailing behind, rolled down the stone roads toward the gates.
Inside a black carriage coming from the north of Eldoria, a dark-skinned man reclined in his seat. His face was lined with fine wrinkles, a visage shaped by fire and discipline. Yet a deep frown settled there now.
Through the window, he saw the Eldorian carriage making its way along the same path.
"Has the Security Council been deployed there?"
Despite his expression, his voice carried its usual strength.
The young woman seated opposite him twisted her lips and shook her head. "When I was returning, there were no Council Members," she said. Her hair was tied into a bun, and she wore heavy black leather lined with crimson fur.
Ever since leaving the site, she'd been unable to comprehend how a single person could handle three late-stage Great Humans. Those were beings just below Warlords; though Rhazekar had no Warlords, every kingdom had at least two Great Humans. She had a suspicion of who it might be, but she refused to believe it. If she were right, things would become dangerous.
"Father, who do you think did it?"
Her father remained silent, head tilted back against the headrest. Slowly, he opened his eyes and stared at the carriage ceiling.
"If it isn't the Mad King of Eldoria, who else would commit such a…"
He sighed deeply, unable to find a word fit to describe the suffocating incident. It seemed simple on the surface, yet it wasn't—an entire regional power wiped out by one person.
He noticed his daughter's eyes widen slightly and gently shook his head. He wished he could express the same shock, but how could he? He had watched Hendrick grow; nothing the man did surprised him anymore.
'What would Alfred have done if he were alive to see this?'
The old man smiled faintly at the thought of Hendrick's father. Ahead, the city grew larger as they drew closer. Together, he and Alfred had built the Assembly into what it was today.
The guards at the gates straightened their backs, eyes sharp. From somewhere deeper in the city, he could faintly hear the noise of a school—the academy for the children of the diplomats who lived here.
His carriage diverged from the Eldorian one, following its designated path. All other carriages peeled off into their own lanes, entering through separate gates.
The old man's gaze lingered on the golden carriage.
"I wonder how he is doing?" he muttered.
Soon they entered the resplendent grounds of the Assembly. The roads were wide, the largest one leading to the towering structure that stood proudly at the centre. Scents from stalls drifted through the air, commoners strolled across the estate district, and children ran about freely—blissfully unaware of the tension hanging thick above their heads. The city was quite majestic, bearing all the needed facilities of a normal functioning city.
A gate guarded the administrative area. Once the carriages passed through, it shut behind them.
After stepping out of his carriage, the old man surveyed the surroundings while his retinue assembled behind him. Other delegations were arriving as well. Each kingdom brought different numbers of people, based on how many positions their kingdom held in the Assembly.
Then he spotted Hendrick stepping out of the Eldorian carriage with an expressionless face, dressed in regal attire, his two children flanking him.
Hendrick felt the eyes on him—many eyes. They already knew what had happened, but he didn't care. Tension crackled in the air; several royals shot him cold looks.
Sera, meanwhile, looked around with eager curiosity. It was her first time in the Assembly's city. She had heard countless tales, yet none did justice to the sheer magnificence around her. She watched her father walk ahead and gestured to Garran to follow, but he motioned for her to lead instead.
Garran smiled faintly as the various powers entered the towering doors. Nobles and Princes approached them with greetings, but he only offered polite smiles, unwilling to indulge in small talk.
Minos stood quietly behind him, worry written across his face—and Garran understood why.
The upper echelon of Rhazekar was already in turmoil over the news. While some doubted the culprit's identity, they knew. They had been the ones to pick the culprit up from the middle of nowhere and watch him change.
The other nobles from their kingdom moved ahead, leaving only Garran and Minos behind.
"Why do you look like Father didn't tell you?" Garran asked, irritated by Minos's expression.
Minos simply shrugged, genuinely unaware. Garran clicked his tongue and turned away, feeling the sun's heat on his back.
They entered the tower together. Minos exhaled in relief, basking in the cooler air.
"The question you should be asking is why your father brought your sister along," Minos said calmly. "Haven't you been the only royal he brought over the last years? So why now?"
Garran flinched. Minos smiled and walked toward a door marked 'COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' in bold lettering.
"I'd offer to accompany you," Minos said with a tight smile, "but I am awfully busy today."
He opened the door and disappeared inside.
Garran ignored him and kept walking. He tried to press down Minos's words, but the same voice returned—louder this time.
'He's right. Minos only wants the best for you. The best way to protect your sister is to get rid of her. Look at what your father did today—do you think your sister could do the same?'
Garran shook his head sharply and entered into a hall in the tower.
The place was filled with retinues from other kingdoms. Some mingled with other delegations; for many young nobles and royals, today was the only chance in the year to socialize and build connections—unless they were invited to a party.
His gaze swept the cabin until he found Sera, surrounded by nobles.
Garran frowned and strode toward them.
"Excuse me. I have to take my sister away," he said, taking Sera's hand and pulling her aside. Heated gazes burned into his back—some hateful, others merely annoyed. He ignored all of them and silently prayed Sera wouldn't scold him.
Thankfully, she didn't. Not until they reached their cabin.
Sera let out a breath. The moment she'd entered the hall, nobles had swarmed her with friendliness so intense she thought she'd wandered into the wrong room. Garran's timely arrival had saved her.
"Are they always this chatty?" she asked, settling into a seat.
Several nobles from their kingdom stared at her, but a single glance from Garran made them look away. The gesture made her smile.
"They aren't," Garran muttered. "They're just desperate bastards who want you."
Sera's eyes widened. She had assumed they were simply helping her because she was new to the place. Though she did suspect some ulterior motives—especially from the red-clad nobles of Kaelthor.
She sighed and rested her head against the couch. A yawn escaped her mouth while her eyes gleamed with curiousity, she asked Garran to give her a brief history of the Assembly.
Though she had been taught by her governess, nothing beat hearing it from someone who had come here yearly since the age of seventeen.
Garran's expression softened. The voice in his head quieted, allowing him to focus fully on his sister.
"This place was initially established—"
Sera listened attentively like a diligent student. Her posture drew the gaze of several young nobles seated nearby. She looked too beautiful to ignore.
Meanwhile, outside the Eldorian cabin, the other kingdoms carried on as usual. The ambitious ones immediately sought discussions about the morning's events—and the same energy filled the Tharion cabin.
The dark-skinned Princess sat on a couch while her retinue stood. Although they were nobles, sitting in the same space as the Princess was scandalous and improper.
She sighed, giving up on persuading them otherwise.
Her mind drifted to the Eldorian Princess who had entered earlier. The girl's yellow silk gown trimmed with gold made her stand out—and even as a fellow young woman, she felt drawn to her. But that wasn't the issue.
The Eldorian King was making a statement.
He knew the Assembly would question him—only he had enough reason to carry out the attack. So he brought his daughter along, a reminder of his ties. Everyone here knew about the most powerful arranged marriage of the century: the strongest King of Rhazekar married to the President of the Assembly.
A pact strong enough to shatter kingdoms.
Something was brewing—she could feel it—but couldn't pinpoint what. Eldoria was already too powerful, especially considering the mysterious visit from the enigmatic Iskarian Prince.
She wanted to sigh again but restrained herself.
"Your Highness, don't you think they've taken long? The Executive Council meeting usually ends early," a young man asked respectfully, bowing his head and avoiding her eyes.
The Princess nodded. She already knew the reason.
The Security Council had likely returned—and they would be delivering a report.